| If you are interested in living on less money, not | | | | non-monetary ways like taking a walk in a park |
| just because you want to, but maybe even | | | | on a sunny day, or checking out the latest |
| because you have to, there are many ways to | | | | mystery novel from the library. Teach your kids |
| cut down on spending and conserve what you do | | | | how to be creative with what they already have |
| bring in. Everyone knows the economy is in rough | | | | or to have fun the old-fashioned way...playing |
| shape these days. How can't you know when the | | | | outside! Money does not need to be spent in |
| news mentions it every second of the day? In | | | | order to enjoy life. |
| fact, it's so over-discussed it's practically become | | | | Be A Smart Shopper - It's so easy to go to the |
| white noise. It seems there is a lot of discussion | | | | supermarket without planning your excursion, but |
| about the world's financial problems, but little | | | | with a little research and coupon clipping, you can |
| information offered about how to solve these | | | | save a significant amount of money. Stock up on |
| issues. Don't become overwhelmed by the big | | | | items that you would normally buy that are on |
| picture, but rather focus on what you can do to | | | | sale and can be stored without spoiling. Many |
| improve your own personal financial situation. | | | | supermarkets offer a membership that will allow |
| Follow these simple, yet effective tips to live a | | | | you to take advantage of additional savings |
| more frugal and peaceful life. | | | | simply for being loyal to their establishment. If |
| Budget - Everyone knows the word budget, but | | | | possible, get the weekly store fliers in the mail or |
| not everyone knows how to set one up. It's quite | | | | online before going out and plan your meals for |
| simple. On a peace of paper, or a spreadsheet on | | | | the next week or two based on sales. Also it can |
| your computer, list all of your expenses. Add | | | | be economical to go to more than one store to |
| them up. If your expenses are more than your | | | | score the best deals at each place as long as |
| income, you'll have to cut the fat so to speak. For | | | | they aren't so far away from each other that |
| example, if you are spending $100 a month on | | | | you are losing money on gas expenditure. Finally, |
| something frivolous, like a daily soda from the | | | | buy generics when you can which are just as |
| drive-through, you'll have to start buying a case | | | | good, if not better, than the expensive |
| of cans from the supermarket instead at a much | | | | name-brands. |
| lower expense. If your expenses are still more | | | | Save On Clothing - When shopping for clothing, |
| than your income after you've pared down, you'll | | | | consider patronizing thrift or consignment stores, |
| need to make more money. Selling unused | | | | or buying from online auction sites. No one but |
| belongings or getting a part-time job are good | | | | you will know your clothes were once enjoyed by |
| options. In dire situations, you may have to | | | | someone else. If you simply don't like the idea of |
| downsize your home, car, or other expensive | | | | wearing someone else's clothes, shop the |
| possessions. Once you get the budget balanced, | | | | clearance racks of your favorite stores. Buying at |
| post it where you will see it and abide by it. | | | | the end of a season for the following year is a |
| Pay Off Debt - Starting today, stop using credit | | | | wonderful way to save. If you have more than |
| cards and gaining even more debt. Credit cards | | | | one child, try to take good care of the oldest |
| are for emergency use only and buying a new | | | | child's clothing to hand-down to younger siblings. If |
| flat-screen TV is never an emergency! Make sure | | | | you have the time and desire, making your own |
| you build paying off debt into your budget. List | | | | clothes can be a huge money saver. Buy basic |
| your credit cards and other loans from the lowest | | | | shoes in neutral colors that match everything and |
| balance to the highest. Knock off the first one on | | | | can be worn in any season. Purchase classic |
| the list and then work your way down until they | | | | winter coats that never go out of style and can |
| are all at a zero balance. In the meantime, call the | | | | be worn from year to year. |
| credit card companies/banks and try to negotiate | | | | Cars And Houses - Cars and houses are two |
| a lower interest rate. Transferring balances to | | | | things that can definitely be bought used! Cars |
| cards with lower interest rates can also be helpful, | | | | lose value as soon as you drive them off the lot |
| but make sure you don't hurt your credit rating | | | | so buying new is rarely necessary or sensible. |
| with all of the inquiries into it that are required to | | | | Buying a pre-existing home is often much more |
| get a new account. | | | | economical than building new. In the case when |
| Save - Benjamin Franklin is quoted as saying that, | | | | one loses his or her job, downsizing a car or |
| "A penny saved is a penny earned". Truer words | | | | home may end up being an unfortunate last |
| have never been spoken. In the literal sense, start | | | | resort. Try to buy the minimum of what you |
| a change jar. At the end of each day, put | | | | need in the first place to avoid ending up in this |
| whatever coins you have in your pockets, wallet, | | | | sad situation. |
| or purse into this jar. Cash it out once a year and | | | | Living on less money may not sound appealing in |
| pay off a debt or deposit it into an | | | | our consuming-obsessed society, but the peace |
| interest-earning account. In a more abstract | | | | of mind that being debt-free and having tight |
| sense, you can save money countless ways. Buy | | | | control over your finances can afford makes it all |
| less, consume less, expend less, conserve more, | | | | worth it in the end. |
| reduce/reuse/recycle more. Enjoy yourself in | | | | |