You have a family budget in place. Now the hard part begins—sticking to your family budget.
With the demands of all the wants and needs of kids, it can be challenging to keep a close eye on your money matters. Here are some simple tips to save money and help you stick to your family budget:
* No satellite – On average, the least expensive satellite package can run anywhere from $35-$40 per month. Multiply that times twelve months and you end up with a whopping $420-$480 per year! Do away with this single bill and your family can save almost $500 every year. Now that’s an incentive!
* Limited video rentals – Many families choose to rent movies for a family night instead of going to the movies. While rentals are a huge money saver, it can still get expensive if you go overboard. Limit your rentals to two every two weeks, for example.
* Return videos early – Another cost that adds up quickly is overdue rental fees. For the cost of a few past due days on one movie, you could purchase that movie and watch it forever if you wanted to. Write yourself a note so you won’t forget to return your movie rentals on time. Even better, try using an online video rental service like Netflix. You’ll pay the same each month, pay no late fees, and get new movies every time you return one.
* Plan meals before shopping – Never go grocery shopping on an empty stomach. You will want to buy everything you see on the shelves. You may think it’s silly, but you will be amazed at the results if you try it.
* Buy off-brand products – Most off-brand products taste much the same as their counterparts. There are a few, like mayonnaise for example, that taste slightly different. For the most part, if you are trying to stick to a budget, buying off-brand products can save you a lot of money. And don’t forget to clip and use coupons, too!
* Bring your lunch to work – Once again, let’s do the figures. If you spend a minimum of $5.00 per day on lunch (that’s a cheap lunch!), at the end of the week, you’ve racked up $25.00. With gas prices on the rise every day, that extra $25.00 could come in handy if you drive to work, too. Instead of eating out, fix your lunch to bring with you.
* Drink water – Sodas are easy to grab and run with, but water is much healthier for you. Instead of spending money on canned drinks, buy a family-size pack of bottled water. You’ll save money and drink healthier.
Some Awesome Resources for you:
Living On One Income - Here are some tips for those that are living on one income.
Refinancing Your Home Mortgage Loan - Refinancing your home is a great way to save thousands of dollars over the length of your mortgage loan. Here is an article that can help you.
Establish Credit - There are many ways to establish credit and to start building a good credit history. Here is a resource for you.
Women and Money - learn how to make money work for you instead of the other way around.
Financially Surviving a Divorce - Even though you may hope that divorce is something you never have to face, it’s smart to start planning ahead if you’re being plagued by marital problems.
Creating a Household Budget - Easy to follow steps to create a household budget.
Creating a Family Budget and Sticking to it - Great easy to follow steps on how to stick with a budget
Saving Money at the Grocery Store - Looking for ways to cut your grocery bills in half? Take these easy steps to save money on groceries.
Tips To Save Money - Looking for ways to cut your overall Bills in half this article is for you.
