More Ways to Save Money and Still Have Fun
In tough economic times, it is natural that most households need to make cuts in their budgets. Items and services that were previously taken for granted may need to be reconsidered. However, having less money does not mean that you cannot live well. You just need to make a few adjustments to your routine and spending habits, and you will soon realise that your life can be lived just as well, then before you started watching the pennies.
Make use of your freezer.
You can slash an awful lot of money off your food bills by cooking in bulk and freezing the extra. Easy dishes to cook include chilli con carne, curries, stews, and pasta sauces, but you can be more adventurous if you enjoy cooking.
You can also cut down on packed lunches by making sandwiches in bulk and freezing them – so long as you don’t include foods that don’t freeze well, such as lettuce, the sandwiches will be perfectly fine and will be much cheaper than buying a pre-packaged sandwich at lunchtime.
Ditch the car and the gym.
If you drive everywhere, you will spend an awful lot of money on petrol. There are bound to be some journeys for which you don’t need the car, so walk instead. You could even consider getting rid of the car if you don’t really need it.
If you usually go to the gym, get rid of your gym membership and use the extra walking, coupled with some toning exercises at home, to maintain your fitness levels.
If you enjoy going to fitness classes, get a collection of exercise DVDs to do at home. The amount of money that you will save on memberships and classes could be phenomenal.
Dress for the cold.
Many people like to strip off down to just light clothing when they are at home, even when the temperatures outside are below zero. However, your heating costs will be enormous.
Slash the costs by dressing for the cold, both outdoors and when at home. Wearing a jumper and even thermal underwear will help you feel cosy. Find a blanket to snuggle under when you’re sitting and watching the television.
Get rid of the electric blanket too; a couple of extra blankets or a higher tog duvet and a hot water bottle will ensure that you are warm enough.
Shop online.
It is easy to spend a fortune when you go food shopping, simply because you are tempted by things that you weren’t originally planning on buying. Many supermarkets sell all sorts of things, including clothes and electrical goods, so that even if you have a carefully prepared list, you end up coming away with extras.
Instead, try shopping online and stick to exactly what you need. You will probably have to pay a delivery charge, but when you bear in mind the amount that you save on extras and the petrol that it costs you to drive to the supermarket and back, it will be worth it.
Entertain at home.
If you’re used to going out for dinner once or twice a week, followed by an evening in the bar, it can cost a fortune. Plan some evenings at home instead. If you really don’t want to cook, an occasional takeaway is fine.
If you have a good group of friends who are all in the same position, you can take it in turns to go to each other’s homes; perhaps if the host cooks, the guests can bring the dessert and any alcohol required.
Have DVD nights at home instead of going to the cinema. With a few treats, it can be just as much fun and so much less expensive.
Cut out the bad habits.
Most people have bad habits. If you smoke and drink too much, then use the excuse of trying to save money to cut down or cut it out completely. Alcohol can be particularly dangerous because it is easy to drink too much and then be tempted to order in a pizza or nibble on unhealthy and expensive snacks.
If your bad habit is spending too much on clothes, shoes, make-up, or computer games, then work out a strategy so that you can occasionally treat yourself without going too mad. You will almost certainly find that you have a house full of things you rarely use, so don’t buy them in the first place.
You don’t need money to be happy. You can live well and healthily on much less money than you think. It just needs a period of adjustment so that you can get used to your new way of life.
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