2600 Home Budget Tips, from Easybudget.tv Welcome to “2600 Home Budgeting Tips” by EasyBudget We’ve gathered all of the budgeting tips from our files and compiled them all into the lists below. If you’re looking to start a budget the information below is crucial. Whether you’re trying to start a general budget, a budget around Entertainment, around the Home, on Education, when Shopping, on Vacation or even if you’re getting Married, we’ve got you covered. We’ve even thrown in a section called “tight-arse budgeting” just to lighten things up a little. We hope you enjoy the 2600 (well 2610 to be exact) budgeting tips. We recommend you regularly check in at www.easybudget.tv for all of the latest tips and stories. We also have a free budgeting program available for trial to help you manage your finances easily and effectively. Enjoy your new world of financial control. From the team as EasyBudget.tv General Budgeting Tips A good plan for preparing for little mishaps in life is to build an emergency fund. A wise budget includes everything you will spend money on, savings for a 'rainy day', savings for large purchases, giving, savings for kids, and investment for retirement and still stays within your income. Build an emergency fund. Building a financial safety net to prevent financial disasters caused by catastrophic illnesses or other personal tragedies. "Cute" items are often useless. Do not buy an item just because it is "cute". A budget is not set in stone. A budget should never be a financial starvation diet. A good budget is a spending plan that includes everything you will spend money on and stays within your income.
A good budget tells you when it is ok to make a major expenditure. A little creativity will stretch your budget a long way A rule must be set regarding purchases. A well-planned budget is when you can tell when it maybe dangerous to make a major expenditure. Accelerate deductions Accelerate your savings Accept generous offers from family and friends Adding up your monthly income is easy, but totaling up all your expenses takes a little more effort. After you have determined that you will take the steps necessary to become financially fit, you need to incorporate a financial success system into your personal financial life. After you have established spending patterns, begin to adjust some of them so that you have more to spend in other areas. Agree upon a set of rules on how and when you will spend, and what is considered a petty cash expense. Aim for greater awareness. Seek a deeper understanding of what’s behind your spending urges Aim to have three to nine months' of your expenditure tucked away for unplanned events like pregnancy or redundancy as well as planned savings. Allocate an amount per month to clothes Allocate Funds for Necessities Allocate your income by expense category. Allow different options to be available Allow yourself only one shopping trip a week for food. Along with budgeting for expenses, it’s important to budget for savings. Along with discretionary expenses, low priority expenses include unsecured loans, and credit card payments. Alter your spending habits Always ask for discounts. Always be on the lookout for attractive offers Always look for ways to trim expenses. Reduce gasoline expenses by walking, carpooling and taking public transportation always plan in advance what you are going to spend on Always stick to your plan. Your plan will help stop you from spending unnecessarily. Always try and pay at least 10% of your credit card balance every month. An emergency savings fund of six to twelve months living expenses is a wise idea.
An informed consumer always saves more money. Analyze your current finances. ARMs (Adjustable Rate Mortgages) are dangerous because they shift the risk of interest rate changes from the lender to you. As your child grows, you will want to plan for things you will need beyond the first year Ask for car manufacturer's rebates up front. Ask for corporate discounts. Ask for help - there are some great resources out there if you are struggling Ask friends with children what various pieces of baby gear and other necessities cost. Ask librarians where to find information that will help you make major purchase decisions. Ask people about their wish list. Ask your physician to consider prescribing generic drugs. Generic drugs can cost several hundred dollars less to purchase annually than brand-name drugs. Ask your travel agent about fare assurance. asses your needs and wants Assess your communications costs. As Internet and wireless use grows, many consumers are overpaying for unneeded communications capacity. At least once a year, make sure you review what you are paying versus what's offered elsewhere. At your appointment, ask to view samples of recent work by the supplier, as well as any written testimonials from satisfied customers. If you like what you see, ask for a written quote. Auto rentals are a good option if you want to drive around and check out the sights and sounds yourself Avoid auto dealer loans Avoid buying faddish clothes—they’re expensive and out of style within a year or two. Avoid buying nonfood items such as detergent, toothpaste, shampoo, napkins, and facial tissues at the grocery store. Avoid buying packaged and processed foods. Avoid buying snack or "empty calorie" foods. Avoid clothing that needs to be dry cleaned if at all possible. Avoid Fees Avoid Harmful Debt Avoid high speeds Avoid paying additional costs for warranties on low cost small appliances.
Avoid spending cash, unless you are good at writing down cash expenses in a journal Avoid the mini-bar Avoiding unnecessary penalties for late paymentd, pay bills on time. Balance your budget Balance your checkbook weekly! Penalties for bounced checks are very expensive. Barter services with neighbors. Barter, trade, and work for your food. Be accurate as you can, but don't worry if you have to make some estimates. Be aware of common sales techniques Be aware of your cell phone costs and how to reduce them. Be clear about where your money is going. Be creative and don't be afraid to experiment. Be creative with your gift giving: Be house-wise. Be in financial partnership with your spouse. Be organized by keeping all your receipts and billing statements in one place Be prepared for life's little mishaps be ready to adjust your budget from beginning to final dance. Be realistic. Don't set goals that you know you'll never reach. Be sure to only spend money on basic things in your life like shelter, clothes, food and transportation. Be sure to wash clothes when they do get dirty. Be willing to compromise. Become a coupon master Become an informed investor. Before going places, decide exactly how much you plan to spend and stick to your limit. Begin December with a tax strategy session. Beware of 'mood money'. Beware of pay phones. Beware of snack foods and concession stands Beware of the free breakfast Borrow accessories from family and friends instead of buying them Borrow anything you can instead of buying or renting. Borrow cookbooks, travel guides, how-to-references, and books on investing and saving. Borrow DVDs or games from your friends and family to avoid having to pay for the latest releases. Borrow from friends and family or purchase secondhand Borrow or rent as much as you can Borrow shoes. Borrowing books and reading magazines at your local library, rather than purchasing reading
material, can save you hundreds of dollars a year. Borrowing is a tool that should produce a return on your investment, not cost your future security. Brainstorm.Create a list of all the items you will need to care for your baby. Brake for garage sales Break down your obligation into monthly increments, then make sure you're setting aside those amounts each month Break your annual budget into quarters and monitor your progress every three months to detect problems and make corrections Bring lunch to work. Bring pre-packaged snacks like granola bars, trail mix, jerky, gum, or bottles of water Bring Your Own Bottles Bring your own lunch Bring your own reusable bag Budget ahead. Save small amounts from each paycheck all year round to build a gift fund Budget for non-gift Christmas items. Budget has to be detailed. Budgeting does not mean not spending any money. Budgeting is all about knowing what you need to spend versus what you desire to spend. Budgeting isn't difficult, but getting started does take motivation. Promise yourself a reward for your efforts. Build a contingency fund Build your budget meal by meal Buy a battery charger. Buy a bicycle. Buy a pass for public transportation. Buy a round-ring binder and a set of at least eight tabs. Buy diapers in bulk especially the first year Buy fruit and vegetables that are in season or even grow your own. Buy gas early in the morning. You'll get more for your money if you buy gas before the sun's heat has expanded the gas in the service station's fuel tank. Buy generic items Buy golf and tennis equipment by mail. Buy goods that have dual purpose. Buy heating oil in the summer. Buy items in bulk. Buy local, in-season foods buy lots of organic stuff and other health-type foods which are a bit more expensive
Buy meat and fish in bulk if you have a good freezer and regular power supply. Buy only what you need Buy out of season for big savings. Buy pre-packaged cards or hand write each invitation on stationery. Buy prepared foods at a grocery store Buy prescription drugs by mail Buy quality items off season Buy quality used gear on TradeMe and buy a few select items new that will stand up to abuse such as a great baby buggy, quality sturdy high chair and good denim overhauls for toddlers. Buy reading glasses, sunglesses or contact lenses by mail. buy really cheap, jokey presents Buy seasonal produce Buy separates that coordinate. Buy shoes that can be worn with other outfits.. Buy single-ply toilet paper. Buy snacks at the supermarket and take them with you throughout the day. Buy Socks and Underwear For Less Buy store brand foods instead of national name brands. Buy store brands or generics when available Buy supplies through wholesalers when possible. buy the best foods you can for the lowest price. Buy the computer that will be needed in college using the child's assets, not yours. Buy the highest possible deductible. Buy the items that do the job best: don’t pay just for the ‘right’ label. Buy the larger economy sizes of items. Buy the type of gas your car calls for buy things when they are at their cheapest. buy things you will eat and easy to freeze Buy together, cook together. buy what you are going to cook immediately that day buy what's on sale Buy whole foods Buy your bread a day old Buy your own drink it will work out a lot cheaper then paying the caterers or venues prices Buy your own wine wholesale. Buying your fruit and veg at the markets can be a more affordable option. By cosmetics by mail. Calculate how many pay days until Christmas & how much to put aside from ea Calculate the amount you spend on each grocery category including basic items such as flour, sugar, bread and milk, convenience foods, meats, poultry and fish, vegetables,
non-edibles, cleansers, detergents, paper products, and pet supplies. Calculate your current spending habits by tracking all of your receipts, including those from convenience and specialty stores, for a one-month period. Cancel all the extra services you don't use, such as call waiting, caller ID, voice mail, call forwarding and three-way calling. Car loans or lease payments and car licensing fees are essential to your budget if your vehicle is essential to your job. Carpool just one day a week Carry cash for everyday purchases Carry small bags of peanuts or granola bars for snacking in between meals. Cash in on refund offers. Cash spending is the biggest leak in most budgets. Categorize your expenses by group. Cconsider the main expense of your car, as this is usually a rather large monthly payment that goes to the bank or finance company. Change office eating habits. Change the way you eat Change tooth-brushing habit. Do not allow water to run while brushing. Change your car into more efficient vehicle. Cheap clothes do not necessarily mean a good value. Check first in "Consumer Reports" Check for restaurant coupons. Check for used CDs at your area record store. Check into an employer-sponsored dependent-care account, where you contribute an annual amount in pretax dollars to be used for qualifying dependent care expenses Check into your property taxes. Check loan rates before you shop. Check off the lines on your documents as you account for them in a budget item. Check on car manufacturer's incentives. "Check out best sellers from your local library." Check out budgeting resources. Check out movies from your library Check out rentals. Check out the Internet for clothing close-outs and other discounts. Check out the local beauty school for bargains on everything from haircuts and manicures to spa facials and highlights. "Check out when local restaurants and cinemas are running special offers such as “buy one get one free”." "Check the direct debits you pay from your account regularly, otherwise you may find you are still paying for your gym membership several years after you thought you had cancelled it."
Check tire pressures regularly. Check Up On Your Health Benefits Check your budget on a monthly basis. Check your credit cards, since many of them also offer a collision damage waiver that will cover deductibles, if you use that card to pay for the vehicle Check your local newspapers for advertisements of lunch and dinner specials and early bird specials Check your property tax bill. Check your subscriptions. Children’s menu.For guests under the age of twelve, ask the caterer to make up simple inexpensive meals. They will enjoy it more and you will pay less. Choose a credit card company that has no membership fee. Choose a credit card company that offers a 25-day grace period from the time of billing until payment is due. Choose haircuts that do not require frequent trimming, or learn with your friends to cut hair yourselves. Clean clothes inexpensively. Wash and iron clothes yourself. If you use a cleaner, compare prices at different establishments. Combine accounts at one bank. Come up with a budget plan that includes expenses that don't occur on a monthly basis, such as auto maintenance, homeowners insurance, personal property taxes, service contracts, etc. Compare and review your budget on a weekly or biweekly basis Compare tax-exempt alternatives. Computer software programs can be useful tools for developing and maintaining a budget, balancing your cheque book, and creating plans to save money and pay down your debt. Consider a pay-as-you-go cell phone Consider all costs to determine if family really profits from two incomes Consider bus or train Consider filing separate tax returns. Consider moving closer to work. Consider off-peak travel if possible Consider other non-rent expenses. Consider subtracting some things from your budget and adding both quality of life -and some cash!
Consider switching to a pay-as-you-go service Consider the costs or habits such as smoking. Consider transferring your balances from high-interest credit cards to low-interest ones. T consider using a budgeting program or software instead of using a notebook or a journal Consolidate & reduce existing debts consolidate your existing debts into one place to reduce your monthly interest payments. Contact your creditors for better deals. Continue to track your spending and do your best to stay within the budget setup for yourself. Contribute through organizations that offer a gift-matching program. Control your spending with the help of a budget planner like EasyBudget.tv Controlling your day-to-day finances to enable you to do the things that bring you satisfaction and enjoyment. Cooperation and commitment from the family is needed in order for your household budget and financial goals to succeed. Create a budget and stick to it. Create a budget for how much you will spend Create a budget template that works for you in order to track your spending in each area over the upcoming month. Create a budget that you can follow easily. Create a budget that you can live easily Create a clothing co-op with friends and neighbors. Create a family internet site to upload holiday pictures and exchange comments. This can be a password protected site for family members only. Create a gift. Another way to rein in your holiday spending is by buying fewer gifts and instead creating fun and personalized presents Create a list of STATIC EXPENSES – things that cost the same amount every month, like rent and your car lease and student loan payments. Create a spending diary Create a wish list, and delay spending. Create an Excel spreadsheet on a computer to save time, and avoid reworking the figures all the time. Create several other bank accounts for things like your personal spending and holidays. Create your budget.
Credit cards are a good way to track purchases unless you have trouble controlling your spending. Curb your spending on credit Curb your spending. Customize your budget to your specific needs Cut back on alcohol in restaurants. cut back. Evaluate discretionary spending such as subscriptions, eating out, entertainment, etc. Cut out subscriptions to magazines that entertain only. Debt payments, including your mortgage and any other loans, should ideally be no more than 30 percent of your income. Decide and note down the goal of your budget Decide and note down the goal of your budget. Refer to it whenever you are tempted to spend. Decide how much money you want to commit to each category of expenses, Decide how much you are willing to spend. Decide how much you can afford to spend. Decide if you want to use subcategories to track clothing expenses individually. "Declare “No Spending” weekends where you and your friends are each in charge of arranging cheap or free food, entertainment, transportation, etc." Declare No Spend days Dedicate a set amount of your paycheck into a social “piggybank” account. Delay income Design Your Financial Independence with Qualified Help Destroy and close all or most of your credit card accounts. Determine how long it will take you to achieve each goal and how much money you'll need Determine how much of your overall budget you want to devote to entertainment purposes Determine Monthly Net Income Determine the amount of your budget that you can afford to save each month. determine the amount you need to set aside for monthly bills Determine what categories of spending may be in danger of getting out of hand. Determine what categories of spending seem excessive to you and which ones you want to cut back. Determine which of the expenses identified will be easiest to reduce?
Determine your average monthly income. Determine your Fixed Costs Determine your saving goals. Develop a good relationship with your bank – you are likely to need their help over the years of your course. Develop a safety buffer Develop a Saving Discipline Devise a Savings Plan Dial phone calls directly without an operator. Using an operator to place calls can cost you up to $10 extra per call. Discipline has rewards Discuss and agree on short and long term financial planning Discuss and Reorganize Your Budget as Needed Discuss options on cutting costs: Cheaper cellphone plans, cable TV, not going out to eat as much, cutting unnecessary groceries, and other unnecessary spending. Distinguish between wants and needs Ditch the arcade Ditch the credit cards. Go with a check card instead Divide those bills into categories such as housing, entertainment, and food. Divide your spending into fixed costs and variable costs. Do a bi-weeklyspending do a deal with your friends to have a strict limit on presents do a master budget about once a year Do a price check Do family things together that are in inexpensive. Do not allow credit card companies to hold your future hostage. Do not buy clothes that require dry cleaning. Do not 'over think' your budget or try to overly control your finances as this can drive you crazy. Do not overspend Do your own clothing swap Do your own decorating. Do your own painting. don’t be afraid to seek help Don’t buy expensive clothing "Don’t buy expensive takeaways, it is far cheaper to simply buy the food at your local supermarket and make it yourself." Don’t buy in individual sizes Don’t forget about the expenses you are racking up because of financial disorganization – interest charges on your credit card debt, late fees because you forgot to return that
movie on time, overdraft charges because you didn’t balance your checkbook. Don’t forget about those expenses that are paid only intermittently – like insurance. Don’t forget to budget for gratuities "Don’t forget to use your ISA allowance each year as this can save you paying tax on your savings." Don’t Just Give an Allowance , Give Guidance "Don’t leave your iPod, mobile phone or camera chargers plugged in as they continue to consume electricity even when not connected to the appliance." Don’t let your spending budget match your income. Don’t see a budget as being about what you can’t have, but instead, working out what you can afford. Don’t supplement with your credit card or you won’t really be sticking to your agreed upon budget. "Don’t throw parties alone—have some friends help out and share the costs." Don’t Try To Outdo Others. Don’t use a card with an annual fee Don’t use a credit card—people using credit cards spend 34% more money on average than those who don’t Don’t use ATMs, or only use them once a week. Don't ask "What's the cheapest way?" Ask "What can I afford?" Don't be late on any loan or credit account payment. Don't be shy about asking your doctor if he /she has any free samples of the drug being prescribed. Don't borrow money Don't buy a cell phone co's it looks good Don't buy checks from your bank. Don't buy designer water every day. Don't eat out or buy takeaways Don't eat out or buy takeaways. You can eat so much cheaper by cooking at home Don't feel guilty for opting to less-expensive products Don't forget insurance. Don't forget the once yearly costs such as car registration and course costs. Don't forget to also pay attention to the little expenses because they all add up Don't forget your best resources, friends and family. Ask around to see if anyone has visited an area you plan to go. Don't forget your debts. don't have to be too fancy in family budgeting
Don't make toll call just for chit chat (write a letter) Don't make your budget so tight that it's impossible to keep Don't overlook your savings: Pay attention at the checkout to make sure the prices and discounts from coupons and frequent-shopper programs register correctly Don't pay for services that you don't use or really don't need. Don't pay for space you don't need. Think about more efficiently using space so you can purchase or rent less square footage. Don't pay interest on a loan unless you have to. Don't pretend. Don't indulge in wishful thinking. Don't set budget amounts that you know you won't be able to achieve. Don't take out, cook ahead. don't take your eftpos and credit cards out with you, just the amount of cash you think you'll need. Don't take your husband shopping with you. Don't trust your bank statement. Don't waste money on take aways Don't waste you cell ph credits on a friend the has a landline Drink filtered water rather than bottled at restaurants. Drop services you don’t really need: Dry cleaning costs add up quickly. Dry clothes in consecutive loads. eat at less expensive places eat lunch from home daily and eat out only on holidays and special occasions eat the recommended serving size of each item for each meal Eat what’s on sale, not what’s on your menu eBay can save families tons of money. Items can be purchased in "lots" (multiple items for sale for a single amount), or individually Eliminate extra services and the fees that go with them whenever possible. Empty your pockets or your purse at the end of the day. Enjoy events for free. Enlist the Help of Friends "Ensure you check the rates on your savings accounts, credit cards, current accounts and other financial products you hold on a regular basis." Entertain With Your Budget in Mind Entertainment expenses are easy to cut, but utility bills are not. Establish a clothing budget ... and live with it. Establish estimates for monthly expenses. Establish your kid's credit ratings early. Estimate expenses. Estimate your income for the budget period.
