Save Money On Transportation

Whether you own one, two or more vehicles, this item can save you quite a lot each month. First, if you have two or more cars, do you need that many? Yes, we know it is more convenient, but is it really necessary. Again, there was a time in this country (which still exists in other countries) when families did share things. Is your work and your spouse’s work close enough that you could commute together? Just because your hours are different by a half or a whole hour does not mean you cannot share a ride. It just means one of you will get to work earlier then usual or leave later then usual. Or you can arrive and leave at the usual time but spend the extra time reading a book. If this seems difficult to you, remember that by cutting back to just one car, you will be cutting your car expense (including payments, gas/oil, insurance, and annual registration) in half. That would mean a savings of as little as $500 a year (if one car loan is already paid off) up to as much as $505 or more a month ($350 car loan payment + $100 for gas/oil + $50 insurance + $5 registration). This would be a savings of $6,060 a year.

If this is impossible due to working in opposite directions from your home or one of you works days and one nights, can you commute with someone else or take public transportation to work? Yes, this can be inconvenient and there will be times when your ride does not show up but when that occurs you could still share a ride with your spouse once in awhile. Or what about setting up your own car pool in order to keep your car? That is, find others at work who live near you or live in your general direction that can meet you at a particular place and ride in with you for a couple of dollars a day. Alternating whose car you use each week will still save you some gas money.

Another very important consideration today is whether to give your 16 year old their own car. No, we do not support this idea. Our family has always shared. Giving your teenager their own car is a huge additional burden on a family and doing so can make it easier for your kids to get into trouble. At least you can cut down on the possibility of trouble by insisting that the kids do their homework between school and when you get home from work and then they can use the family car one or two evenings a week to go out.

Again, depending on which method you decide on, you can save from $100 a month (commuting with fellow workers) to $500 or more a month (cutting back to just one car).

Another problem that we have seen is the individual who buys a new car and then finds that he cannot make the monthly payments due to unemployment, illness, etc. When this happens, rather than wait for the bank to repossess your car and ruin your credit rating, first tell the bank what is happening and what you have planned. Then sell the new car in order to pay off your bank loan and buy a used car. Yes, you may have to get by with an old beat up car for awhile but you will be able to sleep a lot better.

Saving Money or Groceries

You can create huge savings in this area, especially if you have kids. In order to be more creative with this item, you will need to create another list of your grocery shopping for a month. Once you have each item listed along with how much you spend on that item (including groceries, cleaning supplies, miscellaneous grocery store items), you can work on cutting the costs. If you’re looking for a company to help you reduce your debt,

(debt reduction )consolidate debt, or would like just general information on debt consolidation there are a variety of links available within this blog that will help you.

One of the main grocery problems is that, for most people, it is easier to eat out then it is to cook a meal. Therefore, the first item to go is eating out. The other grocery problem is that we have so many quick foods available to us today that make life much easier for the working family. That is, it is a lot easier to buy a frozen lasagna dinner then to make one from scratch. But this is where the major savings occur (aside from cutting out visits to restaurants of any kind). So first, either start making these items from scratch or not eat them any more.

Next, look at the most expensive items on your list. Is meat taking up a huge chunk of your grocery bill? If it is, you might want to go to the library and check out a good book on nutrition. For the sake of your wallet and your families health, eat beef no more than once a week with chicken or other less expensive meats two or three times a week and meatless meals the rest of the time. Use cheaper cuts. Buy a cheap rump roast and cube it for beef stew rather than eating steak. Have baked or barbecued chicken legs and thighs instead of breasts. And meatless pasta meals are healthier and less expensive. Find the local bakery outlet to buy day old bread from. Buy store names instead of brand names when possible. By paper products and canned goods in bulk. Cut back on desserts or have lighter (and less expensive) desserts such as pudding or jello or chocolate chip cookies. Save the cakes and pies for special occasions.

Finally, if you enjoy gardening or have ever wanted to try it, now is a good time. Don’t worry about inexpensive vegetables but concentrate on one healthy tomato plant or maybe a winter squash that will keep well all winter. This is a great family project.

By working to reduce your grocery bill, you may be able to save from $100 to $300 a month. This adds up to a $1,200 to $3,600 savings a year.

Are you a student that is desperately looking for ways to save some money? Then, look no further!

A student’s life is hard; there is no doubt about that. Not only do you have to deal with sending assignments on time and getting the grade, you also have the problems of an angst-filled teenager’s life. And most of the times, it can get quite expensive, especially if you’re a college student, living alone with no student grant or loan to cover you.

It is always easy to phone home and ask for money but why burden your parents more? If you follow a strict student life that abhors wastage and unnecessary spending, you soon find out that saving money isn’t as hard as it’s cracked up to be. Here are a few pointers on how to save money when you’re living a student’s life.

1) Get a job

This is perhaps the most popular and effective way to ease a student’s financial burden. There are bound to be part-time jobs available for students that have a decent pay. If your college or university is isolated, don’t despair. Most institutions offer on-campus jobs that promise to be enriching and financially rewarding. These jobs mostly involve work around the office, operating telephones and facilitating students. If you live near a town or city, you can always search for better pay and opportunities, but remember to look up the rules involving working students. You can only work a limited amount of hours per week.

2) Set up a student account

Once you get your paycheck, don’t spend it all at once. You have to save the money and cash it your student account. Most banks have special accounts that are beneficial for students; with lower fees and higher interests. It’s not hard to set one up and you can always ask your counselor about it.

3) Live with friends

If you are searching for accommodations, you should always check with student services. Most universities have dormitories which are on the campus grounds, thus making it easier and cheaper for students. However, they might be all full, so you’ll have to find someplace which is off-campus. It’s best to go search for the best prices with a friend from your class. You’ll be able to split up the rent and have a buddy to go to class with. It might take you a while to find the perfect place, but that’s the part and parcel of a student’s life.

4) Be thrifty

Don’t spend money as if you’re filthy rich (unless if you are filthy rich, in which case you don’t need to read this article). Try to develop good spending habits which include only buying things you need, reduce wastage and getting your money worth. If you’re buying something, make sure you can use it fully. If it can be made at home, don’t buy it. There is no strict guideline to being thrifty; you just need common sense.

5) Learn how to cook

Yes, this includes the boys as well. You’ll be amazed to discover how much you actually spend on meals. You could save a huge amount of money by buying a week’s worth of grocery and cooking your own meals. If you’re not much of a cook, then let your one of your roommates do it and you just buy supplies. That way, it allows you to save money, have a homemade meal and no fuss.

Living a student’s life teaches you life lessons, namely how to save money and how to be independent. These lessons can carry you far ahead in life and mold you into who you are going to be. Therefore, always try to save money when you’re living a student’s life.