Sweet Frugal Life

Being Frugal Doesn't Make Life Any Less Sweet

How To Stop Living Paycheck To Paycheck In 6 Steps

By: Sweet Frugal Life2 Comments

How to not live paycheck to paycheck anymore.

Are you tired of feeling like there is never enough money?  Are you ready to learn how to stop living paycheck to paycheck?  It IS possible and I’m here to tell you how!

Why Do I Need To Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck?

I had someone ask me this question a few months ago.  It all started when I was encouraging my readers to save more money each paycheck, and someone asked me, “Why?  What’s wrong with living paycheck to paycheck?”  I understand this reasoning and think it’s a very valid question!  So, today I’m going to explain exactly why it’s important.

Here are a few benefits of having some extra cash every pay period:

  • Less Stress.  If you have extra money each pay period you will no longer be having to worry during those last few days before you get paid.  You won’t have to wonder whether you will have enough money to get you through to the next payday.
  • Prevent Debt.  Emergencies come up.  Unexpected expenses arise.  This is just a simple fact of life.  If you are able to save a little bit each pay period you will have the cash needed to pay for these emergencies, rather than putting it on a credit card.
  • Save For Your Future.  More money means more opportunities to save for the future.  This might mean being able to save for retirement or grow a sinking fund for a fun purchase.

Follow the easy steps below and you will have more money in your budget, and more importantly, more money in your bank account.

Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck

Step #1:  Make A Zero Based Budget

The very first thing you need to do to stretch your paycheck is to make a budget.  I highly recommend using a Zero Based Budget.

A zero based budget is when you budget every penny of your paycheck so that your income and expenses are the same amount.  This does NOT mean you spend all of your income.  It simply means that every dollar has a place and a purpose within your budget.

To make a zero based budget you will need to first write down the amount of money you expect to earn this pay period.

Next, write down all of your expected expenses, don’t forget contributions to sinking funds, retirement, etc.

Your goal will be to get your expenses to equal your income.  For a full tutorial on making a zero based budget check out this article.

There are many different ways to budget!  We prefer the You Need a Budget software.  You can also use just plain ol paper and pen. feel free to download my budget worksheet below.  This is a great place to get you started!

Step #2:  Track Your Spending

Now that you have made your budget it’s time to track your spending.  And, when I say track your spending I literally mean to track every.single.penny. you earn.

It’s easy to track your spending, but it does take time.  You will need to write down everything that you buy and what budget category that item falls under.  If you buy a 50 cent candy bar, write it down under the “Food” category.

This exercise gives you a huge amount of insight into how you are spending and exactly where your money is going.  Sometimes, we don’t realize how much a few bucks here or there add up, but they do!

While you are writing down your expenses, look for trends in your spending and evaluate how you could change some of these habits. 

Maybe you tend to always buy items on a stressful day, could you find a new way to deal with stress?

Or perhaps you are constantly picking up a Starbucks on your way to work, could you limit yourself to just one Starbucks a week?

Remember, it’s OK to spend money!  But, if you are wanting to save a little more, you will need to find some ways to cut back.  Tracking expenses is a great way for you to figure out just how to do that.

Step #3:  Cut Out Unnecessary Expenses

The third step when learning how to stop living paycheck to paycheck is to cut out all unnecessary expenses.  Look through your spending tracker and pick out a few items that you could cut out of your budget.  This might be eating out, going to movies, cable TV, daily coffees, etc.

Need some inspiration about what to cut?  Be sure to check out these articles:

How to Cut Your Budget; When There is Nothing Left to Cut

What we cut from our budget to save over $2500 a year

11 Things to do Today to Lower your Monthly Expenses

Don’t forget to look at the expenses that you can minimize on, rather than cutting out completely.  Perhaps you spend $150 a week on groceries, could you reduce that to $130 a week?  That would be an extra $80 a month or $960 a month.

Step #4:  Save Your Bonus

Whenever you are offered a bonus or raise at work, save it!  I know the temptation when getting these raises is to “treat yo self”, but you are already use to living on less.  Use that raise to bump up your savings account, or other finance goals.  I promise it’s worth it!

For example, if you are offered a 5% raise, put that extra 5% into your savings each paycheck.  This is one of the easiest ways to save more without having to sacrifice the life you are use to.

If you truly do not want to save all of your raise, maybe just save part of it.  Put 90% of your raise into a savings account, and use the other 10% for spending.

more money

Step #5:  Automate Your Savings

Set your checking account to automatically take a certain amount of money each month and deposit this into your savings account.  This is an easy way to save for retirement, emergency fund, or anything else you need, without having to actually do it yourself!

When your savings is automatic you don’t ever have to make the choice whether to save or spend on something else, that decision has already been made for you!  You’re saving it.

My husband and I made all of our savings automatic years ago and it has made a world of difference in the amount of money we are able to save each month.  This money doesn’t even feel like it belongs to me, because it goes straight to savings.  It feels amazing to be able to watch that saving account grow regularly and consistently.

Step #6:  Make More Money Through Side Hustles

Last, but certainly not least is to find a way to make more money.  If you would really like to save more each month, you might need to find a way to increase your income.  This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to get a second full time job.

All you need is a few extra hours each week to devote to a side hustle.  If you are struggling finding that extra time, try to give up one thing in your life and use that extra time for side hustling.  This might be your nightly 30 minute TV time, or maybe those few hours you sleep in on Saturdays.

When choosing your side hustle, be creative!  There are so many possibilities!  Look at your talents and interests first to find the perfect fit for you.

Are you crafty?  Perhaps you could make crafts to sell on Etsy.  Do you like to write?  Consider starting a blog!  Maybe you enjoy teaching?  Look into teaching kids in China (all from home)!

If there’s a will, there’s a way!

If you are really wanting to stop living paycheck to paycheck, it is going to require some sacrifice and effort.

I truly believe if you follow the six steps I shared today you will be able to find more room in your budget and you will be able to save more money each month.

Here is your friendly reminder that these steps aren’t easy!  Nothing good in life is easy!  Cutting expenses and finding extra money will take some time and sacrifice on your part.

But, I can also promise you that if you are willing to put in the work and the dedication you will find extra money in your budget each paycheck, and this can change your life!

 

Related Articles:

7 Apps That Will Help You Save Money

The Best Frugal Living Tips You Need to Know

How to Save Money When Eating Out

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Have more money this month by following this simple 6 step plan so you can stop living paycheck to paycheck today.

Tips For Budgeting As A Couple

By: Sweet Frugal Life2 Comments

How to get your spouse to budget when they don’t want to.

Do you struggle budgeting as a couple?  I can so relate!  I have been there!

My husband and I are constantly working on getting on the same page with a budget.

It all started about 10 years ago when I read a book that changed my life, Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover book and I knew it was time to start looking at our finances differently.  I decided right then and there that my husband and I would make a budget, and stick to it faithfully.