Evaluate activities carefully evaluate how much money you have to spend and the likely cost of the items on your list. Even if it's only a tiny percentage of your paycheck for now and you increase the amount as possible, you'll be ahead of the game. Every few months, comparison shop to see if you're paying too much for your telecommunications services -- Internet, land line phone and cable or satellite service. Every paycheck, take a percentage or a fixed amount of money and put it into your contingency fund. Every paycheck,create a personal budgeting plan and keep some of your money for yourself. Everyone deserves some personal money that doesn't have to be accounted for to anyone else,so work it out with your family on this matter. Exchange Old Clothes for Cash Executing and monitoring your plan will help to ensure that you stay on track. Exercise your budgeting skills. Experiment with the budget ranges. Explore and plan cheap recreational activities with friends. Explore Your Baby Daycare Options face your budget reality is much more enjoyable Facing Budget Reality - Cut Back or Increase Earnings Feel good about treating yourself when you do meet budget. Figure out exactly where your money is being spent the most. Find out about rights and benefits. The sooner you are aware of your entitlements, the easier it is to budget as you'll be able to factor in any additional income due to you. Find the lowest-cost place to purchase prescription drugs. Find the sales Find Ways to Tighten the Belt Painlessly Fix it before you replace it Focus on a single financial goal Focus on Savings Focus the most attention on reducing your biggest expenditures. Foolproof system to dramatically cut your spending and increase your saving power from the minute you learn it, including our Spending Diet For a month, record every penny that leaves your hand, in the form of a check or cash or a credit card transaction. For an entire week, write down what you spend and where you spend it, then see if you can make some changes that will leave you with more money. For dinner, sit at the bar and have drinks and appetizers rather than a 4 course meal.
For each item you buy, track the price per unit of that item For everything else, try to pay by either a paper check, online checking or through credit cards so you have a record of your purchases If christmas presents for extended families are making you broke, suggest that everyone draws a name from a hat For family fun, have a board game night. For personnel use, have only one credit card, with the aim to pay it off in full each month. Credit cards have annual fees Forecast the year's events and expenses as far in advance as possible Forget about credit cards Friends and family. Ask your neighbors, friends and family where they purchase gasoline and if they are aware of any “deals” in the Gather all the receipts and write down the individual amounts. Gather three months of bills or, if possible, all of the past year's bills, and add up how much you spend every month. Gather three months of your receipts and get your average monthly earnings. Gather together your check book, related bills, receipts and bank statements for the past three months. Look through and circle any entertainment-type expenses to get an idea of what you spend money on and how much. Generally, the more you have to borrow, the more likely it is that the low financing is a better choice. Get a bank loan and pay off the cards et a bicycle Get a credit union account too Get a fixed rate mortgage at today’s low rates. Get a free review of your credit rating. Get a new phone only once every two years at a maximum Get a part-time job. get a piece of paper and list ALL of your necessary expenses Get cooking. Use your outdoor grill often to keep the heat outdoors. Indoor cooking can raise kitchen temperatures up to 10 degrees Get creative Get free consumer advice from the government Get Insured Get involved with investing but do so wisely. Get more educated about money.
Get more exercise. If you live just a couple of miles from your classrooms and the weather is nice, try riding a bike or walking instead of driving the car Get non-smoker's discounts if you qualify. Get on your bike and cycle Get Organized and Automate What You Can Get Organized! Take an inventory of what your children already have. Get out three months of your monthly bills. Get regular engine tune-ups and car maintenance checks to avoid fuel economy problems due to worn spark plugs, dragging brakes, low transmission fluid, or transmission problems Get rid of high-intetest credit card debt Get rid of one car. get rid of the credit cards. Keep one for emergencies if you must. Get rid of vices Get the best deal is a calling card. Long-distance companies usually offer special discounts on calls made with calling cards issued to home subscribers. Get the best you can within your affordability Get the kids involved in budgeting. Get the whole family involved in saving money on food Get to know the interests of family and friends - that will help when choosing gifts get your financial bearings Get your housing and car loan as well as your mortgages deducted automatically every month from any checking account that you have. Getting organized is one of the first steps to getting your budget under control Give each bank a call and let them know that they're going to have to give you a deal or you won't use their card this year. Give gifts from your heart--not your Give up all unnecessary services on your telephone Give up premium cable channels. It's a lot cheaper to rent one film a week than watch one on premium cable channels that may cost more than $500 a year. Give your budget a bit of flexibility so that you will be able to stick to it. Give your children a set allowance for things, instead of just giving them money on as needed basis. Give yourself something to celebrate. By careful planning and budgeting, we can avoid stress and enjoy the season even more fully Go back through your bills and work out where you can cut costs. Go for it. Keep tab on prices at stations near the places you regularly frequent, such as
schools or your place of work Go through a previous month of transactions and figure out all the different areas in which you are spending your money. Go to a matinee instead of an evening showing. Go to a trusted mechanic for your routine maintenance needs. Go to movies during matinée showing Go to that special restaurant, but for lunch, not dinner Going in for bus or train passes allows you an economical transportation in a city or town Hang out in a friend's house for DVD marathons or video game tournaments! Have a cash account for your everyday needs. Have a category for food, fuel, bills, entertainment, etc. Have a designated place where you keep or can easily assemble your master home budget, your financial files, checkbook, etc Have a planned cash. have a portion of your pay automatically withdrawn and deposited to your bank account. You can talk to your bank about this Have a qualified attorney evaluate alimony or child support payments. Have a reality check and compare what we want to spend with our income. have a Secret Santa at Christmas. Have a set of file folders for items such as receipts, bills, canceled checks, checking account statements, etc Have a set time each week to review and pay the bills. Have an accountability partner. Have an accurate income projections. Have children change to old clothes for rough play. Have dinner parties Have Enough for Emergencies Have fun with your budget Have goals in your budget. Have mates over for a drinking session at home once in a while. Have someone else in your organization review your budget to see how realistic you are. Have the family track their spending. Have written, long term savings goals Have you included categories that fit your personal situation and your spending habits, not somebody else's Help Kids to Set Goals for Saving, Giving and Spending Here's a simple one - if you are having trouble paying your credit card bill, stop using your
credit card. Ideally, open a separate savings account just for these savings goals. Identify unimportant / unnecessary expenses and eliminate them. Identify Wants vs. Needs Identifying ways to cut costs without impacting (too much!) on your lifestyle is the key to successful budgeting Idling gets you 0 miles per gallon. The best way to warm up a vehicle is to drive it. No more than 30 seconds of idling on winter days is needed. Anything more simply wastes fuel and increases emissions. If cash burns a hole in your pocket, don’t carry it around. If expenses threaten to expand past your budget, consumer debt counselors advise increasing income rather than taking on debt. If purchases are planned and included in your household or personal budget they are not a financial strain. If the opportunity exists, work overtime or an extra shift at least once or twice a month. If there are adjustments needed to be made on a budget, do it immediately. If we don't budget, we lose control of our expenses and can't even figure out where the money went. If you already own something similar, you don’t need it so don’t buy it. If you are already managing your money to control spending and budgeting to pay down debt, you'll have those funds available every month. If you are carrying credit card debt, get rid of it as fast as you can. If you are conservative most of the time, you can be extravagant at the right times. If you are facing problems in maintaining your budget manually, you can use the budgeting software products available in the market If you are fortunate enough to be a member of an active credit union, you will probably be able to get a low-cost loan there. If you are making installment loan payments or are paying off credit card debt. One of your listed goals s should have been to pay them off. If you are married you need to include your spouse when budgeting. If you are only counting the minimum monthly payment, you will never pay your debts off. If you are paying extra funds towards reducing debt each month, you already have an emergency fund built into your debt elimination plan. If you are sitting on a chunk of savings, now may be a good time to consider buying a
home or to consult a financial advisor for investment advice to ensure you’re earning the best return possible on your money. If you are taking out new credit, think carefully about how you would manage the repayments if interest rates start to rise, or if you suddenly find yourself out of a job. If you blow your budget one month, try to make up for lost finance in areas that are more flexible e.g entertainment or eating out; If you bounce a check and it's the first time, ask for forgiveness, including waiver of any fees. If you buy a car, choose a lower-priced model. If you can afford to have someone help you with your budget and forecasting this could be money well spent. If you can afford to pay more than double, go for it. If you can find a mom with a child(ren) of the same gender older than you and younger than you with similar tastes, then you've got it made! The mom with the child older than you hands down all items she thinks you can use for your child If you can not help but to go over a little, then try not to worry because you should be able to make it up by controlling your other weekly or monthly finances in the mean time. If you can reduce the cost of your telephone or cable services by eliminating special features, try it. If you can trade of weeks of driving with a co-worker you will cut your costs in half. If you can, bike to work don't use the car. If you can’t afford a fixed-rate mortgage, you probably can't afford a house. If you deduct your expenses from your income and the result is a positive figure, then you have a budget surplus. If you do decide to buy, do some comparison shopping. If you don’t have enough money to take care of the priorities, you will need to find a way to generate more cash. If you don’t trust yourself, consider taking your cards and putting them all in a safe, tucked away out of site. If you don't have the cash in your pocket, you shouldn't be buying If you don't have the money, don't spend it! If you don't know an exact amount, estimate If you don't know how much to budget for minor cash items try recording all of your expenses for a week or two in a notebook in painstaking detail to give you a complete
record of how much you are spending on incidental items If you end up asking someone else to help you, make sure that your finance expertise is in good standing. If you expect any changes that will affect your income over the next year, such as a raise or a new car, make a note of that If you find your expenses are extremely high, compared to your income, you have to cut back on some unnecessary spending. If you get a raise, add only the extra take-home pay, not the full amount. If you have a baby passenger, save wit ha safety seat loaner. If you have a cash-value insurance policy, check out a loan from your insurance company. If you have a cell phone, do you need a landline as well? If you have debt, particularly credit card debt, you will want to make sure you pay it off as quickly as possible If you have enough room on your land, keep some hens. Eggs can be swapped for vegetables or fruit, or even money If you have other high-interest debt such as car loan, visit your bank or credit union and talk about one new "consolidator" loan at a lower rate If you have outstanding loans but can't find how much principal is outstanding, call the lender. If you have substantial debt, your needs and priorities will be different. If you have trouble figuring out where your cash gets spent, keep a small amount of cash on hand for minor purchases If you have your paycheck direct-deposited, have a certain amount put into a separate account. If you haven't been keeping good records, you may have to get a receipt of every dollar you spend for a month before you put together an accurate budget. If you juice your fruits and vegetables, save the pulp to add to baked goods and vegetable soups. If you know you need to buy a new CD or go to a concert over the week, make room for that in your budget. If you like eating out, eat out for lunch and cook for dinner: If you live in an apartment, you can cook for yourself a few nights a week If you really want to save money and spend wisely, you shouldn't buy items that you
don't really need now. If you see something you want, look at your budget first. If you spend, spend, spend at the beginning of the semester, you could be tapped out later. If you think that your power or gas bill is high and you live in a house that's made up of two or more flats, consider getting someone to check that you're not subsidising the neighbours. If you use a debit card, don't rely on an overdraft feature to spend money you don't have. If you use your credit card, please do it in your current budget, not your future budget. If you want financial independence, live a simple life style that does not create unnecessary personal debt. If you want to remain financially independent, take ultimate responsibility for every chapter of your financial life. If you want value, consider buying a smaller car. If you will use your cell phone when you travel, find out whether roaming charges will apply If you’re dying to try some HOT restaurant, stop by for dessert and coffee. If you’re not saving regularly, do budget money for saving. If you’re not terribly hungry, order an appetizer for your meal. If your car isn’t paid off yet -- consider speeding up the process by paying an additional amount on the principal of your loan. If your cell phone plan offers free nights and weekends, make your weekly calls then. If your children insist on buying more expensive items, suggest they put part of their allowance or paycheck toward the purchase, or let your children know you could eliminate a lower priority item from their list. If your children need a computer, consider shopping at an outlet store where you can purchase a refurbished model. If your expenses are more than income, you need to take action! If your goal is to be debt free in a year, don’t think about all of the reasons why you won’t be able to make it by that deadline. If your income decreases, revise your budget sheet immediately. If your kids will be flooded with presents from lots of relatives every year, set a limit on what you spend If your objective is to reduce interest rates and lower your monthly payments, avoid bankruptcy, consolidate your bills and have one monthly payment, or simply get out
of debt the fastest way possible, then a debt consolidation loan could provide the answer. If your wants don’t fit your budget, try prioritizing and saving for your top desires. If you're buying lunch out at work, this is a big money-suck.Eat leftovers, sandwiches, veggies/fruit/cheese/rice cake, etc. If you're concerned about paying for all those big baby items, ask your family to buy things between them rather than purchasing presents you won't necessarily need If you're in full time employment, aim to put around a third of your wage away each month Impulsiveness Means Disaster In calculating monthly income, remember that not all months will consists of 4 weekly paychecks. In families, discuss limits on spending for gifts. These limits not only tend to reduce expenditures; they also be greatly appreciated by the least affluent family members. In most cases, as soon as you see how much you are spending on your morning latte and breakfast items, you will be motivated to cut back. In planning for a budget, first figure out what you have right now. Include children in the budgeting exercise to teach restraint Include everything you regularly pay cash for in the Cash Budget-Monthly section. include expense categories for recurring, but not frequent items. Items like tires or dentist visits don’t happen very often, but they do happen. Setting aside funds in these categories will help keep you on track and away from items like your emergency fund include monthly savings in your list of goals Increase the size of the loan payments you're making. Increase your spendable income, if possible. Informed consumers make smarter purchase decisions. Instead of a budget, challenge yourself to a game. Instead of buying, make your own food "Instead of paying for a fitness club membership fee, buy some hand weights and take up jogging." Instead of spending extra money on personal entertainment, consider investing in a 401(k) or an IRA for your retirement. Instead of thinking of throwing away money on lottery, Internet or phone banking can save on bank fees. Invest in a cheap folder or grab an envelope and keep your receipts in it Invest In A Closet Organization System invest in lots of research and get creative
invest the money while you are saving. Invest Wisely and Respect Money Investigate government or church operated nursery. Investigate whether you are eligible for a Health Care Card, to save money on medical expenses. Involve your children in taking inventory and making a list of what they already have and what school supplies they need. It is always better to save first, then spend. It is essential to create a suitable budget and stay well within its confines It is good budgeting practice to write down how much money should be contributed to which expense. It is important that you commit to eliminating your debt as it will be difficult at first, but will get easier. It is important that you keep all of your receipts and record the entire amount that you spent for the whole month It takes a lot of time and paperwork to maintain a budget. It will be great when you are able to write ZERO on the amount owed for your car. It’s a smart idea to use a separate account for these funds that isn’t connected to an ATM card. It’s important that you have some idea of your liabilities – debts that still have to be repaid. It’s important to separate the “needs” from the “wants” in your life. it’s pointless to start down a financial path if you don’t you have some idea of where you want to end up. Itemize your regular monthly costs. it's a good idea to get the family together and spend an afternoon or so making a budget. It's hard to make any advancement towards productive financial goals until you've eliminated debt. It's not the amount you spend that counts. It's just important to know your spending limit. It's vitally important to have a clear and accurate picture of your finances when doing up your budget Join a home-delivery movie service only if you watch two or more movies per week Join a toy library Join a warehouse club.
Join clubs with free or nominal memberships. Just like spending cash unnecessarily, paying for home expenses that aren't necessary is just wasting money. Justify your purchasesJustify your purchases; do you need it, does it make sense, can you do without? keep a careful record of what you have and are likely to spend so you can set clear cut ways to save money and afford all of those monthly expenses. Keep a daily journal of what you spend each day. Keep a financial diary Keep a money jar "Keep a note of all your expenses so that you can pin point any that can be reduced or scrapped." Keep a notebook of prices for items you regularly buy so you'll know when you see a sale whether or not the price is really a good deal. Keep a record of actual expenses. Keep a running total as you shop and check against the till receipt – mistakes do occur. Keep a separate bank account just for variable and petty cash expenses. Keep a separate record, month by month, of income. Keep all of your bills in a central location so that they cannot be lost or misplaced (falling under the couch or such). Keep all the coupons you clip in one envelope or in an old checkbook cover. Keep all your receipts for the month and then calculate to see how much you are really spending when you run out to the store to pick up some quick items. Keep an eye on things that you really need and the things that are simply not necessary Keep an Eye on your Credit Accounts Keep an organized list or calendar recording birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions. Keep in mind that if the smell of a new car is not all that important, you can save many dollars by buying a demo or used car. Keep It Simple Keep looking for ways of making the most of your income and cutting down on your spending. Keep one bank account where your paychecks go and fixed expenses get paid out of. Keep receipts and guarantees in case things go wrong. Keep shopping dockets for savings vouchers and look out for other vouchers such as
discount movie offers, meal tokens Keep tabs on your spending Keep the categories and the entire process simple so you can easily maintain the habit of budgeting Keep Things In Perspective When Buying Baby Items keep things in perspective. keep track of all your purchases and make sure you're staying within your budget, you've wasted your time. Keep track of how often you eat out. Keep track of your spending. keep up to date with what's on sale. Keep updating your budget as you learn about your spending habits Keep your budget up to date. Keep your cable television or satellite service but call and ask for a less expensive package Keep your car engine tuned and its tires inflated to their proper pressure. Doing both can save you up to $100 a year in gas. Keep your eyes on the prize. The prize being whatever financial goal you set for yourself. Keep your eyes open for new restaurants in town. Keep your financial records organized and your filing up to date Keep your loose change for savings. Keep your own temptations at bay this holiday season. Keep Your Receipts Keep your savings in a separate account to avoid the temptation to spend it. Keep your tires properly inflated Keep yourself busy, the busier you are, the less chances you think of spending kept previous electricity bills, monitor the variation of the amounts from month to month Know how much money you have coming in, and know how much is going out. Write it down. Live it.Stick with it Know how much you can spend and stick to it. Know the price of a comparatively equipped new model of the car, then go to another dealer and negotiate a price on one. Know what your income is. know what your money is being spent on. Know where you spend your money Know your options, like what is available, and what suits your personal needs. Know Your Wants and Needs Label Your Expenses
Learn a few basics about how interest rates on loans are calculated. Learn to love what you have instead of what you don’t have. learned the fundamentals of family budgeting Limit ATM withdrawals to machines owned by your bank. limit the amount you eat out Limit the number of ATM withdrawals you allow yourself each week. List all your sources of income, including your pay, any interest or dividends on savings and investments, and social benefits. ist each category with the allotted dollar amount next to it for your final budget. Include a "miscellaneous" category for unforeseen or one-time expenses, such as a birthday party for your spouse or child. Stick to your budget. Resist any temptation to exceed it. List income from all sources List only the net amounts of your paychecks (after all deductions for taxes, benefits, etc.) list the things you need and find out what they cost Listed after your car payment, the next largest expense for your car will be the tires on your car, so it is very important that you have the proper tires for your vehicle. Live beneath your means Live on cash only Living expenses, such as food, clothing and entertainment, are best kept at no more than 25 percent of your income. Living with class does not require being extravagant. Long Term Planning Look at purchasing a “green” car as you will save fuel as well as tax. Look at spending which can be reduced or even eliminated. Look at the menu and decide what you really want, and make that the center point of your meal. Look at your bank statement from last month to see where your money has gone.Cutting out luxuries and highlighting ways to comfortably cut costs can help you budget more efficiently. Look at your largest payments and brainstorm ways to reduce them Look at your net income each month and balance it against your priorities. Look at your net income each month and balance it against your priorities. Set a maximum amount for what you can spend in each area. Look carefully at your finances. Look closely at your budget and trim costs where you can. Look for alternative means of paying for entertainment when funds are low.
