The Ultimate Savings Guide

Sometimes it can be hard to stay within a budget, no matter how much money you have to budget with. If it seems like sticking with your budget is impossible, you’ll be happy to know that there are many tips you can use to help make it easier on you.

Consider the following tips for staying within your budget:

1. Stop Using Credit Cards – If you don’t have the cash to pay for it, you shouldn’t be buying it anyway…so put the credit away. If you don’t trust yourself with your credit cards in your wallet, consider freezing them. This will even help keep you from making impulse buys, since even if you want to use them, you’ll have to wait for the ice to melt.




2. Make Envelopes – If each envelope contains the amount of cash you have for a specific expense, you’ll know exactly how much money you have to spend on something, and once that money is gone, it’s gone until you replenish all of the envelopes.It’s a lot easier to stay on track when you have the cash sorted already so you know exactly how much you have left for each expense.




3. Use Cash – When you put something on credit, it doesn’t always feel like you’re spending money. When you spend cash, you’re more likely to feel it. Plus, once you use the cash and it’s gone, you can’t buy anything else.




4. Cut Back -  Believe it or not, there are usually ways you can cut back without even feeling much of a difference.- Look through all of your monthly expenses. Maybe you can cut your cell phone plan, or even ask if they have a lower priced plan with the same minutes. Try the same with your cable company.




5. Grocery Shopping – Sometimes you can switch brands, and not notice the difference. Or, you can try shopping at a different grocery store, or make sure you shop the sales. There are many ways you can still buy the things you enjoy, and spend a lot less on them.Using coupons along with sales can make items really inexpensive, and while it does take some work to look for the sales and coupons, it can really save you a lot of money.




6. Budget for a Splurge Item – It’s nice to treat yourself every once in a while…but make sure that you budget for it, so that every once in a while you can do something for yourself.
   
   
   - It may be something you’ve been wanting to buy for years, or maybe you just want some money to have a night out. The point is, if you’ve budgeted for this it won’t be a shock when you balance the books later.




7. Homemade Gifts – You don’t have to spend a lot of money on someone to show them how much you care. In fact, when you make something yourself, sometimes it can mean a lot more to a person than a store bought item. Just remember that you don’t have to spend a lot to give someone the “perfect” gift.
   
   
   - A perfect example is a scrapbook or photo album. While there’s some cost involved, the finished product will be priceless – yet far less than the latest electronic device.




8. Wait – If there’s something that you see and really want to buy, wait at least 24 hours (if not longer) to make sure that it is something that you really want and need (and is something that fits in the budget), and not just an impulse buy. After waiting to make sure it is something that you really need (and can afford), then you can buy it.




9. Write Down Everything You Buy – It’s a lot easier to keep track of exactly what all of your money is spent on when you write everything down. For example, it’s one thing to see that you spend $100 on food…but when you write down exactly what you’re spending the money on, you can see if it’s all going to fast food, or for coffee, etc, and it will be easier for you to tweak your budget in the future so you can stop spending money on things you don’t need.

Keep Changing

If you’re still having trouble balancing the budget, it’s important to keep trying new things until you have a system that makes you feel comfortable. The same system won’t work for everyone. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help. A financial planner or financial counselor can give you even more valuable ideas, as can a friend who might be going through a similar situation.

With the right techniques, a budget can be the tool that brings you freedom!

The Ultimate Savings Guide Blog is here to help you save and make money.

You’ll find lots of articles as well as tips and tricks to help you on your way.