I came across this article by Andrea Pokorny at MainstreamMom.com and thought I would share with you ... why reinvent the wheel? A lot of them are things you probably already do ... but just in case you don't:
Once you’ve created a successful budget for your family, cutting the fat is the next step in taking the money manager reins. Managing your finances isn’t all about losing freedom. Quite the opposite in fact. When you begin to effectively manage your money you will soon find that it stretches further. The next best thing to a pay raise is having your money working for you (not the other way around).
Here are some things to add to your to do list to cut expenses and stretch those dollars.
Lower Your Insurance Premiums (health insurance, car insurance and home/renters insurance):
· Take advantage of every deal and discount possible.
· Raise the deductibles on your policies.
· Keep your policies with one company to get a 10-20% multi-line discount.
· Shop around.
· Care for your car (stick to scheduled oil changes, tire pressure checks etc).
Spend Less on Food and Drink:
· Make a weekly meal plan and a grocery list (stick to it).
· Plan one or two meatless meals per week.
· Double whatever you are making and freeze it (cook once, eat twice).
· Become a savvy shopper and don’t leave home without a purse full of coupons.
· Reduce grocery shopping to once or twice per week.
· Eat out less. Pack lunches. Kick the soda habit.
Save Money on Utilities:
· Replace dead bulbs with compact flourescent light bulbs (CFL’s) – they last up to ten times longer and you will save on electricity.
· Use smart power strips – stop drawing electricity from having your stuff plugged in constantly (or just pull the plugs).
· Install a programmable thermostat
· Bundle your cable, phone and internet. Negotiate a lower rate.
· Cut unneeded services on your cell phone. (Do you still need your home phone?)
Save Money on Clothing:
· Shop out of season.
· Look for online deals and promotional codes (like CouponAlbum.com).
· Shop at consignment shops and garage sales.
Non-essential Expenses: Distinguish between your needs and wants. List your non-essential expenses and start trimming. You should be able to cut back many of your wants without affecting the quality of life. Look at things like subscriptions and memberships, entertainment and vacations. Things you can do without (for now).
Now, take action! Check the items that make sense for your household and save them on your to do list:
· Call insurance companies to ask about discounts and lowering deductible
· Combine insurance policies under one company
· Compare rates of other insurance providers
· Schedule overdue car maintenance
· Make a meal plan for this week and include one or two meatless meals
Make double batches of dinner meals and freeze half
· Use coupons at the store
· Pack lunches
· Replace dead bulbs with compact flourescent light bulbs (CFL’s)
· Get smart powerstrips
· Get a programmable thermostat
· Call about combining cable, phone and internet and negotiate a lower rate
· Review cell phone plan and cut unneeded services
· Get rid of home phone
· Stop subscriptions to unread magazines and newspapers
· Discontinue unused memberships
Once you’ve created a successful budget for your family, cutting the fat is the next step in taking the money manager reins. Managing your finances isn’t all about losing freedom. Quite the opposite in fact. When you begin to effectively manage your money you will soon find that it stretches further. The next best thing to a pay raise is having your money working for you (not the other way around).
Here are some things to add to your to do list to cut expenses and stretch those dollars.
Lower Your Insurance Premiums (health insurance, car insurance and home/renters insurance):
· Take advantage of every deal and discount possible.
· Raise the deductibles on your policies.
· Keep your policies with one company to get a 10-20% multi-line discount.
· Shop around.
· Care for your car (stick to scheduled oil changes, tire pressure checks etc).
Spend Less on Food and Drink:
· Make a weekly meal plan and a grocery list (stick to it).
· Plan one or two meatless meals per week.
· Double whatever you are making and freeze it (cook once, eat twice).
· Become a savvy shopper and don’t leave home without a purse full of coupons.
· Reduce grocery shopping to once or twice per week.
· Eat out less. Pack lunches. Kick the soda habit.
Save Money on Utilities:
· Replace dead bulbs with compact flourescent light bulbs (CFL’s) – they last up to ten times longer and you will save on electricity.
· Use smart power strips – stop drawing electricity from having your stuff plugged in constantly (or just pull the plugs).
· Install a programmable thermostat
· Bundle your cable, phone and internet. Negotiate a lower rate.
· Cut unneeded services on your cell phone. (Do you still need your home phone?)
Save Money on Clothing:
· Shop out of season.
· Look for online deals and promotional codes (like CouponAlbum.com).
· Shop at consignment shops and garage sales.
Non-essential Expenses: Distinguish between your needs and wants. List your non-essential expenses and start trimming. You should be able to cut back many of your wants without affecting the quality of life. Look at things like subscriptions and memberships, entertainment and vacations. Things you can do without (for now).
Now, take action! Check the items that make sense for your household and save them on your to do list:
· Call insurance companies to ask about discounts and lowering deductible
· Combine insurance policies under one company
· Compare rates of other insurance providers
· Schedule overdue car maintenance
· Make a meal plan for this week and include one or two meatless meals
Make double batches of dinner meals and freeze half
· Use coupons at the store
· Pack lunches
· Replace dead bulbs with compact flourescent light bulbs (CFL’s)
· Get smart powerstrips
· Get a programmable thermostat
· Call about combining cable, phone and internet and negotiate a lower rate
· Review cell phone plan and cut unneeded services
· Get rid of home phone
· Stop subscriptions to unread magazines and newspapers
· Discontinue unused memberships
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