subject: Frugal Ideas For Family Finances [print this page] Some people seem to live better on modest salaries than other families live on large ones. Do you need some help so you can be more frugal with your money? You may have been hit by the recession, or you may have let debt get out of control. Either way, a more frugal lifestyle can help you get back on track.
A lot more people are looking for some extreme frugality tips because they just do not know how to become more frugal. They know that their parents and grandparents used to be very frugal, but those lessons have been lost as years passed and society became more consumer based. Actually, it is not that hard to manage money better if you know how to begin.
Your first step should be to figure out what you are spending money on now. You should try to write down your expenses for the last month or so. This will be a good way to see where money is leaking out of your personal budget. A lot of times, people can spot the problems right away.
There could be too much money spent on simple things like eating out or stopping off at the convenience store several times a week. You may decide to see if you can find a cheaper utility company or better car insurance rates. All of these things that you can do to reduce your fixed expenses can help you save a lot of money by next month without a real change in lifestyle. You could just shop around for a better way to meet your needs without spending as much money.
If you need to cut your budget a lot, you may have to make some painful choices. If you have to spend hundreds of dollars, each month, just to keep debt payments current, it will be a lot harder to be financially secure. If you need to reduce this debt, you will have to make a plan in order to reduce that debt. While you are attacking the debt, it can be painful. However, after you have cut it, you will be much better off.
Your budget should always include some money directed towards savings. Remember the old adage that you should pay yourself first? This means that your budget should include regular contributions to short term and long term savings accounts. You should start by establishing an emergency fund so you can use it to pay for immediate needs. This will help you cut your use of credit too. Do not forget long term plans either. We all need to save money for retirement and other future needs.
When you do visit the grocery store, it will help if you carry cash. When you carry cash, and not credit cards, it is a lot easier to stick to your budget. when the cash is gone, you must stop spending!
It may seem very hard to start being frugal. But you do not have to live like a monk or anything. You just need to start keeping track of your expenses better, and then choose to make better choices!
by: Marilyn Katz
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