Look for an inexpensive budget software package like at www.EasyBudget.tv Look for convenience expenses – things that we spend money on because we are overwhelmed, too busy, or just worn out. Look for deals and coupons when eating out (2 for 1 deals, early bird specials, etc.) 33 Look for new opportunities opening up even if they are not in your plan. Look for ways to cut out your car altogether. Look for websites that offers free budgeting information like at www.easybudget.tv Look for your personal spending “triggers Look into free or cheap activities in your area. Look over discretionary expenses and see what you realistically are willing to sacrifice to make your budget balance. Look through your bills for the payments you must make regularly, but not monthly. maintain your internal motivation and a positive attitude! Make a baby budget. Make a budget for a year's time, keying in all of our planned expenditures for the upcoming year. Make a budget meal seem sumptuous by adding one or two cost-friendly “stations” to your reception menu. Make a Christmas spending plan, and stick to it. Make a commitment to yourself to stick to your budget and only charge what you can afford to pay for. Make a gift list Make a Gift List, Set Limits and Stick to it make a list of all of your outgoing expenses each month. Make a list of gift recipients and decide how much you want to spend on each person. make a list of things that you're currently spending money on that you don't have to have to continue breathing or avoiding public-indecency charges Make a list of your bills and arrange the list in the order of the day of each month they are due. Make a list of your financial goals for the next 6 months, year, 5 years, 10, 25 – all the way through to old age. Make a realistic list of essential items Make a separate page for every payday. Make a spending plan Make Adjustments For Next Month Make budgeting a family affair, involve your mate and your children.
Make budgeting fun. Make extra home loan repayments Make extra repayments on your mortgage Make it a habit to calculate purchases Make it a little difficult to get to your saved money, so that you won’t be tempted. Make it easy for your family to save more. Make it Fun and Generational Make one of those lunches a cold cut sandwich Make only emergency long distance calls. Make owning a pet less expensive Make payments on a priority basis, paying off all the essential monthly bills and only then using the remaining amount for household expenses Make payments on a priority basis, paying off all the essential monthly bills and only then using the remaining amount for household expenses, like groceries and toiletries. Make popcorn instead of buying chips. Make saving a family affair. Make some estimates no matter how far off they may be. Make sure that you can manage not to go over your limit. Make sure that you have explored all the funding options available and don’t forget to.check out any special bursaries and grants offered by the university or college itself make sure that your expenditure is far less than then your income make sure you give every dollar a job. You must make sure every dollar is accountable Make sure you have allowed for 'unexpected expenses' in your budget. Make sure you keep a savings balance for a "rainy day" that matches 6 months of your net income. Make sure you know what sort of deals your telephone provider offers as you may be able to use free call minutes, lower cost times or even compile a list of numbers you can call at a discount. 35 Make sure you set reasonable short and long term goals that you can both work toward. Make sure you understand all the fine print in a loan or credit agreement before you sign it. Make sure your home loan has a free redraw facility so that you can pull any extra repayments back out at a later date should you need it. Make sure your mobile is on the best price plan for you. Make use of your broadband connection and get your social hit by meeting your
friends in cyber space, or making phone calls over the net with tools like Skype. Make wise investments or savings that earn you dividends. Make your budget realistic Make your Christmas budget as early as possible. Make your monthly credit card payment on time. make your own baby food Making Direct Phone Calls to Insurers Making small sacrifices to put back a little extra. Manage Debt manage finance for food under budget. Manage your debt Many companies have van pools. Look into joining one of them. Many museums and zoos have free year long passes in exchange for one an annual membership fee. Many times the expensive late fees, and bounced check fees are not about lack of money or money skills, but instead, due to lack of time to pay the bills, deposit the paychecks, or get financially organized. Match what you’re wearing to your activities that day. Match your clothing style to your workplace. Maximise your income Maximize your wardrobe and pay less Mend clothes promptly. Monitor what progress you are making toward your most important financial goals. Negotiate away fees 36 Negotiate for options rather than dollars off. Never make a rush when planning for a budget, take your time. Never think that having cash in your bank account means your budget is balanced, though being overdrawn is a good indicator it isn't. No matter how detailed your spending plan is, if it does not include everything you spend money on, or, if it does not address where you will get the money to cover all your expenses, it is not a budget. no stockpiling Not apply for any new credit cards, unless lowering interest rates Not borrow to purchase items that depreciate in value Not obtain high maintenance items like a pet or hobby if you can’t afford the expenses. Not purchase something over budget unless it was unavoidable
Not purchase something to keep up with the Joneses Not spend money on fun things unless you've paid your monthly bills Once you are managing your spending, you can easily decide which costs you can cut and which you cannot. Once you figure out a budget for things like groceries, entertainment and dining out, decide what you should spend for a week. Once you have a clear idea of what you plan to spend, start a vacation savings fund and set aside a certain amount each month or each paycheck Once you have adopted the principle of spending less than you make, you are well on your way to winning the mental financial fitness battle which could lead the way to financial success . Once you have your budget, study it carefully and try to reduce unnecessary expenses Once you know where your money goes, you can spot your unnecessary costs. Once your savings goal has been met, it is important to mark the occasion and congratulate yourself and all those who helped! One smart time to use credit card is when you can't save money by paying cash. One way to eliminate bank fees is to establish an IRA (Investment Retirement Account) with your bank. Open a bank account before you go to college, to receive loan funds and pay bills such as rent which need to be paid early in the term. 37 Open a Christmas club account. Open a savings account and put in a certain amount every month Organise to sell used clothing, books etc with a group of friends at a garage sale or at the markets; or do it yourself on Ebay Organise your income Over time, cutting small expenditures from day to day living can really add up. Pack your own lunch to work. Pare down expenditures wherever possible if the monthly average you calculated is more than the original amount you set aside for your entertainment budget Party where you work. Pay ahead of time if it offers savings pay any other bills such as car payment, insurance, cell phone, credit cards, and so forth
Pay bills as soon as they come in. Pay bills or EMI’s on time, so that you do not have to pay an extra fine. Pay cash and pump your fuel yourself. pay down your debt, your monthly cash flow situation will improve immensely Pay off all credit cards monthly (will work toward paying them off) Pay off debt and build savings. Pay off high interest loans and credit card debt. Pay off the card in full when the bill arrives (if possible). Pay the bills as soon as possible Pay your bills in full, on time Pay your bills over the Internet - many of the banks provide for online banking. Pay your children an allowance and have them use this money for the toys they want rather than you purchasing everything they ask for. Pay your own disability premium. If the company pays disability premiums, and someday you need to collect benefits, payments would be taxable to you as ordinary income. If you pay the premiums, payments would be tax-free. "Pay your utility bills via direct debit, as some providers will give you a discount if you commit to paying this way." 38 Pay yourself by putting the amount of the old car payment into your bank account. Pay yourself first Perhaps by re-evaluating how you use your time, you might discover that many of these expenses are just symptoms of misplaced priorities. Permanently Adjust The Budget If You Keep Going Over Personal financial management does not have to be tricky or hard. Pick the creditor who charges the highest interest and increase that payment by as much as you can. Plan early and save throughout the year. plan everything in advance as this will help you with actually staying within the constraints of your budget. Plan for unforeseen expenses. Plan for your future Plan gift-giving well in advance. That will give you time to decide on the most thoughtful gifts, which usually are not the most expensive ones. plan on any gifts now for the upcoming year. plan other family budgeting categories with your partner so you make sure that all expenses
are included Plan to eat at “all you can eat” restaurants this will stretch your budget as if the family has one large meal the next one can be hot dogs or sandwiches from a deli Plan to use leftovers. Plan treats such as "take out" or restaurant meals if budget permits. If you plan for it you will stay within your budget. Plan way ahead for college financial aid. Plan your ATM withdrawals to avoid unnecessary charges. Plan your Christmas shopping Plan your kitchen to-do list. Plan your restaurant trips rather than going at it spontaneously Planning a budget involves everyone, not only you and your spouse. Play Secret Santa or decide on launching a gift exchange program. 39 Practice living on a single income Pre-allocate money so that you can take advantage of any savings offered by prompt payment. prepare a budget for everything ranging from your bridal dress to the reception and the honeymoon of course Prepare For Worst Case Scenarios Prepare your own tax returns. Prepay real-estate taxes. If a property bill is due in January, pay it instead in December. Prepay state and local income taxes. Even if they're not due until April the following year, if you pay in December you can deduct them on your current year federal return. Prepay your mortgage payment. Make your January payment on December 31 instead, and deduct that month's mortgage interest from your current year return. Prepay your mortgage principal. Protect your income Provide a weekly or bi-weekly allowance for each member of the household, if possible. Put a cap on the amount of expenditures you make in a week. Put as much money left over at the end of the month into a high interest savings account. This will help your money to build up quicker without impacting on your day to day living costs Put aside money for events such as Christmas or summer holidays each month to avoid
facing a huge bill when the time comes. Put kids on the payroll. Put money aside for an emergency fund for potential major expenses that often crop up in everyone's life such as losing a job, replacing a hot water heater or needing a new roof on your house. Put money away Put money away for retirement Put on a holiday play or talent show to debut at the family gathering. Put together a sensible, real-life family budget. Put together a weekly menu and base your shopping list around the food you need to cook these dishes. Put your budget on a diet! 40 Put your change into a savings jar at the end of each day. Put your pennies into a piggy bank or a coin jar and take them down to your bank once you have enough. "Put your savings into a separate high paying account as soon as you are paid your monthly salary." Quit smoking. read books, magazines about budgeting. Readjust your budget to suit your aims. Reduce a child's assets before financial aid for college Reduce pet care expenses by doing your own grooming. Reduce take out lunches to fewer days per week. Reduce the length of your “must buy for” list. Reduce your bank charges, after transactions or updating your bank books, check the bank fees, if you have more than one account that is not budget related, consider rolling all accounts into one. A little bit of time may save a lot reduce your expensive credit card debt. reducing the bells and whistles but keeping the product or service Re-evaluate your budget plan at the end of the month. Re-examine every expense you make regularly. Refinance your mortgage to lower interest charges. Consider refinancing your mortgage to lower the rate and term. Regardless of how small or large the amount is, start stashing it away into savings and investments. Regularly review your categories to determine if you need more or fewer, review
your expenses, and brainstorming about ways to trim costs in each category. Reinforce each other's strengths in your financial relationship. Reinvest all profits and dividends to maximize the growth of your "nest egg". Release your inner creative. Painting, sculpting, writing, making music - whatever takes your fancy. Remember budgets are dynamic. 41 Remember packed lunches work out much cheaper than buying sandwiches or eating out. Remember that budgeting is a rewarding means to an end, not the definition of a complete, well-rounded lifestyles. Remember that frozen and canned fruit and veg is both cheaper and healthier than most junk foods. Remember that money is also a great gift, as it allows recipients to choose Remember that saving money and not wasting any are worthwhile activities, but only if they don't interfere with more important things in your life. Remember that when it comes to maintaining a budget, discipline is key and documentation is critical Remember to include emergency and long term savings as an expense item in your budget Remember to keep your budget in view as the year progresses. Remember to save for long term goals such as retirement and college expenses. Remember to save some of your money. Remember to set aside some money for the savings account. Remember your spare change is money. Renegotiate your mortgage. Rent instead of buying. Rent movies, don’t buy them Request and keep receipts for all purchases and money transactions. Request rate reductions from your credit cards Research free or inexpensive entertainment in your community. Resist the urge to pick foods that are costly i.e. lobsters, steaks. Respect for a dollar begins with respect for a penny. Respect for money is the beginning of saving and investing. Return borrowed items such as movie rentals or library books on time. Review last year's budget Review the bills, discuss where the money is going and share ways to save money. Review the budget and determine if it's attainable
42 Review the line item for savings so you treat a contribution to your savings account just as you would a bill you owe. Review your budget worksheet to see if you can spot any errors, to try and find areas where you feel your spending is excessive, and to consider if any expenses (maintenance, insurance, taxes, etc.) will increase over the next year...make necessary adjustments and retotal. Review your family budget and highlight the items you have some control over the spending amounts. Review your Forecasted Budget Revisit your budget every 3 months to see if there are any areas you can tighten up to improve your financial flow. Road test living on a single salary. Root out money leaks Save a bundle on taxes by paying your child care and health care costs with pretax dollars. Save according to your desires and not what you think you should be saving for. Save bonus income. Save early, and often. save every single bill statement, receipt, or check that crosses your desk for at least one month, preferably three months. Save for infrequent expenses such as birthday presents or car tabs. Save for the future Save Money With A Personal Budget Save on a regular basis: pay yourself first. Save on food Save on incidental costs. Remember that the holidays include not only buying gifts, but also a lot of additional costs, such as party food, gift wrapping and mailing charges, decorations and holiday cards Save or invest a fixed amount of money every pay into a separate account. Save pocket change or rebate money. Save your holiday receipts from this year Save your pay rises, bonuses, special payments or tax refund. 43 Save your receipts for a month. Look at what you buy, and how much it costs Saving money should never get in the way of enjoying what you spend it on.
Say no to evening entertainment that costs money Say no to offered increases in your credit limit Schedule Regular Budget Meetings Search for free social activities on your own college or university campus. See movies in the afternoon at matinee prices. Seek professional guidance from experts in financial planning, taxes, and accounting. Seek professional help to get rid of credit card debt that robs you of high monthly interest payments. Select a credit card company that offers some valuable supplemental benefits. Sell Old Clothes. Sell Unwanted Clothes Set a budget and stick to it set a fixed time once or twice in a week when to do your budgeting. Set a monthly or weekly budget based on what you can afford and stick to it Set a policy of not buying rounds of drinks amongst your friends - be upfront about it Set aside a certain amount of money each week or each month to reach that goal; Set aside money to get you through the financial consequences when "stuff" happens. set aside some money for the savings account as well Set daily meal cost limits set dollar limits. set firmly in your mind is how much you are willing to spend on the project. Set Goals & Make Plans Set goals for your spending and saving. Set goals, short term and long term and try your best to achieve them. Set goals, then set priorities Set limits if you want to trim expenses. 44 Set priorities. You need to write your goals down in order to commit to them. Set realistic budgeting goals set target goals for the amount you’d like to spend per day Set up different bank accounts for different purposes Set up your Christmas budget early: Set up direct debit accounts for your bills so that your essentials are taken care of. Set yourself a savings target Setting goals allow you to make decisive decisions about your finances. Share child care responsibilities with a friend or neighbor (or spouse). Share the budget. Shift income to your kids. A dependent child under fourteen can receive up to $500 unearned income and pay no income tax on it. Shop around for auto and homeowners' insurance: Before renewing your existing policies each year, check out the rates of competing companies (see the website of your state insurance department).
Shop around for quotes from different lenders so that you can get the best deal on the money that you borrow and compare the repayment terms carefully to find the loan that best meets your needs. Shop around for the best price. Shop at discount stores Shop for the best CD (certificate of deposit) rates Should you receive a tax return or be given an additional amount of money, resist the urge to waste this money ... pay off your short term debts and live well for le$$. Show your own sacrifice.Let him see that you're also cutting back and making changes to keep to the budget Sign up for your bank’s automatic debit service. Since hidden or unmanaged variable expenses can eat away at your income, those might be good candidates for categories to monitor. Sit down and plot out every single person that is on your gift-giving list. Skip contact lens insurance. Skip extended warranties. 45 Skip life insurance for children. Skip student accident insurance. Skip the after-work beer Skip the Salt Skip the vending machine Slowly, yet consistently, include a plan in your budget to build an emergency preparedness fund. So you like a beer (drink at home or visit your mates, it's cheaper) Socialize at pot-luck meals rather than at restaurants. Some online banks offer high-interest checking accounts. Some websites offer discounts you can’t get elsewhere, but be careful for offers that are “too good to be true Sometimes making lifestyle changes can reduce expenses significantly. Sort the expenses for the upcoming year in descending order. Sort your expenses for the coming year. Start with your largest expense Speak to your colleagues about sharing the drive to work. This will not only save money but you will also get to know them better too. spend a week keeping a journal of everything you spend money on. Spend according to quality not quantity. Spend more than your take-home income per month and you will accrue debt, spend
less than and you’ll have money to spare. spend time discerning what meaning money holds for you, or even over you. Spend time shopping around before borrowing. Spend your money on safety items like car seats and cribs Start a budget, and pay attention to it weekly and monthly Start accumulating baby items as soon as possible Start an emergency fund Start by collecting all checking account and credit card statements for the last year. Start living with a philosophy that says “what can I afford to do” rather than “how can I do what I want for less.” 46 Start looking to secondhand markets to buy the things you need. Start Saving Early Start saving something today. Start saving your receipts from restaurants and bars. Start tracking every fund ,as well as, long term savings to your costs categories Start with either a sheet of legal paper – or a budgeting program like at www.easybudget.tv Start working on putting away a little each month. Start your baby's college fund now. Stay away from prepared foods Stay away from trendy fashions. Stay focused on the Goal, not the Circumstances Stay Healthy Stay motivated by setting goals. Stay up to date on your checking balance, either by balancing your checkbook or checking your account online frequently. Stick to clothing in basic styles, colors, fabrics you like. Stick to your budget Stick to your list and budget. It is important to keep your selections reasonable in terms of how much you can spend. If you set a price limit for each person on your list, you will be able to stay within your overall budge Stick with your budget and list. Plan ahead and put together a realistic, detailed budget and shopping list Stop buying gifts on a deadline. Stop buying lottery tickets. Stop overpaying into your mortgage escrow account Stop paying for telephone "wire maintenance".
