With
the state of the economy in the country today, it is more important than ever
that people learn how to manage their money, budget their finances, and control
their spending. How to save money is one of the most commonly searched terms
online. If you are looking for some easy and practical ways to cut costs and
save a little more green each month, then check out these five tips:
1) Buy
at local markets over big chain stores- Farmer's markets, local farmers, and
flea markets can be a great place to get the things you need at a fraction of
the price. Big named stores and chains have a lot of overhead that causes the
cost of products to be much higher. Small mom and pop shops and farms do not
have the big overhead and can often offer much lower prices for much higher
quality product. It is the benefit of small business marketing and production.
2) Carpool or use public transport for commute - Driving your own vehicle every day not only hurts the environment it also hurts your wallet. The wear and tear on your vehicle, the cost of gas, paying tolls, and other expenses and quickly add up. If you have long commutes or you live near public transport, you can benefit form getting a ride to and from work on the bus system. Also you can look at forming a carpool group to share commute costs with your co-workers.
3) Off brand vs name brand- Today's advertising market is all about brand recognition. The big name brands have huge budgets for advertising which is why more people know about their products. However, the cost of that advertising gets attached to their products and passed on to you. It you can but store brand and off brand products that are the same as the big name products, you can save a lot of money every month on the things you use all the time.
4) Thermostat and fans over AC at home- Cooling your home during the hot summer months is one of the biggest expenses a homeowner faces. Instead of cranking the AC to 70 all the time, try to keep it around 75-77 and use fans to keep the air flow cool. Also keep window open in the cooler parts if the day and at night and close them during the sweltering parts of the day. This can help you save your AC system from driving your energy bill through the roof.
5) Cooking meals at home instead of eating out- Everyone loves the convene ice of fast food and the relaxation of eating out and being waited on. However, you pay a lot for that convenience and service, so if you need to cut back on spending and save money consider cooking at home and making your own meals. Save dinner out and those fast food stops for the special occasions or the true emergencies when you need a quick option for food.
These are just a few ways you can start saving
money right now. There are many other easy and practical things you can do and
many changes you can make to your daily routine that will help you save money,
cut expenses, and have a happier and less stressful life.