How to Save Money To Benefit Your Future

In this article are easy ways to save money on the Non necessity items we spend money on every day. We all like going out to eat, buying lunch and spending money on coffee, these all on the Non Necessity items list. I also provide tips on saving at the grocery store, paying bills and all the little things that cost money every month.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer
• Common Sense
• Notebook
• a little time
• patience
• Savings Account or Envelope in your drawer.

1. Cut down on going out to eat for dinner, cook and eat at home even if you don't like home cooked meals! (Example: A Steak & baked potato dinner for 2 people will cost $30 - $40, buying 2 good sized steaks cost about $12, baked potatoes $4 for a 5lb bag = $16.) For a romantic dinner, add some candles and music for perfect ambiance and you'll save between $15 - $20. Put that amount in your savings........

2. You can spend anywhere from $5 - $10 on lunch in a restaurant including Wendy's, McDonald's and Burger King!
   
   Bring your own lunch , it is cheaper and what you like. Fix a sandwich at home or bring left over dinner and you'll SAVE $5 - $10 to add to your savings....Not going to a restaurant everyday can equal to $25 - $50 in savings a week!

3. Love coffee breaks? Make your own at home and bring it in a Thermos.
   
   If you're a die hard Starbucks Lover, search online for a recipe to make it at home. Some companies give free Gift Cards when you do surveys and sometimes there are coupons to be found online as well.
   
   Starbucks charges $5.00 for a large coffee and while homemade doesn't quite taste the same, you'll save $5 a day which equals to $20 a week more in your savings. Find a GC and Starbucks will be free for at least 1 day.

4. Grocery shopping: Make a shopping list and stick to your list. Spontaneous shopping always gets you in trouble. You tend to spend more money then you wanted to.
   
   Check expiration dates on perishable items, and pick the ones with the longest dates. If possible buy in bulk from Sams or Costco....Price is cheaper in the long run. Buying store brands or generic brands also help safe you money. I find no difference in a store brand veggie and Delmonte.
   
   Clip coupons and join a group with other people that are interested in sharing and swapping coupons.
   
   List to 150 companies that send coupons for their products
   http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977366484

5. Pay off bills as soon as possible, try to avoid extensions on bills. Getting extensions only add a late fee to the bill. Credit Card payments should be for more then the minimum payment and on time to avoid late charges. Avoid ATM Charges by withdrawing cash from your bank's ATM machine oruUse your debit card while making a purchase and get cash back.

6. If you like reading, borrow books from the library instead of buying them. Join swaptree and swap your old books for other's you're interested in
   
   If you have to buy a book check for sales, coupon codes, b1g1 free specials for your bookstore.
   
   For Text books check online and your local college bookstores , used text books are cheaper then buying them new . If you have used text books trade them in for the ones you need .

7. Price check before making a large purchase and if you plan to buy on credit, compare interest rates from several stores.
   
   Several Stores offer 12 month or longer interest free. If you can pay it off within 12 months, you avoid having to pay more $$$ in the end.
   
   Avoid impulse buying , think before you buy and do research for the best price.

8. If you enjoy watching a lot of movies , don't buy them . Did you know you can rent video' s for FREE from the Library? You can! Go to your local Library and rent video' s instead of buying them.
   
   Join a online video swap site and trade video' s you don't watch any more. Ex: http://www.swaptree.com.
   
   If you like to go to the movies go before 6pm, the movie tickets are cheaper. If you need snacks..... go to the $1 store and buy your candy and a 20 oz. drink or bring it from home. Stash it in your purse until show time. No one will even know you didn't buy it from the theatre itself.

9. If you have a cell phone and a land line, disconnect your land line...that will save $30 or more a month. Cancel everything you do not use on your cell phone plan and check into getting a cheaper rate.

Tips & Warnings

• Not all of these ideas will work for everyone and some will find it harder then others.
• When you're ready to give up ask yourself why are you trying to save money.....take that trip you always wanted to, give your kids the things you didn't have as a kid....get the point.

[motherNN]

on 10/29/2008 Very sensible and do-able solutions we all need to use today!5*