10 Ways To Save Money In Any Economy
Many Americans complain they are having a tough time paying bills and can’t save money because of the economy, but for many of the complainers, their bill paying was tough in a good economy. Why? They overspend no matter how much money they make.
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Therefore, I will show you several ways to save money in any economy. If they under spend when the economy is good, they can save money when times are good and then live off the savings when the economy is tough.
Also, when the economy is tough, your good habits will be rewarded with financial peace of mind, transferring the good habits you learned from the better economy to the poor economy. Since the U.S. economic status fluctuates every 2-20 years, it is best to keep a sound financial budget in good times and bad.
1. Put away your credit cards
Paying off your credit cards is one of the best ways to lower financial stress and save money. You can’t pay them off if you are constantly adding to the balance. Carry only one for dire emergencies, and pay more than the balance, to pay off the balance in a reasonable time span.
Make sure you tell the company the additional payment goes toward your balance and check your statement when you get it, to verify you were properly credited with the over-payment.
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2. Lower your cable cost
This is one of the more obvious cost cutting features. Get the bare minimum and put the additional money toward your credit card bills.
3. Plan your meals
Plan your meals for the lowest cost possible, and shop from a Specific grocery list generated from your menus. Food cost vary widely but you will save a substantial amount of money if you shop wisely from a planned menu and shopping list, and cut out prepackaged and junk foods and non-nutritious drinks. Get a free meny planner here.
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4. Click coupons
Coupons are available everywhere, newspapers, magazines and the internet. Many coupon products are new and not always necessary. Make sure the coupon product is something you need and will use after purchase.
5. Loose the “I’ve got to have it syndrome”
Women are blamed for overspending on items they don’t need, but men are just as guilty. Women have a tendency to shop constantly, while men shop occasionally on much large priced items. It you refuse to recognize the fact that you have the “I’ve got to have it syndrome” you are your own worse financial enemy and financial peace and happiness will allude you forever. Get help with saving money, here, find your best finances.
6. Lower your rent
If paying your rent is stressful, shop for lower rent in a good area until you find reasonable living.
7. Pay attention to gas prices
When I’m out driving sometimes I notice five gas stations within a block or two, some prices are lower than others. Concentrate on the lower priced high quality gas.
8. Cell phones and contract prices vary
Many folks have several cell phone minutes left each month because they are not using what they pay for. Get the lowest available cell phone contract for your needs.
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9. Turn off your lights, heat and air
Using too much energy is environmentally wasteful and uses unnecessary money. Don’t overuse on home energy cost or car air conditioning.
10. Sell your car
If your car note is difficult to pay, and you don’t owe more than it is worth, sell your car and buy one you can afford. Look at certified used cars, or a car owned by someone who kept it in good condition. Be careful to verify the car is in proper working order before you purchase. One idea is to seek a traveling certified mechanic who will go to the site of the car owner and run test to verify its quality. Get help getting out of debt here.
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9 Ways Big Box Stores Like Costco Entice You to Buy More Than You Need
Big Box Stores Like Costco
Start with The Costco Website
First of all, big box stores like Costco entice you to sign into their website with your Costco card number, although they say that is not a requirement. Most of the prices on the website have discounts. So, that would place most of them on sale or to appear on sale.
There are “member only” items that entice you to click through and check out the price. Non-members online may be assessed a surcharge, and executive members may receive a credit for a 2% rebate.
Coupons
Costco mails out a coupon booklet to card carrying members monthly.On coupon day many shoppers are seen around the store with coupon booklets in hand, after a mailing. The coupon booklet is not needed to get an in-store discount, but it makes it easier to identify the months Costco bargains. This draws shoppers to the store and to buy. The coupons are a powerful draw for the coupon addicted.
Discounted Items That Have a Purchase Limit
Many of Costco’s discounted items have a limited number of items you can purchase. The limit gives you the psychological mindset that there must be a lot of value in this item, so it makes your mind think you must buy to the limit, so you can get your share.
Because of this process, you end up buying more than you normally would in a regular grocer to make sure your mind knows it’s not missing out on a huge deal.
Pre-Packaged Big Food at Costco
Food is packaged in 2’s, 3’s or 4’s. Most people don’t buy 3 or 4 of each item they need when they go to the regular grocery store, but in Costco they force multi-packaged items on you since the items are taped together in multiple numbers.
Because items are pre-packaged in multiples, we don’t even think to comparison shop the price, we just assume it is less than if you purchased it alone.
