STRETCHING MONEY IN TOUGH TIMES

01 June 2010 - 02:00
By unknown

EVERY time you do your shopping you will have noticed that the price of food and other necessities has gone up. Save money by following these tips.

EVERY time you do your shopping you will have noticed that the price of food and other necessities has gone up. Save money by following these tips.

l Keep a positive attitude.

When you succeed at saving money, you are helping yourself. Pat yourself on the back for meeting your goals. Remember that just because you have decided to live by a budget does not mean that you are "cheap".

l Be content with what you have.

Remember that you have so much more than most people in this world. Do not view budgeting as doing without, but rather as an intelligent consumer and consistent manager of your money.

l "Stretch" everything as much as you possibly can.

For example, you can dilute toothpaste, shampoo, hair conditioner, dish-washing detergent, dishwasher soap and laundry soap with water or you can cut them in half and they will work just as well.

l Drink lots of water.

It is healthier for you and much easier on your pocketbook too. At home, the cheapest of course is your tap water. If you do not like tap water and prefer filtered water, you can still save money on bottled water by buying cheaper brands.

At work and when dining out, always order water. It is usually free. Take a bottle of water to work too.

l Always stockpile sale items whenever your budget allows for it.

This is a huge money saver. Stockpiling means buying enough of the item while it is on sale to last you until the next sale.

Spend as much of your budgeted money as you possibly can on sale items.

Shop around. Compare prices. No one store ever has the lowest prices on everything.

l Never pay retail prices unless absolutely necessary.

Get a few family members or friends together and buy in bulk from wholesalers.

l Make it yourself instead of buying it. Cooking and baking your own food is much healthier and cheaper too. For example, a bunch of carrots or beetroot costs a lot less than a little jar of these vegetables. The same goes for all food. Buy store-brand bricks of cheese when it is on sale. Then grate the cheese, store it in packs and freeze it. A little mayonnaise added to the cheese makes a great cheese spread that you can put on sandwiches and it is much cheaper.

l Pay your debts

Pay them off as soon as you possibly can and do not buy anything on credit until they are paid off. Cut up your credit cards because interest is a bad deal.

l Don't buy it unless you need it.

Buy only what you NEED and not what you WANT . There is a big difference. Curb your desires and learn to discipline your spending habits.

l Before you buy something, ask yourself the following questions:

Is this something I can live without?

Do I already have something that I can use instead?

Can I borrow it from a friend or family member?

How long will I have to work to pay for this?

Do I really need this or do I only want it?

l Always use the Five R's:

Repair, restore, reduce, re-use, recycle. By using the Five R's, you will save a bundle. If you incorporate these tips into your daily life, you will save money - guaranteed. - simplejoe.com