Simple Ways to Save Today!

I thought I'd go with something quick and to the point today - simple ways to save. None of this is likely to be new, but we can all use reminders. It's easy to mindlessly spend. Occasionally we all need some motivation to put those credit cards away. So what should we be doing?

STOP Window Shopping:
Many of us waste time roaming the malls or browsing online at the latest cell phones, cars, clothes, books, etc. We might think that there is no harm in it, but trust me, marketing is an incredibly powerful tool to those who know how to use it well. If you browse you will want to spend. So, unless there is something you're truly interested in purchasing, stop window shopping! There are far better things we can do to fill our time.

Revisit What You Have:
Most of us having things lying around that at one time we had to have, but that's now collecting dust. Some common ones are exercise equipment, video game systems, hobby kits, musical instruments, golf clubs, bicycles etc. If we're looking for something new to entertain ourselves, why not revisit something we already invested in?

Buy Used:
There are very few things I have in my house that are new. As much as possible I buy what I can second hand, especially furniture.

Scout Online For Clothes:
I rarely shop for clothes in the store. There are tons of savvy shopper out there who have made a business for themselves by purchasing and reselling clothes on e-Bay. I can usually find brand name tops and pants for a fraction of what they cost in the store. The trick is to find brands that you know fit consistently so there is no worry about returns. Not a fan of e-Bay? Even regular retailers most often offer their best deals and selection through their online clearance sections. I always recommend checking these out before heading to the store. Not to mention what you'll save in time and gas!

Eat Real Food:
This one helps your wallet and your waste line. My husband and I have always joked that when we were first married, the poorer we were the better we ate. To us things like soda, cookies, beer & wine, and other snack foods were always viewed as a treat that we often did not have room for in our budget. As an affect we got out of the habit of buying many of these items. Yet it seems that many people just take these items as "must-haves" on their shopping list. I'm not saying you have to be a health nut, just consider the cost of this habit.

Plan Meals:
A big trouble spot in my budget has always been eating out. When life gets busy, the first thing that usually gets sacrificed is meal planning and grocery shopping. It takes time, but making a point to go through the flyers and make a shopping list that includes everything you'll need to get through the week will be well worth the time. A great tool to help with this is www.emeals.com. I've used e-meals off and on over the years. It's a great way to get in the habit of meal planning and also to try out new recipes. It's a fantastic system and a huge time saver!

Plan Backyard Adventures:
You don't have to go on an exotic vacation to have a good time. There are often times dozens of things to do within our own communities or just a short drive away. Instead of focusing on expensive vacations, see what's available locally or as a weekend getaway.