Costco Loves Sample Tasting
Sometimes on busy days there are tasting stations. Most of the tasting is for pre-made food items, sauces or frozen goods. After tasting items, many people automatically walk over and buy that item. I have tasted items, purchased them, and didn’t even use them after I got home due to allergies.
Product Placement as You Walk Costco Ailes
Upon entering the store the first merchandise that grabs the eye is some must-have seasonal products on the left, then the cameras, television’s, and computers on the right, and the expensive jewelry practically hits you in the face. Then before you get to the groceries, it continues to force you to look at clothes on the left, and other must-have but not-needed items.
Then you pass the attractive wine racks and beautifully appointed bakery goods. Finally, you get to the quadruple packaged meats, tripled packaged deli products, and then cheeses and fruit. It goes on and on, smartly placed to make your mind tell you to buy, buy, buy.
Containers and Packaging
In addition to the multi-packs of items in many of the big box stores like Costco, you will see a lot of large containers of items. This forces you to buy more that an average person would, and for most shoppers they will also settle on stocking more than normal, because they have more. This is great for large families, but it alse keeps busy people from making frequent shopping trips, so in that sense it great for everyone. Calculate the price per unit on each item to comparison shop at other stores, so the actual value reflected in the packaging is reflected in the price.
The Dress of the Employees
Lastly, most of the employees wear jeans and t-shirts. This gives you the feeling that you are in a super-discounted place, because even the employees dress down. No uniforms and no company logos on t-shirts.
The No-Frills Warehouse Design
The no-frills warehouse design gives you a feeling of plain, simple and inexpensive overhead that will be passed on to you the customer. When you get to the counter the no-frills feeling is continued with the recycling of boxes the Costco merchandise comes in, these boxes are reused to hold your groceries and other items.
With items 1-9 above, you now know what the process is to saving money at big box stores like Costco. Go to the website first and establish what you need, then make a list, write down the price of each item and stick to your list with your new-found Costco shopping awareness.
Note how long each of the items will last you so you know when you need to shop again and how much you will spend in a one-month or two-month period. Costco warehouse can be a great way to save money, if you have what I call “Costco Awareness”.
Lois Center-Shabazz | Course Delta Agency
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3 Saving Tips to Grow Your Bank Account Over Time
3 Saving Tips to Grow Your Bank Account
Many folks claim they cannot save money, no matter what. Well, I am here to tell you that is not true. The number of ways to save money are unlimited, but here are a few that will get you started now. Many of you are constantly saying, I cannot save, no matter what. Well, once you change your self-saving mantra, that will all change.
It is what you tell yourself that comes true. That is why over the years I know of many an elderly person who died with thousands of dollars, when family members thought they had none. Once you change your saving mantra and start with the first good habits, it will become easy and normal to save without stress or worry.
No matter how much money you make, it is my opinion that you can save money if you follow a few simple rules. I am about to tell you 3 saving tips to grow your bank account, but there are literally hundreds of great ways to use saving tips to grow your bank account. These 3 saving tips you can start right away.
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Eating Out
We all know that saving money when you eat out frequently can be a challenge. But, you can eat out inexpensively if you are very careful. First, go online and check menu prices. Choose restaurants that are on the low-priced side, but still healthy.
Limit the number of times you eat out monthly. You may not know it, but you have to pay for the privledge of sitting at a restaurant and being served. It is just as fun to eat at your own table. If you have a family, it is even more fun to cook, prepare the table and clean up together.
Lastly, learn to cook simple, quick, easy nutritious meals. You can even get used to cooking meals in advance for the week, then you don’t have to spend much time cooking during the week when you are busy. This is called meal prep. Use sustainable containers, freeze meals for the week and all you have to do is add a salad or other extra. This helps the busyness problem most of you seem to have.
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Use the Coin Jar; This savings tips can grow your bank account when the jars are full
The coin and dollar jar both fill up quickly, but only if you feed it regularly. The more you put in, the more you will have in a 3 month, 6 month or a year. I recommend using at least 2 jars, one for coins and one for dollars. When your jars are full take them to your local bank and place them in a basic savings account.
Make a committment and challenge yourself to place money in your coin jar and dollar jar weekly, twice a week is better. Then decide if you can afford 1 dollar, 5 dollars, or 10 dollars once or twice a week. This money will be used for two things. One, it will be used for quick dire emergencies when you need 20 or 30 dollars, and two, once you get to 25 dollars once in a 2-3 month period, you will add this to your bank savings account.
