Cutting Costs With the Least Amount of Effort

July 31st, 2008 • Related • Filed Under • by tisha

Being frugal may not come naturally to all people and therefore many people feel they do not have the time cutting costs to “learn” how to live a more frugal life. Some consumers can and do spend hours upon hours reading about tips and tricks for budgeting and living a more frugal life, yet do nothing beyond the planning stages.

Here are some quick tips to help you on your way to a life of frugality that take no time or planning at all but can help you cut down costs and save more money.

Go Generic

Whenever you are in the grocery store stocking up on staples, pick out the generic brand if you only ever buy the brand name. While I will be the first to admit not all generic versions of everything are exactly the same, most generic brands are and cost sufficiently less than their brand named counter parts. You won’t know until you try it.

Eat Healthy

Eating better may not save you money at the grocery store but it will effect your long term finances for the better. By improving your diet and exercising regularly, you will be less likely to have to fork over a co-pay at the doctor’s office and will not be forced to shell out cash for cold medicines or missed days of work.

Stay Out of the Malls

During the summer, it may be easier to find outdoor activities to do for free than it can be during the colder winter months. However, it should be a rule of thumb to stay out of the stores during any time you do not actually need something. Window shopping can be a serious blow to your budget, as many people are able to rationalize a lapse in spending one day but suffer from overwhelming guilt the next. There are plenty of fun things to do outside of the mall’s walls.

Do Not Overcommit

This is especially good advice for busy parents. It takes a lot of effort to get one kid to soccer while picking up the other from dance class. Many parents don’t stop to think about much during the chaotic days of the week. Consider how much money it cost to gas up the vehicle used as “mom’s taxi”. Also, there is no doubt that overworked parents are more likely to cave in to a dinner or 5 at the Burger King drive-thru. Sit down and talk with your kids and see where you can cut back on different activities during the week. You may be surprised to learn your kid only played baseball because you wanted him to play.