Stop playing the lottery Stop wasting precious dollars dining out. Store cards have the same effect as credit cards, should you feel you require a store card use your credit card instead 47 Store Seasonal Clothing Separately Strive to keep anger and resentment out of your discussions in order to work toward mutual goals Studies show people tend to spend less when they pay cash instead of using a charge card. Study to improve your qualifications for the job you hold. Subdivide your categories to give you a meaningful picture of where your money goes and where you might be able to cut costs, but not so much detail that tracking is a chore that you'll soon tire of. Substitute coffee for expensive coffee drinks. Subtract your expenses from your income. Summarize your spending into general categories such as Food, Clothing, Entertainment, etc. Swap clothing with friends and family. Swap clothing with friends and family. After all, how many times have you purchased an item, worn it once or twice, and stuck it in the back of the closet. Swap sites are fun because you can trade what you don’t want for something you do, and it’s a good way to get rid of clutter and to get something useful in return. Take a bagged lunch instead of buying lunch. Take a good look at what you can spare. Take a Look At Your Portfolio Mix Take a look at your tax returns and consider raising the exemption. Take a minute to really examine all of your sources of income and calculate an honest total – you can’t have a realistic budget without it. Take a packed lunch to work as not only will it be cheaper but it is also likely to be healthier as well. Take a percentage or a fixed amount from each paycheck and add it to your seed money, at least 10%, if possible. This is your investment money. Do not use it for anything else. Every
paychec Take a trip to Spotlight to look for fun materials that you can make into scarfs which can give a fresh look to an old outfit - or for the more skilled, create a simple top or dress with a sewing machine for a fraction of the cost of a new outfit. Take advantage of credit card promotions Take advantage of high yield savings accounts 48 Take advantage of opportunities to use hand-me-downs. take advantage of other people's willingness to help Take advantage of the “Free before eleven” promotions by night clubs. Take advantage of the children’s menu for the kids, and don’t be embarrassed to acknowledge your age if there’s a senior menu with special pricing. Take advantage of the competition between banks and credit card organizations for your budgeting plan. Take advantage of utility off-peak usage discounts. Take advantage of your friends and family who have had babies before you Take advantage of your FSA Take an average guess and make that your daily budget. Take an inventory Take an inventory of your cabinets and freezer Take Charge of Your Credit Take only what you can afford to spend when you go out Take out your calendar and circle every payday coming up for the next year. Take steps to reduce variable expenses. Take time to examine those "spending leaks" – if they give you pleasure and satisfaction. Take your own lunch to work taking a careful look at expenses for movie rentals Taking responsibility for your own finances can be a steep learning curve for many students Taking time to stop and think first and then evaluating what to prioritize first is essential to a progressive and stable money management. Taking your lunch in to work can be more fun if you do it as a pot luck with a group of friends Taking your personal spending triggers into consideration, develop a holiday spending plan Talk to a financial planner about creating an investment plan. Talk to your accountant to make sure that your W2 withholdings are just right. Tally each expense and divide the total by 12, to give you a clearer idea of how your costs
spread out over a year’s time. 49 Tally up your income. Teach children about money management Tell close friends and family about your plan Temporarily stop contributing to retirement or savings accounts. The aim is to make always knowing how much cash you have simple for you. The best source of loan is your own resources. The best way to calculate your net worth is at about the same time each year. The best way to eliminate most bank fees is to deposit enough money to be perceived as a significant customer. The best way to finance a mortgage is with a conventional fixed-rate mortgage amortized over as few years as possible. The core of budgeting is for you to see your monthly spending needs and habits. The faster you eat, the more you eat. The first step in creating a budget is to track your expenses of the last three months or more, to get an idea of regular outgoings. The first, and most important, figure that you need to know in order to create a budget is your take-home (after-tax) income. The goal is to pay at least double the minimum amount on at least one of your liabilities each month. The great thing about variable expenses is that you control (at least to a certain extent) how much of your budget these items eat up. The key is not to let this debt stick. The least expensive way to borrow money is through a "single-interest/singlepayment" loan. The main thing to remember is that you should build your savings and investments into your budget just like a bill – and take care of these long-term responsibilities FIRST, before other costs. The more you save, the less you waste. The only time to consider supplementing with a credit card is if you are buying a big ticket item and want the extra protection a credit card can provide. The purpose of a household budget allows you to track your personal cash flow. The reality is that it depends on whether the items can be broken down and stored sensibly
50 The right question to ask is 'What can I afford to spend this Christmas?' and plan your activities around that Think about all of the things that you buy throughout your week without really paying attention – snacks at work, a magazine when you stop for gas, that cup of coffee on your way in every morning. Think about saving for education and other future costs by starting a high interest savings account. Think about your buying and selling of textbooks. Think of a budget as a useful tool Think of your budget as a kind of spending plan. Think twice about "affinity" credit cards Think way ahead, possibly months, when planning your budget Throw a make-your-own holiday decorations party Time is money.Remember, the earlier you start your holiday shopping, the more time you’ll have to compare prices, find bargains and watch for sa To achieve a workable operating budget, you must set aside money for major expenses and savings on a month basis. To achieve financial freedom, you'll need some seed money that can grow into a substantial nest egg. To be effective, you must determine how much you make each month. To compute after tax income, try to estimate your actual tax liability from previous tax returns. To pay your credit card balance down, always pay more than the minimum payment. To prevent these occasional events from derailing your financial plans, you need to do financial budgeting for emergencies also. To start saving, take an inventory of your needs to see where you can shave the dollars. Top priorities on any expense list are food and shelter. Total up the amounts and you'll have a pretty good idea of how much you're spending Track all of your expenses over the month. Track daily spending Track spending by writing it down. 51 Track what you are saving, and you will be pleased with the results.
Track your expenses for at least 3 months. track your expenses of the last three months or more, to get an idea of regular outgoings Track your moods. A good way to learn more about your spending triggers is to track your moods along with your out-of-pocket purchases Track your spending and see where you can save tracked your food and grocery budget for the whole month Tracking your spending Trade coupons with family and friends. Trade with friends Transfer all credit card debt to one low-interest card or loan. Transfer capital gains to your kids. Transfer money to a separate account each month to cover your bills and savings so you know that the money in your current account is available to cover other expenses. treat your own personal savings as a legitimate top-line expense Try combining categories to simplify the system. Try out living on just one income Try to avoid getting carried away ordering drinks when you are dining out Try to be inventive and creative at the same time. Try to call in 'off peak' time, such as in the evening and on weekends. Try to categorize your fixed expenses Try to eat a well-balanced diet, as medical bills and being sick could cost you more than good food. Try to give yourself a timeline, such as a year, and a target amount to save. Try to include some money for rewards to keep you motivated. Try to limit the withdrawals from the ATM, check your bank statements, which will verify the cost of these transactions. Try to plan in advance try to prepare some budget as per your requirements and amount of money. 52 Try to put aside at least 10 percent of your take-home pay each month. Try to save some money towards unexpected medical or dental expenses. Try to save up enough to open a savings account Try to spend less and save more, so that you can meet all your financial requirements easily Try to think of your entire expenses for the upcoming year Try to update your financial record every few days instead of waiting for the end of the month 20% to 35% of child care expenses can be deducted depending on your income and country
laws understand how much you need to put away for essential expenses and how much you have for non-essentials. Understand that your finances must lead your lifestyle, not vice-versa. Understand your bank facilities and charges. Understand your credit card limit. Understanding Mortgage Terms Understanding your finances and keeping a strong hold on where your money is going is the best way to avoid debt. Unless you are aware of fees and charges, try not to use other banks ATM machines, as their charges may be much higher than your own banks Use a cash back credit card for your grocery purchases. Use a computer to help automate your budget calculations Use a Discover Card as a credit card strategy. Use a passbook for your savings so you are not tempted to dip into this money unnecessarily. Use Accessories To Create Different Looks Use accurate income projections. Use cash as much as possible Use common sense and don't keep records just to keep records Use Common Sense, Good Judgment, And Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Help Use corporate discount rates for personal travel. Use Credit Cards Wisely 53 Use debit and credit cards prudently. To minimize interest charges, try to limit credit card purchases to those you can pay off in full at the end of the month. Use dividends reinvestment plans Use Government and Non-Profit Organizations Use minimum figures when any estimates are necessary Use Money Tracking Tools Use only the ATMs of your bank or credit union. Use phone cards. Use Price Comparison Websites Use public parks and picnic areas. Use Public Transportation Use savings for emergencies only. Use standing orders and direct debits to meet regular outgoings such as rent/mortgage, utility bills, and council tax. Use the back of old notes and photocopies for note paper.
Use the free text messages you get online. Use the public library for reading materials. Use the same company for your homeowner's insurance and automobile policy and get a combination policy discount. Use your bank’s online service to keep track of your accounts Use Your Budget as a Working Plan Using budgeting percentages as a guideline to be sure you are not killing your finances by overspending in a particular area can be helpful. Using budgeting percentages is better used as a tool to evaluate which areas of your spending might be the best candidates for cutbacks IF you aren’t able to save and invest a decent amount of your take home pay, or if you’re in debt or consistently balanced right on the edge Very few people ever bother to budget, which is why so many people are in debt. Visit a local park, art gallery or museum at lunchtime rather than tempting yourself by window shopping or browsing in stores. Visit the library and borrow books and videos for free. 54 Volunteer at a local farm. Volunteer at your farmers market. Watch TV shows about budgeting. What seems like a good idea financially can have hidden costs. Whatever you do try to save up at least 3 months salary for a rainy day preferably 6 months. When comparing mortgage offers, don't forget to look at closing costs. When dealing with banks, beware of the "floating rate" loan. When eating out, order water. When estimating expenses think "slightly higher" to account for price rises and unpredictable events. When estimating your expenditure think of all your costs in terms of wants and needs. When it comes to clothing, never buy anything unless you can coordinate it within your basic wardrobe. When it comes to dining out, have a "fallback" restaurant or two When it comes to saving money on clothes, start with your own closet first. When looking to buy a house or refinance your mortgage, take the time to apply for and compare several mortgage offers from a diverse set of sources: the institution where
you do your day-to-day banking, a neighborhood bank, a credit union and an online lender. When making up your own system, you will need to track your progress. When planning for large purchases is to make sure you include not only the fixed, known expenses, but also the variable, unknown expenses When purchasing things try to determine which things are the most important to you. When shopping for bargains, devote the first trip mainly to looking around and eliminating stores you know you aren't interested in. When thinking about your limit, keep in mind how much you would pay if you were going to use cash. When you apply for a mortgage, lenders like the total of your housing expenses to not exceed 28 percent. When you are deciding between competitive packages, look for the print that tells you how much is inside. When you compare you should be about on budget and on top of things. 55 When you find out that you have a budget deficit, you should take action steps right away to reduce your bad spending habits. When you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is STOP DIGGING. When you get paid or earn the cash, have direct debits or standing orders shift the cash over to them from your main bank account within a day or so of getting paid. When you need new furniture consider going the second-hand route. When you see a better bank deal elsewhere, get the details and show them to an officer of your current bank. When you’re searching for that perfect gift, make sure that you do your research and find the best deal on that item. Whether you live on- or off-campus, you can take advantage of our Meal Ticket Package, which you can use in the main campus refectory. While you may not want to purchase gifts using these resources but, they are great money saving resources for your personal needs. Work through other underlying issues, as well as money issues, together. Write a list of all the things you want to purchase and make sure that the things you’re purchasing are adept enough to meet your needs.
Write a list of baby essentials you need to buy and list them in order of importance Write all entertainment expenses down for the past three months. List the item along with how much you spent on it Write down all of the things that you would most like to achieve with your money Write down all the purchases you would like and expect to make. Write down all your incoming cash flow and all your bills. Write down recurring expenses (rent/mortgage, power bill, water bill, phone bill, car payments) so you can know what your fixed costs are every month. Write down your frivolous expenses (that trip to Jack and the Box, that ring you just had to have) OR give yourself a manageable fixed weekly budget and stick to it. Write letters or use email. Write post-dated checks to yourself to get the funds out of sight. You can do research or hire a financial planner to help you decide on a savings portfolio. You can find top designer-label clothing in many consignment shops, often at a small fraction of the original price. 56 You can make special gift purchases when you come across great sales, clearance, or closeout items throughout the year to plan ahead for these events. You can reduce your rent or mortgage payment by finding a less expensive house You can save a lot of money by packing your lunch, using your meal plan and having a coffee maker and some mugs in your dorm room or apartment. You can save money by using your local library instead of buying all the books that you want to read. You could increase your loan payments to get rid of the debt faster. You could take a management class or ask someone who you know to help you with your budget and financing. You decide how often you can reasonably afford to indulge and still reach your other financial goals. You do not need to be a financial expert to become financially independent, but you must become financially literate. You don't need to be a brilliant chef to be able to cook decent cheap food for yourself so try and cook for yourself as much as possible rather than buying ready meals. You may be able to borrow money from your profit-sharing fund where you work. You may get cheaper or free calls to people with the same service provider. You may want to write down everything you spend in a month. You might need to go through your last 12 months’ credit card and bank statements to
get a clear idea of how much daily life costs you. You might want to think about another helpful budgeting tip: getting a second job. You MUST plan your meals. No plan spells disaster You need to keep track of your actual expenses incurred during the month and group them into these categories. You need to organize your everyday financial tasks. You need to stop adding to your debt. You need to take in consideration, how much money you spend everyday. You should aim to keep transportation, including car payments, gas, insurance, parking or transit at no more than 15 percent of your income. you should apply extra funds to reduce debt each month. 57 You should be able at any given time be able to look at your finances and your budget to compare what you have now, to what you had last year, or last month. You should budget the same amount, month by month, for most day-to-day expenses. you should consider shopping around for credit cards that are offering promotional rates. You should start with the credit card or loan that has the highest interest rate – then tackle the next highest after the first debt is paid off. You should update your budget template each week so that you can adjust accordingly if you have overspent in a particular area. You want to take advice from someone who can manage his or her own finances well. You will not know what steps you need to take to reach your goal until you know exactly where you are right now You will save a ton of money if you don't mistake wants for needs. You would want to evaluate your VARIABLE EXPENSES – those costs that fluctuate from month to month. You, among all people, know your capacity to spend. Your children never have to have access to the credit cards during their early teenage years. Your children should also be involved in family budgeting Your choice of how to proceed will depend on your financial goals – investing for retirement will involve less liquidity and more risk than just saving for next year’s vacation. Your emergency fund provides a strong foundation to prevent mishaps from bringing the
house down. Your fixed costs will include such things as mortgage payments, rent, or loan payments. Your goal should be to have the equivalent of six months of your salary in an emergency fund. Your house and living expenses make up the major portion of your personal budgeting plan. Your personal cash flow is how much money comes in and how much goes out. Your public library and bookstores have information about budgeting and money management techniques. Your variable costs will include such things as clothing, food and entertainment. If you find that you don’t have the money to buy your children everything they want, you need to teach your children a little more about money. 58 Children should be given an allowance, but only for the chores and things, they help you do around the house. As your child earns money, and receives money for their birthday or special occasions, they can then buy their own things they want. The basic thoughts behind any type of savings plan is that you should have at least three months savings in the bank, or at least have access to three month of your pay in case of major disaster or problems in the home. You can start by putting just ten dollars a week in a savings account. If you find this is easy, up that to twenty dollars per week. If you are not able to pay all the bills every month, you need to find where you can cut back on money spent. Managing your money is all about saving money, finding more money to do things you want, and to create savings accounts for rainy days. Your personal finances demand that you prepare to protect yourself. If you are not paying your bills, your heat, your credit cards, and your utilities on time, you are putting yourself at risk for bad credit, and a lower credit rating. Manage your budget; manage your money by adding more to your monthly household budget. If you need to save a little more money and to spend less on household things, you
can start with your utilities. Money management can start at a young age, and children will learn easily, taking their habits to their older years. Be accountable Educational Budgeting Tips Act early to find child care, since many day-care centers have waiting lists. Apply for all bursaries and scholarships for which you qualify. Apply for scholarships and financial aid— leave no stone unturned for finding funds for your schooling. Apply for student loans. Apply for your student loan early in the term and put the money in a savings account to earn interest until you need it. 59 Contact your student union as they will be a good source of advice on budgeting and student loans. Don’t buy all your books immediately as many second and third year students will be selling their unwanted books and most universities have a second hand bookshop Don’t forget your student card! Get a StudentCard Investigate activities offered by clubs and societies or the Student Union for cheap recreational activities. Make sure you use one of the special banking packages that pretty much all the banks offer tertiary students. Make sure you're getting all your entitlements to the student allowance/student loan/community wage student from Studylink. Reserve credit for major purchases, genuine emergencies, college education. Save for your kids’ college education Take advantage of services and programs offered by school, such as student financial assistance workshops, bursary programs, one-on-one advising and referrals. Take full advantage of student discounts Use public transport (and make sure you get a student discount if there's one going), ride a bike or (no joke) walk. Entertainment Budgeting Tips Add up what you spend for entertainment and make a list of all the different types of
entertainment Ask yourself if eating out 4 times a week gives you 4 times more pleasure than doing it just once. Avoid eating in pricey hotel restaurants and theme parks Before you leave check up whether you have coupons for discounts at hotels /restaurants sent by your Credit Card Company, mobile phone provider, or club Bring a cooler with you and pack snacks & beverages. Buy fresh fruit, bread and meat for a picnic in the city buying groceries instead of eating/going out Check out the Entertainment books. 60 Home Budgeting Tips A home swap can be an affordable way to visit another city or even international locations A kitchen or bathroom fan left running for an hour can remove an entire houseful of warm air. A small investment in good-quality insulation will go a long way toward conserving warmth. Your local utility company can advise you about the type of insulation needed for maximum energy savings. Account for the entire cost of a meal Add extra insulation to your water heater Add foods from the other food groups to complete main meals. Add the new numbers to your budget—income and expenses Adjust to the new food and try a variety of flavors. Adjust your lawnmower to the 3-inch setting Adjust your tax withholding Adjust your thermostat so that you save money by not heating/cooling when you're not there or are sleeping. Aim air conditioner vents up. Air dry your dishes rather than using the dishwasher's drying cycle. Alter adult's clothing for your children Analyze each household expense for necessity and the costs associated with it. Analyze your homeowners or renters insurance to see if there is any coverage that you can do without, and take higher deductibles if you have cash on hand to cover them. Analyze your particular cell phone usage patterns and see if a better plan is out there Analyze your spending and eliminate what isn’t really, really necessary. And if you're preparing the food yourself, buying in bulk (wholesale clubs, etc) saves
you lots of money. Any bedrooms near the home theater and entertainment room should also be made soundproof Appliances account for about 20% of your household's energy consumption 61 Refrigerators, clothes washers, and clothes dryers use the highest electricitcy consumption in your house - check the settings of these devices As a general rule, it pays to look into refinancing if you plan to stay in your house for a minimum of 5 years and if the rate on your current mortgage is 2 percentage points or more above the going rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage. Ask your local electric or gas utility for a free or low-cost home energy audit. Assign Dollar Amounts to Each Category Assume that your household expenses will rise after having your baby, and adjust your budget accordingly. Avoid add-on interest loans. Avoid destroying your budget with late fees. Avoid putting your clothes in the dryer whenever possible. Avoid the temptation to warm your jeans up in the dryer in the winter, no matter how appealing this option may appear. Baby your air conditioner. Make sure that the area around your central air system’s base unit or window air conditioner is kept clear of clutter or weeds that might reduce efficiency Be especially careful to keep clothing with elastic or plastic words / decorating on them out of the dryer as the heat can place especially heavy wear on these items. Be thoughtful when using the air conditioning unit: don't put it on "auto" when you leave for the day. Rather, turn it on manual when you come home, and after it is at a comfortable range (75 - 78°F), place it on auto as long as you remain in the apartment. Beat the pre-heat. Don’t pre-heat your oven unless the recipe calls for it. Boil water in a closed pot or kettle. Bottle or freeze any oversupply of fruit, or turn it into jam. Bowls or compotes filled with seasonal fruits from a farmer’s market can take the place of expensive floral presentations. Breastfeed your baby. Brew your own coffee
Buy and install an insulation blanket to put on your water heater. Buy and install programmable water heater control. Buy long-distance service that fits your user profile. "By adding half a cup of Soda Crystals to your wash load you will 62 soften the water and need to use less of your usual powder." By calculating how much house you can afford, you will have a better idea of where to begin. can't talk about having babies without talking about investing for college. Caulk and weather-stripping will go a long way toward blocking leaks around doors and windows. Also, inexpensive pre-cut foam gaskets can be used to block escaping air around light switches and electric outlets on outside walls. Change your light bulbs to ones that are compact fluorescent bulbs. Change your traditions. Tackle a different recipe using lower-cost food items such as whole chicken or pork, rather than beef. Check supplies at home to see what needs to be used up. Check the furnace filters at least every two months. Change disposable filters as necessary. Permanent filters require regular cleaning Check the temperature setting on your hot water cylinder, it doesn't need to be on maximum, especially in summer. Check utility rebates for efficient appliances. Check with your insurance carrier to make sure you are properly insured in your state. Check your cupboards and fridge to see what you do not have. Check your furnace filter monthly and change it when needed. Keep the space around your furnace clean to ensure it is operating efficiently Check your mortgage statements month by month for at least the past 12 months. Check your refrigerator's temperature. They should be between 38 and 40 degrees F in the refrigerator and within 1 degree of 0 F, either plus or minus, in the freezer. Choose home repair contractors wisely. Favor contractors who have successfully performed work for people you know. Clean any obvious coils/filters on refrigerators and air-conditioners Clean out your refrigerator coils Clean windows regularly to maintain a high level of natural light, reducing the amount of money spent on lighting.
