Welcome to the third part of the money saving tips posts that I started a few days ago. With 2010 on the horison, it is time to start getting our finances in order for a push towards getting debt free in the new year. Here are so more areas that you can save money in starting today:
Cars - Many people have already started to cut down on expenses in this particular department as far as possible. The costs of running your car are unlikely to go down any time soon given the global prices of oil and insurance. However, there are other areas in which you can make savings. If you know a qualified mechanic then get him or her to service your car on the side prior to an MOT. Purchase auto accessories yourself for fitting if your car does have a problem. This will save you a lot of money in the short and long term.
Debts - Wherever possible, save money on your debts by paying a little extra every month if you can. If you stick to the minimum payment then you will pay far more interest in the long run and you may never pay off your debts. As such, you need to start paying off more to get debt free that little bit quicker and to save cash. You may also want to think about transferring balances to cards with a lower APR but be careful about doing balance transfers as some cards offering interest free ones may actually cost you more when the period expires.
Utilities - Start thinking about the lights you leave on and whether you need your heating on all day. Turn the taps off and recycle water. You will not only be helping the environment but will also be helping your finances by saving a little cash too. These savings soon mount up.
Pets - Always buy food in bulk when it comes to your pets. Big bags of kibble and batches of canned food can save you money because the big pet superstores tend to pass on the savings they make this way. Similarly, take advantage of offers and stock up when you get the chance. Finally, use your dog (if you have one) as your own personal trainer. Why spend money on a gym membership when you can go for a jog or longer walk with your beloved pooch?
That is it for now but stay tuned for more tips in the coming months.
Wednesday, 11 November 2009
Sunday, 8 November 2009
Money Saving Tips For Financial Health Part 2
I'm back with more money saving tips to help give you an idea of how to revolutionize your finances and where money can be saved! This is part 2 of 3 and follows on from the last list so, without any further a do, here are the next 3 tips for you:
Food - It is far easier to save money on food than you think because there are a lot of tools at your disposal. For example, you should always avoid buying fast food. It may seem like it offers good value for money but actually it inflates the prices. You could make the same food for less per meal at home. Try cooking at home and you will find that you save a lot of cash purely and simply because you can make large batches and freeze them. You can also invest in cheaper store brands these days and you will find it easier to maintain or lose weight too. You will not have to buy expensive diet pills to do so. Just exercise and cook at home.
Clothing - I love to buy new clothes from time to time but this can be a drain on funds because we all tend to buy new things without wearing out those we already have. If you need a new outfit why not try accessorising and customising instead? Add on a few little extras that can be bought from craft stores and you will save a packet. Alternatively, why not look to junk and charity stores to find a few bargains that are of a high quality but a fraction of the price.
Furniture - The same that applies to clothing also applies to furniture. You should use what you already have and give it all a new lease of life. Srtip off old varnish and paint old cabinets. Reupholster chairs and sofas. Make use of rugs, cushions and throws. Save a fortune!
The above 3 make 6 tips in all so far. There will be 4 more in part 3 so then you will be able to get started on rejuvenating your spending habits.
Food - It is far easier to save money on food than you think because there are a lot of tools at your disposal. For example, you should always avoid buying fast food. It may seem like it offers good value for money but actually it inflates the prices. You could make the same food for less per meal at home. Try cooking at home and you will find that you save a lot of cash purely and simply because you can make large batches and freeze them. You can also invest in cheaper store brands these days and you will find it easier to maintain or lose weight too. You will not have to buy expensive diet pills to do so. Just exercise and cook at home.
Clothing - I love to buy new clothes from time to time but this can be a drain on funds because we all tend to buy new things without wearing out those we already have. If you need a new outfit why not try accessorising and customising instead? Add on a few little extras that can be bought from craft stores and you will save a packet. Alternatively, why not look to junk and charity stores to find a few bargains that are of a high quality but a fraction of the price.
Furniture - The same that applies to clothing also applies to furniture. You should use what you already have and give it all a new lease of life. Srtip off old varnish and paint old cabinets. Reupholster chairs and sofas. Make use of rugs, cushions and throws. Save a fortune!
The above 3 make 6 tips in all so far. There will be 4 more in part 3 so then you will be able to get started on rejuvenating your spending habits.
