what is a good strategy to use to save money?

Answer 1

One of the ways to save money is to reduce your expenses.

First, you can cut back on the little things you spend money on such as coffee/cappucinos, etc. Also, if you eat out for lunch a lot, fixing your own is way better. I like to make sandwiches and microwave hot dogs as a couple of options. There's so many choices out there.

Second, cut back on impulse buys. Before you pay for something, try to justify whether you really need it. It's cool to treat yourself to something at times, but in my experience most of the stuff I bought I ended up forgetting about or giving to Salvation Army. The strategy is to put it back and wait a week. If it's still on your mind, go get it.

Third, look at your monthly bills (if you have any). Do you really need super extended cable? Are you better off with basic and a $5/mo. Netflix account? What about that cell phone plan? Can you live without your landline?

Fourth, use credit cards only for emergencies to save on interest. If you can't afford something without your cc, then you don't really need it. Plan ahead for large expenses. This will allow you to put away extra money.

Fifth, and importantly, make getting out of debt your priority. This is because debt bleeds you of cash in terms of interest. The sooner you pay stuff off, the sooner you save.

The other way to save money is to of course put it away. If you don't have a bank account, set one up. (If you're still in school, you should be able to get an account for students or children). What I do is set up an auto-transfer from my checking account into a savings account twice a month. Determine what you can afford to put away, or even go with a lesser amount. You can always change this. I manage all this on the Internet. This is cool because you're saving, but not manually so you won't forget.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Sue/Catwoman2970

Answer 2

When saving money, a lot of people have problems, the only way that i can save money is when i get my paycheck i automatically put what i do need in there. Now when i go to a special event i take what i need and that's all. When you have extra cash laying around your more likely to spend it so, you should just put it in your savings account. Have two different accounts, a saving and a checking. And decide how much your willing to spend in your checking account.

Answer 3

Take out a certain percentage every month and put it in a long term account that charges you a fee to withdraw before term expiration. A good way to keep yourself "honest" is to set up automatic transfers to ING Direct. That way, on a certain date every month, a certain amount is put into a "savings" account automatically.

Pay cash if you get tempted into shopping (cards show you the total too late), so you have some cap on your shopping.

Answer 4

If you think you really want something, wait two weeks to get it. The two-week rule does not mean losing out on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. How many items, such as expensive clothing, shoes, a new furniture would not be there in two weeks? If you wait two weeks to buy big-ticket items, two good things can happen. You may find the same item less expensive somewhere else. Or you may discover that you really did not want the item once the initial excitement wore off.

Answer 5

The best way to save money is very simple. Always pay yourself first. The best way is to open a money market account or a short term bond fund and have a stated dollar amount automatically deducted from your checking account. What you don't see, you don't miss. Trust me. It adds up very quickly. One last thought: My Dad told me when I got my very first paycheck: "Some of your check is yours to keep." Good luck and many happy returns.

Answer 6

couple things:

-get a decent job that will pay you fairly and give you opportunity to grow. this will ensure that a steady/growing stream of cash will be flowing to you always.

-start an online savings account. try emigrantdirect, orange, or HSBC. the rate of return on those accounts is upwards in the 5%/yr as opposed to a brick and mortor bank that pays you 0.006763% on your money.

-lastly, give yourself a budget. for example, say if i made $1000 a month, I would give myself $100 to spend a week. 4wks/months=$400-----------$1000-$400=$600 savings/month

Answer 7

When you get your pay cheque pay it into a current a/c and transfer a certain percentage (10% -20%) into a notice savings a/c.

If your credit card is impossible to resist, do not take it out with you.or tear it up.

Answer 8

Well, spend less is the obvious answer, but I'll tell you my persona "mind trick" to spending less....I always make myself consider how long I had to work to earn the $$ to buy whatever it is I am considering purchasing. All of a sudden, the value either justifies itself or decreases, when I put it into terms of "I had to work 3 hours to afford this"

Maybe that will help?

Answer 9

Keep working. Get another job. The less time you have to spend the more you'll save. Besides, you'll make more by working.

Answer 10

Start by rounding up on purches made by check. Empty your odd change weekly in jar. Use coupons whenever possible and watch for sale ads on food and clothing.