7 Ways to save

Your budget forecast for 2008 may be a lot like your horoscope: Proceed with caution. Living on less doesn’t sound like much fun, but with a slumping housing market and increasing property taxes you probably don’t have much of a choice. Here are 7 things you can do to cut down on your expenses that aren’t too much of a sacrifice:

1. Make your own coffee: Who doesn’t love that latte at your favorite coffee chain? But stopping there daily adds up quicker than you can say Grande Non-fat Caramel Macchiato. Make your coffee at home every day and save the expensive beverage for a treat once every few weeks.
Annual Savings: approx. $1,400

2. Save trips to the nail salon for special occasions: Give yourself manicures and pedicures at home every two weeks instead. Admittedly it’s not as glamorous, but no one but you will know the difference. Go ahead and splurge for a good nail polish though like the ones your favorite salon uses.
Annual Savings: approx. $2,400

3. Buy less expensive beauty care products: Prices on hair care products sold at salons are often 7 times higher than brands sold at discount stores. If you really like the shampoo, go ahead and buy it. Then buy a less expensive brand and alternate using the two instead of using the expensive one daily. The same goes for facial cleansers, lotions and makeup.
Annual Savings: approx. $1,400

4. Skip the personal trainer: This doesn’t mean stop going to the gym or working out altogether. But you don’t need a trainer to keep that New Year’s resolution. Take the free sessions offered and use what you’ve learned to workout. Get a gym buddy or join a running group, they’ll motivate you to keep moving for free.
Annual Savings: approx. $4,800

5. Clean your own house: It’s definitely not a lot of fun and it’s time consuming, but an easy way to save cash is to skip the weekly maid service. If you’re hosting a big party or need that one time intensive spring cleaning, go ahead and splurge. Plus there’s an added bonus. Cleaning burns calories.
Annual Savings: approx. $2,400

6. Don’t buy books: You can check out books from the library for free. Though you may have to wait a few weeks for the best sellers, you can even reserve books online. If you have children, not only will you save tons, but the library is a better learning environment than those bookseller chains. Save buying for a book you know you’re going to read more than once.
Annual Savings: approx. $960


7. Sign up for subscriptions: If you buy magazines, don’t do it at the checkout counter every month. A subscription will often save you 60% or more. If you rent movies, get an online rental subscription. You can get an entire month’s worth of movies for the same price you’ll pay for one at the rental store.
Annual Savings: approx. $550

TOTAL ANNUAL SAVINGS: $13,910

*Savings only estimated and can vary depending on product pricing. Savings not calculated in a scientific manner, instead calculated with estimated product pricing from company websites.

(As published in Attitudes Magazine)