You can stay on top of your budget, and save money. First make a list of all your predictable monthly bills, and your yearly bills. Add all those, and then add in a miscellaneous amount for the unpredictable. Take out a certain amount for your savings, and I know it may seem there is no money left for savings but it is almost always possible.
Do not use an ATM unless the bank provides them free. Be sure you have a free checking, savings, and maintain your minimum balance. If you have access to a credit union, they have low fees and high interest rates.
If you have a balance on your credit card, call and ask for a lower interest card to transfer your balance to, and pay the balance off as soon as possible. Comparison shop for low rates at Card Web.
When mortgage rates fall below a half a point it pays to look for refinancing.
Ask yourself if you have a reasonable need for DSL, or could you live with a dial up connection? Could you live with fewer cell phone minutes or no cell phone at all? How many cable programs can you actually watch in a day? Comparison shop and buy what you really need.
Look over your health and car insurance carefully, and check with your employer to be sure you have disability insurance. You don't need life insurance unless you have dependents that depend on your income. If you have children it is a priority.
You can almost always get house insurance with your car insurance at a savings. If you rent get renters insurance to cover your furniture and valuables, and liability in case anyone is injured in your home.
If your car is worth less then $4000 consider dropping collision/comprehensive coverage. Always comparison shop with at least three providers. Go to Kiplinger to see if you have enough insurance.
You can cut back on expenses by washing your car, preparing your meals at home (no prepackaged,) packing lunches for work and school, (again, no prepackaged) fruit, cheese, peanut butter, whole-wheat is a good choice. Do your own manicure and hair.
Watch the ads to get the lowest prices on your groceries and other purchases, but don't go far out of your way with gas prices so high unless the price difference is considerable. Buy your cleaning supplies from the Dollar Tree. They have good products and it's the lowest price. If you have an Aldie's grocery store, it is the store with the lowest prices. Keep track of every penny spent so you will know exactly where it is going, and see how much you can trim it back.
If you use a credit card, immediately subtract it from your checkbook and pay the bill in full each month. Do not buy anything unless you have a real need and the money to pay for it. If you have to, use cash only.
You don't have to spend money to have fun. Take the family on long walks on sunny days. Make a game of it and see how many different things of your choice, they can find on the walk. On rainy days, play board and parlor games, put together puzzles, or read aloud. Turn off the TV and computer, and have fun as a family.
It is not easy to live within the budget in these days of high prices, but we are so spoiled by having things we don't really need that we can find many ways to cut back on expenses, and be the better and healthier for it.
