Rising fuel costs, increased grocery prices and government checks in the mail to promote shopping has led many of us to believe we are in a recession.
I have always budgeted, but recently, I have had to make some minor changes that I believe will help many of you also. Now, this is my personal strategy, and in no way am I an expert in finances, so just remember, I am giving you some basic ideas that have helped me and my family.
I have recently made a change in schedule at work. I used to work 8:30am – 5:00pm five days per week and usually picked up overtime one weekend day. I changed my schedule to work 3:30pm-12:00am Monday through Friday, but try to go in an hour early each day and stay an hour later, picking up two hours of overtime each day. What has this done for me? I now drive to work only five days instead of six, and actually increased my overtime by two hrs. each week. This saves me one round trip each week. I am also avoiding rush hour traffic. It used to take me 35 minutes to get to and from work, now, I have cut my time to 15 minutes one way. (Now I know many of you may not have the liberty of schedule changes, so bear with me, I have more great strategies.)
Once at work, I don’t leave. I brown bag it, saving time, money and gas.
I have made a commitment to do all the shopping I can online. I buy toothpaste, toilet paper, household cleaning products, shampoo, and even garbage bags online. I also purchase the family’s clothing and shoes online. Why? I save gas, time, don’t pay sales tax, and find great bargains. Everything is delivered conveniently to my door. I have even joined a company called MY POWER MALL which pays me to shop. I receive refunds every time my downline or I shop. This is convenient and smart.
I can get cookies, candies and chips from MPM, but haven’t found too many groceries online that save me very much money. I am blessed to have a grocery chain in my area called ALDI. I shop for a month at a time, only using a shopping list. Prior to shopping, I meal plan for the month and only shop for what I am planning to cook.
I really save a lot of money with this store.
I have become very savvy at finding coupons for restaurants and take my family out once per month to a restaurant. This gives us a nice outing and saves money, too.
Zoo passes provide year round entertainment, and we frequent the libraries in our area, and we go to the dollar movies. Our dollar movies provide new releases. We take our own snacks, which is accepted by the management of the movie theater.
If anything we are wanting to do is within a mile or two, we walk. This saves on gas, and gives us exercise.
Swimming, tennis, basketball, soccer, throwing a frisbee, riding bikes and going to the park are favorite free activities we enjoy as a family.
I also avoid late fees by paying my bills online, I do my banking online and I also have my check auto deposited into my account. I also avoid ATM fees by only using my banks ATMs. I try to avoid overdrafting my account. I also am in the habit of purchasing a US Savings Bond every payday, to help with my savings.
I have dropped home telephone and cable television. We do pay for cable internet and we do have a cell phone. I keep the thermostat set at a certain temperature without fluctuating, and we stay comfortable. I don’t like to be cold in winter or hot in summer, so it is reasonable.
