This will take some time but, in the end it's liberating to know that your nine to five job that pays you $9.00 an hour will go that much farther if you plan the right attack.
Whether you try to find great bargains on toilet paper to real estate, always have your eyes and ears open; for the truth of the savings is right under your nose in books, magazines, and of course friends.
Through frugality you can have anything you want.
- Use cash whenever possible. Chances are, if you are only using credit cards, you don't have the money in the first place.
- Look for coupons for everything. You can find these online, in the penny saver, in your local newspaper, and many other resources.
- Grow your own vegetables and fruit. If you don't have the time for this or don't even know how, find someone that can.
- Keep holidays simple. Make your own gifts and stick to a budget.
- Go to "happy hours" at bars and restaurants. Most of the time, the food is half price as well and can cost as little as $2.00.
- Don‘t play the lottery. I know people that spend at $100.00 a week on tickets and haven't won a single pot. The odds are against you and there are so many other bills you could be paying like your house or maybe your electric.
- Always ask for a better price. In this day and age, everything is negotiable. If you see dented cans at the supermarket, stitching coming out of shirts, and of course cars ask for the best price. Do your homework and comparison shop.
- Don't go shopping when you're bored. Exercise, go with a friend to the local library, or have a dinner party. Keep the money in your pocket as long as you can.
- Only splurge on things you need not the things you want. Do you really need another pair of jeans when you already have ten?
- Always look at secondhand items first. Go to garage sales, thrift stores, flea markets, and other discount venues. In some cases, they actually have things that have been used once and are in great condition.
- Raise the deductibles on insurance.
- Always pay yourself first. Do not give your money to an outside venue before you take care of your needs first.
- Always be aware of what things cost and what their worth. You will then realize if you're being pushed into something that isn't a good deal. I.e. groceries, cars, houses, appliances
- Shop alone. That way there is no pressure from kids or friends to buy things you or they don't need.
- The only person to trust when you do invest your money is yourself. No one looks out for your best interests like you do.
