Need to cut back your budget, but you don’t want the changes to hurt too much? Here are fifteen easy, painless (mostly!) ways to trim your budget. Take even half of these to heart and you’ll find a lot more pennies in your piggy bank!
1. Reward your children with something other than an allowance. Try using the following cost-effective incentives: playing a board game, going for a hike, baking a fun dessert together, granting special privileges such as staying up an extra fifteen minutes. Explain to your family that doing chores or getting good grades is expected as being a part of your family.
2. Use a coop for babysitting. Exchange babysitting services with a relative or another family in the neighborhood instead of paying for a sitter.
3. Use that digital camera. Instead of paying premium rates for a professional to take your photos, try your hand at photos. Not only is it fun, but you’ll get to experiment with your creative side – and save a bundle of cash.
4. Try a start up salon. Instead of paying high prices for hair and nail service, try a less expensive or brand new one. If you can’t stand to do this long-term, try alternating cuts at a less expensive salon and indulging in a more expensive salon every other cut.
5. BYOB – BUY your own beverages, that is. Beer, coffee, and soda pop are all less expensive when purchased at the store and prepared at home.
6. Bring your own lunch, too. Refuse to pay ridiculously high prices at vending machines and fast food restaurants. Instead pack a nutritious lunch from home.
7. Rent or borrow media. Check out a book or movie at the library, trade favorite music or movies with a friend, or start an exchange at your workplace.
8. Use your hands to wash your car. Don’t pay extra for a car wash when you can get a little exercise and sun and wash your own car. Better yet, get the kids to do it for you.
9. Refuse the temptation of lottery and scratch-off tickets. The chances of you striking it rich are low, and the probability that you are throwing good money away is very high.
10. Give your time, not your money. Volunteer to give your time to charities instead of your money. Churches and charities need manpower as much as they need financial contributions.
11. Don’t let the cleaners take you to the cleaners. Buy machine or hand-washable clothes or try a home dry cleaning kit.
12. Get creative about entertainment. There are plenty of inexpensive ways to have fun, and most of them are more bonding and enjoyable than their expensive counter-options. Try playing family board games, going camping or fishing, playing cards, going biking, throwing or kicking a ball around the yard, or baking a new recipe.
Hopefully you found a few areas to cut expenses in this list. Keep in mind how good it will feel when you take a look at your bank account and see those extras zeros!