Later that night I happily told my husband the good news, “We are going to start budgeting and will be able to save so much money!” I announced.

I looked at his face, fully expecting to see the same enthusiasm that I felt……but instead of joy, I saw annoyance.

“Why do we need to budget?  We spend less than I make every month” he asked me.

I spent a few minutes explaining to him that a budget could help us save for our future, eliminate some unnecessary spending, and set us up for financial success, fully expecting him to be just as excited about it as I was.

But, he just didn’t have the same vision as I had.  Which, in hindsight is understandable.  I had accepted him to jump on board with my new found financial knowledge, simply because I was telling him that it was a good idea.  I wanted him to feel like I felt, without ever giving him the opportunity to form his own views.

Here’s the thing about relationships:  you can not force your spouse to have your same views.  That’s not how a marriage works.  A marriage is a partnership between two separate people.  Each of the partners will, should, and have their own opinions, thoughts, goals, and ideas.  I’m going to say it again, you can not force your spouse to be something they aren’t.

It took me a few months of talking (and disagreeing) to my husband about budgeting before I finally asked, “Can we just try it?  Let’s just try it for one month and see how it goes.  I think it could really help us!”

Fortunately, he agreed.  We sat together one evening and set up a budget.  There were frustrations, we have had plenty of mishaps, and we have had to start and restart time and time again.  But.  A decade later and we still budget.  In fact, my husband is the one that 99% of the time reminds me it’s time to discuss the budget.

So what changed?  I believe there were two main points that changed my husbands mind about the whole budget thing.

  1.  He saw that a budget did in fact make a difference.  My husband needed to decide for himself if he felt that a budget was worthwhile.  Once he saw how much more money we did actually save on a budget, he embraced the vision.
  2. It became a habit.  He really didn’t like the idea of having “one more thing” on his to do list.  But, after a few months it has become a habit and doesn’t feel like an extra chore, it’s just what we do.

Now, I understand that not all situations go like mine.  Some spouses are more willing and others are much less willing to budget together.  Here are a few tips to help you when your spouse just doesn’t want to budget.

How you can get your spouse to budget #budgetingcouples #budgetasacouple #frugalcouple #savingmoney #budgetinghelp

Tips For Budgeting As A Couple

1.  Communicate

Communication is so important in a marriage, and finances is no different.  Communicate with your spouse why you want to budget and your goals and concerns for your future.  Explain to him why this is important to you, and why it is important to you to do together.

In return, listen.  Listen to your spouses concerns.  Ask him why he doesn’t want to budget, ask him how you can help make it easier for them, and genuinely listen and care about his responses.

2.  Make it Fun

Try to make budgeting fun (yes!  budgeting can be fun…..ish!).  Instead of saying something like, “Let’s have a budget meeting.” (I mean, that prob sounds fairly boring to anyone, right!?), invite your spouse to something fun, plus a budget meeting!

You could go on a walk, have a picnic, or bring their favorite foods to enjoy while discussing the budget.  Make the budget meetings a little less boring and try to make it a fun experience for everyone involved.

2.  No blaming

When it comes to the budget you need to work as a team.  Avoid putting blame on your spouse.  Instead of, “You spent way to much this month!” say phrases like, “We spent to much this month.”  Yes!  Even if it truly might be your spouse overspending, work as a team and never ever blame.  The only thing blaming will bring is contention, and contention won’t make a budget.

3.  Be Willing to Compromise

Compromise is a must when budgeting as a couple.  Maybe you are super frugal and your spouse isn’t, this is totally normal!

Find a way to meet in the middle.  Perhaps your spouse wants to get a hair cut and color every month, but you feel that makes the budget to tight.  Ask if they would be willing to get a cut and color every 6-8 weeks instead.  Give your spouse freedom in their budget, while also making sure the budget is kept.

4.  Personal Spending Money

Include personal spending money for both you and your spouse.  This spending money gives both of you the freedom to spend how you want, when you want, with completely no guilt or judgement attached to it.

The amount received for personal spending will vary based on your income and expenses.  However, you and your spouse should both receive the exact same amount.

I love having this guilt free spending money!  

5.  Be the Example

Maybe your spouse just doesn’t get it, and that’s OK!  The whole idea of budgeting might be a little daunting or strange to them, which is exactly how my husband was.  Be an example of living by a successful budget so they can learn from you.

Excitedly show your partner how much money you saved by doing “xyz” that month.  Your positive attitude just might rub off and they will want to join in on your success.

6.  Celebrate the Wins

Positive reinforcement goes a long ways in marriage, and life in general.  When your spouse sticks to the budget, celebrate.  Buy them their favorite treat, genuinely praise them, and let them know how proud you are of them.

Everyone likes to feel appreciated and having mini celebrations can help budgeting feel much more bearable.

7.  Make a Plan Together

Together is the key word in this.  Sit down and discuss your goals for the future and present.  Plan how you can reach these goals and make a plan going forward.  Allow your spouse to give their opinions about the way the plan and budget will look.  It might not be exactly how you think it should be, but remember compromise matters.

When Nothing Works

If you have tried everything you can to get your spouse to budget and it’s just not working, you are not alone.  Financial disagreements are common among all couples.

Focus on the things that you can control within your budget.  Spend wisely.  Budget as best as you can by yourself and do what you can to keep the finances in order.  Alone is never fun, but it can be done.  Lean on support groups through facebook or family and friends to help give you the support you need.

Related Articles:

How to Start Budgeting for Beginners

10 Quick Ways to Save Money on Groceries

The Best Frugal Living Tips You Need to Know

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I hope this gave you some good tips about budgeting as a couple.

How To Save Money On Electric Bill In Winter

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Tips to reduce electricity bill.

It’s time to prepare for the cold winter months (I’m seriously not excited about this!).  The winter months is a time when many households see a rise in electricity costs.  Fortunately, there are some things you can do to help lower these expenses.  Today I am going to share a few ways to help you learn how to save money on electric bill in winter.  I hope they help you as much as they have helped me.

 

Do These Tips Really Work?

I get asked a lot if using the tips shared below will actually make a difference in electricity costs.

The short answer:  Yes!

Every change that you make with your electricity usage can make a big difference in the amount of money you are paying in your utility bills each week.

According to Energy.gov if you turn your thermostat back (tip #2) by just 7 degrees you can save up to 10% a year on electricity costs!  And this is just one of the eight changes you can make.

How To Save Money On Electric Bill In Winter

Here are a few tips to help you save a few bucks this winter.  Remember, every little change makes a big difference.  So choose one, or eight tips to start implementing into your routine.  Let me know if you see any changes in your bills, I would love to hear what helped you!

1.  Wear Layers

As the temperatures start cooling it’s time to pull out your long sleeve shirts and warm sweaters.  These warmer layers will help you stay warm inside without having to increase the thermostat.

If you find yourself tempted to increase the thermostat, add another layer or blanket instead!  I mean, snuggling under a blanket is one of my favorite parts of winter!

