| There are plenty of simple tips to save money when | | | | money is tight, but it just might be the most critical |
| dealing with personal finance basics. Some are slightly | | | | step to take. According to the book 'The Wealthy |
| more time consuming than others but despite that | | | | Barber' you should save ten per cent of your |
| fact it is completely worth what time it might take. If | | | | paycheck every month. That may not sound like |
| you only follow one or two of the following tips you | | | | much but it will add up rather quickly and if wisely |
| could save hundreds of dollars each year. | | | | invested it will assist your retirement down the road. |
| REQUEST FREE SAMPLES: | | | | SAVE YOUR CHANGE: |
| There are plenty of websites that offer free | | | | This may sound a little silly but this little tip is a great |
| samples for every day products. Even the huge | | | | one. How? Because in some way's it's like found cash. |
| stores such as K-Mart or Petsmart have great | | | | After you come home from the store put any loose |
| opportunities for everyday people to get free items. | | | | change into a jar. Each month or every couple of |
| These items range from skin moisturizers and | | | | months count up the change, roll it up and deposit it |
| shampoos to frozen food or bathroom products. | | | | into your bank account or reward yourself to a well |
| Another option is to visit a manufacturer's website to | | | | deserved evening out. These are the personal |
| find those free samples on brand new items. If you | | | | finance basics you learned when you were very |
| need something, type 'free sample' into Google | | | | young. |
| before you go to the store to purchase it. This is the | | | | BUY IN BULK: |
| beginning of mastering personal finance basics. | | | | We've already touched on shopping but I have |
| CHANGE CREDIT CARD SPENDING AND HABITS: | | | | another shopping tip that mostly applies to buying |
| Credit cards can be wonderful but can be dangerous. | | | | grocery's. Buy in bulk. If you drink a lot of fruit juice |
| With high interest rates and monthly fees, credit | | | | and you see that it is on sale at half price, buy four |
| cards may wind up costing you a lot more in the | | | | rather than two or purchase the 24 pack of water |
| future than you expected. | | | | instead of the smaller 12 pack. This may seem easy |
| My rules of thumb: | | | | but plenty of people do not make bulk buys on |
| - always use cash unless its for a major purchase | | | | every day products. |
| - be certain you are able to pay for the item before | | | | CLIP COUPONS: |
| you use a credit card | | | | I know this might make you feel like your grand |
| - be sure you can pay the balance of your credit | | | | parent but this is another great way to save plenty |
| card | | | | of cash. It only takes a few minutes every week |
| AVOID IMPULSE BUYS: | | | | and you can end up saving hundreds of dollars each |
| Everyone has had to push a shopping cart through | | | | year on items you were already going to buy. Go |
| the aisles of the grocery store and the moment we | | | | through your local newspaper or check online for |
| get to the check out we have double the amount | | | | some amazing coupons. |
| we planned to get. Always, always, always create a | | | | RECYCLE PLASTIC BAGS: |
| shopping list, follow it and never purchase anything | | | | This is a wonderful way to 'Go Green' and it will save |
| that's not on that list. This should include any type of | | | | you money too! Lots of stores are now making you |
| shopping like wardrobe, food or entertainment. Retail | | | | pay as much as 10 cents for plastic bags. Chances |
| outlets are mapped out specifically for impulse buys | | | | are you have about 1,000 hidden away in your |
| with candy racks and gum within easy reach. Make | | | | closest already. Couldn't you just bring them to the |
| your list, check it twice, and follow it. | | | | store and use them again? Another way to recycle |
| SHOP THE SALE RACK: | | | | and save money is to use those plastic bags from |
| This is another personal finance basics rule but don't | | | | the store in your garbage under your kitchen sink or |
| confuse this with an impulse buy. You have your list | | | | in the bathroom. You don't have to spend $5 each |
| and know what you need, so check the sale display | | | | month on a box of kitchen garbage bags when you |
| before you shop. Chances are you will locate that | | | | already have them at home. |
| said item on sale and pay half the usual price. Food | | | | These easy tips will save you lots of money and |
| stores operate the same way. They usually over | | | | they are simple and might even be fun. It's always |
| order products and are forced to run unadvertised | | | | rewarding to know that you have started to take |
| specials on overstock items. Just make sure the item | | | | the first steps to becoming free from debt. By |
| is on your list. | | | | carefully following these tips to save money you are |
| SAVE YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY: | | | | one your way to understanding the personal finance |
| This may be the hardest thing you have to do when | | | | basics all of us should know. |