How to Trim Your Daily Budget
In today's volatile financial state, it's becoming essential to trim your monthly budget in order to make ends meet. You examine everything to save money. You may change your cable service, change your cell-phone service, consider selling the second car or refinance your home mortgage. But do you take the time to look at the daily budget, the money that is frivolously spent throughout the day as you travel to work or do errands? What seems like small change, can add up to major money. Planning, making better choices and just walking away from temptation can mean a trimmed budget.
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Instructions
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How to Trim Your Daily Budget
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Plan ahead before you run errands. Create a map of where you have to go. Can any stops be eliminated? If you need to buy groceries, why not fill your prescriptions at the grocery store instead of heading across town to the pharmacy? By cutting back on mileage, you save money on gas. Save gas other ways. Look online at gasbuddies.com; click on your state and add your zip code for the best gas prices in the area. Also check the website on your local TV station. They usually list the best gas prices for all the areas in the state.
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Start taking your own coffee to work. Stopping at the local coffee shop can cost two dollars a day for a large coffee and more if you must opt for the lattes. Make your coffee at home, fill up a travel mug and drive right past the coffee shop. You just saved $10 a week. Are you running out the door for work and planning on having breakfast at a fast-food restaurant? Eat breakfast at home or take it with you. If you eat at home, plan an extra 10 minutes for cereal or an English muffin. If you don't have time to eat at home, make up breakfast sandwiches the night before. Grab your coffee and sandwich on the go. You just saved about $25 a week.
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Take nutrient-dense snacks wherever you go. Pack nuts, cheese, fruit or whole-wheat crackers in a zip-lock bag for a quick pick-me-up. This will keep you away from fast-food restaurants that charge $5 for a sandwich. Besides, your nutritional snacks are better. Always carry a bottle of water with you. Water is not only good for you, but it will help you avoid expensive foods.
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Pack your child's lunch instead of buying lunch. School lunches are reasonable, but kids don't always buy the lunch. They spend the money on snack foods. By packing their lunch, you know they are eating healthy and money is not being wasted. Do the same for yourself. Take your own lunch instead of going out to eat. At lunchtime, sit outside and relax with a book. This is better than hurrying to a restaurant, gobbling down lunch and hurrying back to work.
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Make a list before you shop. Whether you are grocery shopping or back-to-school shopping, make a list and stick to it. This will stop you from impulse shopping. If you're taking your children with you, explain to them that you will only buy what is on the list. You are also teaching them to be smart shoppers. Use a list for all your errands and daily activities. It will keep you focused, save time, and stop you from impulse shopping. Saving money doesn't have to be a grueling job. It just requires planning, self-control, and knowing the real cost of everything.
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Tips & Warnings
Use cash instead of credit cards. You'll buy less.
Prepare individual snacks in zip-lock bags instead of purchasing snack packs for the kids.
Eat nutrient-dense food and you won't get hungry as often.
Walk instead of driving short distances.
Car pool when you can.
Don't buy something just because it's on sale. Buy what you need.
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- Photo Credit ClickArt by Broderbund
