Food & Beverage Facts and Tips

With the high cost of gas and groceries these days it is a wonder anyone can make ends meet. You might feel like your budget is already stretched as thin as it can go but you would be surprised. Here are 30 ways to cut expenses. Try just a few of them and see if you can start saving more of your paycheck each week.

1 Save on energy costs - use power-saving CFL lights, monitor and change your thermostat’s temperature as required during daytime and night and don’t leave lights/appliances on when you don’t require them.

2. Go for a matinee show on weekdays. Avoid weekends.

3. Want to spend some time with friends? Instead of going out have a fun night of coffee, cards and good conversation.

4. Take your lunch to work more often. Your savings will really add up!

5. Share rides to work with co-workers or use public transportation.

6. Go generic on prescription and over the counter drugs whenever possible.

7. Use coupons while shopping at grocery stores, and always shop according to a list. Preferably shop on double-coupon days. Maybe, you can buy supplies from bulk food warehouses.

8. If you make a lot of long distance calls then it may pay to go with a plan that offers free long distance. Otherwise, limit calls to nights and weekends when rates are normally cheaper.

9. Start saving your spare change. You will be surprised at how fast it adds up.

10. Never pay full price for clothing. Check the sales flyers in your Sunday paper. Why pay full price on a pair of jeans at one store when another store is having a sale?

11. If you smoke quit! Not only will you save a ton of money but your health will greatly improve.

12. Install a water saver type shower head.

13. Don’t waste money on a gym - instead, jog, walk, workout at home or cycle.

14. Keep up on maintenance to extend the life of you car.

15. Shop discount stores. But be careful, sometimes you can still find the items cheaper on sale somewhere else.

16. Do you have high interest credit cards? Consider refinancing or making power payments each month (making more than the minimum payments).

17. Eat out less. Try to keep stocked up on the ingredients for quick meals to keep from going through the drive-thru on days you are just too tired to cook.

18. Don’t be afraid to ask for a deal when buying large ticket items such as cars and furniture.

19. If you’re paying a high rent, move to a cheaper place.

20. Try Freecycle.org for getting and receiving unwanted items for free. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure!

21. Subscribe only to the TV channels that you watch and cut out the rest.

22. We all like to splurge once in a while on things like manicures but if are trying to save money consider doing this yourself.

23. Having a savings account just for emergencies is a must! Otherwise you’ll end up resorting to credit cards. Try to put away just $5.00-$10.00 per week away and watch it add up. As you pay off debt increase your savings.

24. When shopping for your work wardrobe try to avoid anything that is “dry clean only”.

25. Do some comparison shopping on insurance for anything from car, life insurance, homeowners, etc.

26. Drink less soft drinks and more water. Not only will it save on your grocery bill but it is also better for your health.

27. Have a yard sale. Not only will you make some extra cash but you will also get rid of excess clutter.

28. Pay bills on time to avoid late fees and higher interest rates.

29. Consider planting a garden. Produce such as zucchini can be shredded and frozen for future recipes. Find information at your local library online on how to get started.

30. Know when to splurge. Cut back on the trivial things that eat up your paycheck and you can splurge occasionally on something fun.

Whether you try just a few of these tips or all of them, these tips can really help you stretch your budget.

Tags: beverage articles, drinks