Money Saving Tips
How is that change jar? Last week was a bad week here. It rained everyday and we didn't venture far from home. We still managed to save $3.42. Not bad for no effort and a house bound week. Your jar will fill much faster if you follow todays tips.
1. Set a budget. Even if you have a seasonal income or are self employed and your income varies from month to month you can, and should set a budget for some things you will need to purchase each week.Food is the perfect example. If you budget for nothing except food and gasoline you will have a great start.
2. Now that you have a budget for at least those two items get cash. Place your cash in an envelope which has been labeled with each category. If your food budget is $100.00 get that amount and place it in the envelope. When it is gone it is gone. Any change goes in your jar. You will save money…I guarantee it.
3. Copy the blog article Seasonal Bargains and study it. If you are participating in our "Seven Step" place the list in your binder. Now you can anticipate a sale and save for it allowing you to pay cash and avoid added credit card interest and fees.
I have a weekly budget of $ 100.00 for groceries. I set aside part of this money for food storage such as bulk wheat purchases and etc.
As far as cash in the jar, my husband and I have been doing that for years. When we were first married, we used the quarters for washing our chothes. We always had more quarters than we needed so we would put them in a different jar and hide it away for vacation money. It is always surprising to me how much we save doing this one little thing.
Our bank has a program you can sign up for that if you use your debit card they will round up to the next dollar and the change will go right into your savings account. At the end of the year they also add 5% up to $250.