Thursday, 5 November 2009
Money Saving Tips For Financial Health Part 1
In the very first post about the impending new year and the need for everyone to get debt free, I want to look at the things that we all too often spend money on that are not at all necessary. These areas can actually be reduced in terms of spending and individuals can save an awful lot of money with them:
Gym - Do you go to a gym three times every week without fail? If you do then a gym membership is value for money. If not then you are wasting money on an expensive pass that actually equates to much more than advertising often says it does. If you exercise infrequently then invest in treadmills, skipping ropes and other such equipment that will offer you value for money in the coming years than a gym membership does. In fact, the initial outlay does not have to be as expensive as a gym membership but you can get more from them.
Transport - If you take public transport regularly then always check for season tickets and offers that could save you money over the course of the week, month or year. Every little helps in terms of savings and offers are there to attract customers as much as retain them so take full advantage.
Coffee Breaks - I'm an absolute sucker for coffee shops and cannot resist passing by one without going in for a quick latte. While all that milk probably works wonders for my bones, it doesn't for my bank balance. I'm going to have to start making my own coffee before I head out and you should too. This would save you more than $25 per week!
Of course, there are more areas and some more will be covered in parts 2 and 3, which are to be published a little later on.
One of my next posts will also list all of the available paid survey sites and sites that will buy your old stuff from you so that you can make money in addition to saving money in the ways outlined above.
Gym - Do you go to a gym three times every week without fail? If you do then a gym membership is value for money. If not then you are wasting money on an expensive pass that actually equates to much more than advertising often says it does. If you exercise infrequently then invest in treadmills, skipping ropes and other such equipment that will offer you value for money in the coming years than a gym membership does. In fact, the initial outlay does not have to be as expensive as a gym membership but you can get more from them.
Transport - If you take public transport regularly then always check for season tickets and offers that could save you money over the course of the week, month or year. Every little helps in terms of savings and offers are there to attract customers as much as retain them so take full advantage.
Coffee Breaks - I'm an absolute sucker for coffee shops and cannot resist passing by one without going in for a quick latte. While all that milk probably works wonders for my bones, it doesn't for my bank balance. I'm going to have to start making my own coffee before I head out and you should too. This would save you more than $25 per week!
Of course, there are more areas and some more will be covered in parts 2 and 3, which are to be published a little later on.
One of my next posts will also list all of the available paid survey sites and sites that will buy your old stuff from you so that you can make money in addition to saving money in the ways outlined above.
Sunday, 1 November 2009
Getting Financially Straight: Get Your Money In Order For 2010
This may well go without saying but getting out of debt as quickly as possible is an absolute must right now. With the recession still having an impact on day to day life and unemployment still growing around the world, carrying huge debts around with you is not the best way to manage your money and start to plan for the future. Instead, it is a sure fire way to find yourself in trouble before too long, even if your debts are manageable at this moment in time.
With 2010 now less than two months away, you should begin thinking about getting your finances in order prior to the turn of the decade. You have to turn the debt faucets off and open up your finances to a little in depth scrutiny. In the coming weeks, I will be offering tips to those individuals that want to get their finances in order with a view to spending 2010 getting straight. It is the perfect time to get out of debt and start providing a little cushion for the future.
With 2010 now less than two months away, you should begin thinking about getting your finances in order prior to the turn of the decade. You have to turn the debt faucets off and open up your finances to a little in depth scrutiny. In the coming weeks, I will be offering tips to those individuals that want to get their finances in order with a view to spending 2010 getting straight. It is the perfect time to get out of debt and start providing a little cushion for the future.
Thursday, 29 October 2009
Moving With Your Mortgage: A Word Of Warning
I read somewhere today that cross country movers are curently experiencing an upturn in trade as more individuals move away from cities, especially the big ones that are expensive to live in, with a view to keeping hold of their status as homeowners. As much as it is a wrench to leave a home you love, this is sensible if you need to save money and lower your outstanding mortgage balance. It also gives you a firm negotiating platform with banks and lenders all over the country.
