how do you save on a tight budget?

[pheinbaugh2]

How do you find money to put back?

[zzzjoy]

Boy, we need some advice in this area too!
Just when we think we have some we can save something happens and we have to use that money for an emergency.

[bubble]

I think you have to remember that every penny / cent counts. look at areas where you can save money, even if it is a little and put it aside, but dont be tempted to spend it. Cut down on the things you dont need, but buy, such as cigarettes, alcohol and junk foods, not only will you save a little but it is better for your health too!!

Save money on energy bills by turning off the lights when you are not in the room.
Never leave the TV or computer on standby all night, this drains electricity that you will have to pay for. When you have finished with them, turn them off at the wall socket too.
Re use your dish and bath water to water the garden, to save on water bills.

[Raven]

I learned that the only way I could save anything at all without cutting into my funds was to remove any ways to reach at that money.

Set a goal for what you're saving for, then open an online account with no card access and set a 10-day (or 30-day) clearance date. This means that if you REALLY want that money for an emergency, you have to wait that long to get it out anyway.

Because it becomes a hassle getting to it, you tend not to find excuses to go spend it - which means it mounts up before you know it

[pheinbaugh2]

I hate how cheap i am now. But what can you do? I just squeeze by every month.

[DianaR]

An easy way to save is to round up.

When you make a purchase using a check, credit card, or debit card, round the amount paid up to the next $5.00 or $10.00 increment. $15.00 becomes $20.00 spent. This way, you are always leaving unseen balance in the bottom of your account. Every 3 months, move the money you have saved to your savings account. When you have enough in savings, move that to a CD.

[luvbunnies42]

Originally Posted by bubble

I think you have to remember that every penny / cent counts. look at areas where you can save money, even if it is a little and put it aside, but dont be tempted to spend it. Cut down on the things you dont need, but buy, such as cigarettes, alcohol and junk foods, not only will you save a little but it is better for your health too!!

Save money on energy bills by turning off the lights when you are not in the room.
Never leave the TV or computer on standby all night, this drains electricity that you will have to pay for. When you have finished with them, turn them off at the wall socket too.
Re use your dish and bath water to water the garden, to save on water bills.

Great advice!

As lame as it is every time we pay in cash the change automatically gets put in a jar.Once its full we cash it in and instead of spending it put it in our savings or money market.Both are interest baring.So,we pretend the money isn't there and forget about it.We just can't spend from there no matter what.It's not always as easy.

I'm to frugal at times.But, energy efficiant light bulbs help at least a little a month. If you can manage to put aside the few dollars your saving on your bill a month and put that into an account you wont touch it will help build a little.I try to make mostly all homemade things and that helps alot.The cost versus prepared items compared to homemade.I take advantage of coupons, sales and bonus cards and double up what I can to save more.Anything you don't need and have that isn't used often don't keep it.

For example a membership to the gym *If you go by all means keep going..but if you don't and it's just open to be wasted...cancell it* Club memberships to Sam's or Costco look online for a free printable one day membership instead of keeping the membership open when you may only go once or twice a year.Freeze some items like chicken if you can buy on bulk and when it's on sale.The local grocery store here will get B1G1 chicken breast.I stock up when I don't always need it.My luck the following week I will and it wont be on sale.It's nice to save about 14.00-15.00 a pack of chicken.I just seperate and freeze.Then it saves on groceries the following week and you can take a portion of what's saved to lower debt or put into an account.

[pheinbaugh2]

Try discount supermarkets or places like Costco. Sometimes buying in bulk helps.

[Creditguy]

I will say you need to find better job instead of saving money. Many people work for Corporate America with is huge company and think that those corporate America company will help them when they find themselves in financial trouble. Of course they don't care about your financial well being! you should care about your financial situation!

[luvbunnies42]

Originally Posted by Creditguy

I will say you need to find better job instead of saving money. Many people work for Corporate America with is huge company and think that those corporate America company will help them when they find themselves in financial trouble. Of course they don't care about your financial well being! you should care about your financial situation!

You do realize that that's not always possible? What about the people who have worked for a job over 17 years and if they leave they'll lose their penson? Why work for a job you hate just to always make more money?Everyone will lose in the end...bussiness productivity, your health and well being can be affected.Not everyone will hire someone for a great job.If you don't have college your screwed but not everyone can afford that either.I know I didn't even qualify for student loans when I looked and since I was on my own there was no way for me to go. So, it a fortune 500 company going to hire someone in a situation like mine or many others around the world...No. Saving money is a good thing.Cost rise and someone has to cover it just because you have a better job it doesn't mean they'll have good plans to save or that you'll be able to put more money aside.So, saving is carring about a financial situation.Everyone has to go about it differently.