Mom, Do You Need To Save Money?
I need to learn how to save more of our income. I'm not
interested in starting a business or making money, but I do
believe that a penny saved is a penny earned, so I'd like to
hold onto more of my pennies. Thanks so much for any help you
can offer! - Signed, Penny
Dear Penny, Some of my favorite ways to save money are the
easiest. Of course, we all like the easy things in life. I know
I'm not the type to reuse a plastic sandwich bag, so I just buy
plastic containers instead that can be used forever. Know
yourself and your habits so you can pick and choose how to save
money.
1. Have Meals on Hand Freezer Cooking is my personal favorite
way to save money. Instead of cooking one batch of food every
night, you can double or even quadruple some of your favorite
recipes and freeze the extra. That way, the next time you're in
a hurry and tempted to pick up the phone to order a $25 pizza
delivery, instead you can go to your freezer and grab a
container of lasagna and enjoy it for a fraction of the price.
Some meals that are easy to freeze are chili, most soups, rice
casseroles, lasagna, and stir fry dishes. Always test a small
batch before you invest too much time into a big cooking session
just to make sure your favorite recipe freezes well.
2. Monthly money drain Another way to save money is to look
through your credit card bill and your monthly bank statement
for recurring charges.
For instance, if you have the same cell phone you've had for
more than a year, you might be able to find a cheaper plan. You
may even be able to get enough minutes with enough coverage that
you can cancel your landline phone and long distance and just
pay your cell bill each month.
Or do you really need all those bells and whistles on your cable
service? If you're paying for HBO, then do you also need a
subscription to a Movie club where you get movies in the mail?
There's definitely room for saving money here.
Cancel that book of the month club. On many of these plans, the
cost of shipping costs more than picking up books at a
bookstore. Or buy books and share them with friends. Then, when
you're done reading them, sell them on eBay or at a used book
store to fund your book addiction.
Are you a beauty product junkie? Preach on! This is one of my
main weaknesses. I love lotions, soaps, bath salts, etc. I've
started making my own with a few simple recipes and am saving a
lot of money each month. This could get addicting, though. But,
I can't go broke buying eggs for my face or baking soda for a
soothing bath. I can always eat it if I don't use it on my skin.
If you look around, you just might find some areas where you are
wasting money. Between dining out, pizza delivery, cable bill,
and beauty expenses, you'll find ways to keep more money in your
pockets.