Save Money: Part 5

This will be the last “installment” of my Saving Money Series! (at this point)

I hope this series has enlightened you and has encouraged you to think about the ways you spend your money. Maybe you have made some changes, maybe you have not. Whatever your case may be, my hope is that we are more aware – aware of what we spend our money on, aware of how we spend our money, and aware of ways we could save. Tuck these ideas in your back pocket and sit on them.

We often go through life not thinking enough – do you ask yourself WHY you are buying something? WHY you are spending money on “this” item? Answering this question will prevent us all from buying things we do not need and spending our money elsewhere (or maybe even saving it!).

Throughout this series, I hope it has caused you to take a step back and reflect.

And here are just a few more ideas:
1. Meal plan. Not only plan your meals for the week, but try using the ingredients you HAVE already!

2. Program your thermometer if you have one. If you are constantly heating or cooling your house when you are not home, think about how much money you are spending on USE-less heat or air!? If you do not have a programmable thermometer, put on a few more clothes until your house heats up after you come home from work.

3. Turn off the lights. How often do we leave A light on? Maybe it’s even 2? Again, why give the house light during the daytime, when no one is home?

4. Don’t spend money on your desires. I know this sounds harsh, but how often do we spend money on OUR desires? What if we detoured that money and give it to someone in NEED?

5. Cut down on your hobby spending. Hobbies, though wonderful and therapeutic at times, can be really expensive. We spend so much time funding and establishing our hobbies, that we spend more time spending, than doing. Use up what you have! This has done WONDERS for me when it comes to scrapbooking! I haven’t bought supplies in a LONG time and I still have an abundance! Set limits for yourself.

6. Fix things. We are so quick to buy new, instead of trying to fix something. I understand that in some cases, it IS cheaper to buy new. Although, this isn’t always the case – take the time to watch a youtube video, ask a neighbor or friend, if they know how to fix something. Be okay without the new.

7. Live in a cheaper home. I am sure you have heard of the term “McMansion.” We are constantly trying to “up” the size of our homes. We live in homes that are WAY above our means and WAY more room than what we need. Think about your NEEDS (not your wants). Does your current home satisfy your needs? If you have too much home, consider buying a smaller home! Smaller mortgage, lower bills, and less space to clean, which means more time, AND more family time because you aren’t spread out so thin.

8. Make soup. This sounds odd, but soup is cheap to make. It is a wonderful winter meal and can be made in so many different ways. Do you have tons of leftovers? Like a meat and vegetables? Consider making a soup out of them, using broth, heating it up, and throwing some spices in it!

9. Don’t speed. Common sense, right? Well, tickets are expensive – so is the insurance that goes up. Don’t speed.

10. Make your own gifts. Consider canning your Christmas gifts for teachers. Consider making your own cards. Go online to find oodles and oodles of homemade ideas for homemade gifts!