I don’t know about you but when a new year starts I always think a lot about our money situation: how we are spending our income, which debts we are going to pay off and how much money we are going to save. It only make sense to do this when you are starting a new year.
It is always a good idea to figure out how to spend your money wisely. It shouldn’t matter how much you make. It is a good thing to work to make every dollar go a little further.
Here is a list of 3 ways to help you spend less money in 2015.
They have worked for many people and they can help you get on the road to a better relationship with your income.
- Use Cash. This is as simple as making a budget and going to the ATM to get your money out. A lot of people like to use envelopes for different categories such as groceries, entertainment and gas. By using cash you can get a very visual idea of where your money is actually going. It is also harder for a lot of people to spend cash. Using a card is easier and requires less thought. Once you run out of cash for a particular category for the month, you can’t spend any more money.
- Use Coupons. Couponing can seem a little overwhelming but once you know what you are doing, clipping coupons becomes a habit. All you need to do is start buying your local newspaper on Sundays, find coupons online and go to the right websites to help you match them with your local stores. It will take you about an hour to get ready for your shopping trip but the savings will be worth it. When you match coupons to sales you are able to save more money than you would think. There are also a lot of great resources out there for those wanting to learn about couponing. Don’t forget to add digital coupons to your commissary rewards card app every week.
- Save Your Spare Change. Find an extra plastic tub of some kind. You can also buy a piggy bank. Put all your spare change in it. When it is filled, go and cash it in. You would be surprised to find out how much money you can save this way. You could use the money for a family event or put it in savings. Tell your kids about it and have them contribute to the jar. You will have even more change if you use the cash system to help save money.
Even by making a few changes, you can see a big difference. You can make room in your budget to pay down more debt, save a little bit more or vacation a little bit more with your family. Take baby steps to achieve your financial goals and take the time to sit down with your spouse to discuss what you want in the next few years. It is very helpful to have a goal and be able to work together to get to where you want to be financially.
Every time I go to the store and receive change (or find it on the ground); I place it in a cup that I have placed in the drink slot of the driver’s door. When that cup is full, I transfer the change to a series of bottles. You will be amazed at the amount of money you save. My change has funded a trip to Ireland and I am working on a return trip. I also use my point paying credit card for all my purchases and monthly utilities. The 1% refund amounts up quick and is used to pay the credit card balance. I never carry a balance forward as this would defeat the purpose and interest would offset any refund benefit.
1) follow your list when shopping; 2) use all the Rewards for items you use/need; 3) prepare menus; 4) use manufacturer’s coupons; 5) if possible shop alone – you’ll be more likely to stick to your list! I’m the widow of a 20-year Navy retiree and almost exclusively shop at the commissary on KAFB, Albuquerque, NM.