Ten Simple Ideas to Save Money.
We all understand the state of the economy. Many are in good financial condition and don’t have a lot of money problems. Others have lost half of their 401k’s and investments. Many are living from paycheck to paycheck. Some are over their head in debt. Wherever you are on the financial ladder, these hints may help.
1. Cut out one dining out meal each week. This doesn’t mean eating boring foods at home. Learn to cook more often using different recipes. Be exotic or be basic. Try making homemade biscuits from your grandma’s favorite recipe, or your mom’s beef stew.
2. Decorate your dining room to resemble a formal five-star restaurant table. Purchase a few elegant dining pieces from your local thrift store. (Search Ebay.com for Wedgwood bone china dishes for cheap!). Be glamorous and pretend to be rich and famous.
3. Put off purchasing new living room furniture. Move furniture around and add some new-to-you pieces to create a new style. Shabby Chic is always easy to create. And where will you get items? Search other rooms in your home to mix and match styles. Purchase a few used items online or shop the thrift stores. ETSY.com has an abundance of wonderful vintage items to work around.
4. Plan your special event wardrobe in advance. Don’t wait until the week of the party to think about what to wear. Shop Poshmark.com or local consignment stores for that elegant dress or unique outfit. Do it in advance to allow for shipping time. Then brag to your friends about where you got it and how cheap it was when they compliment you!
5. Don’t shop when you are hungry, depressed, or bored. You will purchase more than you need at higher prices than you can afford. Plan your grocery trips with a list of items or shop grocery stores online and only get what you need, not what looks yummy! Safeway has easy to use ‘click it’ coupons and offers free local delivery.
6. Clean out your closet before going clothes shopping. If you haven’t worn it in over a year or it doesn’t fit, donate it to a charitable thrift store. Somebody else will love it.
7. Purchase second-hand statement jewelry and make an outfit you’ve worn previously come to life! Nobody will notice the outfit because they are intrigued by the jewelry!
8. Bypass the big box book & media stores. You can find good quality used books (or dvd’s) for as little as a buck or two. Reading is a favorite pastime of mine and it keeps me from renting movies from Netflix.
9. Change your attitude about shopping for second-hand stuff. The car dealerships coined the phrase ‘pre-owned cars’ to improve the status of a ‘used car’. The used car salespeople liked the idea!
10. Try a Saturday afternoon with the girls. Instead of browsing the upscale boutiques, try a little shopping at consignment thrift stores. It’s like a walk back on memory lane. Make it a fun day out with your friends. And you won’t be tempted to buy that $190 pair of shoes that your budget can’t afford! Have fun!
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