With March still staring in our face, here are ways to trim your finances and look forward to managing comfort for the next financial year.
- Don’t buy second best. Sooner or later, you will end up spending more and inconveniencing yourself further.
- Buying the latest may not be the greatest strategy. Wait for newer versions. Like those who bought the iPad realised iPad2 was better. Budgeting is about keeping the patience.
- Bike or walk as often as possible.
- Avoid over packaged, over processed and highly advertised foods. The closer a food is to its natural state, the less it tends to cost.
- Pay off your outstanding credit card debt. Most credit cards charge from 18 to 21 percent per year.
- Forego that daily cappuccino. Brew your own coffee.
- Take your lunch to work.
- Cancel your cable TV. Start reading books from the library.
- Stop buying junk food, soft drinks, and snacks.
- Check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if you can replace some of your prescription medicines with less expensive generic medicines.
- If your work permits, work from home at least one day per week to reduce your commuting costs. Work two extra hours per day to reduce your workweek from five days to four days. This also reduces commuting costs.
- Have a garage sale and get rid of the clutter in your home.
- Use cash instead of cards to keep your daily spending under control.
Happy budgeting!
