Saving money takes time and effort. The amount of planning you put into your cash flow will make a big difference in how much cash you keep. The financial guru, Dave Ramsey says, “A budget is telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went.”
Learn how to make your money work for you, not against you, in the following tips from our experts.
Be Mindful About Your Spending
First, make a list of your anticipated shopping and entertainment expenses.
Next, look at your finances and determine what you can spend.
Be sure the two are in agreement.
Then use your computer to save.
Go online to a coupons website to find ways to save on what you need and plan to buy. You can find money saving offers for restaurants, retail and groceries. Checking out weekly ads online is another way to get great deals. Also, shop online whenever you can to get the most savings by using free online coupons plus earning cash back for free on each purchase.
Jon Lal, Founder, BeFrugal.com
Money Saving Tips
First, make a list and stick to it. This will eliminate impulse buys that rack up unnecessary costs.
Second, always take a calculator with you to the store. You can quickly compute prices per unit to see which brands give you the best value. Big brands tend to mark up prices, though some items are worth paying more for.
Third, don’t fall for sales and coupons. This may surprise you, but keep in mind that special offers are advertisements. A “good deal” is only good when you need that item, so stick with those items you truly need–when you need them.
Mimi West, CEO, My Dream Teacher
How do you budget your money to make it work for you?
How interesting, Jon, that you mention coupons as a good money-saving resource and I warn against them. As you point out, the key is only selecting the coupons that will actually save you money. In my experience, only the more expensive brands offer coupons regularly. If you’re loyal to a brand, that can be a big perk. Most of the time, I find a more cost-effective alternative. Furthermore, you can waste a lot of time looking for just the right coupon. As such, it’s good to keep your eyes open, but not waste time or fall for mediocre deals.
[...] to consider cutting the cards up and focus on paying down your balance. Free yourself from debt by learning to make your money work for you. Create a budget and stick to [...]