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Tips Saving Money
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Written by selfhelp
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Monday, 30 July 2007 |
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Tips on Saving Money by Reducing Expenditures.
Tips on Saving Money by Reducing Expenditures
Here are just a few of many ways to save money. The first step towards saving money is by reducing your expenditures. Remember that the wealthiest tycoons in the world (like Warren Buffet) save lots of money by buying only what they need and not buying what they don’t need. - Write down your plan on a piece of paper. If you don’t write down your plan, you are probably not serious about saving money.
- Don’t buy useless things. Control your indulgences. You don’t need that bag of chips or that comic book. You might use it for a short while but after tomorrow, you will hide them in some stash somewhere. This is also a usual case with gym equipment.
- Figure out exactly what you want to buy and save for it. For short-term goals, it is easily accomplished. If you want to buy some furniture, find out how much it costs; if you want to buy new car, determine how much of a down payment you’ll need. For long-term goals, such as retirement, you’ll need to do a lot more planning (figuring out how much money you’ll need to live comfortably for 20 or 30 years after you stop working), and you’ll also need to figure out how investments will help you achieve your goals.
- Set savings goals. Once you determine how much you need to save, you have to write down a very specific goal on how you want to achieve it – including every single detail. Say for example – you want to be able to buy a house one year from now. Set a particular date for accomplishing shorter-term goals, and make sure the goal is attainable within that time period. Make sure you set a realistic goal as well because you don’t want your goal to be so exorbitant that it affects your focus.
- Develop a strategy – plot out how much you plan to save per day, week, per month or year.
- Tally your installment amounts (monthly, weekly, or per paycheck) for all your savings goals. Can you afford to save this total each period?
- Savings before expenses. Put money into your piggybank first, not with whatever is left.
- Keep a record of your expenses. Write down everything you spend your money on. It could be a lot or it could be a little. The most important aspect is to be as detailed as possible, and try not to leave out small purchases because they all add up.
- Find expenses to cut down on. Don’t be surprised when you look back at your expenses: $100 on movies? How about $200 on petrol? You can cut down here or there. Depending on how much you need to save, however, you may need to make some difficult decisions. Prioritize and make cuts you can live with.
- Review your savings goals. Budgets tend to adjust over time. If there’s absolutely no way you can fit all your savings goals into your budget, take a look at what you’re saving for and cut the less important things or adjust the timeframe. Sometimes, you might not even need that car you are longing for. When you are busy with work, you might not have enough time for indulgences.
- Devise a budget. List everything down in detail on your budget sheet so you can plan properly. Once you’ve managed to balance your earnings with your savings goals and spending, you will have a clear idea what to do. Try to leave a little room for minor unexpected expenses.
- Be disciplined. Once you devise a budget, stick with it. Don’t be wishy-washy.
- Don't use your credit cards. Cards give a false sense of spending. Just because you don’t take money out from your wallet doesn’t mean you are not spending. You'll be more conscious of what you are spending your money on.
- Kill your debt. Reducing your debts is the fastest way to free up money. The compounding interest rates on your credit card can kill you in the long run.
- Avoid compulsive purchases. Don't waste money by buying the stuff you don't need at all. When shopping, go straight to what you want to buy. If you hang around too long, you will be very tempted to buy other things. If you find something else you want, hold off on the purchase until much later. You can check with your budget at home.
- Prepare meals at home. Preparing breakfast at home can save you a lot of money. Also, make your own lunch at home and bring it with you to work. It is amazing how much money you will save by preparing your own meals. Drinking water instead of soda or sweet drinks. Instead of eating junk food, eat a fruit instead.
- Stay away from convenience stores. Buying junk food at convenience stores can really drain your money. Try not to spend money on groceries at convenience stores unless it is really necessary.
- Always Compare Prices. Check prices online before making any large purchases. You can actually buy a lot of things cheap online. Online prices are very competitive, and by checking prices online first, you will know if buying at your local store makes sense or not.
- Keeping a proper budget. A great way to help save money is to create a budget, and then stick to it. Even by just tracking where the money is going, you will be more aware of your spending habits, and eliminate unnecessary spending.
- Swap toys with others. You can invest in expensive toys. Just make sure you don’t buy so many because kids tend to lose interest in a toy no matter how expensive it is. So the best way is to swap toys with other parents. That way, your kid will get a ‘new’ toy with you spending less.
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