Ways to Save when Money is Tight

I look at saving money as a positive challenge. I've always enjoyed finding ways to cut expenses. You might even say it's a hobby of mine!

The first step is to know the difference between "want" and "need". We all have wants, but in order to fulfill them, you first have to deal appropriately with the needs. Get the whole family involved and the results will be rewarding!

Some suggestions:

Look at each utility, regular monthly expense. With each, ask yourself how you can downgrade or conserve.

Examples...

Electricity - close off all drafts and insulate. Make a habit of turning off what isn't being used. It doesn't take but a second to turn off a light. Open curtains to allow daylight inside, instead of using a lamp. Use cold water to wash clothes. Wash full loads, not a couple items at a time.

Gas - similar as above

Water - conserve as much as possible. Water isn't free. Taking 3 showers a day feels great, but remember, you're trying to save money. Look for leaks. I noticed a leak in my kitchen faucet and when I had it fixed, my water bill decreased to about half.

Phone - call your phone company and get information about the different packages they offer. Don't pay for features you don't need. You can even get a very cheap service where you can only call locally. At least you'll have phone service while you're trying to save money. Life will not end because you don't have caller ID or three-way calling. Compare long distance plans or use a pre-paid phone card. Recently, my phone company started charging a monthly rate to have them as my long distance carrier. I infrequently make long-distance calls so I canceled them as my carrier and now use a pre-paid phone card for the occasional call.

Cell Phone - do you really "need" a cell phone? Cell phones are a great convenience, but if you are trying to save money, say goodbye to your cell phone unless it's an absolute necessity.