If you are looking into this option in order to keep your home and lower expenses then it may be an excellent idea but it may cost you more than you think. Why? Because of that annoying small print in the contract that you signed when you took out your home loan. Many mortgage providers put clauses that establish charges if you took on a fixed rate mortgage and it can cost you a percentage of your outstanding loan to move home. Always read this before you make any decisions because you may think that you are lowering your payments but in fact it may elevate them exponentially.
If you are looking into this option in order to keep your home and lower expenses then it may be an excellent idea but it may cost you more than you think. Why? Because of that annoying small print in the contract that you signed when you took out your home loan. Many mortgage providers put clauses that establish charges if you took on a fixed rate mortgage and it can cost you a percentage of your outstanding loan to move home. Always read this before you make any decisions because you may think that you are lowering your payments but in fact it may elevate them exponentially.
Monday, 26 October 2009
Household Tips: Saving Money On Your Bedroom
My last post on here concerned saving money by recycling your existing furniture in your home to give your house a complete facelift without the added expense. This time, I want to concentrate on the bedroom because it is supposed to be a place to which everyone goes to relax and to get away from the stresses and strains of everyday life. You cannot do that if it is messy and outdated but there are a few tips that allow you to save money andmake your room into a haven regardless.
First and foremost, start with the walls. If you have old wallpaper that does nothing for your Zen then just buy some neutral paint and give the walls a facelift. The neutral tone will help you to relax for next to nothing. When you have that in place, you should look to ensure that your bed is comfortable too. There is nothing worse than a matress with dips and broken springs in it. Instead of buying a new mattress, buy a matress topper and turn it over. Turning the matress over will remove the dips but the topper will give it that comfort you are looking for at just a fraction of the price.
When your walls and bed are sorted, move onto the clutter. There is no other way for it! You have to be ruthless and get rid of all junk that you nither want nor need. You can always make a little cash from it by selling your stuff to Trade Your Stuff, Music Magpie or on eBay. Links to all three can be found in the sidebar for your convenience. After your sort out, it will feel much more harmonious so you will be able to forget about the stress outside of your home for at least a few hours!
First and foremost, start with the walls. If you have old wallpaper that does nothing for your Zen then just buy some neutral paint and give the walls a facelift. The neutral tone will help you to relax for next to nothing. When you have that in place, you should look to ensure that your bed is comfortable too. There is nothing worse than a matress with dips and broken springs in it. Instead of buying a new mattress, buy a matress topper and turn it over. Turning the matress over will remove the dips but the topper will give it that comfort you are looking for at just a fraction of the price.
When your walls and bed are sorted, move onto the clutter. There is no other way for it! You have to be ruthless and get rid of all junk that you nither want nor need. You can always make a little cash from it by selling your stuff to Trade Your Stuff, Music Magpie or on eBay. Links to all three can be found in the sidebar for your convenience. After your sort out, it will feel much more harmonious so you will be able to forget about the stress outside of your home for at least a few hours!
Thursday, 22 October 2009
New For Old: Recycling Your Home Furnishings
If you emerge from your bedroom every morning and groan as a direct result of the shabby and old furnishings that you have in your home then you are not on your own. There are so many people all around the world wishing that they had the money to give their homes a makeover and buy a load of new furniture to do so. Unfortunately, the recession has other ideas and that only serves to enhance frustration. However, there are ways and means that you can recycle all of your furnishings on the cheap and make your home look new whilst using old belongings to do so.
The main way that you can do so is to rearrange your home, recover any old sofas and chairs, and paint or strip and varnish old cabinets and wooden furniture. You should actually start with the flooring. If you have a carpet and it has been in place for some time then hire steam cleaners to bring up all the dirt. You will be surprised at how much new life this breathes into them. Alternatively, if you have wooden floorboards underneath the carpet, clean them up and revarnish them for a whole new look. This will give you a blank canvas from which to work.
The main way that you can do so is to rearrange your home, recover any old sofas and chairs, and paint or strip and varnish old cabinets and wooden furniture. You should actually start with the flooring. If you have a carpet and it has been in place for some time then hire steam cleaners to bring up all the dirt. You will be surprised at how much new life this breathes into them. Alternatively, if you have wooden floorboards underneath the carpet, clean them up and revarnish them for a whole new look. This will give you a blank canvas from which to work.
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