Budgeting Tips

Quotes

•   "Don't tell me what you value, show me your budget, and I'll tell you what you value." 
•     "We must consult our means rather than our wishes." 
•   "A penny saved is worth two pennies earned . . . after taxes."  
•  "It isn't what you earn but how spend it that fixes your class."

How to save a few coins

1.   Analyze monthly expenses; look for anything that you can cut down to help you save money. For example, if you always eat out at work; try bringing left over or home cooked meal. You can also bring sandwiches and drinks. This can save you an average of $200 per month if you estimate $10 of lunch per day.
2.    Limit your movie watching to once or twice a month instead of five times a month. For a huge family this can be a lot of savings. Before going to the movies, eat first to cut down on food and drink expenses. Just buy drinks or bring your own if you can. You can cut down transportation fees such as fare, gasoline and toll fees if you participate in a carpool or ride sharing.
3.   Buy clothes from discount stores or wait until they go on clearance. Limit clothing expenses to only once every two or three months, surely you do not need a new wardrobe every month.
4.  Pay yourself first. If you set aside for your savings first before you start spending the money you will be able to keep money for your emergency needs and then you can work on the amount of money that you have left for your monthly needs. Think of that savings as non-existent so that you would not touch it. Before you know the certain amount you set aside for savings will grow bigger in due time. Shop for cheaper car and home insurance and use coupons when doing your groceries.
5.   Stick to your budget. Once you have allocated or planned your budget well, stick with it so that you can keep saving money. Once you get used to it, it will be just second nature to follow your budget or think of budget saving ideas whenever you go out spending your hard earned money.
6.   Avoid using high-interest credit cards. It is better to use a debit card so that you only spend what you can afford. Keep only a couple of major credit cards for unexpected emergencies and don't use them unless you really have