Categorized | Retail/Consumer

5 Easy Ways to Save Money Without Feeling Deprived

Are you tired of running out of cash before the end of the month? Is your credit card balance steadily increasing because you are using credit to pay your basic expenses each month? It doesn’t have to be that way. There are easy ways to save money without feeling deprived.

It might be time to take a long, hard look at exactly where you are spending your cash, and where you could reduce your expenses.

There are ways to stretch your funds if you are willing to be creative in your approach to budgeting.

Consider the following five easy ways to save money without feeling deprived

  • Save money on transportation to work:

A little advance planning each week is all it takes to significantly reduce your vehicle expenses each year. Consider a carpool instead of driving your own vehicle each day. If carpooling isn’t the answer, consider alternative options like public transportation that could be cheaper. Even better, if you live close enough to work, consider biking when the weather allows. It will save you money AND give you a physical fitness boost. Additionally, consider asking your employer if telecommuting at least part-time is an option to cut expenses. Employers are more willing than ever before to consider telecommuting arrangements. There are many ways to save on commuting expenses if you get creative.

  • Save money on getting fit:

Being physically active is important for your health, but there are cost-effective ways to accomplish that goal. Consider swapping out your expensive gym membership in favor of working out at home. Purchase a second-hand bike and start cycling.  Watch exercise videos for free on YouTub. Grab a friend and go for a walk. The options are endless!

  • Change the way you do laundry:

Don’t waste energy heating water for laundry. It’s perfectly acceptable to wash all your clothes in cold water. Don’t wash small loads — only do laundry when you have a full load. Stay on top of the laundry when it is finished so you can throw it into the dryer right away. It’s a tremendous waste of money to rewash clothes because they sat too long in the washer without being dried.

  • Consider giving up your home’s telephone landline:

An increasing number of individuals own a mobile smartphone. It often doesn’t make financial sense to pay for a landline when you can use your smartphone instead. If you absolutely must have a landline, consider cheaper VOIP options to cut back on the expense.

  • Change the way you shop for clothes:

Instead of buying the latest fashions at the beginning of a season, purchase clothing in the off-season. You can save on winter gear by purchasing in the spring and can find fabulous deals by purchasing your next year’s summer wardrobe as this year’s fall and winter merchandise is starting to arrive. Don’t be afraid to shop at consignment shops, thrift stores and even yard sales. Nobody but you will ever know where your clothes came from and how much money you saved!

Stretching your budget and saving money isn’t difficult, but it does take focus. Pay attention to your spending habits. Monitoring where you spend the bulk of your money allows you to spot hidden savings opportunities you might have overlooked.

Will you be using any of these budget-friendly tips to get more from your money? Share your comments and tips with us below!

The team at CESI is committed to helping you make wise financial decisions and to helping you understand how to get out, and stay out of debt.  For a free debt analysis, contact us and find out how we can help.

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This article was syndicated and originally appeared on the CESI Debt Solutions website.

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