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Auto Deduct
The easier you make saving, the more likely you will save. So, using the auto-deduct feature of your checking account or payroll is as about as easy as it gets. Decide on an easy amount, then pay it like a bill to yourself, in your bank account, auto-deduct to your savings from your checking or payroll check.
I suggested to a young client that he do this. He completely forgot about it. One day he noticed 2000 dollars in his savings account. He said, I literallly never had that much money so I thought it was a mistake. It was his money to his surprise when he needed to get his car repaired.
Because you are hiding it from yourself, it tends to get lost in your thought and that is the point. What you don’t see you don’t think about. But, it is there when you need it. Their are catastophic events in our lives every 5, 10 or 15 years, because of this we need savings. Later, I will discuss with you more advanced ways to save.
Lois Center-Shabazz | Course Delta Agency
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3 Ways to Save Money on a Vacation and Still Have a Wonderful Time
Save Money on a Vacation
There are many ways to save money on a vacation, with the understanding that vacations are expensive, for many the savings are crucial. Here I list just a few of the most effective ways to save money on a vacation. You can enjoy yourself if you spend a lot or a little, so why not save when you need to.
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- U.S. travel – everyone gets foreign travel photos in their social media news feeds on a regular basis. So, it is easy to get the foreign travel bug. And, of course you can find a full package for $2000 with an uber cheap flight and hotel packages purchased months in advance. The tricky thing is to research the airline safety and the hotel you will stay in.
As a less, expensive alternative: Say you look at beautiful local resorts, national parks, and big city tours for a full package flight and hotel for $600. You can pretend to suffer paying for the foreign travel package and put the difference of $2000-$600 = $1400. in the bank. You can also choose to travel by car which tends to be even less expensive than flying.
A Staycation Does Not Require Airline or Hotel Expense
- A staycation is something that appeals to people who haven’t done much to enjoy their own city, town or even home. If you live in an area where there are a lot of tourist attractions, you can do a staycation. Or, you have guest you would like to invite to hang out and see the local attractions with you, that would also be nice. The savings speak for themselves. The money that you save by staying close to home will go straight to savings.
Use a Windfall to Save Money on a Vacation
- Then there is the windfall, larger than expected tax return, or gift. If any of these occur, you can use half or less, of the proceeds to take an unusually nice extended vacation either U.S. based or foreign for the next few years. You can place it in a vacation fund. You will still save by putting away at least half of the proceeds into your basic savings. How much you spend depends on how much your windfall is. Don’t forget to tackle pesty bills you have had long term.
Here are just 3 ways to save money on vacation and still have a wonderful time, you can think of more.
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3 Small but Powerful Ways to Save Money Now
Small But Easy Ways to Save Money
Start small for easy ways to save
These suggestions are small but easy ways to save money for many reasons, here are three. Most people don’t save because they feel overwhelmed by the amount of bills and emergencies that come up constantly. Start with small savings and work your way up. Place a jar on your dresser and fill it will extra coins from your pocket or wallet daily or weekly. This is only a start, but it is doable. Before you know it your dollar jar and your coin jar will be full, use this to start a passbook savings account. This is your first savings account. Later, I will tell you about other types of accounts as you become a more advanced saver.
Save by saving on everything you do
The daily and weekly things you must do are the things you should save the most on. Examples are gas, groceries, and utilities. Keep a record. This takes only a little time. You can keep a short journal or a small spreadsheet. Start at home first by creating a monthly budget. The more you budget, the more you will save. At first it will not seem that way, but the longer you do it the more you will see.
Figure out a way to keep your saving diary with you at all times and use it. The habit will become normal and before you know it, it will be second nature.
Windfalls are the easiest way to save big
When you get a big tax windfall, refund, or inheritance, use a portion to pay off or down bills (this saves on monthly cost), place a portion in savings and use the rest to buy what you need, and a small portion to buy something that is affordable and makes you happy.
The windfall seems natural to add to your savings. But, if you don’t get into the habit of thinking of using a windfall to get a head financially by paying off bills or buying things you need for cash, you could risk a bigger debrt trap. For instance, many people find themselves purchasing a major item they don’t need with their windfall and creating a large debt instead of paying cash. This makes your financial situation worse. Think in terms of using a windfall to make your life better.
Create a windfall diary. Know what you will use your windfall on. The more precise you are with reasons to go with each idea, the more likely you are to use your windfall to improve your life.
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Lois Center-Shabazz | Course Delta Agency
Personal Finance: Author, Blogger, Course Creator, Money Strategist
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