2.  Lower Your Thermostat

Like mentioned earlier, you can find big savings in your utility bills simply by changing your thermostat setting.  Every degree you lower your settings will make a difference, but if you set your thermostat 7 degrees lower than you normally have it and you will see up to 10% extra savings a year! 

Another important tip to try is to turn your thermostat even lower when you are sleeping or out of the house.  We like to adjust ours to 55 degrees during these times.

3.    Use your Blinds/Curtains

Curtains and blinds are more than just a pretty decoration.  They are a great way to save money on electric bill in winter. 

When the sun is shining open your blinds and curtains to allow the house to heat naturally from the sun.  But, be sure to close them once the sun goes down; this gives your home extra insulation from the cooler weather.

4.  Change Filters Regularly

Truthfully, when I first became a homeowner I had no idea that my furnace even had a filter in it.  It was a mind blowing moment when someone told me my energy bill would decrease if I would change the filter regularly.

We have been consistent with changing it every 3-4 months since then and have noticed a difference in our bills!  

5.  Caulk Window and Door Cracks

Another important step to saving money on electric bill in winter is to caulk around your windows and doors. 

The first thing you will want to do is check around doors and windows for small air leaks.  This is easily done by moving your hand around the edges of the window and door to feel for cold air seeping through.  Try to check for leaks when your house is warm and the outdoors are extra cold.

When you do find a leak, caulk it well with a sealant, we like this one from Amazon.

6.  Keep Vents Uncovered

It’s really important to keep all air vents uncovered to allow the air to circulate freely throughout your home.  Check all of the vents in your home to make sure they don’t have any furniture or rugs covering them.

7.  Reverse Your Ceiling Fan

Most people assume that ceiling fans shouldn’t be used during the winter months, but they are actually a great way to save money on the electric bill during winter!

The trick is to set your ceiling fan to spin in reverse by turning it to the clockwise setting.  This will push the warm air from the ceiling downward to the ground keeping you feeling much warmer.

8.  Avoid Heating Unused Rooms

If a room doesn’t get used regularly, there is no reason to pay money to keep it heated.  The best way to accomplish this is to close the vents in rooms that aren’t used often.  A guest room, laundry room, and basement storage rooms are all example of places that don’t need to be heated.

 

In Conclusion

You don’t have to pay what you have been paying for your electricity bill anymore!  Try implementing a few of these tricks and you just might be surprised about how much money you start to save!

Do you have another suggestion about how to save money on electric bill in Winter?  Drop it in the comments below!

 

Related Articles:

10 Ways To Save Money On Electricity This Summer

How To Save Money On Gas

How To Find Extra Money In Your Budget

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How To Save Money When Moving

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

How to move on a budget.

My husband and I have had plenty of practice moving!  We have been married 17 years and in that time we have moved 9 different times.  This includes 6 different cities and 4 moves across the state border.  We have made many mistakes along the way, and over time have learned a few tricks about how to save money when moving.

I wanted to share a few of the tips and tricks we have learned a long the way to help you on any upcoming moves.

How To Save Money When Moving

1.  Set A Budget

The moment you know you will be moving, make a plan.  Set a budget of how much money you will be able to spend on this move.  Once the budget is made, stick to it.   

It’s so easy to allow small expenses to creep in while moving, don’t let that happen.  Sticking to the budget will most likely be hard work, but it is essential to helping you save money on your move.

2.  Make a Sinking Fund

After you have your moving budget, you will want to set up a sinking fund.  This sinking fund will help you slowly save up cash for your upcoming move.  This way when the time comes to move, you will already have money saved and set aside to cover the costs.

If you know of the move months in advance this should give you plenty of time to contribute to your sinking fund.  If the move is quicker and you will only have a few weeks, still make your sinking fund and try to save as much as you can each day.  You want this sinking fund to be able to cover the cost of your move.

3.  Skip the Moving Company

You can do this!  It won’t be easy, and it won’t be fun, but you can move without a moving company!  I PROMISE.

Begin packing and organizing the MINUTE you find out you will be needing to move.  Enlist a few friends to spend a Saturday helping you pack boxes and another Saturday loading and unloading the moving trucks. 

Make sure to buy these amazing friends some pizza or donuts to let them know you appreciate their time and service.  You will save so much money simply by doing the work yourself.

4.  Shop Around

I get that DIYing the move isn’t the best option for everyone.  Maybe there is a reason you feel you will need to hire someone to help you move.  There is nothing wrong with that!  Just make sure to always shop around before hiring anyone. 

Get quotes from a wide variety of moving companies and check referrals to find the best company for you. 

You could even do half the work yourself and then hire a moving company to do the other half.  Don’t be afraid to barter a little and ask them to beat competitors prices or give you a discount.  The worst thing they could say is no.  My rule is, “It never hurts to ask.”

5.  Do Not Buy Boxes

From the very first minute you find out you’re moving be on the lookout for free boxes.  There are free boxes everywhere, you just need to know where to look!  And I can help you with that!  😉

The first step to free boxes is to start saving any boxes you get from Amazon, or any store you shop at online.  Also, ask all of your friends and family to give you all of the boxes they get in the mail.  Usually a simple Facebook post will do.

The next place to find free boxes is at the grocery store.  Keep an eye open for grocery carts full of empty boxes as employees stock shelves.  If you can’t find anyone ask an employee and they can tell you the best time to come for boxes.

Another great place to look is Lowes.  This was always the jackpot for us!  Some employees were happy to hand out big boxes, but others weren’t so sure….so don’t be shy to ask a few different people!

6.  Organize!

If you decide to move yourself, make sure to stay organized!  This will help the move go more smoothly, and also reduce the amount of broken or lost boxes.

One of the most important parts of organizing when moving is labeling your boxes.  When labeling always include the box contents, the room it needs to go in, and whether it contains fragile items.  Pack items together that will need to go to the same room.  This will save you a ton of time when you start unpacking.

7.  Find Packing Filler at Home

Save money on moving by not buying any packing filler.  Instead try to find free items around your home you can use.  I’m betting you have tons of items that will work as filler!

A few things I have used for packing filler is:

  • Dish Cloths
  • Towels
  • Sheets
  • Clothing
  • Newspaper

It’s all free and needed to be moved anyways, might as well give it a job to do at the same time!

8.  Sell or Donate

Moving is the BEST time to donate or sell items that you don’t use.  The less stuff you have to pack means the less boxes, tape, moving power, etc. you will need.  It WILL save you money!  AND, if you are selling items, you can even EARN money at the same time!  (double win!)

9.  Shop Utilities

With moving comes cancelling/setting up utilities, and these costs can get expensive quickly.

Make sure to shop around and be choosy before setting up internet, cable, phone, or dish..  Many of these companies will give a good discount to new customers, but you have to ask.  This could also be the perfect time to change habits and ditch the cable all together.  It’s a big money saver, just sayin!

