two words. Spending diary. It's a bit of a pain at first but keep a diary with you and note down every single penny you spend, as you spend it. You can also note down spending you know you will be coming up ie bills to pay. Transfer the information onto a simple spread sheet so you can see what you spend in what areas ie food, entertainment, clothes, etc. You needn't do it forever but 2 or 3 months should give you a good idea of what's going where and where you can most easily cut back. Also the act of having to write it down makes you think more about little purchases like the odd cup of coffee or magazine. Have you every had that situation where you've looked in your wallet and though, good god where's all that money gone? well if you write it down, you'll know.
2007-03-07 00:57:27
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answer #1
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answered by gerrifriend 6
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1. Spend only on needs, not wants.
2. No credit cards. If you have any, pay off the highest interest rated ones first, paying the minimum on the others.
3. Start a definite, permanent savings account with a set minimum amount you'll put in EVERY week. Go percentage in your thinking.
4. Look over your checkbook, or write down where you ordinarily spend money. This will tell you alot about your habits, and show you where your budget has its leaks.
5. Last, but should be first, make a budget, and stick with it.
Good luck to you. I'm in the same boat- my wife is being laid off work and she's paid much more than I am so I speak from very recent experience.
2007-03-06 00:13:53
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answer #2
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answered by Jed 7
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Loads
Make a diary of what you spend look at your fixed outgoings are there any that you can lower - e.g. remortgage/move to a cheaper accomodation, check your utilities are the lowest price you can get.
Non- fixed
Food - it's easy to eat cheap I spend about £30 a week for me and my daughter and that includes a mostly organic diet, making your own is cheaper than shop bought convenience food, make foods in bulk and freeze portion sized meals so you always have something in and won't need to dine out.
Make a price book of foods you buy most often and work out price comparisons of foods at different stores, then you know whether you are buying as cheap as you can.
Cleaning your home - you don't need expensive products for differnt parts of your home, get a spray bottle with some diluted vingar in to spray onsurfaces nd wipe down, vinegar for cleaning windows 1/3 vingar 2/3 water
Buying gifts
always be on the lookout for frugal gifts and get them in readyness for the gift giving events in the year.
Therer are so many more
Make an investment in the book The Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn - many examples in there many very extreme ones many very easy ones.
Good luck I know it can be hard but worth it - I'll have finished paying off my mortgage of in the next 2 years doing this
2007-03-06 00:11:20
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answer #3
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answered by Anonymous
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First place food.Go veg.Try Indian food it will slash your bills majorly.Ask some indian gandma for help:)
Next travel.Think creatively and create value to get some extra cash eg helping someone with accounts lots of small businesses have odd jobs which do not take much time and can give above average money.
My thinking is always to look at increasing the income and never to ocus much on lack of money.What you focus on increases so if you focus on the lack the lack increases:)
Think of ways of makin money
its all in the mind.All the best
2007-03-06 00:05:51
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answer #4
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answered by Anonymous
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Open an Orange Savings Account with ING Bank. They have one of the highest rates around with no fees. After you do this, then make your savings a regular habit by scheduling an automatic transfer into your savings account from your checking account. If you have any money left at the end of the month after paying all your bills, don't spend it, sock it away into your savings account. Hope this helps.
2007-03-06 00:08:02
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answer #5
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answered by annazzz1966 6
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You could pay all your bills with direct debit just after your pay day. It helps me manage my money because it forces me to only spend what remains during the rest of the month. Also I get discounts on my bills for choosing the DD option so I save money. I use my credit card to pay for virtually everything else so that cash stays in my current account for as long as possible. I pay off the credit card balance every month to avoid interest charges.
Also take out loyalty cards like Nectar, Boots and Tesco. I do well with money off my shopping bills from those three.
2007-03-06 00:07:09
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answer #6
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answered by Anonymous
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Last year I made sure that I got a Boots advantage card and carried it on me all the time. In December I checked out with over eighty seven pounds worth of christmas stocking fillers for my daughters. I can't believe how much I got back. I am already up to ten pounds fifty seven this year
2007-03-06 00:02:03
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answer #7
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answered by gaviscon 4
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The best tip io can offer you is to look at www.moneysavingexpert.com
Here you will find hundreds of money saving tips, ideas, challenges. There is a free e-mail newsletter you can subscribe to and you will get hooked!! There are no ads and it is all free.
Since finding this website the way i think about money, feel about money and spend my money have changed forever.
Good luck.
2007-03-06 01:51:01
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answer #8
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answered by bevflower 3
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For food, Coupon shopping. This actually takes some skill and practice. Some stores double coupon. If you do a search on how to coupon shop, you wil see that many people buy $200 worth of groceries for $50, sometimes even less.
2007-03-06 00:16:14
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answer #9
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answered by JC 7
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funds reductions ideas . . Get married contained in the morning, and then persist along with your ceremony with a breakfast or brunch. Breakfast is the interior your budget finished meal you are able to serve your travellers plus you do not could serve any liquor except a champagne toast to the Bride and Groom. Get married at 1PM or 130PM or 2PM. Your travellers have already eaten lunch and it truly is too early for dinner. you are able to have a dessert reception (pies, cupcakes, and ice cream) or only wedding ceremony cake and punch. Get married at sundown. Your travellers have already dinner. you are able to have a dessert reception or only wedding ceremony cake and punch. Order your gown or head piece/veil or bridesmaids' gowns or flower lady gown from between the web auction internet sites. a lot of those issues are bridal keep closeouts or from cancelled weddings. eliminate all wedding ceremony day upload-ons. as an party: candle gadgets, flower lady basket, ring bearer pillows, reception table disposable cameras, client e book and feather pen, garter, father and mom' corsages/boutonnieres. in reality have a Maid of Honor and a perfect guy. in reality an extra suitable bouquet and an extra suitable boutonniere to purchase and a couple of thanks presents to purchase. carry one or 3 roses (with a bow) quite than a bridal bouquet. shrink your client record in 1/2. each and anytime you upload a acceptance for your client record, the money sign up rings, and also you pay. the marriage reception is continuously fifty % of your finished prices (food, beverages, and leisure). to shrink your client record in 1/2 . . eliminate easily everyone on your record that you have not seen nor talked to contained in the perfect 2 years. eliminate all babies lower than the age of twelve years previous. eliminate easily everyone that you, the Bride and Groom, have in no way met (father and mom' associates or co-workers or friends). Get married in an section park or county park or state park. those places are frequently properly maintained and characteristic clean restrooms. house prices are minimual. could properly be rented by technique of the 1/2 day or finished day. replied by technique of: a qualified wedding ceremony professional / a professional bridal representative / a wedding ceremony ceremony officiant
2016-12-05 07:52:15
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answer #10
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answered by ? 4
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