Clean your appliances- this will lengthen their life. Close air conditioner valves. Another tip for reducing central air costs is to have your air conditioner service provider show you how to turn off the specific valves that send air to unused rooms 63 Close your fireplace damper. Combine dishes to make stews or casseroles. Communicate by e-mail rather than by phone. If you're on-line, e-mail communications are virtually free. Complete home repairs immediately before they lead to bigger and more expensive problems. Conduct an “energy audit.” Save money while you stay warm by cutting the waste in your heating system Conserve water and energy, replace inefficient furnaces and water heaters, and bolster insulation. Consider a home energy audit Consider buying a coffee machine and good ground coffee instead of buying coffee each morning from a takeaway. Consider cooking more vegetarian dishes. Consider costs and benefits when purchasing additional warranties, especially on large appliances. "Consider fitting saveaflush to your toilet cistern to decrease the amount of water you use per flush." Consider Housing Alternatives Consider installing solar panels to generate hot water. Consider some form of anti-theft system, but don't install an expensive system just to save on insurance. Consider some livestock. Consider starting a fresh herb and vegetable garden. Cook instead of eating out cook large amounts of food at a time from scratch, as well as several different meals. Cook only as much as will be eaten unless it can be a part of another meal. Cook with covered pots. It takes much less energy to cook if the pot is covered. Cook your own meals, or try and limit the amount of purchased restaurant or take away meals.
64 Cool and cover food before storing. Cut down on meals away from home. Cut meat protein with vegetable protein. Cut one (or more) dining out meal a week (or month) Cut out the expensive pre-made meals and food Cut plastic bottles in half and bury the top into your garden tubs. cuts down on going out to eat and take out Dishwasher energy use can be reduced from 30% to 50% if you turn off the dishwasher after the final rinse and let the dishes air dry Do a light bulb audit of the house. Do jobs that you would pay for outside help Do more cooking from scratch. Do not waste power. Make the effort to save power Don’t entertain — celebrate the holidays at someone else’s house. Don’t forget to set your thermostat between 68 and 72 degrees. At night or while you are away, set it five to 10 degrees lower Don’t hang on to clutter, sell unwanted items on eBay. Don't keep the refrigerator or freezer too cold. Recommended temperatures are 38 to 40 degrees for refrigerators, 5 degrees for the freezer section. Don't leave the fridge door open longer than necessary. Don't let anyone else use your phone. Don't underinsure. Don't waste money on electricity and heating. Dripping or leaking taps should be fixed During hot months, open the window to allow heat to escape. During Summer months, don't turn on the air conditioner until you just can't take it anymore. During winter months lower your thermostat a few degrees and dress warmer if necessary. Eat at home with your family. Eat in season foods. 65 Eggs have excellent dinner potential. They are versatile and make for a superb, costefficient meal Electric savings. If you need to replace your stove or oven, remember that an automatic electric ignition system is more cost-efficient than a continuously burning gas pilot light.
Eliminate books you don’t need. Eliminate cable TV. Fans are cheap to install (in comparison to air-conditioners) and have lower running costs. Film it. Put inexpensive reflective film on your window financial plan sets out how you will accomplish your goals. Financial software is the best way to monitor your spending. Find and plug drafts Find other, more healthful alternatives for breakfast finding individual meals that are cost effective try to find things you can spin out over a number of days Fix a hot water faucet drip immediately. Fix any dripping faucets. Fix leaky faucets Freeze and batch portion as much as you can Freeze any vegetables from your garden that you can't use at once or haven't been able to barter for something else Freeze candles before using. They will burn more slowly, evenly and with minimal wax dripping. Get a free energy audit. "Get a friend you trust to cut your hair or do your nails—or have it done at a cosmetology school." Get a home energy audit with your power company every couple of years to find ways to cut costs. Get a programmable thermostat Get free food 66 Get free internet service. Get your furnace tuned Grow a garden. Grow your food Grow your own herbs Grow your own veges, if you have the room Hang clothes on the line or rack to dry when possible. Hang on clothesline to dry instead of using a dryer. "Hang your washing out to dry if it is sunny rather than using your expensive tumble dryer." Have an occasional "scratch" meal Have your furnace tuned every two years
House expenses are a fuzzy area between a day-to-day and a fixed expense. Housing and utility costs are recommended to be no more than 30 percent of your income. If curtains are kept closed during the day it will reduce the heat conducted through the windows by half. If more than one person is watching the same television program, watch it together. If needed, have your heating system tuned-up by a professional. Keep all heat registers and air ducts clear of obstructions If possible avoid prepared meals or other convenience foods as you are paying for someone else to prepare them. If space permits, store products in freezer to prevent spoilage. If you are basing your estimate of the current value of your house on what a real estate agent has told you, call the same agent next year. If you can, hang clothes on a line outside. If you have a newspaper, check for items that are on special, particularly foods in the Meat and Alternatives Group for the main meals. If you have little to spend have a big tidy up, sell unwanted clutter and refresh the walls in white paint. If you replace any appliances, replace them with one that has a high energy efficiency rating. 67 If your house has some extra land plant a vegetable garden and look around for neighbors, friends and relatives with whom you can swap vegetables or other food. If your own country house has a few acres you can even keep your own animals. In cold weather, save gas by waiting until the engine begins to warm up before turning on the heater. In hot weather, save gas by waiting until after you start the car to turn on the air conditioner. increase temperatures on reverse cycle air-conditioners during summer and decrease during winter Indoor Lighting Use linear fluorescent tubes and energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs. Install a programmable thermostat Install aerators in bathroom and kitchen.
Install smoke alarms. Install your own phone. Institute a one light, one person rule Insulate floors over unheated spaces. Insulate hot water pipes. Insulate to the max. Make sure your attic, ceilings and walls are well insulated Invest in a freezer. Invest in a good basic cookbook. Just mix some herbs with a couple of spices, some olive or virgin oil, squeeze of lemon and marinate your meat. just write down seven meals Keep a lid on it. Covering your pots and pans allows you to lower the temperature and finish cooking sooner Keep a list in the kitchen, jotting down items as they are used up. Keep an insulated carafe next to your coffee maker. Keep it clean. Range-top burners that are kept clean reflect heat better. This will reduce cooking time, while using less energy. Keep lint screen in the dryer clean, or better yet, hang clothes up to dry 68 Keep living room closed off from unheated/cooled rooms. Keep shades closed when you leave for the day so that your apartment will stay cooler Keep the burners and reflectors on your oven clean so that they will reflect heat better and use energy more efficiently Keep the oven door shut while cooking. Each time you open the oven the temperature decreases 25-75 degrees. Landscaping with the right mix of trees and shrubs can lower your energy bills by blocking winter wind and summer sun. Launder carefully. Learn basic sewing. Learn to cook Learn to do simple repairs. Learning how to eat seasonally helps my budget a lot Learning to eat (and prepare) more meals at home Leave the heater off and put on another layer of clothes - heaters and air-conditioners use the most electricity of all appliances. Let your dishes air-dry. Let your roast coast. Turn off an electric stove or oven a few minutes before the
recipe suggests. You can still finish the job because the heating element will continue to operate for a short time. Light a candle and take it to all external doors and windows to check for drafts. Line dry your clothes Line your curtains and close interior doors to prevent heat escaping from your home. List goods that should always be found in the kitchen. Live relatively near your workplace. While this isn't always possible, driving 5,000 miles less a year can lower transportation costs by more than $1,000. Look for a furnace that is ENERGY STAR approved for energy efficiency Look for a snug food fit. Small dishes can be cooked in a microwave or toaster oven. Experiment with these other appliances to shorten cooking time and keep your kitchen from becoming an uncomfortable hot spot. Lower the hot water heater's thermostat. 69 Lower the temperature of your water heater: Lower the temperature on your thermostat Lower your water heater temperature from 140 degrees F to 125 degrees F. This is more than hot enough for bathing and washing clothes. Maintain an inventory of the foods in your pantry, cupboards, fridge and freezer. Make a note of your monthly payments for gas/electricity bills and insurance and shop around to compare prices from other companies Make an effort to drink more water and fewer alternative beverages such as fountain drinks, alcohol or coffee. Make an effort to reduce each expense to the minimum amount possible, while still meeting your family's needs. Make at least one day a week a vegetarian meal, it's a lot heathier and cheaper too Make detailed meal plans Make every effort to minimize costs on essential household expenses. Make friends with your slowcooker. Make home-cooked meals. make pizza, fish & chips, burgers etc at home Make sure your home is energy efficient. make your meals from scratch, and don't be afraid of experimenting with new foods Make your own bread, especially if you own a breadmaker. Make your own cleaning supplies. Make your own pasta sauces with tinned tomatoes, onions, and either home grown or
bought herbs and spices. Make your own salad dressing. Make your own sauces. Make your own snacks. Make your own soups instead of buying canned soups. Match the pan to the burner. If you put a 6-inch pan on an 8-inch burner, about 40% of the heat produced will be wasted. Meal plan and only buy what you intend to cook/prepare for the week 70 Meal plan, so you buy what you need, rather than buying food in case you need it. Normal TVs last longer than plasma televisions and can more easily be repaired and made good not overspend foods budget One large bag of noodles can feed a family twice, but the skimpy mixes usually only feeds a couple of people. Only run full loads in the dishwasher, washer, and dryer. Only use hot water for laundry that merits it. Only use your washing machine if you have a full load of washing. Only wash clothes when they need to be washed. Organize laundry so that a minimum number of loads are run. Out with incandescent lights Presoak heavily soiled clothing. You'll avoid two washings ang save energy. Placing yourself on a successfully budget means the road to financial freedom. plan a couple of meatless meals a week Plan meals to use a minimum of food. plan our meals, I stop overbuying and throwing a lot of food Plan the meat or meat alternatives for the main meals first. Plan your meals ahead of time. Plant a garden. Plant deciduous trees to the south and west. They will provide shades in the summer but allow sunshine in the winter. Plug electronic devices that stay in stand by mode even when they are turned off into power strips so you can shut them all down easily when not in use Practice energy saving strategies such as closing the drapes, localized thermostats, replacing appliances with energy-saving models when necessary, exchanging incandescent light bulbs with fluorescent ones, and lowering the thermostat during the night. Prepare smaller portions of meat, eggs, cheese etc. Preparing a good portion of the week's meals over the weekend
Preserve food when feasible. 71 Purchase motion sensor lighting for the exterior of your home rather than leaving the outside lights on all night long. Put a key lock on the phone. Put Netflix on hold Put off home renovations until you can save enough money to cover half of the cost in cash. Put together a complicated jig saw puzzle and have the whole family work on it over several evenings. Put vegetable peelings into a compost heap and use this rather than expensive products to fertilise your garden. Rather than turning the heater on to dry dishes after the wash cycle, let the dishes air dry or dry them off with a hand towel. Rather than using expensive plastic pots to grow seedlings, cut plastic milk cartons in half and use those. Rather than visiting an expensive restaurant, invite your friends around to your house and get everyone to bring a different dish. Ration the junk food Reduce consumption of convenience foods like microwave popcorn Reduce phantom electricity use: Reduce the cost of services that you currently have for your home. Reduce the temperature setting of your fridge and freezer to the lowest recommended temperature, around 40C is fine, anything lower than this is wasting power. Reduce your use of hot water, take shorter showers. Reducing restaurant and takeout eating Reinvent And Simplify Your Wardrobe Remember annual furnace checkups. Have your furnace checked annually by a professional. Clean or replace your furnace filters each month. Remember the old-fashioned clothesline. Clothes dried outside often seem fresher than they do when you use an electric or gas dryer. Remove window air conditioning units from your windows during the winter months, or fill the cracks with weather-stripping. Seal drafty windows with plastic Rent out a room in your home if you have more space than you need. Rent video games, don’t buy them 72
Replace your landline with Skype Replaceyour showerhead with a low-flow head. Review, remove, and reduce expenses to stop wasting money and trim your household budget. Routine maintenance checks of your furnace are important. An ounce of prevention prolongs a furnace’s life, improves its efficiency and cuts costs, as well as provides for your safety Save leftovers from your meals and eat them for lunch, or use them in different dishes. Save money in your home by conserving the electricity. Save money on vegetables Save newspapers, glass and cans for recycling. Save on electricity by trading your standard incandescent bulbs for compact fluorescent bulbs. Save on energy around the house. Keep heat outside your home by caulking any small wall cracks, which let hot air seep in Save on your utility bills. Save vegetable scraps like onion and garlic skins, leek tops, carrot peelings, celery leaves and mushroom stumps in a bag in your freezer. Save with fresh versus canned or frozen vegetables. Scour your video collection and re-discover old movies you own. Seal any cracks around doors, windows and walls. See if you can you pay for your trash removal by the bag instead of a huge monthly fee? Self-clean ovens while they are hot. Sell the big house or don't buy more house than you need. Set the thermostat back as low as you can while allowing the temperature to remain comfortable. Set up an emergency fund (separate from your savings) when you get paid. Set your water heater to 120 degrees Sew as much as practical, repair, remodel. Shop around for a new cell phone plan, new cable television or internet plan, or new insurance policies 73 Shut of lights, computers and TVs when not in use. Size things up. Cook in pots that match the size of the stove-top burners Stand up when talking long distance or use a timer. Start a plot in your backyard or a container garden on your patio, and enjoy
homegrown fruits and vegetables all season long. Start a veggie garden. Start making your own baby food. Carrots and sweet potatoes worked especially well when mixed in the food processor. Start your own container garden. "Start your own vegetable garden and grow your own food – it will be healthier and cheaper." Stay away from bottled water, soda, etc. Stick to basic fruits and veggies Store It Right to Prevent Waste: Store leftovers in reusable glass or plastic containers. You'll cut way back on your use of expensive wraps and disposable bags. Storm windows can help as well, but are expensive. Or you can apply inexpensive clear plastic film over your windows. Open curtains during the day to maximize warmth from the sun. Subscribe to only one newspaper, or none at all (find one in the lunch room). Substitutes meat protein with legumes and lentil. Surf for savings. For more energy-saving ideas, visit the U.S. Department of Energy Web site at http://www.eren.doe.gov. Swap out regular light bulbs with CFLs Switch to flourescent bulbs. Switch to low-flush toilets. Switch your Phone Company Switching to an Internet telephone service -- sometimes called Voice over IP, or VoIP -- can save you big, especially if you make a lot of long-distance or international calls. Switching to Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs) can significantly lower energy bills. 74 Take a look at that phone bill and see how much it is per minute. Take a shower rather than a bath occasionally. Take monthly meter readings and record your usage Take out the excessive Christmas lights that used to surround your whole patio and garden, this help lower my bills on electricity, it will help you too. Take proper care of your clothing so that it lasts longer. Take shorter showers. Take up gardening.
To cut utility bills, add more energy-efficient insulation to your attic with the appropriate Rvalue, or resistance to heat flow, for your climate and the type of heating in your house. To save on energy costs, seal leaks. To save on energy on heating or cooling, buy a programmable thermostat, especially if no one is home most of the day. Try a push lawn mower. You'll cut your annual mower maintenance bill by at least 300 percent, save on gas, reduce air pollution and use the extra exercise. Try to use your oven only once or twice a week. Try using a cold water detergent and cold water for most laundry loads. Turn down the furnace to lower the temperature at night. Turn off electric electric stove burners early. Turn off lights and anything electrical behind you. Turn off the computer and monitor whenever you will be away from them for several hours. Turn off the pilot light until the cold fronts start rolling in. Turn off the water while you brush your teeth. Turn off unnecessary lights Turn off your air conditioner if you can. Turn the lights off if you are not going to return to the room for over half an hour. Turn the lights off in any room that will be unoccupied for 15 minutes or more. Turn the water off while you are brushing your teeth or scrubbing your hands. Turn unneeded things into cash 75 Turn your thermostat to its lowest setting when you'll be away for even a couple of days. Turn your TV, DVD player and computer off rather than simply leaving them on standby. turning the lights off when you leave a room, don't run the dishwasher until it's full, and keeping your thermostat at a constant temperature. Use a food processor. Use a microwave oven, toaster oven, or slow-cooker to cook smaller meals Use a microwave whenever possible. It requires less energy and time. Use a phone book rather than pay for directory assistance service. Use a pressure cooker. They save energy by reducing cooking time by from 25 to 50 percent. Use a slow cooker to tenderize tough cuts of meat such as stewing beef or roasts. Use a sponge instead of a paper towel to clean off a kitchen countertop. Use a thermostat wisely Use a weatherstrip around your front and back door
Use billpay or electronic payments Use budgeting software products available in the market. Use cold water instead of warm water to wash your clothes. Use cold water to wash your clothes Use compact florescent light bulbs (CFLs) instead of traditional bulbs Use crock-pot methods to cook less tender cuts of meat. Use detergent that works well in cool and warm water. Use energy efficient light bulbs and appliances as this will save money in the long run. Use fewer ingredients. Use florescent light bulbs. Use leftovers in soups and casseroles. Use shades and draperies. Use the energy guide labels on appliances. Use the smallest pans possible; they require less energy. 76 Use toaster ovens and microwaves. Full-size regular ovens use four times as much electricity to accomplish the same cooking task as microwave ovens. Use up leftovers to make soup. Use ventilating fans sparingly. Use washable dust and dish rags. using left over bones from roast chickens, beef, etc... for stock Utilities can eat up cash flow very quickly. Turn off lights and electronics when not in use Wait until your dishwasher is full before turning it on. Wash clothes in cold water. Wash clothes in warm or cold water, rinse in cold Waste not, want not. Turn off lights in unoccupied rooms and install timers or motion detectors on exterior lights Watch for old cookbooks at garage sales and second hand book stores. Watch out for shared utility expenses. Water usage Fix any dripping faucets. Water your garden and lawn at night. Weatherproof your home. Caulk holes and cracks that let warm air escape in the winter and cold air escape in the summer. When building a home or replacing a roof, select a roof based more on energy efficiency than on how it looks. When buying appliances, reliability trumps price When cooking with electricity, try to turn off burners a few minutes before the allotted cooking time When replacing light fixtures, consider compact fluorescent.