10.  Be Flexible

Moving is STRESSFUL, expensive and hard!  Give yourself grace and try to be flexible with all of the ups and downs that will come your way. 

Remember that the hard moments will be temporary, and one of the only ways to get through it is just to grin and bear it.  Be true to yourself and your budget, but also be willing to go with the flow once the time comes.  You got this!

 

Related Articles:

How To Save Money On Kids Clothes

How to Save Money When Eating Out

10 Ways To Save Money On Electricity This Summer

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Money Advice For Your 20s

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Finance tips for your 20s.

The twenties were some of the best years of my life.  It’s a wonderful time when the entire future lays ahead of you and you feel ready to conquer the world.  This is also a time when a lot of personal growth and learning occurs.  You make big decisions that have big consequences on your future.  One of the most important of those decisions how to manage your money.  Oh how I remember being young (and dare I say naive….).  I thought life would go exactly as planned and money would never be an issue…boy was I wrong!  I so wish someone, anyone, had sat me down and taught me more about finances.  Sure, I understood that I should spend less than I made and that you had to work for money….but there were some important things I was very ignorant of.   So today I am going to share those lessons with you.  Here is some money advice for your 20s.

what I wish I knew about money in my twenties - money tips for 20 year olds

Money Tips You Should Know In Your Twenties

Here is a few pieces of money advice for your 20s.  I hope it helps prevent you from making the same mistakes I did!

1.  Start Saving For Retirement ASAP

One of the most important things you should know about money in your 20s is to start saving for retirement asap!

I know in these early adult years retirement feels forever away.

Guess what?  It’s not.  The retirement years are going to come quicker than you think.

The day you start earning money is the day you should start investing into a retirement savings account, such as a 401k or IRA.  Time is your friend when it comes to investing and compound interest (trust me, you want compound interest!).  So, start early!

2.  Budgets Are For Everybody

For about half of my twenties I didn’t think I needed a budget.  I never spent more than we earned, so I felt confident in my money management skills.

After reading Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover my views on money shifted drastically.  I realized that a budget is for EVERYBODY, and we could have more money if we started budgeting.

The next day my husband and I sat down and made our first budget.  We weren’t pros at the beginning….as a matter of fact we failed many times.  But through practice and patience we mastered budgeting and our finances improved.

Everyone should be budgeting, it doesn’t matter how much money you make or save.  A budget will help you help you save even more and help you control your spending.

3.  You Need An Emergency Fund (and probably a bigger one than you think)

In your twenties it’s easy to feel as if all the bad things only happen to other people….never to you.

I’m here to tell you, that they do and will happen to you too, unfortunately.

I don’t know what will occur in your future, but I do know that you need an emergency fund to cover any expenses or circumstances that might come your way.

Try to save a minimum of 6 months living expenses in your emergency fund.  This will give you enough to cover most emergencies without feeling stressed about the distant future.

4.  Debt Is Dumb

You will run across many advertisements trying to convince you to sign up for this credit card or buy that piece of furniture on credit.  You will hear phrases like, “0% down” or “no payments for one year!”  Many people will tell you it’s normal to pay off debt.  It becomes confusing as you try to weed through what’s correct and what’s not.

I’m here to tell you that debt is just dumb.  Period.  It will only bring you financial stress in your future. 

Stay out of debt!  Remember, if you save up and pay cash for something, rather than buying it on credit, you will end up spending less in the long run!  No debt=no interest!

The only thing I recommend anybody going into debt for is to buy a house.

5.  Your Tax Refund Is Not Free Money

I remember the time my husband and I got our first tax refund back in the mail.  It felt like free money just being handed to us.  I basically thought it was the best thing ever and immediately started planning all the fun ways to spend this new found money.

What I WISH someone had told me was that a tax refund is NOT free money.

In fact it is money that you worked hard for and EARNED……and then loaned to the government interest free.

If you do receive a tax return remember that this is not free money, it’s money that you earned and should be used wisely.  I suggest using it to pay off debt, grow your emergency fund, or to help you save for a big upcoming purchase.

6.  You Don’t Need a Fancy Car

In my twenties I truly thought I needed a brand new car to “officially” become an adult (insert eye roll here).

Oh, how wrong I was!

I’m here to tell you that you do not need a fancy car.  If you want one, and can pay cash for it, go for it, but it is so not necessary.  Cars are known for losing their value quickly.  In fact, cars will lose around 15% of their value EACH year, that’s a lot of wasted cash.

Look for a vehicle that will be safe, reliable and fuel efficient.  Look for one that will be able to grow with you as your life changes throughout the years.  Most importantly, look for one that you can afford.

7.  Bills Are Negotiable

Another piece of money advice for your 20s is that your bills are negotiable!  Don’t ever be afraid of asking for a better rate or cheaper amount.  The trick is speaking up, knowing your facts, and being polite.

You will find big savings each month if you begin negotiating your bills.

8.  Just Because You Can Afford It Doesn’t Mean You Need to Buy It

This is an important one so listen up.

Just because you have the cash to buy something right now…doesn’t mean that you need to buy it right now.

Don’t give in to your impulses and the flashy sales that will come your way.  You worked hard for your money and shouldn’t blow it on items you won’t value in the long run.

When choosing whether to buy something or not ask yourself these simple questions:

“Do I need this?”

“Did I budget for this?”

“Will I use this for many years?”

If you can answer yes to all three of these questions, than it is a good buy.  If you answer no to any of them, I would wait a few days before making the purchase.  This gives you the time to make an informed decision, rather than buying on impulse.

9.  Credit Cards Are Great…..If You Use Them Correctly

I am a HUGE fan of credit cards in my own life.  I use them regularly and love the cash back that I can earn from them.  Each of my credit cards are paid off in full every month and I always spend within my budget.

When I was in my twenties, I had heard many people say that credit cards were bad….so I didn’t use them.  Later down the road, as I learned and studied more I realized I was missing out on a lot of rewards.  

I now use credit cards regularly and would never go back.  If you are wise with your money I encourage you to look into a few reward credit cards.  We personally use a Discover Card and love the cashback earned each month.

HOWEVER!  There is a big but here!

If you struggle with constant over spending, are often over budget, and have a history of credit card debt, I would advise you not to open a credit card.  In this instance the rewards are just not worth the risk of overspending.

In Conclusion

The twenties were one of my favorite times of my life.  It was when I truly grew and found myself.  Enjoy this time while you are in it, but never forget that the future isn’t as far away as it might feel, and finances matter.  I hope this money advice for your 20s was helpful for you!

 

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What Is The Debt Snowball Method?

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Tips for paying off debt with Dave Ramsey’s Debt Snowball.

