Great money saving tips - that you aren't thinking about!
It's definitely Monday today and I am dragging. I had a hard time coming up with a great blog post today, so I thought I would share some easy ways to save money that you may not think about.
1) Use your local Library - I don't care where you live, your library is a wealth of resources and it is FREE! (well other than taxes, but I digress) Two years ago I decided to check out my local library to see what they had to offer. I walked in knowing that it was very small so I didn't think that they would have much, I talked to the librarian and she told me that they were connected to a huge library network and I could request any movie, book, or audio book that I could possibly imagine. I listen to a lot of audio books as I commute and they are expensive, so when I could get anything I wanted, for free, in a matter of days I couldn't believe I hadn't gone there sooner. Also, if you have books or movies that you will never read or watch again, donate them to your library. Even if it is something they already have, they can sell it in a book sale and you are doing a good thing for your community.
2) Take advantage of work benefits - If you work for a company that has a 401(k) match and you aren't using it, you need to rethink that. Social Security is running out and who knows what the economy will be like when we reach our golden years, so save as much as you can now. A 401(k) match is a great and free way to exceed your retirements goals. Basically your company is giving you free money for saving! My best tip for starting this (without it hurting you too much) is to wait until you get a raise, whether it is an annual review or cost of living increase, and put that extra money towards your 401(k) account. I guarantee you will not miss it, as you never had it in the first place.
3) FSA accounts - This also falls under work benefits. If you take a medication or have certain doctors that you visit a few times a year, then I recommend you take advantage of a Flexible Savings Account. This is pre-taxed money that is taken out of your check incrementally for you to use on health care or child care. The most common complaint is people put too much on their FSA and since it is a use it or lose it they end up losing it. My best advice is to under budget, budget just for what you know is a guaranteed medical expense, such as medications, copays, and dental cleanings. I have never had a problem with using all of my FSA money as I always under budget.
4) Eat before you shop - This is a big one for me, if I go to the grocery store before I have eaten I buy stuff that I wouldn't normally buy. There have been many times when my husband and I were about to go grocery shopping, and we realized we were hungry on the way to the store so we stopped at Burger King.
5) Big Box Stores - This is a big way that I personally save money. I don't go into big box stores unless I know exactly what I need and do it quickly. When I was younger, I would get bored and wander around the big box stores and buy stuff that I absolutely didn't need. If I need groceries, I go to the grocery store. If I need pet supplies, I go to the pet supply store. I know you may think this is crazy as the big box stores have such great deals, but when you go to those stores you end up buying stuff you don't need and the deals do not matter.
I hope you all have a fantastic Monday! Happy Saving!
1) Use your local Library - I don't care where you live, your library is a wealth of resources and it is FREE! (well other than taxes, but I digress) Two years ago I decided to check out my local library to see what they had to offer. I walked in knowing that it was very small so I didn't think that they would have much, I talked to the librarian and she told me that they were connected to a huge library network and I could request any movie, book, or audio book that I could possibly imagine. I listen to a lot of audio books as I commute and they are expensive, so when I could get anything I wanted, for free, in a matter of days I couldn't believe I hadn't gone there sooner. Also, if you have books or movies that you will never read or watch again, donate them to your library. Even if it is something they already have, they can sell it in a book sale and you are doing a good thing for your community.
3) FSA accounts - This also falls under work benefits. If you take a medication or have certain doctors that you visit a few times a year, then I recommend you take advantage of a Flexible Savings Account. This is pre-taxed money that is taken out of your check incrementally for you to use on health care or child care. The most common complaint is people put too much on their FSA and since it is a use it or lose it they end up losing it. My best advice is to under budget, budget just for what you know is a guaranteed medical expense, such as medications, copays, and dental cleanings. I have never had a problem with using all of my FSA money as I always under budget.
4) Eat before you shop - This is a big one for me, if I go to the grocery store before I have eaten I buy stuff that I wouldn't normally buy. There have been many times when my husband and I were about to go grocery shopping, and we realized we were hungry on the way to the store so we stopped at Burger King.
5) Big Box Stores - This is a big way that I personally save money. I don't go into big box stores unless I know exactly what I need and do it quickly. When I was younger, I would get bored and wander around the big box stores and buy stuff that I absolutely didn't need. If I need groceries, I go to the grocery store. If I need pet supplies, I go to the pet supply store. I know you may think this is crazy as the big box stores have such great deals, but when you go to those stores you end up buying stuff you don't need and the deals do not matter.
I hope you all have a fantastic Monday! Happy Saving!
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