Whether you’re single living in an apartment or married and raising a family in a large home acquiring the things you need for comfort and daily survival can become expensive. The good news is that you don’t have to sacrifice on quality to purchase things like a car, food and pay for living expenses. If you shop around and use the resources available you can achieve a comfortable lifestyle for much less than you might imagine.
Buying a car
Most people need a vehicle to commute back and forth to work, pick up children from school and shop for supplies. If your vehicle is older and now costing you more than just the expense of the repairs, it may be time to trade in your vehicle for a more reliable mode of transportation. If you only put on a few thousand miles a year you can get a lease versus buying a vehicle outright. A lease generally costs much less than an actual purchase and at the end of it, you can either decide to buy it or return it and acquire a new car. If you travel further and a lease won’t work for you there’s still a way to reduce the cost of purchasing a vehicle. You can opt to buy a pre-owned certified used car from a dealership. These vehicles generally come off of a two-year lease and the previous owners maintain them so that they can return them without paying additional costs. This will not only save you on the purchase price but also on things like excise tax and registration fees.
Cable and cell phones
Most people have a cell phone and cable service through their local provider. These two items alone can run into the hundreds each month. Instead of just accepting the fees and paying the bills each month, shop around. Companies like DIRECTV have many different packages available to suit most any budget. Find a DIRECTV near you and see which one works best for you. Chances are with your current cable provider you are paying for channels that you don’t even watch. The same goes for your cell phone. Contact a few cell phone companies and get their rates and the plans they have available. By addressing just these two services you can save a hundred or so each month.
Food shopping
If you head off to the supermarket each week without a list and coupons in hand, you’re spending way more than you need to for the things you need to buy. Instead, make a list at home and then check the flyers of the local supermarkets to see who has what you need for the week at the best price. You may need to venture out to several stores, but the savings is well worth the small inconvenience. Also, make sure that you bring manufacturer’s coupons with you, this can reduce your bill by $5.00, $10.00 or even more each week depending on the size of your family. In addition to the flyers and manufacturer’s coupons, you should also try the store brands. Most times the store brands work or taste the same. The only difference is that you’ll spend a lot less for the same item.
There are many ways to save money each month without the need for giving up on quality. If you eat out a few times a week, reduce it to once a week. If you like to buy lunch, brown bag 4 days and treat yourself once a week. With a little pulling in of the belt, you can save hundreds each month that you can put towards other items you want without the need for charging it on a credit card. It’s a win for you across the board.