Are you trying to pay off debt, but have no idea where to even begin???  First, you should know that you are not alone!  According to Debt.org, the average American has over $90,000 worth of debt.  This amount includes all debts, such as home mortgages, credit card debt and student loans.  But, there is hope!  You can become debt free!  It isn’t easy, but it is possible.  There are many tried and true methods for paying off debt, and one that I personally recommend is The Debt Snowball method.  I’m excited to share all about Dave Ramsey’s debt snowball in this article.

What Is The Debt Snowball?

The Debt Snowball method was first made popular by finance expert, Dave Ramsey and focuses on both the psychology and financial parts of paying off debt.  I love that it was designed as a way to help you gain confidence with paying off debt.  The idea is that as you pay off your smaller debts first you will become more excited and motivated to pay off the larger ones, which in turn helps you see more success.

How To Pay Off Debt Using The Debt Snowball

Alrighty, let’s get into the debt snowball nitty gritty!  The steps are simple really!

Step 1:  List debts in order of smallest to largest.

This first step to using the debt snowball is to make a list of all of your debts and put them in order from the smallest amount owed to the largest amount.  Remember, the interest rates of each debt does not matter, only the least amount owed.

This is the part when many people get confused.  It doesn’t always make sense financially to ignore the interest rates, but remember that the debt snowball is about psychology and finances!  The debt snowball is trying to help grow your confidence and motivation.  Choosing to pay off your smaller debt first motivates you to keep working towards debt freedom.

For Example

Here is an example of what your debts might look like when making your list:

  • $800 Credit Card with 7% interest
  • $5,000 Car Loan with 5% interest
  • $25,000 Student Loan with 15% interest

Step 2:  Pay extra on your smallest debt, while continuing to make minimum payments on other debts.

Now that you have put your debts in order from smallest to largest, it’s time to start paying them off.

If we use the above example of debts, that would mean that you would try to pay off the credit card debt first, because it has the smallest amount owed. 

  • $800 Credit Card with 7% interest
  • $5,000 Car Loan with 5% interest
  • $25,000 Student Loan with 15% interest

Keep paying the minimum payments on all other debts, but try to put ANY extra money that comes your way to paying off this first debt.  The more money you can throw at this debt, the sooner you will be able to pay it off and move to the next debt on the list.

A few ways you can find extra money to pay off your debt include:

  • Starting a side hustle to earn more money
  • Cutting a few items out of your budget

Related:  101 Ways To Save More Money

Step 3:  Pay extra on next smallest debt, while continuing to make minimum payments on other debts.

Once your smallest debt is paid off, it’s time to move to the next debt on your list.  You will now focus on paying off debt #2, while paying the minimum payment on all other debts.  

This is where the “snowball” effect starts to happen!  To pay off debt #2 you will use all of the extra money you were paying towards your first debt and the minimum amount you were already paying for this loan.

For Example:

  • $800 Credit Card with 7% interest:  Paying $200/month
  • $5,000 Car Loan with 5% interest:  Paying $100/month
  • $25,000 Student Loan with 15% interest

Again, referring to the debt examples from above, the next smallest debt will be the car loan.  You were paying $200 to the credit card and $100 to the car loan each month.  Combine these totals together to pay $300 each month towards the car loan.  You are officially “snowballing!”  Yay!

Step 4:  Repeat step 3.

Continue to repeat step 3 until all of your debts are paid off.  You got this!!!

Step 5:  Celebrate!

Once you have paid off all debts it’s time to celebrate!  Yes!  Celebrating your debt freedom is a very important part of the debt snowball method! 

Paying off debt is NOT an easy task, it takes a lot of hard work, patience, and sacrifice.  You deserve to be celebrated for this huge effort!  Go out to your favorite restaurant, invite some friends over, or do something that makes you happy!

Pros of the Debt Snowball Method

There are so many wonderful benefits to using the debt snowball when paying off debt. 

The debt snowball:

  • Motivates you as you watch the small debts disappear quickly.
  • Builds confidence as you find success with paying off your smaller debts,
  • Is simple and easy to implement.

Cons Of The Debt Snowball Method

While, I do love the debt snowball and highly recommend it, it does come with one big con.

The biggest con to using the Debt Snowball is that there is a possibility you will end up having to pay more money on debts.  This is all because you aren’t paying off the debt with the highest interest first.

If you choose to pay off a debt with only 2% interest and wait to pay off the debt with 15% interest, you are having to pay that extra interest rate longer, making it cost more in the long run.

This big con doesn’t make sense for a lot of people, and that’s ok.  Not everyone needs the psychology that the debt snowball offers.  Personal finance is personal, and if you need to adjust debt payoff methods to make them work for you, do it!

Is The Debt Snowball Right For you?

The debt snowball method is for you if:

  • You are trying to pay off debt.
  • You keep losing motivation with your debt free journey.
  • You need an easy to follow and understand debt free method.

Let me know if you any other questions about this debt payoff method.  I’m always happy to answer them in the comments or through a message!  It won’t be easy, but I promise your hard work and effort will be worth it!  There is no better feeling than that debt free feeling!

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How To Stop Overspending

By: Sweet Frugal Life8 Comments

Overspending Triggers and Solutions.

Some days I feel like my spending habits are right on point.  I am sticking to my budget, spending wisely, and stashing lots of money away into savings…….But then, I have other days when I just STRUGGLE and completely forget how to stop overspending! 

I find myself shopping impulsively, buying things without even checking the budget and using a “I want it, so I get to have it” mindset.  Does ANYONE else have this happen????

Obviously I know I shouldn’t spend this way.  Yet, I tend to ignore the voice of reason and spend.

I have learned that these overspending urges are usually the result of a trigger.  SOMETHING going on in my life (usually emotionally for me 😉 ) that causes me to want to overspend.

True Story….

The other day I got that urge to SPEND.  Like, really really spend.  I wanted to buy decorations for my home and I wanted to buy myself a few new shirts and I wanted to go out to eat and I wanted to take my daughters on a back to school shopping spree.

Fortunately, I was able to stop myself from spending this time, but I found myself wondering “What caused this spending trigger?  Why am I feeling the sudden urge to spend, when I know better?”

In this particular moment I was feeling frustrated; frustrated by my budget, and frustrated with the amount of money I am “allowed” to spend each month. 

I just wanted to throw the budget in the garbage and show that budget who’s boss.  I wanted to prove that I can spend what I want and when I want!

This is not healthy!  I need to be friends with my budget!  I knew then that something needed to change.

As a parent, I tend to always budget money for my kids instead of budgeting money for me.  Which I am HAPPY to do for them, but I was limiting myself to much.  I realized that when I am to limited, I get tempted to spend.

So, I decided to change my budget.  Next month I will be budgeting more money for my personal spending money.  I am hoping that by doing this it will eliminate that trigger and will help decrease the spending urges.

We all have different spending triggers and recognizing these triggers is the first step in learning how to stop overspending.

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Today I am going to share with you a few overspending triggers and and the solution to go with it!  I encourage you to pick out a few of your personal spending triggers and come up with a solution to help you overcome it.

