Each year we get more and more in debt. It begins to pile up from credit cards and loans. As the debt increases, it can quickly turn into a seemingly insurmountable problem forcing you to live from paycheck to paycheck.
The tips listed below will help you to start saving money each month:
*Create a monthly budget and stick to it. This only works if you actually stick with your budget. Make it realistic. In this way, you can keep track of where your money actually goes. Putting the numbers down on paper can be an eye-opening experience for you.
*For a week, keep track of everything you spend money on (everything, even the smallest amount). Multiply this amount times twelve and you have your total for about three months.
*Determine your average monthly income by adding the totals of your pay stubs for the past three months, after taxes, together; add three months of your regular fixed expenses (rent, utilities, car payment, insurance, cell phone, etc.); add to these your other monthly expenses including groceries, gas, clothing, credit cards, etc. and the total from your weekly journal above. After you have added all of these expenses together, divide by three. This will be your monthly expense total.
*Evaluate your expenses. What can you cut back on? Do you eat out for lunch every day? Low-priced expenses add up quickly. Choose one or two things you can skip from your journal and then add one item to the list every week.
*Cut up all of your credit cards except one (you need one for emergencies). Transfer all other credit card debt to that one card (the card with the lowest interest). One bill will be much easier to manage.
*Overpay your minimum credit card payments as much as possible. Add whatever your interest fee is for the month to your minimum payment. This way your balance can actually go down instead of just being minimally affected.
*Set up a savings plan, certificate of deposit or individual retirement account, and begin making regular deposits. Check with your local bank to see what the choices are and what the best option is for you.
*Make more meals at home. Restaurant food is expensive and fattening.
*Pack your own lunch to take to work. Make meals ahead of time and freeze them if you don't have time to cook a dinner every night.
*Don’t watch home shopping channels and don’t buy online. These are temptations you do not need.
*Buy generic, clip coupons, and save your change.
*Cook large amounts of food at a time. Freeze portions for meals later, during the week or when the cupboards are looking scarce. This will also save time and energy.
*Grow your own garden. Not only is it fun for the whole family, you can save a lot of money on food.
*Understand that things come up in our lives that are completely unexpected and unplanned for. Car problems or health problems can and will occur at the moment you think you’re ahead. Don’t give up. Keep plugging away at your debt and try to stick to your budget as much as possible.
Once you have paid off most of your debt, you will feel more in control and can start putting more of your money into savings, college and retirement funds. Try to have an emergency fund that will carry your household for at least two months in case your income stops. If you don't, your debt will begin to pile up again.
