A monthly budget is sometimes a roller coaster: one month you’re cruising along and you hit your goal, and another month, despite your best efforts, you drop off into the red, not knowing what exactly happened. So what can you do that’s consistent that will help keep your monthly spend down? Here are some tips.
Reduce Utility Bills
If you live in a climate with distinct seasonal changes, trying to save on monthly bills from the hot summers to the cold winters can still leave you with a little budget shock at the end of the month. Both during the summer and winter, you can easily save money on bills by turning your temperature up or down while you’re out of the house so that your A/C or heater isn’t still chugging along and making your bill rise in the process.
Re-Evaluate Grocery Shopping
Another place where you can save on your budget is at the grocery store. If you’re finding that your weekly grocery bill seems a little high, start paying more attention to what kind of products you’re buying. Have you switched over to cheaper store brands instead of the expensive name brands? While green cleaning products will be better for the environment, there are also ways to clean with white vinegar, as well as using locally-sourced flowers as a potpourri to make your house smell fresh. Your wallet will thank you!
Be Picky About “Play Money”
Have you noticed that you’ve been eating out more, or thinking that a little saved money means a splurge for a pair of new shoes? Thinking that we have the money to cover fun spends like a nice meal or new clothes could come back to bite you at the end of the month. If you’re trying to keep to your monthly budget goals, think twice about where your flexible spending is going. In order to be able to pay off debt, you may just have to delay that night out or that nice outfit you were looking for.
How do you reduce your monthly spend? Like us on Facebook and tell us!