How To Stop Overspending

The first step to stop overspending is to recognize what triggers you to spend money.  Here are a few suggestions of situations when you might be tempted to overspend.

1.  Spending Trigger:  Boredom

Maybe your spending trigger is boredom.  You might find yourself stopping by stores or browsing online just because you need something to fill your time.  You are using shopping as a form of entertainment, rather than as a means of buying things that you need.

Solution:

The best way to stop shopping for entertainment is to find a new (cheap) hobby.  Find something that will fill up your spare time and give you a sense of purpose.  If you need some accountability, ask a friend to join you in this hobby. 

A few cheap hobbies include:  running, biking, walking, painting, sewing, crafting, reading, baking, etc.

You could even turn your hobby into a side hustle and have it make you money!  Here are a few side hustle ideas to get you started.

2.  Spending Trigger: Lack of Confidence

Many people shop because they are struggling with a lack of confidence.  You know the phrase, “keeping up with the Joneses” is a real true sentiment.  It’s so easy to look at your neighbors, friends, and others around you and feel like you want to dress like them, look like them, and have what they have.

Unfortunately, this feeling of trying to keep up causes us to overspend and buy items impulsively.  If you find your confidence growing with each new purchase, this might be one of your triggers.

True Story:

Many years ago I went shopping with my sister in laws on Christmas Eve.  They had a few items they still needed to buy for Christmas, so I joined them at the store.  I had all of my Christmas shopping done, but was going along for moral support.

Well, as they shopped and I watched what they bought for their kids, I started feeling insecure about what my kids were getting that year for Christmas.

So, I started impulsively grabbing this and that, trying to keep up.  I began lacking confidence in my previous gift choices, and so spent more than I should have.

Solution:

It’s so important for all of us to develop true self confidence.  We need confidence that doesn’t stem from the size of house we live in, the clothes we wear, or the amount of things we own.

Try reading a few self help books from the library to help you learn more about growing your own confidence.

The next time you want to buy something ask yourself, “Am I buying this because it will make me feel better about myself or because I need it?”  This self reflection can really be helpful in making smart money decisions.

3.  Spending Trigger: Shopping as Therapy

Do you find yourself at the store on the day you are feeling upset or emotional about something in your life?  This is one of the most common shopping triggers.

Shopping can give us a short sense of euphoria, making those really tough emotions temporarily disappear.

Solution:

Find a new way to deal with your emotions.  You might want to go for a run or walk.  Or maybe call a friend and vent to them for a few minutes.  Turn on the TV and watch your favorite movie.  Find something to help you get through the rough moment, that doesn’t involve spending.

I have found when I am feeling emotional a nice long hot bath really helps me relax and forget about the stressful day.

4.  Trigger: Jealousy

Do you get jealous when you see things that your friends or family members are buying?  Or maybe all of the social media influencers you follow seem to live a “better” life than yours, so you buy what they have to try to keep up?

I think most people feel like this from time to time, and it is a very similar trigger to lacking self confidence.

Solution:

Honestly, I think the first step to combating jealousy is to develop self confidence in yourself.  While you are working towards this it’s totally OK to distant yourself from the friends you are jealous of.

I have totally unfollowed friends and influencers on social media before because their posts were making me jealous and tempting me to spend.

Try to find a few frugal friends to lean on when you are feeling weak.  Use these frugal friends as your examples of a beautiful life.

5.  Spending Trigger: Sales

One of my personal biggest spending triggers is sales.  I LOVE a good sale.  But, if you are buying something just because it’s on sale, you are using sales incorrectly!

Solution:

One of my frugal rules is:  There Will Always Be Another Sale.  Always.  This is important to remind yourself of often.  So, the next time you are tempted to buy something because “it’s such a good deal,” remember that there will be another good deal.  There is no reason to buy something and overspend in your budget just for that one deal.

Another great tip is to delete your e-mail from all store databases.  This means they won’t be sending you the flashy emails announcing each and every sale.  If you don’t know about the sale, you won’t shop at the sale!  Problem solved!

clearance rack

6.  Spending Trigger: Friends

How many times has a friend invited you to do something that would cause you to overspend on your budget??  I think this happens to everybody at one point or another.

It’s hard to say No to friends.  We don’t want to hurt their feelings or have them take it the wrong way….so often we end agreeing to do things that we can’t afford.

Solution:

Be up front with your friends.  Tell them your spending limits and the activities that you will be able to or won’t be able to participate in.  Kindly ask them to stop inviting you to the activities out of your budget.  But then, in return make sure you invite them to frugal friendly activities so they understand their friendship is important to you.

I truly believe if they are a TRUE friend they will respect you and your budget limits.

In Conclusion

Every single person on this planet has multiple spending triggers.  We all experience these temptations.  However, it is up to us to figure out how to stop overspending and ignore the triggers.

 

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What is an Emergency Fund, FAQ

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Today I am explaining exactly what is an emergency fund and why you need one.

One of my most asked questions is, “What is an emergency fund?”  This is such an important question that I wish everyone would understand more.  An emergency fund is something that every single person needs and I want to help you understand how to get one.

I know that it’s not fun to plan for financial emergencies, it’s much more fun to plan for the fun expenses (like a new car or big house).

However, the truth is that nobody ever regrets having an emergency fund….but I know many who regret NOT having one.

This article is answering all of the most asked questions about emergency funds, so you can start making one for yourself.

Everything you need to know about Emergency Funds and why you need one today

What is an Emergency Fund?

Not sure what an emergency fund is?  It’s simple really.  An emergency fund is money you have saved and set aside to be used in the case of an emergency.

This is money that you won’t touch unless you really have to.  It should never be used for fun things, weekend vacations, etc.

Who Needs One?

Everyone needs an emergency fund (yes, everyone)!  It doesn’t matter if you earn a million dollars a year, or are deep in debt, you should have money saved for emergencies.  Don’t ever fall into the belief that an emergency won’t happen to you.  Emergencies can (and will) happen to anyone at any time.

The amount in the fund will look different to everyone, based on circumstances and needs, but the fact that we all need, one stays the same.

Why Do I Need An Emergency Fund?

You need an emergency fund because it gives you a safety net for any financial burden that might arise.  This could be a job loss, large medical costs, or unexpected home repairs.

If you already have planned ahead and saved money for these hard moments, have this money saved and set aside the burden will be lessened.  We have used our emergency fund multiples times!  We used it when my husband suddenly lost his job, when I had a medical emergency, and during an unexpected move.

Every time we have used money from this fund I have felt so grateful we had one it saved, but also developed the desire to save even more.  There is no better feeling than having money in the bank.  That form of safety is vital to me and our family.

When Should I Use Money From This Fund?

Deciding an appropriate time to use your emergency fund is very important.  This is your hard earned money and should only be used carefully and wisely.