When the heat or air conditioning is on, close doors to rooms not in use. When you buy dish detergent or syrup or oil, etc, in a bottle, get the bottle that's filled the highest. When you run water, unless you need hot water, always turn on the cold. When your clothes are wrinkled, hang them on a shower rod, spritz them with a fine mist of hot water and they'll be wrinkle-free in the morning. 77 when you're selecting window coverings for the nursery, aim for washable fabrics or blinds that can be wiped down easily with a damp cloth. Winter Heating Keep the thermostat set to 68 degrees, and set it back even more when you are sleeping or away from your home Wrap your water heater with a water heater blanket You can get free pets from per shelters Your fireplace may look welcoming with a roaring fire, but it doesn’t produce much heat. Glass fireplace doors can help prevent warm air from escaping. When the fireplace is not in use, be sure to close the damper to keep warm air in and cold air out. Insurance Budgeting Tips As always, compare companies and rates on your home, life, and auto insurance. Avoid credit insurance. Check your Health Insurance cover Consider dropping credit insurance coverage on installment loans. If possible, pay your entire annual insurance premium in one go as if you pay by direct debit they often include additional fees. If you request to raise your insurance deductible, your insurance premium will most likely decrease. Increase insurance deductibles Know how much life insurance you need. make sure that your company provides effective medical insurance. Review Your Insurance Policies Save on homeowner's insurance. Shop around for Insurance - Auto, Home and Life Shop for term insurance by phone. Assess your need for life insurance coverage. If your children are now on their own, or if your spouse works, you may not need as much life insurance protection.
Adequate insurance coverage for your life, health, and property is a wise investment. Bundle insurance coverage. 78 Buy your pets insurance; that way you can relax when they become ill. Cancel private mortgage insurance, or PMI, once your mortgage reaches an 80 percent loan-to-value ratio. Carry only replacement value insurance on house. Check on insurance coverage before going abroad. Some home improvements can reduce the cost of homeowners insurance. Shopping Budgeting Tips Always be on the lookout for free, promotional items. Always buy gently used items when it will suit your needs. Always carry some food with food in your backpack Always check in the bargain cart for deep discounts Always check out a company you don’t know, and use your credit card to make the reservation for additional protection Always compare price per ounce when shopping for groceries. Always compare the prices of items before you purchase anything. Always get free checking Always haggle for a lower price with the vendors. Always locate the local food markets in your new destination. Always look for coupons Always shop around at internet discount resources, thrift stores, clearance and closeout resources and compare prices before making a final purchase. Always shop with a list so that you are not tempted to buy unnecessary items. Always think practical whenever you are shopping. Always try to find free parking An Internet Resource Library that can connect you to savings and deals on virtually everything you spend. Arrive at the market early, or late. Ask the store manager for a discount for the things you will buy in bulk. 79 Ask yourself "Do I need it?" "Do I need it now?" Assess clothing in terms of quality as well as price. An inexpensive shirt or coat is a poor bargain if it wears out in less than a year. Avoid emotional shopping Avoid exposing yourself to things that will tempt you to spend. "Avoid food shopping when you are hungry and make sure that you make a list of what you need to avoid impulse buys."
Avoid going to stores where you have had problems overspending in the past Avoid impulse buying. Avoid isles that have nothing on your shopping list. Avoid long-life bulbs. They are less energy-efficient than normal bulbs so shouldn't be used generally. avoid processed foods as much as possible, and find it’s cheaper to buy raw produce Avoid purchasing items labeled “dry clean only,” since this can rack up quite a large expense over time. Avoid purchasing non-grocery items, such as painkillers and contact lens solution, at a grocery store. Avoid recreational shopping. Avoid shopping for food when you're hungry avoid shopping with your rich friends or friends who shop like they are rich! Avoid supermarkets for some non-food items. Avoid the morning cup of coffee at the coffee shop or gas station (this expense really can add up!) Avoid trendy clothing that is likely to go out of style quickly. avoiding prepackaged and frozen meals Bake a cake instrad of buying from a bakery. Barter and trade services or products if you can. Be careful about how much you spend on your everyday expenses. Be conservative when you buy items your baby will grow out of quickly. 80 Be constantly on the lookout for clothing that isn't marked "as is", but has some easily correctable flaw. Be cost-conscious about baby clothes. Be Grocery store-smart Be prepared when you go shopping - be it for food or other essential items Be ready to spend more on quality items. Be sure to include expense categories for recurring, but not frequent items. Be sure to shop around. Before going to the shop, sit down and plan your weekly diet. Before heading to the store, you must know the total amount you can afford to spend. Before making any clothing purchase, ask yourself if you really need the item, how often will you wear it, and if you really must have it, can you wait to purchase the item until it goes on sale. Before most purchases, ask yourselves how much you can save by paying cash,
instead of using a credit card. Before paying a deposit, find out what costs are incurred should you need to cancel or delay your booking Before spending your money, think through the decision making process: Before you buy something, especially items with big price tags, borrow one, rent one or try one out before you plunk down the cash. Before you even step foot in a store, know in advance how much you’re prepared to spend, and don’t go over it. Before you hit the store, plan your meals for the week and concentrate on buying only the items you need Before you purchase any clothing, know what material it's made out of and what type of washing care it needs. Begin with the biggest items first, where the most potential for savings is, and move down the scale to the less expensive items. Begin working with your total and determine if you can or want to spend that much. Most likely you'll find that you want to trim your list to spend less. Beware of "featured" items, which are often at the end of the aisle. They are usually not offered at a lower price. Beware of discount store syndrome. 81 Beware of end-of-the-aisle dump bins, island displays, recipe related item placement, and "middle-shelf" items. Beware the 90% discount. Big and bulky but tested CRT TVs have the best picture quality for much lower price than flat screen TVs. Bulk buy on items you use a lot Buy a dress that can be restyled to be worn again. Buy a fuel-efficient car. Buy a gas range with an electronic ignition system. Buy a gift basket for a family. Buy a larger size of the current season's clothes on sale for the next year's season Buy a not-yet-old car Buy a rain barrel and collect rain water to water your garden plants.
Buy a slow cooker. Buy an insulated travel mug and make coffee at home to take on the commute to work. Buy and give inexpensive yet meaningful gifts. Buy appliances and furnitures from mail-order discounters. Buy bulk meat packs from a wholesale butcher in your local area Buy cheaper cuts of meat and cook them in a crock pot to make them tender and flavorful. Buy children's clothing items a size or two larger for longer wear. Buy clothes at the end of the season when they’re 50% to 75% off. Buy clothing out of season. Buy clothing that does not need ironing. Buy clothing that is washable. Buy discount items Buy dresses online Buy dry pasta. Buy dry staples in bulk. 82 Buy fewer processed foods and convenience items Buy foods directly from the rancher or the farmer, thus eliminating the middlemen. Buy for two seasons.There's nothing wrong with getting clothing that can be worn for more than two seasons like fall to winter, or spring to summer Buy from distributors/wholesalers Buy frozen vegetables for daily use and save the fresh produce for weekends or when you have guests. Buy gifts through the year at sale prices and put them away and never confuse love with stuff. Buy major appliances that sport the Energy Star sticker. Buy more whole foods-ie bulk couscous instead of boxed seasoned rice Buy only clothing items that are well made and will wear well Call for houseplant bargains Check out op-shops and markets for cheap buys Check out the wealth of coupon sites on the Web before you shop. Check prices elsewhere before computer shopping. Check the back of the store for a markdown shelf Check the before-coupon price before you buy a product. You may find that that price minus the coupon value is still higher than the price of the uncouponed but acceptable substitute right next to it. "Check the shelves to see how much it costs per 100g for each pack
size of a product – sometimes multi buys are actually more expensive." Check which size packages offer the best value, it's not always the biggest ones. Children grow out of clothes so quickly, shop at the thrift stores till they are grown. Choose a less busy period will give you the power to negotiate better price Choose clothes that fit correctly. Clip, save and use coupons only for the brand names you normally buy or substitutes you know are acceptable. Clipping Coupons Can Cut Your Costs 83 Combine errands in one trip. Compare loose versus "by-the-bag" produce prices. Comparison shop as a matter of habit. Comparison shop for better deals. Purchase used DVDs and CDs instead of buying brand new Comparison shopping is essential. Consider generic or bulk foods. Consider purchasing clothes at consignment shops. Consider purchasing previously-used clothes from Good Will, second-hand stores, or school or church thrift sales. Consider store brands or generics Corner convenience stores are much more expensive. Discover cheaper places to shop for your groceries and personal hygiene items. Displayed items are not always the best buy. Distance yourself from emotionally charged purchases DO NOT do your groceries in Spar or Centra Do not shop on an empty stomach. Do some price research up front (the web is easiest and fastest) so when you ask to see the "sticker price" at the dealers, you’ll be armed with real numbers. Do Your Research.Visit many different stores to do price comparisons. Do your shopping at the market if you have one nearby, rather than the supermarket. Don’t be afraid to haggle (try to get a price reduced) – especially if you are paying cash. "Don’t be afraid to visit charity shops, car boot sales or flea markets as you can often find nearly new clothes or inexpensive presents." "Don’t forget to collect coupons in magazines and visit the websites of products you use on a regular basis as they often have downloadable offers." Don't automatically reach for the biggest package at the grocery store thinking you're getting
the better deal 84 Don't bring the kids shopping. Don't dismiss finding quality clothing at your local Good Will or Salvation Army. Don't go around every supermarket looking for bargins (your spending it on extra petrol) Don't go buy every kind of gear for your baby before he or she is born Don't go to the small stores . Don't just buy clothes, plan a wardrobe. Don't let your eyes do the buying Don't turn up your nose at shops offering loose food where you can weigh out as little or as much as you need. Don't use shopping to boost your mood or stave off boredom. Evaluate where you shop and your shopping habits. Factory outlets are a good place to bargain hunt for clothing and footwear. Find a co-op or a buying club so that you can purchase your ingredients in bulk and at a lower price. "Find a second-hand website or search your local classifieds. " Find cheaper stores to shop at Find online bargains, learn how to spot a deal and look great while wearing discount fashion Food and groceries are probably your biggest cash expense, and definitely worth breaking down further. For expenses such as groceries, you may also want to keep track of the dates to monitor how many times you visit the grocery store. For warm sweaters, look for at least two plies. Get a discount Get free samples at the cosmetic counter. Get friendly with sales staff get item at a discount store Get on every mailing list possible and track prices in different catalog. Get the buzz on unadvertised bargains 85 Get to know clerks and managers at different stores and call them from time to time about big ticket items. Get to know the names of sales associates Get to know your food producers.
Go early for the best selection Go late for the best DEAL Go to thrift stores. Grab your local supermarket's weekly insert or log onto its Web site to see the weekly specials. Haggle with owners and managers, not with sales clerks. Haunt the reduced isle at the supermarket. heavily shop bulk aisles and prepare from scratch as much as you can make the time to do so Hit the clearance rack "If a product you use regularly is on a ‘buy one get one free offer’ stock up for several months." If storage permits, buy in quantity if cheaper. If the clothing item is not necessary, or you're not willing to discard an older item in its place, forego the spend. If you are "hard" on clothes, buy quality. If you are buying a book check out the second hand shop on campus If you can’t pay cash, don’t buy it If you charge clothing, pay your bills before "due date". If you do get any bruised or damaged produce, remove any bad spots and use the produce right away If you don't need to buy supplies now, wait. School supplies are usually cheaper or on clearance by mid-September. If you don't plan on using something frequently, consider renting it. if you favor brands, try store brands instead If you have enough room to store food, consider buying in bulk 86 If you have the storage space, stock up on staples when they are on sale or a regularly scheduled trip to a warehouse club. If you must buy your food in a food store, shop the outside aisles If you pay for something in cash keep the receipt. If you save the tapes from supermarkets, drugstores and warehouse clubs, you can learn some fascinating things about your spending patterns at the end of each month. If you use a giant supermarket, you might discover that 30% of what you thought of as food expenses actually was spent on such things as cosmetics, soft drinks, and pet food. If you use national brands, spend a little time clipping and using coupons. If you’re excited about a car, don’t let the salesperson know how you feel. If you’re willing to go on Christmas Day or New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day,
you’ll probably find space, but nothing at great bargains. If your grocery store has a sale on ground beef (for example) and it's a great big package If you're buying an expensive item or a large household appliance, doing a little research could save you a lot of money. Ignore the “wholesale club” philosophy of buying in bulk and purchase only what you need -unless a product is really worth buying in large quantities "Instead of buying a soft drink with your lunch each day, buy a multipack when you next do your supermarket shop and take one into work each day." Instead of buying new clothes, accessories like costume jewellery, belts, and stockings can give you a new look for just a little cash Instead of constantly buying water in bottles, buy one and save the bottle. Invest intelligently in good shoes and comfortable clothing It's better to go to large, reputable department stores, reputable retailers, and reputable online boutiques. Join customer loyalty clubs Keep a list of prices of goods you always buy. Keep a price diary to work out the cheapest places to buy your shopping. Keep an eye out in newspapers and on TV for store sales, clearances, close-outs, etc. Keep receipts of your spending. 87 Keep sale prices in perspective Keep shopping for better deals. Keep warranty documents. Kids can cause several complications at the store Know what looks good on you Know what you want to buy, and go to the store with a list.When you have finished shopping, stop. Know your budget-busters and stay away! Know your limits Know your warranty conditions and what the warranty covers. Learn to read the store circulars and team up your coupons with items that are on sale. Learn to shop the discounted racks. Leave the kids at home when you're going shopping Leave your credit card at home; the less temptation, the better. Limit food shopping to once a week; the less trips to the grocery store the better. Limit the number of times you go to the grocry store.
limit what you get when you go out Limiting the number of trips to the grocery store protects your budget in a number of ways Look at the bottom shelves of the grocery store. You may find better buys there. Look at the middle shelves last. Look at your lists carefully and make some comparison-shopping trips to different stores. Look beyond the logo Look for "own brand" items at supermarkets. They are usually cheaper. Look for and find mismarked items - early in a sale, before the manager is aware of the mistake some harried clerk made. Look for bargains everywhere. Look for clothing bargains in newspaper classified ads Look for clothing items that can be washed rather than dry-clean only. 88 Look for sales Look for sales at discount outlets. Look For Secondhand And Baby Sale Items Look for sedate sale ads and stop in. Look for the items on the lowest shelves Look now, buy later. Look around before you buy. Look out for shops and market stalls that offer student discounts Look out for special rates or off-season discounts Make a grocery list and stick to it. Make a list and stick to it-however-if something you intended to buy that week is pricey that week, substitute with something on sale. Make a list to keep your shopping focused on the shopping plan. make a list. When you go to the store, buy ONLY what is on your list! make a price list/book Make a shopping list and stick to it. Make notes about whether or not the item was on sale Make sure the clothes you want to buy are allowed by the school's dress code. Make use of loyalty cards from your favourite food and drink outlets NEVER act that interested! If you act like you struck gold they'll likely try to get more from you and not budge the price Never be afraid to "haggle" the price. Never buy "diet" products Never buy anything just because "everyone else is wearing it"! Never buy large purchase items with out waiting a week to really be sure that it is the best use of your money.
never buy large quantities of anything you’re unfamiliar with Never buy magazines from the newsstand Never purchase expensive items on impulse. Think over each expensive purchase for at least 24 hours. Acting on this principle will mean you have far fewer regrets about impulse purchases, and far more money for emergency savings. 89 Never shop for a monthly payment amount. "No impulse buying, and if you absolutely must have that one item, weigh all the costs before buying the product." Not let your emotions make you purchase anything, including gifts Not purchase anything that you don't really need, no matter how good the sale Obtain store rewards cards so that you are eligible for advertised savings. Offer to pay cash. On a month-to-month basis, first pay your rent; next, buy your groceries and pay your utility bills. On the spot markdowns are common during bad weather. One way to avoid having to buy new clothes each season is to forgo fads Only buy food that you need Only pay with cash. Only purchase clothing when it is on sale. Only purchase items that are on sale or that you have coupons for. Only shop when you have to. Organize shopping trips and make shopping lists Participate in swaps, online and offline: Pay Attention To Unit Prices Pay closer attention to unit pricing Pay for everything with cash Spend several months buying all your groceries on a credit card, and tot up what you actually spend. Plan for larger purchases. Plan for major holiday shopping, like Christmas gifts, and shop sales throughout the year to save money on your Christmas budget. Plan for spending Plan for the least expensive food sources Plan meals for the weeks / month ahead prior to going to the grocery store. 90 Plan menus in advance for your shopping trips. plan your menu ahead of time to make the best use of the food you buy Plan your shopping.
