As the holidays approach, (all the more hastened by retailers pushing Christmas, before Halloween even arrives) it’s time for shaving yet more slack off most our budgets. Holidays no matter how you slice them, are expensive. Guests dropping in at mealtimes, decorations and unexpected expenses abound. Not to mention, with the colds and flu’s gravitating around, it’s likely a portion of your budget will be spent either preventing or curing an illness or two this season.
Where does this extra come from? How do you cut an already slim budget?
Here are three easy ways to save money in a flash:
- Bye-bye Bottled Water: Nix the bottled water. The average quick stop at a gas station for a bottled water costs around a buck (or more). If a family of four opts for bottled water twice a week, you’ve dropped collectively, $8 every seven days or $32 a month. This may not sound like much till you put it in perspective annually, a whopping $384.00.Ouch! The same goes for pop, energy drinks, coffee and the like. Invest in a Britta or Pur Filter and bottle your own for on the go lifestyles. Brew your own coffee and take it with you or if you can’t live without diet pop, stock up on sale and take it with you. The cheapest, however, is simply good ol’ H2O, from home.
- Drop the Gym Membership: If you’ve got cable, which most families do, investigate the many options, from yoga to aerobics to high energy workouts or hit the streets and jog a few laps. Or invest in a few pieces of equipment or videos from eBay, friends willing to unload for a few bucks or yard sales. Another option is to investigate a local hotel with a pool. Many hotels will let non guests swim for a very cheap fee. A friend of mine swims as much as she wants to for $10 a month at a local hotel early every weekday.
- Limit your stops: The more frequently you pop in any retail establishment, the more likely you are to drop cash. Use pay at the pump, instead of wandering in and grabbing gum or last minute items. Make it a point to shop for groceries only once a week, with a list. Limit your meanderings at the mall to when you need a specific item (and when it’s on sale) and don’t deviate from your agenda. Likewise, trim the lunches out when shopping. Plan trips well before meal time or after you’ve eaten to cut the dining out expense. Take snacks for little ones to curb their hunger pangs and yourself. If you must eat while out, pick a cheap spot, like a pretzel joint and share one or two as a snack, then eat your meal at home. I read the other day the average shopper makes five trips to the mall or retailers to purchase their holiday gifts. If you eat out each time, you can easily drop an extra $100.00 feeding yourself and the kids while on these holiday shopping excursions.