Never use your fund for anything other than what it is meant for, an emergency!  Christmas gifts, traveling, and taxes are not an emergency, you should set up a sinking fund for these types of expenses.

When deciding if you should use your emergency fund ask yourself these questions:

  • Is it an Emergency?
  • Is it Unexpected?
  • Is it Necessary?

If you can answer yes to all three of these questions, than it is an appropriate time to use your emergency money.  If you answered No, than do not use it.  Instead come up with a different way to fund your expense.

What If I Feel Guilty?

I’m going to be honest with you, I really struggle using my emergency fund.  For some reason it makes me feel guilty.

If you’ve ever felt this way before, know that you are not alone.  If you are feeling guilty for wanting to use this money for emergencies, remind yourself that it is OK, this is what the fund is for!  You have been responsible in saving money, and it is ok to use this money when the time is right.  It is there to USE, when you need it.

But, be sure to replenish the fund after your emergency has passed.

How Much Money Do I Need Saved?

The amount of money needed for emergencies will vary from person to person.  A good rule of thumb is to have at least 6 months-1 year of living expenses set aside for emergencies.  This is quite a bit more than others recommend, but I would rather you have to much than not enough.

When my husband unexpectedly lost his job, people kept telling us he would find a new one in a few weeks.  7 long months went by before we were finally receiving a paycheck again.  Having that emergency fund in place brought us a lot of peace and comfort.  If we had only of saved for 3 months, we would have been even more stressed and in a bad place.

What are Living Expenses?

Wondering what exactly you should calculate when deciding on your living expenses?  Living expenses are the expenses that you need in order to live and survive.  These will include housing costs, utilities, food, clothing, insurance, gas, and any other basic needs.

You do not need to add extras such as traveling, eating out, etc.  If an emergency arises you will not be traveling, so there is no need to save for it.

Where Should I Keep This Fund?

An emergency fund needs to be kept in a place easy to get it.  This fund is liquid, meaning you can access it in short notice.

I prefer to keep our emergency fund in a savings account or money market account.  Whatever you do make sure you do not put this money in the stock market.

In Conclusion

I hope this article helped you to understand everything you need to know about emergency funds!  Let me know if you have any questions!  I am always here to help!

 

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How To Find Extra Money In Your Budget

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

What you can do to have more money each month.

How would you feel if I told you that it’s possible for you to have an extra $300 each month?  It will not require getting a new job, getting a raise, starting a side hustle, or selling anything.  Sounds pretty good, right???  However, it might require a little bit of time and sacrifice.  Would you want to know more details?  Well, I’m going to give them to you!  Today I am sharing exactly how to find extra money in your budget with these two strategies.

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1.  Analyze Your Fixed Expenses

The first strategy to having more money in the budget each month is to analyze your fixed expenses.  Your fixed expenses are the item in your budget that you have to spend money on each month and usually stay the same.  Common fixed expenses are rent, mortgage, utilities, etc.

I encourage you to look over your fixed expenses FIRST, because these are often the expenses most people think can’t change.  But, they can!

Make a list of each of the fixed expenses you pay each month.  Once you have made your list I want you to put a star next to the items you believe you can lower.

Here are a few examples of fixed expenses that you might be spending to much money on:

Insurance:  The great thing about insurance (and I’m talking ALL insurance, home insurance, car insurance, life insurance, etc.) is that you can shop around to many different providers and agents.  First, call your current insurance agent and explain to them that you are wanting to find a way to lower the cost.  Ask politely if there is anything they can do to decrease the amount you are currently paying. 

Next, call a few different insurance providers and ask them for a quote.  After you have a few different insurance quotes you can then make the decision of whether you would like to switch to a new provider, or stay where you are.  Either way, the amount you are paying should be decreasing.  If your current agent wasn’t willing to lower the rate, it might be a good time to switch to someone new.  In many cases you might find the best deals by having your car insurance with one company and life insurance with another.

 Cell Phone:  A monthly cell phone bill can get expensive fast, fortunately there are cheaper options out there.  Look into a few alternative cell phone companies, such as Tello Mobile or Red Pocket Mobile.  We have used both of these and were so impressed with the high quality service and super cheap rates.

Cable TV:  Still paying for cable?  That’s OK, you’re not alone.  But, this is one of the easiest fixed expense to cut.  Cancel your cable and replace it with one, maybe two, streaming services.  Look into Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, YouTube TV, Disney+,  Paramount+, etc. until you find the right fit for you.

Internet:  If you haven’t negotiated the price of your internet yet, I suggest you do so now.   If you have been a loyal internet customer, they will usually work with you in lowering the price.  All you have to do is ask!

Utilities:  Try to come up with a few strategies to decrease your utilities costs.  This might include fixing seals on doors and windows, turn your thermostat up or down a few degrees (depending on the season), taking shorter showers, etc. 

If you are needing some more tips be sure to check out my two articles; How To Lower Utility Bills in Winter and How To Lower Utility Bills in Summer.

Monthly Subscriptions:  What are the subscriptions you are paying for each month?  Your subscriptions might include your TV streaming subscriptions, magazines, beauty boxes, gym membership, music subscriptions, phone apps, meal plans, etc.

Choose one, two, or maybe even all of those subscriptions to remove from your budget.

One thing that has helped me with subscriptions is to put them on a rotation.  For example, if I currently have a Netflix, Disney+, FabFitFun, and IPSY subscription, I will choose 2 of them to keep and cancel the rest. 

After a few months of using the subscriptions I kept I will then cancel those and renew 2 more.  I keep rotating my favorite subscriptions so that I can enjoy all of them throughout the year, but only paying for a few of them at a time.

Here is a quick example of what a rotation schedule might look like:

January-June:  Pay for FabFitFun and Netflix.

July-December:  Pay for IPSY and Disney+.

 

 

2.  Analyze Your Variable Expenses

The next step to finding extra money in your budget is to reduce your fun spending.  After you have examined your fixed expenses, it’s time to look at your variable expenses.

Variable expenses are the expenses in your budget that change month to month. 

Take out your list you made of your Fixed Expenses.  Now, I want you to add all of your Discretionary Spending categories to the list.  Look at each of the things that you spend your money on closely.  Put a star next to the items you think you can spend less on.

For example, your updated list might look like this:

Fixed Expenses

  • Rent
  • Insurance*
  • Car Payment
  • Cell Phone*
  • Cable TV*
  • Electricity*
  • Water*

Variable Expenses

  • Groceries*
  • Clothing*
  • Entertainment*
  • Gas
  • Eating Out*
  • Travel*

In many instances variable expenses are HARD to cut from the budget, because it is usually the spending that makes life a little more enjoyable.  I’m hoping to show you a few not so difficult tips for decreasing your fun spending.

Eating Out:  How often do you go out to eat for lunch or dinner.  Are you constantly stopping and buying a Starbucks or other treat on your way to work? 

I challenge you to cut the number of times you eat out a month in half.