Prepared breakfast cereals are an almost obscenely priced, budget breaker Purchase a bottle of water instead of a soda. Purchase clothes that are versatile. Purchase clothes that can be used for different occasions. Purchase only what you can use. If you’ve thrown anything away in the last two weeks, you are overbuying. Purchase storebrand over-the-counter medications. Storebrand medications often cost 2040 percent less than nationally advertised brands. Read labels carefully Read through the newspapers advertisements with your children and seek out sales for back-to-school clothes and supplies. Reduce or eliminate buying magazines, especially the ones at the check-out counter in the grocery store. Remember to sign up for loyalty schemes at the supermarkets you regularly visit and save the vouchers to use at Christmas or for your children’s birthdays. Review your coupons quickly before you make out your weekly shopping list. Save at The Clearance Racks Save money by purchasing produce on sale Save on shipping. Many online stores now offer shoppers the option of picking up online purchases at the nearest outlet. Shop around the perimeter of the store. Shop at a less expensive clothing store Shop at off-price stores. Shop at outlet malls and stores Shop at supermarkets and fresh produce markets. Shop at the end of the month.Stores that have not met their monthly quotas may be more anxious to sell at reduces prices. 91 Shop at the local supermarket after 5pm and pick up cheap deals on the convenience food that is left over for the day Shop department-store clearance centers. Shop during sales, especially for major purchases. Shop factory outlets. Shop for food with a list and stick to it. People who do food shopping with a list, and buy little else, spend much less money than those who decide what to buy when they get
to the food market. Shop for food with friends, making use of special bulk buying offers in supermarkets such as ‘buy one get one free’. Shop for groceries on a full stomach. Shop for non-food items at the dollar store. Shop in bad weather. Shop on a full stomach Shop on double or triple coupon days. Shop once a week Shop online for deals before you arrive in your destination city. Shop online to browse and compare prices. Shop out of season Shop Secondhand. Shop smart. Leave your wallet at home at the beginning of the season and go browsing through malls, discount stores and second-hand shops to check out prices and compare sales Shop the clearance rack Shop the farmers market at the end of the day. Shop when products are reduced Shop wisely. Review Consumer Reports and other publications to avoid making large purchases that are known for needing repairs. Shopping at the outlets of your favorite stores and designers can save you a bundle shopping for higher-priced items like spices; buy them from your local health food store ‘loose’ These spices are the same quality and require less extra packaging. 92 Sometimes, stores accept "double coupons" on certain products. If so, it may be worthwhile to buy another copy of the newspaper in which the coupon appears. steering clear of expensive cuts of meat stick your grocery receipts on a nail so you can remember to deduct cleaning supplies,etc.. Stop shopping for clothes because it builds your self esteem. Stop shopping for clothes because of the “high” it gives you. Suggest removing certain domestic privileges for every item he chucks in the trolley that is not on the shopping list. Take advantage of after-holiday sales Take advantage of all the money-off coupons you can. Take advantage of department store card incentives and then transfer the balances.
Take advantage of discounts for buying in bulk Take advantage of seasonal specials, especially fresh produce. Take advantage of supermarket specials, especially on tinned stuff, which lasts forever, and meat, which lasts months in the freezer. Talk to suppliers: Let people know your budget, Tell hubby that if he wants the extra goodies in the trolley he should go out and earn more to pay for them. The best way to a avoid impulse shopping for clothes is to make up a very definite list of what you need. The exclusive specialty men's and women's stores all have sales too, so keep an eye for such opportunities. This first rule of shopping frugal is don't buy it if you don't really need it. Try a warehouse club. Warehouse discounters often offer substantial savings on bulk food items Try and do your shopping once a week as additional weekly shopping may result with additional unnecessary items. try and order something big in portion then share with your friends. Try before you Buy Try buying gifts ahead of time during sales Try cheaper supermarkets 93 Try click-to-call. Many online retailers offer this convenient new feature, which helps cybershoppers who have questions about specific products connect by phone with a customer service representative Try to keep your eyes open for any discount or 2-for-1 coupons from your local DVD rental outlet Try to shop alone and eat before you shop. Hungry shoppers buy more than they need. Children may pressure you to buy unnecessary items. Use coupons for groceries Use coupons for items, you regularly buy. Use coupons. Use discount websites Use lay-by for when you can, rather than a credit card. Use local newspapers and websites to learn about free or low-cost parks, museums, film showings, sports events, and other places which you and your family would enjoy.
Use the STOOP-AND-RISE method. Bargains may be found on the top and bottom shelves. Use the store's loyalty card Use your newspaper's advertising inserts. Use your student discount Using generic items instead of brand names can save you hundreds of dollars per month. Visit consignment shops.Consignment shops are a fantastic way to save in today's economy Visit off-price stores just before the announced sale day for a possible early sale shopping. Visit supermarkets at the end of the day, when fresh food is often marked down in price. Visit the clearance racks at your favorite clothing stores. Wait 24 hours before making major purchases. Watch out for free coupons and offerings from email and catalogs. Watch out for the “it’s on sale” mentality. Watch the ‘sell by’ dates as you shop. You do not want to throw away food which you bought cheaply but cannot use in time. Water is cheaper than soda, beer, juice, coffee, tea, etc When budgeting on clothes, remember that "Dry Clean Only" costs extra. 94 When buying larger items, don't be afraid to ask for a discount. When buying school supplies, consider shopping online or going to lower-priced outlets and office supply stores. When expensive vegetables that freeze well are on special, buy plenty, as long as your family likes them. When you are shopping for an unusual item or a specific model, telephone ahead to see if the store has it. When you come across a great bargain on basics such as sleep wear, underwear and socks, stock up on them. You can save money shopping for gifts throughout the year during sales events. You should try any item before you commit to purchase it to make sure that it will be good enough to meet your needs. You will find the highest quality clothes and items at budget shops in a rich area in a big city. Tight-Arse Budgeting Tips Improvise furniture, shop the paper or garage sales.
Instead of seeing first-run movies, see if there is a "dollar show" in your area. Join a Co Op Hit up Goodwill or the Salvation Army If you are going to venture into the unknown world of electronic purchases at Op Shops, make sure it works. Look about second hand shops/charity shops. Look at online auction sites to buy quality clothing at discounted prices. Make secondhand a way of life. Look for items at garage sales. Organise to swap clothes with your friends to keep on top of fashion without having to spend a huge amount. Treat your clothing with care; replace broken zippers and buttons; shine your shoes, deodorize those sneakers, iron (yes, iron) when necessary to maintain the life of the item. Recycle gift wrappers, ribbons and gift tissue paper. Recycle gifts. 95 Remember freebies and samples are your friend. Reuse old clothes Save steel wool pads in a container in the freezer to prevent them from rusting. Save up your little slivers of soap, wet them, and stick them all together. Scrimp on breakfast Shop at garage sales Shop charity thrift shop. Shop for clothing at rummage sales, garage sales, flea markets, etc. Shop thrift stores and yard sales, and always recycle when appropriate. Stop eating so much. Using gently worn hand-me-downs can save a lot of money. Or consider shopping at garage or yard sales for things like a vintage lunchbox or a nearly new calculator that could cost 50 percent to 90 percent less than retail. Vacation Budgeting Tips Check with your auto insurance company ahead of time to find out what coverage you have when you rent a car, and to decide what you need to purchase A suite-type hotel or vacation condominium that includes a kitchen can be also prove to be a money-saver A very easy way to buy no-cost airline tickets is to switch from a direct route home on a
business-class ticket to an alternate route with a stopover in a city you would like to visit. Accept a lower standard of accommodation Always travel with a bottle of water. As long as you're travelling for more than 30 days, leasing a car can be a surprisingly affordable option. Ask about taxes and fees when shopping for an auto rental. Ask about the flight’s times, connections, airline, and change and cancellation policies. Ask the locals (or cab drivers) and avoid the tourist traps. Avoid the Holiday Hangover Avoid the tourist traps. 96 Avoid the VAT when shopping abroad. Avoid your hotel's long-distance line. Be flexible in your travel times be realistic about what you can set aside for holiday spending and still meet your financial goal of becoming debt-free. Before going out to eat, ask the hostel staff or check local magazines for nice affordable places to eat Book a vacation home during the week. Book early Book Off-Season Book your luxury vacation wisely. Avoid peak periods like year end holidays or public holidays Bring some snacks whenever you travel. bring travelers checks and spending only those, you know exactly what you’ll have left over when you get home Bus tours and local backpack tours are an economical alternative to sight seeing Buy airlines tickets in advance. Buy all your Holiday items for the following year on the few days following the current year’s holiday. Buy duty-free alcohol when going to Norway Call and make your reservation at the special rate as quickly as you can. Call the hotel or resort directly to ask about discounts. Cash your traveler's check only at a bank or an office of the company that issues the checks, and pay only minor expenses with cash in the local currency. Check all airlines for cheap fares.
Check out the rates for auto rentals to find out if airport surcharges, additional driver fees, insurance and drop off charges are included Check out your frequent flier programs and credit card programs for any discounts on car rentals. Check the websites of your planned destination’s hotels choose a vacation destination that is not going to be exceedingly costly. 97 Choose flights that have connections and are usually less expensive than non-stop flights. Choose to stay at places that offer bed and breakfast or even all meals. This will save you a lot of money Consider creating a holiday budget. Consider fuel costs carefully. Some rental places will encourage you to purchase a tank of fuel ahead of time at a discounted cost Consider vacation condos and house rentals, instead of hotel rooms. Consolidators can save you money on flexible travel decide what kind of vacation do you really want? Decide what type of vacation you want to take Designate a special envelope to set aside the money you have decided to save every month to build your holiday fund Develop a specific holiday budget now digging up the best travel deals and packages is an important way to stretch the family travel budget Discounts are the norms, not the exception, throughout the travel industry, so look for them and ask for them for it. Do some online research at travel websites like Kayak and Orbitz. Do some research in your area to find free or low cost activities and sites to visit Don’t trust the packager’s hotel description or star rating; research the hotel on your own. Don't allow yourself to get buried by that debt or spend the next year paying off the purchases from this holiday season. Don't make a reservation using a hotel-chain 800 number Don't wait until the last minute. Give yourself time to compare prices and find the best deals. Eat where the locals eat. Entry fees to tourist exhibits will quickly absorb your budget. Extra nights are often available at a ridiculously low rate.
Find a local diner for breakfast. Find out eateries where the locals eat - you can be assured of a place that is reasonable and one that allows you to sample local fare 98 Fly when Air Fares are Low Flying is not the only option. Consider the options of traveling by train, bus, or car For vacations, go camping instead of staying at hotels. Get a cheap long distance phone card before you travel and use it! Avoid hotel phones get a credit card that offers frequent flyer miles and use it everywhere, so you can cash in come trip-time. Give yourself a gift. Remember, by developing a reasonable holiday budget and sticking with it, you can give yourself the gift of moving closer to your overriding goal of becoming debt-free. You deserve to enjoy the holidays without the burdens and stresses caused by overspending go to the website of the airport you plan to depart from and look at their list of airlines to see if there are other discount airlines that may offer a better deal. Hostels are nice and cheap Hostels, which offer dormitory-like rooms, are the lowest-cost way to spend a night. if it feasible to drive instead of fly,drive! If possible, travel off season when the rates are lower. If you are traveling overseas, call your credit card companies in advance to find out what fees they charge for overseas purchases If you are visiting a city, don’t bother renting a car If you belong to the American Automobile Association (AAA), many museums, zoos and other attractions offer discounts to AAA members. If you can travel alone on a flexible schedule, the cheapest way to fly to many destinations is as a courier. If you do fly, keep your departure and return dates flexible. If you have frequent flier miles, figure out whether it is worth it to cash them in for a ticket. If you travel a lot, get the frequent flier's credit card If your first night is being spent at a hotel, ask the manager if they include extras such as complimentary champagne, chocolates and fresh fruits for newly wedded couples If your taking rental cars,Make sure the tank is full before you take the car
If you're campers, you can almost always find a campground near popular beach areas and get maximum savings on lodging 99 If you're moving a lot of household items, it can be cheaper to send them ahead via UPS than to pay extra baggage charges to an airline. Instead of going to popular destinations become adventurous and try little known options Instead of spending the holidays elsewhere, why not spend it with your family at home. introduce a vacation fund into your family budget. Investigate free attractions Join an online travel service to help get discounts on hotels and airline reservations keep your family vacation within the confines of your budget is to choose a vacation destination that is not going to be exceedingly costly. know the entire cost of the trip in advance, and major expenses, from food to lodging to activities, are covered in one rate. Limit your use of traveler's checks Load your iPod with songs by your favorite artists and go on a music trip. Lodging cost can be reduced by staying in cheaper hotels, motels and hostels. Look for travel companies that offer daily departures on their packages (versus ones that only have weekly flights). look up the local tourist board for valuable tips and information My tip is to travel with tuna cans and chocolate bars Never eat breakfast at a hotel! Unless it is included with accommodation On traveling, buy your tickets as far in advance as possible, that way you have them paid off before your trip. One of the easiest ways to cut costs is on transportation. If you can drive to a nearby destination rather than fly to a distant one One way to save on a family vacation is to rent a condominium instead of paying for hotel rooms. Only use transit in areas you can’t otherwise walk Order an Entertainment book for the city you are visiting in advance of your trip Pack you lunch and breakfast if you can. Pitch a tent Plan a picnic in a scenic area like a park or the beach for a low cost day out. 100 plan a vacation that will leave you with good memories instead of debt
plan how you want to get there and how long you want to stay. Plan in advance so you’ll have time to save money for your trip Rent accommodation directly from owners. Research general information travel sites Research your destination and discover the best time for traveling. set a holiday budget and to stick to it, and include all the spending money, parking at airport costs, cattery fees etc before you book. set a limit on what you spend. Set a maximum amount for what you can spend in each area. Shop online for discount accommodations Shopping on the Internet for a good holiday package can sometimes prove to be very resourceful. Skip air travel insurance. Skip car rental insurance. Sometimes it is economical to fly to a nearby location instead of a busy metropolis Start the holiday shopping season by making a list of all the things you are likely to spend money on. Stay in a value resort. Stock up on snacks for the kids and avoid ordering drinks at exorbitant rates from your hotel Surf the net and find out which online site offers you the best fares and hotel bookings Swap houses: this is an especially good way to save on large hotel bills if you are vacationing with children or as part of a group. Take a thermos & coffee satchels, fill up at hostel each morning & have in park or some scenic spot – saves heaps! Take advantage of the outdoors Take fewer cab rides. Using public transit instead of cabs can save you $5-10 per trip or more. Take free walking tours Take the time to plan a local vacation to get the most out of your experience. 101 Take to the family to amusement parks when the fees to enter are 2 for 1, or if amusement parks are something that you really enjoy doing together, and you go to a park that offers family season’s passes, buy one of those. Take vacations at home. Taking a bus or train is cheaper than driving your own car. Taking a cruise or going to an all-inclusive resort are other smart ways to control a
budget The cost of a shuttle bus or train is bound to be less than the cost of renting the car for a day, and you'll save garage expenses as well. Think of spending weekend vacations in big cities To get the best deal on a cruise you will want to book your trip during an “off-peak” time. Travel Wisely Travel with a cooler. Travelzoo.com can be useful for compare fares using several of the major booking engines treat yourself a good holiday cheer by being debt free after the holidays! Try an off-the-beaten path airport if your schedule is flexible. Try for no-fee traveler's check. Use car rental discounts Use frequent flier mileage wisely. Use low-cost airlines such as Southwest Airlines or JetBlue Use the internet to scope out the airlines that serve airports within a couple of hours of home for the best deals. Vacation during the off-season. Vacation with a group of friends. Watch out for last-minute special offers on online booking engines and airline websites. When choosing a hotel, remember business hotels, which do most of their business during the workweek, often drop their weekend rates When going on holiday, make sure you shop around for the best flights and hotel prices. When traveling abroad, ask for "early bird" and pretheater specials when you call for reservations. When traveling, book hotel rooms at the last minute. 102 When traveling, buy airline tickets from a consolidator When traveling, check on nested fares. When traveling, check out fares from council travel. When traveling, consider budget motels. When traveling, delay car rentals. When traveling, eat your big meal at lunch. When traveling, enroll the whole family in frequent flier programs. When traveling, resist the temptation to go nuts on souveneirs. When traveling, stay in youth hostels. When you arrive at a place where all of your spending decisions are DELIBERATE ones,
you will find yourself several steps and quite a few dollars closer to a balanced budget that allows you to reach all of your financial goals. When you check in to a hotel, ask if you can earn frequent traveler or airline miles for your stay. While on vacation, consider packing sandwiches or supplies for making your own meals instead of stopping for every meal at a restaurant. you can research destinations and costs you can save a tremendous amount of money if you can prepare your own meals while on vacation. You don’t have to eat at all the finest restaurants in order for it to be a special vacation. You don’t have to splurge on souvenirs for all your friends and family at home to prove you had a good time. Vehicle Budgeting Tips Check your air filter. A dirty filter will lower gas mileage. Check your wheel alignment whenever the car gets routine checkup. Consider dropping collision and comprehensive coverage consider leaving the car at home some days Determine which size car you really need and don’t pay for a more expensive one Do try to carpool as much as you can to and from work. 103 Do your own maintenance (change the oil yourself). dont be afraid to create a most efficient driving route, as well as grouping together activities into one car trip. Don't idle a cold engine. Don't pay for worthless higher octane-rated gas. Don't settle for an around-the-block test drive. Drive small cars that cost less to operate. Drive the speed limit Fill up. Keep your gasoline tank full in freezing temperatures. It helps to keep the fuel line open and prevent freezing of water vapor in the line Make sure you take the time to get your oil changed regularly. Maximize gas mileage on any car you buy. Most bridge and tunnel authorities offer discounts if tickets or tokens are purchased in certain quantities.
On car budgets, trade in your car just one year later. Remove your roof rack to reduce both drag and the car's total weight. Save money on transport whenever you can. Sell your old car yourself rather than trading it in (you'll get more for a private sale) Shop around for gas. Comparing prices at different stations and using the lowestoctane (recommended by the car owner's manual) can save you hundreds of dollars a year. Spend money to have an independent mechanic test drive a car before buying it. The best car is one that is PAID FOR! The cost of purchasing new tires will also need to be included in your car budgeting category. The heavier your vehicle is the more gas it is going to use. Transportation should include tolls, parking, gas, bus fares, etc. Try big-box gasoline. Check out big-box retailers. They may offer fuel at a few cents less per gallon than traditional stations and let you combine your gas stops with other shopping errands. Try to walk instead of drive. 104 Use the grade of motor oil recommended by your car's manufacturer. Using different motor oil can lower your gasoline mileage by 1%-2%. Vehicles that aren’t well cared will end up using more gas than those well maintained. Walk or bike to work in summer rather than using your car. Walk or cycle to work whenever possible. When budgeting for car expenses, you will need to include the cost of oil changes every few thousand miles. When buying a car, review total cost of ownership When car budgeting, aim to pay cash if you can. When driving, avoid fast start-ups and stops. Over time, you will save hundreds of dollars on lower gas and maintenance costs. When planning to buy a car, skip the dealer's extended warranty. when planning to buy a car, skip the dealer's rustproffing option. When you are not using your vehicle, turn it off to save you on gas. Winterize your car. Check your car tires, hoses, and belts for wear. Check your car battery— if it has been giving you trouble, or is near the end of its warranty, replace it If the car is paid for, you don't have to have full coverage insurance, just PLPD Drop collision insurance on older cars. Shop around for auto insurance: Take the time to review several insurance companies and compare prices for car
insurance. When considering insurance options, be sure to ask about underinsured motorist coverage as well as uninsured motorist coverage. You can save money on car insurance by changing your profile. Wedding Budgeting Tips Ask to see previous work before you hire any photographer A beach wedding may need standing-room only (hence no rental chairs or overhead on tents.) A trove of candles in various shapes and sizes but in one color (such as cream or peach) can decorate an entire backyard with a romantic and inexpensive theme. 105 Additional decorations for either a formal reception or a more casual at-home wedding may be made by a talented guest with silk flowers or plucked from a friends' garden. Additional lights or a photographer's additional equipment can be left at home when the event is backlit by a cascading sunset. Arrange to share the cost of ceremony decorations with the couple marrying directly before or after you that day. Arrange to take any open bottles of wine with you, corked for safe travel and legal transport in your car or to be brought up to your hotel suite. As you receive and open gifts, immediately mark on the card who the gift is from and exactly what it was. Ask a family member or a friend to emcee. Ask a family member or friend to sing at the reception. Ask a friend with a video camera to videograph the ceremony and reception. ask around within the family circle if some relatives are in the business of dressmak Ask at the local college/university for young musicians Ask each of your parents if they plan to contribute to your wedding, or if there are specific things they may be willing to pay for. Ask family members to provide some of the food, and then invite guests to bring a dish in lieu of a gift. Simply slip a note into the invitation altering guests of this option. Ask friends and family to video the big day for you Ask talented friends or relatives to help with your wedding. Ask yourself if you really want your wedding on a film.
