Smartly Cut Expenses

[dimetime]

When you want to start saving yourself and your home money, plan on taking at least half an hour if not more to figure things out.

Here are a couple of ideas that you can put to use in your home to help save yourself money.

1. start clipping coupons, these can save you a lot of money. Though keep in mind that there are store brands that can be even cheaper and you may want to give those items a try to see if they are going to be better for your home.

2. Don't go running all over town to several different stores to purchase a few things. This is a lot of wear and tear on your car and of course uses even more gas. Gas prices still are not down where we would like to see them so saving gas is going to save you money.

3. Shop at the dollar stores in your area. They offer a variety of different things and most likely you are going to find things there for your home that you love and they aren't going to cost you an arm and a leg as they would at another store.

4. Check out things like flea markets, yard sales, newspapers and so on for the large things that you may want or need, or even for some of the smaller things you need. You never know what your going to find, and this is a great way to save yourself money.

5. Always make sure that you give yourself an allowence as well. Everyone deserves to have some fun money every now and then so be sure to work in a little bit of money into your budget for yourself at least once per month.

[2cents]

For those of you who are internet savvy:

1. Don't forget craigslist! It's like a flea market on the web where you can find--and sell--exactly what you're looking for, particularly if you don't mind putting in a little elbow grease of your own. I've found great solid wood dressers as well as barely worn kids clothes for pennies on the dollar.
2. Also try freecycle.org. It's a listing service where people give almost anything away for free. You may think that stack of tires in your garage is just a run to the dump waiting to happen, but you'd be surprised who would love to take them off your hands. Don't think of it as "losing money", think of it as gaining space and not having to work to move your old junk. My friend got her hands on an $800 binding machine that a woman listed on freecycle. The woman's only "price" was that it went to the right person, and now my friend--and our co-op preschool--has a great way to make our fundraising calendars!