My husband and I are a young married couple who just started our family and money is tight! Here are some simple ways we use to save money.
[1] Stay out of stores that carry things you don't need. For example, don't go to Target for groceries, go to the grocery store, we all know that going into Target for "one thing" never happens. :) Also, don't go to the mall unless absolutely necessary. Make a list of needs, not wants. Of course every once in a while it is good to fulfill a want, but make it a goal instead of a priority.
[2] Eat out less. On average eating out for two people at a cafe (not a restaurant) is $20-$25 while making a sandwich is less than $2. Plan out your meals as much as possible and make more of your food at home. Not only will it save you money, but it is also healthier too. My husband and I looked where we were spending the majority of our extra money and it was eating out! We couldn't believe how much it added up just those "few times" we went out.
[3] Join Amazon Prime. Instead of having a Costco membership my family has Amazon prime. We subscribe to five items that come every couple months and not only are they already a good deal we get 5% of each item and then an extra 15% off for subscribing to five. We are subscribed to toilet paper, paper towels, Method hand soap, snack bars, and laundry detergent. Amazon Prime also has free two-day shipping and almost any item you can think of, with free returns as well. This helps us stay out of the stores and buy only specific things we need online instead.
[4] Try to limit grocery shopping to once a week. Plan out your meals as much as possible, it will save you if you buy more groceries at one time rather than spreading it out over the week, you actually end up spending more money that way. Keep track of what you are not eating and end up throwing away, so that you can avoid buying it the next time.
[5] Sign up for Hulu Plus instead of having cable. Our cable contract ends in May and we were not very impressed, there is hardly ever anything to watch on TV and all the shows we do like are available the next day online. Besides the sports games (which many come on basic TV anyways) we have decided that TV is a waste of time and money and are downgrading to basic TV in May which will save us quite a bit of money {and time}.
[6] Only have credit cards that you pay off completely every month. We have credit cards, but no credit card debt and we plan to {hopefully!} never have any. We have a credit card for the grocery store we shop at in order to get the rewards and gas points which saves us quite a bit in the long run, but we pay it completely off monthly.
[7] When decorating your house, buying more clothes or planning an event in general plan out what you want first and then try and find things at Goodwill, on sale, TJ Max, online before purchasing something full price. Research before you buy and make sure it is exactly what you want before purchasing.
[8] In college or looking to go back? Apply for FASFA, you may be eligible to get some or all of your college paid for.
[9] Have any debt? Pay off your smallest debt first and gradually work up to your bigger debt until you are debit free. Dave Ramsey has a great website and fantastic ideas on getting debt free and saving money.
[10] Use natural ways to stay healthy in order to limit doctor visits. Eating organic, using essential oils and natural medicine, exercising, and eating healthy are not guarantees that you will stay healthy, but they definitely help. Not only will you be healthier, but you will feel more energized and able to work longer and get more done in a day, and time is money!
[11] Instead of focusing on the self (which is so easy to do!) focus on others and give, it is never money wasted!
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