Easy Ways to Cut Back
Let's face it -- some of us are surviving more easily than others, but in some way, shape or form, we've all been affected by this abrupt economic downturn. I hope that as you're reading this, things are at least stable for you. Since most of us have had to cut back on day to day expenses, I'd like to share some simple tips for saving something that can make life fun and easy or incredibly stressful... Money!
Basic Needs
Food
We all need it to survive and prices have gone up, so what can you do? First of all, learn some basic cooking techniques if you don't already have experience. In addition to potentially saving lots of money each week, cooking one's own food at home can be much healthier and more rewarding than eating out or throwing a TV dinner in the microwave.
The key here is to buy basic foods -- whatever you would need for a meal -- in relative bulk. Not necessarily to wholesale club proportions, but an example shopping list could be: a whole chicken, a large bag of rice or potatoes, fresh/canned/frozen vegetables and fruit. Cooking does take some time to do, but many people find themselves with more free time due to lack of work. Remember, anything that saves money is helpful, and it all adds up.
If you are fortunate enough to still have a steady job, toss the leftovers from those healthy, delicious dinners you cook in a Tupperware or similar container and bring them to work! This saves a ton of money if you do it consistently, and also allows you to eat at work (if possible), which means less driving and more time your gas gauge will take to lean to "E." Thankfully, fuel prices are back in a somewhat normal range, but that's a subject for another article :).
Clothing
I'll admit that it's nice to go out and buy some new threads when possible, but if you are strapped and honestly have more important things for which to budget, just suck it up and wear what you have for a while -- trust me, no one will think less of you for it.
If you make regular trips to the cleaners, try to cut back on having your laundry done there if possible and only drop off your dry cleaning. Also, this would be a good time to learn how to sew in case you need to fix up little things.
Shelter
Hopefully you still have a roof over your head. You'd be surprised how many have lost this basic necessity in the past months! Some ways to cut back on home expenses include using less power/fuel, conserving water, doing your own yard work and small repairs.
A great way to use less electricity or fuel is to ease back on the heat or A/C. It may be a little less comfortable than what you're used to, but allowing your home to stay a couple of degrees closer to the outside temperature will pay off each month when you get your electric bill, and will show itself off in the longer intervals between fuel fill-ups.
It's been said many times (probably by your parents), but I'll repeat: "Turn out the light if you're not using it!" Wasted electricity is wasted money, as well as a strain on the environment. Do your part for both yourself and everyone else by being conscientious and turning off unused lights, televisions, computer monitors, etc. As a rule of thumb, things that produce the most heat generally use the most energy.
It doesn't hurt (well, you may wake up the next day with a few aches) to get your hands dirty and mow your own grass, do a little painting or nail up that molding that's been hanging from the roof and sitting in the back of your mind each day. So if you've been paying for any of these services, you can again save a bundle by taking matters into your own hands.
There's a Light at the End of the Tunnel!
Through all of this, please keep in mind that things will pick up and it's not the end of the world (although it may seem like it). Stay positive and determined and remember what's really important in life, and you will be just fine.
Well, that's all for this time. I hope you're able to put these tips to use and save a few bucks, or maybe a few hundred or more! I thank you for reading and wish you the best of luck in beating the recession... Stay tuned for more articles and more great ideas.
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