With a money cruch happening throughout the world, many people are struggling to make ends meet. Having an unemployed husband for 5 months, we felt more than a crunch. We went into survival mode. I feel like I learned a life lesson early in life, and pray I never forget it. More than that, I want to pass on a few tips to help you avoid a major crunch or survive your own.
- Save at least 10%. If you have a steady income, force yourself to save 10%. Our little savings we had made a HUGE difference when things were tight. Be proactive, not reactive.
- Cut non-necessaties. Get basic phone service, or if you have a cell phone, get rid of a land line. Down-grade to the slowest internet service or keep high speed and cut your cable/satellite. Many shows are offered online. It could save you at least $50 a month.
- Eliminate "want" shopping. Do you really need a new shirt, new towels, or even a new mop? I cut absolutely everything out except what we need everyday. I also bought everything generic. Also, during these five months was both our birthdays, Mother's day, Father's day and our anniversary. We did not get any presents, or go out to dinner. Does it make me sad looking back? Absolutely not! Make sacrifices today for peace of mind tomorrow.
- Get freebies. We love watching movies. We signed up for a Redbox free movie Monday promotion, and waited to rent something we wanted till Monday, and got it free! There are many "Kids Eat Free" promotions at local restaurants, search them out!
- Get your hair cut at a Beauty College. We have a GREAT beauty school in town, and I have never had a bad hair cut. Especially when they have experienced instructors checking their work. (I would avoid getting color done or ask for someone graduating soon). And I just got my hair cut and it cost me $18 (including tip!)
- Cut your husbands hair! I have cut my husbands hair every since we've been married. Bought a clippers set at Wal-Mart, and have been doing it for 6 1/2 years! It has saved us a lot of money!
- BARDER!!! I know many people (including myself) who have bardered for dental work, medical services, piano lessons (wink, wink), child care, vacations, driving school, you name it!
- Sell Unused Items. I LOVE craigslist. We sold a futon, entertainment center, and when things got extremely tight, my husbands car. We are a nation of 'stuff owners'. How much stuff do you really need or use around your house? If you don't use it, sell it! Although it was hard selling his car, it kept us out of credit card debt, and I don't regret it at all.
- Donate to charity. Now this might sound contradictory, but it is not. I am a firm believer in "the more you give, the more you receive". We continued to donate to our Church, donate clothes or household items to fund raisers. You may call it Karma, but I know that when you are generous with others, God will be generous with you.
Ok. I am off my soapbox. I just know that financial stress can do extreme damage to a marriage, a family, and self-esteem. Like I said before, be proactive not reactive.
How have you saved?
2 comments:
Perfect advice. I couldn't have said it better myself. I think we could probably save a little more than we do.
ps. it drives me totally nuts when people complain about how much debt they are in or how little money they have--and they still have things like CABLE. Aaghh? Hello! That is NOT a necessety!
This is a great post! Whenever we are paid we always pay at least 10% tithing first, then our Fast Offering and then put at least 10% in savings. Whenever we have extra money, rather than counting it as 'fun' money we pay down our debt. I think you have given excellent advice in this post! THANK YOU!!!
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