Seven quick and easy ways to save money by being more organized
Love to save money AND be more organized? Here are seven quick ways you can do both!
One of the easiest ways to save money is right at your fingertips. With a pen and paper you can create a plan to organize your spending and hang on to more of your cash.
1) Pay your bills on time
Avoiding late fees or reconnect fees is a great way to save money. If you have a hard time remembering when things are due, keep a calendar posted in a convenient location and mark the due date or the day before the due date on your calendar.
There is no bigger waste of money than paying a late fee that could have easily been avoided if only it hadn’t slipped your mind.
2) Plan your errands in a logical pattern
If you need to run several errands around town, plan a gas saving route between them. Do an errand a day ahead of time if it fits into your travel circle for that day instead of making a special trip.
Not only will this save valuable time, but it saves on gas, which we all know is expensive. An added bonus is that it reduces your carbon footprint, which is better for the planet.
3) Don’t be afraid to clip and use coupons
You can keep your coupons in an envelope in the car, so they’re always with you when you go out to shop. This also works well for couples who share a car and shopping duties. You’ll never be in the shop wishing you’d brought your coupon along for an item you need now.
4) Pay attention to store circulars and sale papers
See what’s on sale and check your coupon supply. If it’s a non-perishable item that you use and it’s on sale, buy it then with the coupon instead of waiting until you run out. Stocking up on sale items with a coupon is a great way to save.
Don’t be afraid to buy a generic brand to save a bit of hard earned cash, especially if you compare the ingredient labels and they are identical. Sometimes even a name brand on sale with a coupon won’t beat the price of a generic that is all but identical.
Try to be savvy and choose your generics and name brand products wisely to maximize your shopping savings. Also, buying in bulk sizes can save money in the long run, even if it is a bit more out of pocket at the time of purchase.
5) Don’t shop without a list
Impulse buys can blow your budget in a big way. Furthermore, without a list you will find yourself making extra trips to purchase items that you forgot, wasting gas, time, and money.
Stick to your list and limit your browsing. Labels and displays are made to grab your attention and have you digging into your wallet! It’s likely an item you don’t need if it’s not on your list, and if you decide later it’s something you DO really want, put it on your shopping list for next time.
While keeping to your list and not browsing along, you’ll be able to save time as well as money!
6) Plan your meals
If you know what you’re eating and when you’re going to eat it, you’re far less likely to swing through a drive-thru or go out for dinner instead of eating at home.
Restaurant meals are much more expensive than a home cooked meal or thrown together sandwich. If you’ve dined out, of course there’s the added gratuity for your server in addition to the cost of the actual food.
It all adds up. If you plan your meals and eat at home you’ll save much more money in the long run, and quite possibly eat healthier as well.
7) Take the time to create a budget
Sit down and figure out a workable budget for yourself. If you’re like the average American, you feel like there’s just not enough money for everything you need or want.
Keep track of your spending habits. Once you figure out where your money is going, it should be a lot easier to find out where things are going wrong and how to improve them.
When you’re looking at your figures, think of things in long term, rather than short term. For example, if you’re spending on average $2.00 on candy bars a week, which you don’t need to survive, sure that’s just $2.00. A WEEK. That’s $104.00 a year.
That 104.00 could be at least one month’s water bill paid. Thinking of things in the long term rather than short term may help you trim the fat from your budget and improve your overall financial situation.
Getting organized isn’t an instant way to remove the stranglehold of debt or get rich quick, but it should help you avoid overspending or needless fees. Armed with pen, paper, and scissors, you can get ready to save some money and prevail over your debt! If there is no plan at all; there is no plan for success!
Nicholas H. Parker is a business coach and marketing manager with a huge experience. He writes articles at Buy Essay Club.
Photo by Corinne Kutz
