2009 New Year's Resolution-Save $50 a Week

There are so many resolutions I can make for the 2009 New Year. With my husband's and my financial situation, I believe that building up a savings is the most important. While working two jobs, we have not been able to save money. One of the reasons why this is the case is because of our debt-we are paying a monthly mortgage, car payments, utillity bills, medical bills and other debt. Another reason is because of the rises in living costs. For example, when the gas prices rose to over $4.00 a gallon, this put a hole in our pockets. A third reason is due to unwise spending. For example, when I get gas, I tend to buy other things such as scratch-off lottery tickets. My goal for 2009 is to take $50 a week out of my paycheck and put it into my savings. I have listed five methods help me keep this goal throughout the year.

Tip # 1 Canceling Club Memberships.

The first method, I have already started. I was paying $59 a month for a family YMCA membership. My younger daughter and I were using this membership. However, we stopped going because my work schedule became hectic and I was not motivated to lift weights after getting homw from work. Since my husband and my older daughter were not going, I was not getting my money's worth with the membership. I decided to cancel my membership. We have enough exercise equipment at home that my younger daughter and I can use to work out at home.

Tip #2 Brown Bag It

For the convenience, I tend to use the vending machines at work to buy my lunch. However, a sub can cost up to $3.00 and a 20 ounce bottle of Diet Pepsi costs $1.50. I can save money by making my own lunch and bringing it to work. While I may not have the time to make my lunch every day, I can plan ahead. For example, I can get a family sized macaroni and cheese for less than $10.00. I can cook it up and divide it into small containers and freeze them. This can last me for the entire work week. In addition, I can save money buy buying a six pack of soda at the grocery store and also purchase snacks to keep me going.

Tip #3 Take advantage of lowering gas prices.

I have a long commute every day. With gas prices lower than $2.00 a gallon, I am paying less in gas each week. My method is to take the money I would have spent in gas when it was over $4.00 a gallon and put that money in the savings.

Tip #4 Look for bargains whenever possible.

If there is something I absoluletly must have, I can save money by comparison shopping. If I am patient, I can find something at the lowest cost possible. I usually save money by looking for a product on http://www.ebay.com. The only thing I have to remember is to take into consideration are the shipping costs.

Tip #5 Make more money

By being a content producer for Associated Content, I have the potential to make more money. By doing several calls a week, I can make enough money to keep my savings going.

Why do I want to save $50 a week? It will come in handy if I need to get something fixed on the car, for example. However, the real goal is to build up the savings so I have enough money to cover three months living expenses. This way if something happens, such as my husband or I losing a job, we have an emergency savings to see us through.