6 Tips to “Cut the Fat” and Save Your Budget
Liz Nellis
Proofread Anywhere - Master Proofreader, Novelist and Alternative Health Writer
It’s a new year and probably a good time to sit down and assess your family finances before tax time. Maybe it’s been a while since you sat down and created a budget that you and your partner swore you would stick to but somehow never did. Maybe you never considered a well-written budget plan.
You’ve cut out all the fun stuff you love to do to try to keep more money in the bank for a rainy day or your future retirement. And yet, there still never seems to be enough money left over at the end of the month.
A Few Money-Saving Tips to Spark Ideas to Get You Back On Track.
1. This tip is one of my favorites. Get a large water cooler jug or other large container and start dropping pocket change in at the end of the day or week. It will add up quickly, and you’ll never be “broke” because you’ve got your jar of change! I use one for pennies and one for silver coins.
2. Join the rewards programs at your favorite restaurants and stores. Sign up for Fetch, it’s an app where you take a picture of receipts from all purchases and earn points towards restaurant discounts, visa gift cards, and other goodies.
3. If you’re like my family, you might be spending unnecessary money on paper plates for meals. You’ll have to do the dishes anyway so what’s wrong with a couple of extra plates? Save the paper for picnics.
4. This one bothers some people but in the long run, it’s a huge savings. Cut down on gas and electricity by turning down the thermostat in the winter. 68–70 degrees isn’t that bad. A toasty, cozy sweater or a handmade Afghan would keep the chill away… or better yet, snuggle up with your significant other. Likewise, in warmer weather use ceiling fans and open windows to give yourself a breath of fresh air.
5. It could cost a family of four $150 plus a tip to eat out. But there are a lot of ways to save money by eating at home while still enjoying some of your favorite restaurant treats. You could have Taco night, Hotdog night, Chicken Wing night, or Pizza night. Go online and see if you can find a copycat recipe for some of your favorite eateries. Make dinnertime special by creating simple traditions.
6. Save money on prescriptions by using one of those discount programs like GoodRx. You’ll notice a big difference in what the pharmacy charges without a discount card. I’ve seen the savings firsthand.
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Set up your savings account as a “bill” and commit to paying yourself first each payday. It doesn’t have to be 10% but a little bit can end up going a long way. Any bonuses or tax refunds should go into savings, if you don’t see it, you won’t spend it.
The first rule of saving has always been “Pay Yourself First” ~ Suzy Orman.
In addition to the above tips, investing in a simple program like Stash can provide novice investors the ability to grow their wealth with as little as $5 to start. Stash lets you buy a fraction of shares in the BIG companies. Stash offers new investors personalized guidance, automated tools, and a user-friendly app so you can keep track of your wealth and watch it grow! Visit my link?https://get.stash.com/lizirrj9?and see how you too can elevate your finances in 2025.
Keeping a close eye on your spending will “cut the fat” and you might find that saving money can be fun if you make a game of it. Pick one or two of your favorite tips above or come up with some of your own. Perhaps, get yourself a 12-month desk calendar to keep track of bills and spending and watch your savings add up fast.
Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to read my article! ?? I hope you found it helpful, interesting, and maybe even sparked an idea or two on how you can “Cut the Fat” too.
? 2025 Liz Nellis. All rights reserved.
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