Be flexible.If you can get married on a week-day rather than the weekend or out of season, you will probably be quoted less for venue, transport, etc Before signing a contract with a photographer, be sure you will receive all the proofs from them. Before signing a contract with your caterer, photographer, or florist, try to negotiate a lower, yet still reasonable price. Before talking about the wedding, talk about life together. Book the ceremony/reception well in advance you may be able to hash out a better cost then you would-be if you left it to the last minute. Book the ceremony/reception well in advance you may be able to negotiate a better price then you would if you left it to the last minute 106 Bridesmaids dresses can be rented. Buy a ready-to-wear wedding dress. Buy champagne and wine in bulk and have it shipped directly to the location of your wedding whether it is at a restaurant or a friend's home. By using your imagination to creatively arrange seasonal flowers rather than expensive exotic ones, you could save money and have larger, more colourful displays. Carefully control the size of your guest list. Cater sensibly Check out local universities for qualified and inexpensive musicians, photographers, and videographers. Professors will be able to point you to the best students in the program. Check to see whether you can buy prints at a later stage, after the wedding when you have paid other wedding bills. Choose cheaper entrees Choose cheaper entrees, like prawns instead of lobster, vegetables like broccoli instead of asparagus will cut the cost, too. choose locations that are generally cheaper Choose to have a morning or early afternoon wedding. Choose to have a one-day event with both wedding and dinner wrapped into one, skipping the traditional rehearsal dinner and cocktail hour. Choose to have your wedding in off-peak times
Choosing the off-season Choosing the date of your wedding can determine the price you may pay Close the bar an hour before the end of your reception, with only coffee service remaining. Combine cash, time, and talent to arrive at your tithe. Compare hourly fees and package deals to see which is more cost-effective for you Compare photographers hourly rates to packages deals. consider a Friday night or a Saturday morning/afternoon or Sunday wedding reception Consider a wedding breakfast or brunch (omelettes, muffins, pancakes, French toast), or a tea (a variety of tea flavors, finger sandwiches, scones and jams, etc.) to save money Consider having only limited drinks available Consider not having a dinner reception. 107 consider ordering a small display cake, and also ordering a sheet cake to serve to your guests consider setting up a reception registry. Much like a pot-luck, guests sign up to bring a dish to pass instead of a gift. Create one small festive-looking wedding cake for cake-cutting purposes, Cut down on courses Cut off drink one-hour early to allow people to freshen up for the drive home. Cut your guest list Daytime receptions are less expensive than evening ones. Decorate with more greenery and baby’s breath, and less flower blooms. design your own wedding invitation and have a professional printer do the job of mass producing the invitations for them. Determine whether or not you need wedding insurance? DJs are less expensive than live bands Do a web search to find cake decorators online and view their cake catalogs to identify possible cake designs. Do not use response cards for your reception. Don’t have a champagne toast. Don’t serve after-dinner drinks with alcohol in them. Don't bother ordering boxes or labels with your photo, names or monogram on them. Don't let your wedding reception bury you under a mountain of debt During the cocktail hour, serve apple cider that will send the scent of cinnamon and spices swirling around the reception area. Encourage an aspiring filmmaker to tape the wedding (with strict instructions) for a
personal memory. Estimate the number of guests that would be present during the wedding reception Evaluate the true price of a "dream" wedding. Exchange your wedding vows in a naturally beautiful location like a public park or a flower garden and you won’t have to spend a cent on wedding decorations. explore top-class offerings online and check out catalogs of wedding gowns 108 explore various options and choose the most reasonably priced wedding cake that suits the couple’s preferences explore various possible wedding reception halls and compare prices and packages Find a friend with calligraphy talent and ask him or her to create a dinner scroll, which lists each guests' table number and name instead of printing pricey plate names. Find a great discount liquor store and supply your own wines, beers and drinks if you can, and use this option for any showers or pre-wedding parties. Find a reception centre that includes music and M.C. services. Find a venue that allows you to bring in your own alcohol. Find bags of fake pearls at yard sales, craft stores, or party stores. Or, if a friend or family member has been to Mardi Gras, ask them if they have beads that can be used for wedding decor. Flowers may be picked from a local garden and tied together with some luxurious velvet or satin ribbon for a fresh stem bouquet. For more formal wedding receptions, assigning guests to tables is considered proper etiquette but that doesn’t mean it has to be stuffy. Forget about hiring a wedding planner. Forget about hiring an emcee. Get married during the week as opposed to a weekend. Get married in the morning, on a Friday or a Sunday get married on a less popular day for example the weekdays rather than the weekends. get swept up in talks of large bouquets on each table and huge plants gracing the entryways Getting married in the winter months can also save you money. Give disposable cameras as wedding favours Go With Local Talent.You don't need an A-list name to make sure your reception rocks Grooms may ditch a rental tuxedo and opt for a white shirt-only and casual pants if
the wedding takes place outdoors or at the beach. Handmade keepsakes given out during the wedding reception are an easy and thoughtful way to thank the wedding party. Have a professional photographer take the formal pictures and shoot the ceremony; have guests take all reception photos 109 Have bouquet with just a few large flowers, like orchids, tulips, lilies, or sunflowers, tied with a ribbon Have bouquet with only a couple of huge flowers, like orchids, tulips, lilies, or sunflowers, tied with a ribbon. Have friends help you write names on invitations and postal addresses on envelopes. Have only a small wedding cake and purchase another to give away to your guests. Have the band play with minimum members. Have the bartenders stop opening fresh bottles of wine an hour before your reception ends. Have the flowers do double duty - use them for the ceremony and reception. Have the photographer take photos of only the ceremony, place disposable cameras on guest tables and have them photograph the reception. Have the site serve regular water, instead of imported bottled water. Have the wedding cake only as dessert and eliminate any other sweets (eclairs, pastries, etc.). Have your wedding on a less popular day of the week such as Friday or Sunday. Have your wedding on off-peak months Hire a hall/public building and use an outside caterer. Hire a Jukebox for music and have a friend M.C. Hire music for the evening reception only. Hire music for the evening reception only. People are usually to busy chatting to notice any way Hire only one car, use it for the bride, groom, bridesmaid and the bestman. Hiring a wedding dress is a cheaper option than buying Identify the most reasonably priced wedding reception hall with the most advantageous package that is offered If another wedding is being held within a few hours of yours in the same location, perhaps you may be able to share some of the costs of flowers and decorations.
If renting a reception tent, create a romantic environment by purchasing sheering fabric and 2-inch ribbon from a local discount retailer to drape around the canopy. If the location does not provide these things for you, and you're not using a caterer, there's nothing wrong with renting these items or borrowing them from friends or family members 110 If using a professional stationer, it is cheaper to have all your wedding stationery printed at the same time this includes acceptance cards, thank you stationery, menus, ceremony program covers and gift registry card. If you are having a themed wedding create your menu around the theme If you are having a themed wedding make cards to do with the theme If you are marrying at Christmas or Easter, your church may already be decked out beautifully If you are not worried about having somebody lead your wedding guests in a rendition of the "Chicken Dance" or the YMCA, don't worry about renting a DJ and instead just have a few mix CDs with your favorite songs on there that can be shuffled through throughout the night. If you are thinking of booking a wedding professional simply because they’ve offered you the cheapest price, remember that “you get what you pay for”. If you choose to have wedding programs, invent your own format and print at your own expense. If you have set a date and time for your wedding, remember to tell your wedding supplier at the beginning of your dealings with them, so as to avoid wasting time discussing your plans with someone who isn’t available in any case. If you’ll serve hard liquor, choose mid-shelf varieties rather than top-shelf for extra savings. If your dress is being made, consider a less expensive fabric. If your heart is still set on tradition, opt for a day in the middle of the week when restaurants and locales for special events may be more likely to come down on prices. If your wedding is semi-formal, get him to wear a nice suit that he already owns. In order to save time, it is preferable to be “up front” about the amount you have allocated for a particular wedding product or service. Inquire at a local college or journalism school that offers photography courses for an
outstanding student who may be hired at a fifth of the cost of traditional fee for a professional photographer. Instead of a grand ballroom or banquet hall, think less-expensive venues Instead of a grand ballroom or banquet hall, think less-expensive venues, like publicly owned buildings and parks, registry office, the church or temple hall, the backyard, the beach, a restaurant’s private room. Instead of booking the ballroom of an exclusive hotel or other "must-have" location, look for something a little different and unique Instead of having an open bar, have the bartender make up special festive drinks named after the bride and groom. 111 Instead of hiring a florist, make items or contact a local floral design school and hire them to provide your flow Instead of hiring limousines for the wedding party, ask favors of your friends with roomy SUV's who can accommodate a group. Instead of hiring or purchasing all your items, ask friends and family if you can borrow things such as punch bowls, glasses and serving trays Instead of hosting a bar stocked with every imaginable liquor, mixer and condiment, choose a soft bar that serves only beer, wine and champagne. Instead of pouring Champagne all night long, serve just a single glass to each guest at the appropriate time to toast the bride and groom. Instead of shelling out tons of money on the rehearsal dinner the day before the wedding, have an intimate BBQ at a relative's house. Instead of shelling out tons of money on the rehearsal dinner the day before the wedding, have an intimate BBQ at a relative's house. Your wedding party will not remember the food they ate or the restaurant they went to for the rehearsal dinner. All they will be thinking about is having a good time with some good company. Instead of traditional wedding attire, the bride and groom may opt for more casual clothing such as shorts or a simple suit and delicate dress.
Instead of waiter service, have a buffet bar Instead of wine, serve less expensive drinks. Invitations may be hand-made with some nifty paper from a local gift store printed by your printer and hand-delivered to friends and family members the guest list is small. Invitations may reach across the ethers via the internet with a simple rsvp for an outdoor wedding at a local inn or at a state park which requires minimal fees. It is better to underspend than to overspend on wedding budget Items like cake knife, toasting glasses, cake top, etc. can be borrowed, rented, or purchased used. It's usually less expensive to hold a wedding and reception at the same site, such as in a hotel, club or community hall. Just have one or two mixed drink options at your bar, such as martinis and Jack and Cokes to limit the amount of hard liquor needed. Just serve a great variety of beer and wine at the reception, rather than a full bar of hard liquors. Keep an eye out for sales on items that you might need for your wedding, such as decorations and favors. 112 keep in mind that the formal weddings are quite grand and the informal ones can be smaller and simpler Keep to invitation sizes and weights that will require only one stamp. Keep your menu simple Learn about dream-wedding costs Limit alcoholic beverages to wine and beer, choices that will satisfy most of your guests. Limit Entree Choices Limit the champagne to the toast. Limit what you have on offer at your reception if you are having an open bar. Limit what you have on offer at your reception if you are having an open bar. If you decide on including hard liquor, limit it to two or three options such as gin or vodka Limit your invites to the most important people in your life. Limos are an expensive way to travel, see if any of your friends know somone with a flashy car that can take you to the wedding instead Look about for caterers. Get several quotes before you decide on one. Look around for caterers.
Look around for caterers. Get different quotes before you decide on one Look at the pricing per head for different amounts of guests. Look for dresses that aren’t being marketed as wedding dresses. Look for Student Photographers Make extravagant food, such as seafood as a hors d’oeuvre rather than the main course, which can then be simple. Make it a point to stick to your budget and adjust wherever you can to ensure the best wedding Make it a rule that no shots will be served at your bar. make sure you get estimates from several suppliers for your cake, flowers, music, reception site, etc. Make the gown yourself Make use of stickers or material to decorate your stationary instead of expensive custom papers. 113 Make your own accessories such as purse and garter. Make your own gifts and cards Make your own invitation cards. They are cheaper and more personal Make your own invitation cards. Make your own veil. Many people feel it is traditional to have an open bar or cash bar at a wedding. Eliminate it altogether. Your guests can have fun even without beer or liquor. Minimize reception costs. Mix berries, pinecones (for winter), and other economical nonfloral embellishments among costlier blooms to fill out bouquets and displays. Nightime weddings cost a little more because of the peak hour and also because the guests will usually be served a full-course dinner. If you choose to have your wedding in the early afternoon, you can save money because this is not a peak time for most reception halls AND you can serve a smaller lunch or simply finger foods. Only hire a limo for the bride and groom; have attendants driven in relatives' cars, or have them drive themselves in groups Open a wedding bank account Order a moderately priced, plainly decorated cake, and make the focal point the cake topper. Order a simple 2 or 3 tiered cake
Order a small wedding cake for the cake table to display and a large sheet cake to cut and serve from the kitchen. Serve the cake as the dessert to complete your meal and forget about sweets Pay wedding costs with a credit card to earn frequent-flyer miles toward your honeymoon. Personal touches like creating your own wedding favors and planning your own reception can be particularly satisfying. Prepare to split the price of rite decorations with the couple marrying immediately before or after you that day. Provide a selection of great soft drinks, including iced tea and lemonade for summer weddings. Purchase a pre-loved wedding gown Purchase juice, bagels and cream cheese to have in the room. Rehearsal dinner may be a potluck where each member of the wedding party provides a favorite dish. 114 Remember that it’s the early bride that gets the deal. Remember to return those cans and bottles for deposits: Rent a dress Rent or borrow a dress Rent, borrow or make as many items as possible! Some items to borrow from a friend or relative are a cake knife and serving set, toasting glasses, jewelry and the bride's shoes Saturday nights are traditionally THE nights for weddings. Thus, reception halls and wedding event centers will charge more on these nights. If you don't mind having your wedding on a Friday or Sunday, pick one of these days or nights instead and you can save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars Save on postage by ordering invitations that will only require one stamp. Save yourself $1000 or more by foregoing a live band Schedule the actual wedding close to the evening so you can easily slide past a traditional cocktail hour and move guests directly into dinner. scout your area for bridal extravaganzas and wedding fairs select a maximum of three prepared hors d’oeuvres to serve during your cocktail hour.
Send invitations that are light enough when completely assembled to require only a single stamp for mailing. Serve sparkling wine for the cocktail reception and save the finest champagne for toasts only Set an estimated budget which is reasonable for both parties’ financial capability Share dresses and tuxes with friends for special occasions. Shop at department stores instead of Bridal shops for your bridesmaids' attire and flower-girl dress. Simple flower arrangements and bouquets, tastefully done can be every bit as attractive as more elaborate ones. Simple plain dresses are ordinarily less dear then the ones with lace, pearls/beads etc.. Some churches have their own wedding coordinators who often have a lower fee than an outside wedding consultant. Some formal wear shops will offer a discount - i.e. groom's suit free with rental of groomsmen's suits. Stick to a Signature Drink 115 Stick to inviting the people you are truly close to and you'll save hundreds on the cost of food and drink at your wedding reception Supply your own alcohol if you’re able to. Take a slightly out of season honeymoon Talented friends with musical instruments may gather as a impromptu band for a close-knit reception. Talk to your chef about doing wine and food pairings as part of the cocktail party and dinner, and you’ll be able to save money by bringing those wines out from behind the bar and serving them with specially-chosen dishes and bites. The bouquets can double as the flowers used on the bridal party table. The more complicated your invitation, the higher the cost. The more tiers and decorations your cake has the more dear it wish be. The most accessible and not so expensive wedding location should be considered The ring pillow can be made or borrowed. The venue eats up a huge percentage of the budget so be wise and practical when selecting your venue. The wedding itself may be held in a friend's backyard or an open field lush with flowering
plants or sunflowers. Think ethnic! Mexican, Indian, Italian, or Chinese food is fun and much cheaper per person than the traditional wedding menu. To minimize the guest list, refrain from inviting children and coworkers. to your local favorite bakery and see how much it would cost for them to make a wedding cake. Many times these local bakeries will be more reasonably priced than those specialized bakeries. Try to keep the number of attendants as small as possible: try to lower the actual cost of the wedding plan Use balloons instead of fresh flowers for your decorations on your special occasions. They are cheaper but equally stunning. Use flowers that are in season Use flowers that are in season and/or locally grown they're less expensive than outofseason flowers that must be shipped to your area Use silk or dried flowers instead of fresh ones in table centerpieces. 116 Use the free planning tools and resources on Bride Online Use the home or garden of a friend or relative for your ceremony or reception. Use the wedding cake as your dessert. Visit your local college`s photography department and check out some of the students' portfolios. They will do your photography a lot cheaper and just as good as a professional Wedding favors that double as place cards can be made by purchasing sugar cookies from a local bakery that are iced in white. When booking your honeymoon reservations, consider renting a condo versus a hotel2600 Home Budget Tips, from Easybudget.tv Page room. When choosing your wedding flowers it is always a good idea to choose something that is in season, as they will be substantially cheaper When dealing with wedding professionals, keep an open mind. When decorating the venue, keep the use of flowers to a minimum. When it comes to decorations, invest your money on items that people will see the most throughout the event. When it comes to decorations, invest your money on items that people will see the most throughout the event. Guests will notice the bouquet more than the flowers that
decorate the end of each pew. You do not need to adorn your wedding cake table with flowers or ornate items. The cake is where people's attentions will be. Candles add style and elegance for a fraction of the cost of large floral centre-pieces When it comes to your wedding photos, compare hourly rates and package deals to see which is more cost-effective. Whether throwing an indoor or outdoor reception, flowers help set the tone but can quickly add up. While it is nice to be entertained by a live band, recorded music will do just fine. With a little creativity (lights, candles, faux plants and trees), anyplace can be transformed into a beautiful reception location With a little resourcefulness and creativity, you can create a beautiful - and affordable wedding reception filled with memories that will last a lifetime You could buy a plain dress and add lace, beads etc.. yourself. You could have to get a permit to wed in a public place, but it'll be less than a personal feast room. You might be able to hire a horse and carriage for just as less. Check the Yellow pages for any in your area We hope you enjoyed this enormous list of tips…we can’t take all the credit for is though…thank you to everyone on Twitter who suggested some of these awesome (and some plain ridiculous) budgeting tips. Please join us at http://www.twitter.com/easybudget for up to the minute tips. You can also join our mailing group through www.easybudget.tv for more great tips, newsletters and a free home budget trial program.