We can pinch pennies and be as budget-savvy as possible, but let’s face the facts – there are some expenses we just can’t get around. That doesn’t mean you can’t get your money’s worth out of the services you need. Below are some ways to save on bills that most of us have to pay every month – feel free to add to our list and share your tips with us!
budget
5 Things That Will Bust Your Budget
Even if we have the best-laid plans set out to stay on track, life occasionally throws us a curve. The smartest way to be prepared for financial emergencies is to have a back-up fund for whatever unexpectedly comes your way. How do you know what you should prepare for? Well, you don’t, but these are some of the most common wrenches that get thrown into the mix:
Frugal Fun
Just because you’re on a budget doesn’t mean that you can’t have any fun. There’s plenty to do on nights and weekends without breaking the bank. I know, because I’d much rather be out and about on a Saturday instead of hiding in my house, especially now that warmer weather is headed our way. Here are some ideas to consider when searching for cheap entertainment.
Penny Pincher
What you see isn’t always what you get, and sometimes that’s a good thing. I’m a firm believer that almost any price can be negotiated, and that you won’t know what you can get until you ask. The worst thing anyone can say to you is no, so give it a shot! I’ve found the most success negotiating costs for some of the things listed below. Happy haggling!
Have Your Cake and Eat It, Too
I’ve found that one of the most confusing things about saving money is figuring out what in the world you actually need to save for. Everyone pushes this idea that you need to have a back-up stash of cash in your possession in case anything unexpected should pop up – even as kids, most people have piggy banks to save up spare change for a rainy day. But what about things like life events (weddings, having a baby), large purchases (buying a house or car), or vacations?
I Just Won A Thousand Dollars!
… well, at least that’s how I feel every time I see unallocated money in my bank account. Sometimes after I’ve paid all of my necessary bills, estimated what I’ll need for my variable expenses, and put some money aside in my savings account, I’ll still have some cash left, and it can feel a bit like hitting the lottery (a very small one, at that). So what do you do with that extra $25 or $50 you still have just hanging out in your checking account?
Food for Thought
Many people have a love/hate relationship with grocery shopping – my guess is that most people fall into the latter category, myself included. It can be time-consuming and frustrating, but we all need to do it – food is the most basic necessity of life, and we can’t forget to allocate room for it in our monthly budgets! Check out the following suggestions for some of the easiest and most common ways to cut down on your grocery bill.
Houses, Cars, and Money – Oh My!
Like many others in their 20’s (and even 30’s), I’m feeling the pressures of adulthood – college is over, a career has been obtained, and it’s time to be a real-life grown-up! Friends are getting married, buying houses, and starting families. As excited as I am to join this elusive club of workaholics and soccer moms, it’s hard to not be at least a little intimidated by all of the dollar signs associated with some of those things. However, for the first time in my life, I don’t feel like these things are so far out of reach. With a little planning, larger purchases are most definitely attainable, and with a new car and a house on my horizon, I’ll spend the next year proving just that! So where do I even start?
