Today I thought I would share some of the ways we have cut costs. I may have mentioned some of these before but they are worth review.
1) Stop using checks. I haven't ordered any in over a year. Once the kids school added debit/credit option, I stopped since they were the only ones I wrote checks to.
2) No fee checking account. Our account does not charge a fee because we direct deposit our paychecks.
3) Cancel any unused memberships. We cancelled our health club membership. That saved us $660 per year. We just weren't using it. There are plenty of free/cheap ways to stay healthy. At the very least there are new fitness clubs that you do not need to sign a contract that seem very reasonably priced.
4) Pack food before you go on a trip. This will save you a lot of money! Have you seen how much convenience stores charge? There is a reason they call it "highway robbery". Not to mention the cost of foods at the airport. They know you are desperate. It's especially important when you have kids. There is nothing worse than a being trapped in a car/airplane with a hungry, cranky kid...or adult for that matter.
5) My wonderful husband gave me a good tip: Reverse all the clothes hangers in your closet. As you use them put them back the correct way. After a year, whatever items are still backwards, you get rid of them because obviously you aren't wearing it! I plan on doing this soon, I think I will have less to clothes to remove than he will. ~lol~
6) Do holiday shopping right AFTER the holiday. I bought our Christmas tree and all decorations after Christmas. But this applies for all holidays and seasonal items as well. With Valentines Day coming up, I'll be keeping an eye out for discounted chocolate next week!
7) Pay off your car and keep it. Keep it as long as you can! When you buy a new car, even if you pay cash(which is very rare-kudos to those who do it), you will pay higher auto insurance and higher yearly license fees. Our truck is paid for. My car will be paid off this year! I am sooooo looking forward to that.
8) Eat breakfast. When you eat a healthy breakfast, you are less likely to over eat during the rest of the day. Make sure it includes protein. Your body takes longer to break down protein so you feel fuller longer.
9) Stop going to Starbucks. I know we have all heard this one before. But it's way cheaper to make your own coffee/tea at home. Especially now that there is the Keurig! At a previous job I worked, we had a Starbucks next door. I would go there at least every other day. And I don't drink coffee.
10) Use your crockpot! Besides being convenient because you don't have to worry about "what's for dinner?" It is a money saver. You can use cheaper cuts of meat and when they cook all day, they become tender, moist and flavorful! I have even made dessert in my crock pot. Chocolate Lava Cake. Yum!
I hope these tips help. These are just a few things that we have done to cut our expenses. I will continue posting more in the days ahead.
1) Stop using checks. I haven't ordered any in over a year. Once the kids school added debit/credit option, I stopped since they were the only ones I wrote checks to.
2) No fee checking account. Our account does not charge a fee because we direct deposit our paychecks.
3) Cancel any unused memberships. We cancelled our health club membership. That saved us $660 per year. We just weren't using it. There are plenty of free/cheap ways to stay healthy. At the very least there are new fitness clubs that you do not need to sign a contract that seem very reasonably priced.
4) Pack food before you go on a trip. This will save you a lot of money! Have you seen how much convenience stores charge? There is a reason they call it "highway robbery". Not to mention the cost of foods at the airport. They know you are desperate. It's especially important when you have kids. There is nothing worse than a being trapped in a car/airplane with a hungry, cranky kid...or adult for that matter.
5) My wonderful husband gave me a good tip: Reverse all the clothes hangers in your closet. As you use them put them back the correct way. After a year, whatever items are still backwards, you get rid of them because obviously you aren't wearing it! I plan on doing this soon, I think I will have less to clothes to remove than he will. ~lol~
6) Do holiday shopping right AFTER the holiday. I bought our Christmas tree and all decorations after Christmas. But this applies for all holidays and seasonal items as well. With Valentines Day coming up, I'll be keeping an eye out for discounted chocolate next week!
7) Pay off your car and keep it. Keep it as long as you can! When you buy a new car, even if you pay cash(which is very rare-kudos to those who do it), you will pay higher auto insurance and higher yearly license fees. Our truck is paid for. My car will be paid off this year! I am sooooo looking forward to that.
8) Eat breakfast. When you eat a healthy breakfast, you are less likely to over eat during the rest of the day. Make sure it includes protein. Your body takes longer to break down protein so you feel fuller longer.
9) Stop going to Starbucks. I know we have all heard this one before. But it's way cheaper to make your own coffee/tea at home. Especially now that there is the Keurig! At a previous job I worked, we had a Starbucks next door. I would go there at least every other day. And I don't drink coffee.
10) Use your crockpot! Besides being convenient because you don't have to worry about "what's for dinner?" It is a money saver. You can use cheaper cuts of meat and when they cook all day, they become tender, moist and flavorful! I have even made dessert in my crock pot. Chocolate Lava Cake. Yum!
I hope these tips help. These are just a few things that we have done to cut our expenses. I will continue posting more in the days ahead.
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