So, if a normal week for you includes 5 Starbucks, 3 fast food lunches, and going out to dinner twice, cut that in half to:  2 Starbucks, 1 fast food lunch, and out to dinner once in a week.  You can do it!!!!

Groceries:  I know that we all have to eat, and groceries are a part of life.  But, are there some things you can do to lower the amount of money you spend on groceries each month?  I bet you can!

Take a look at my article, 10 Quick Ways To Lower Your Grocery Bill, to find a few tips for spending less.  Choose one (or all) of the tips in the article to start implementing into your grocery routine.

Clothing:  Another common variable expenses is clothing.  If you don’t need any clothes at this time, avoid going to any clothing stores or browsing online clothing stores. 

However, if you are needing some new clothing items, shop at discount stores, such as Ross or thrift stores, like ThredUp for the clothes that you need.  You can find good quality clothing, for a fraction of the price, if you are willing to change where you shop.

Entertainment:  If you are looking for how to find extra money in your budget, entertainment is usually a good place to look.  There are SO many cheap ways to entertain yourself and still have fun.

Rent a movie instead of going to one.  Check out books from the library instead of buying them.  Invite friends over for a pot luck dinner instead of going out to eat.

When choosing cheaper forms of entertainment, be willing to try new things and get creative.  You just might find a few new favorite hobbies!

Travel:  Do you love to travel?  I do too!  As a matter of fact I love it so much that we consistently contribute money each paycheck into our travel sinking fund.

If I was needing extra money though, travel is something that can be made cheaper.  For example, plan a staycation instead of going somewhere.  Look for fun (cheap) activities you can do around your hometown so that you don’t have to pay for flights or hotel accommodations.

We love contributing to our Travel Sinking Fund, but if something came up where we needed more money in our budget, this is one of the first things we would cut.

 

Finding Extra Money In Your Budget

Now that you have examined your budget closely, and made a list of a few expenses you can decrease, it’s time to put it into action.  Look at the items you have placed a star beside on your list.  Using the tips I shared above, choose a few of your starred expenses to spend less on this week.

Keep implementing your plan even on the weeks it feels hard.  It won’t always be easy to change your spending habits, you will get spending urges!  Fortunatly, spending urges pass if we wait, so be willing to wait out those urge and remember your big money goals.

Now that you are spending less in both your variable and fixed expenses, you should have some extra wiggle room in your budget.  Make sure to use that money we found wisely, hopefully to pay off debt, save for your future, or another important expense.

You got this!  I believe in you!

 

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How To Reduce Monthly Expenses

By: Sweet Frugal Life34 Comments

What we did to save more money each month.

I am not naturally a frugal person.  I was raised by two frugal parents, but I lean more towards wanting to shop and buy all of the pretty things (I’m looking at YOU Target).  It has been a huge learning process for me to become more frugal and to realize the value and beauty in cutting back and saving money.  Learning my new frugal lifestyle has been over the course of years, and quite honestly, I’m still trying to better myself.  Today though, I started thinking about all the things we have cut from our over the years, and I was blown away with the amount of money we are saving ourselves just by making a few different lifestyle choices!  If you don’t know what to cut from budget, this article is for you!  I truly hope it helps you learn how to reduce monthly expenses.

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Pack Your Lunch:  $1000

Packing a lunch for work, instead of eating out with coworkers, has been our biggest money saver.  Every night I pack a lunch for my husband to take to work.  A packed lunch doesn’t need to be anything special or fancy.  Most days it’s just leftovers from dinner the night before, occasionally he will bring a sandwich.

It’s important for my husband to be sociable and build strong relationships at work.  So, a few times a year he will bring some cash to work and go out to eat with his coworkers.  There has been a few times he has joined them for lunch, and ordered something small.  You can keep these strong relationships, while bringing a lunch from home.

I was so surprised to find out this simple habit is saving us over $1000 a year!

Change your own oil:  $210

The second thing we did to reduce monthly expenses was to change our own oil.

My husband taught himself how to change the oil in our two vehicles, all it took was watching a few YouTube videos.  It takes him less than an hour to do and he claims it’s super easy.

He uses this oil drum to drain the oil.  You can deposit the oil for free at most auto parts stores.  This is not some natural talent he has, he had to get out of his comfort zone to learn this skill.  If he can do it, you can do it too!

Once you master changing your cars oil, consider looking into other car maintenance you can DIY.  My husband has changed our brake pads and spark plugs from time to time.  Honestly, I get a little nervous when he does it…..but we haven’t crashed yet!

This simple task DIY oil changes saves us $210 a year.  It’s not a huge savings, but every penny adds up.

Cut the Cable:  $480

A few years ago we decided to get rid of our cable TV.  We were actually already on a fairly cheap rate, but we decided we could do without it.  There are so many budget friendly alternative TV options available now.

You can sign up for Hulu, Netflix, Disney+, YouTube TV, Amazon Prime and more!  I recommend limiting yourself to one or two subscription services.  If we join all of them, you’ll probably end up paying more than you were paying for cable!

The best part is, you don’t even need to spend hundreds of dollars on a fancy smart TV.  Just invest in a simple, affordable Roku and you can watch each of your TV subscriptions.

We have saved $480 a year by doing this!

At Home Haircuts:  $200

I have been giving my husband at home haircuts for over 15 years now, my son has been getting them since the year he was born.  I am not a professional, hair is NOT my talent. I have watched a few YouTube tutorial videos and both my husband and son get very basic cuts.  I have made a few mistakes on both of them, but I keep learning and trying.  And luckily boys hair grows out fairly fast!  😉

All it took $20 to purchase clippers, and I’m still using the same set 14 years later!  You can find a similar pair to ours here:  Wahl Complete Hair Cutting Kit.  This one quick purchase has saved us hundreds and hundreds over the years.

These at home haircuts saves us $200 each year.

Workout at Home:  $840

Exercise is important for the human heart, body and mind.  However, I have just never been willing to pay $70/month for a gym membership.

So, my husband and I have learned how to get a good workout from home.  We go for a run or bike ride during the warm months.  We love using free YouTube workout videos (my favorites are Yoga with Adrienne and PopSugar Fitness) at home and have even scored some really cheap used gym equipment that we enjoy on a regular basis.

These at home workouts are a $840 yearly savings!

The Results:  $2730

Just by making these 5 adjustments to our lifestyle we save $2730 a year!  So, in five years we have saved $13,650!  Ten years it will be $27,300!  Those little expenses don’t seem like a big deal during the day by day, but over time they add up to be a very very BIG deal.

It really has not been hard to cut any of these things from our budget.  We have been living this way for years and honestly never seem to miss a gym membership or cable TV.  It has just become our way of life, and it’s a great life!  It can be hard to form new habits, but once you do, those habits become your way of life and you often never really look back!

Take a look at your budget and lifestyle.  Can you find a few things that you could change in order to save money?  I promise the pay off is so worth it!

 

 

 

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