Reduce Your Budget $500 a Month

I was balancing my checkbook last weekend to reduce my overall budget so I could save enough money to go to Asia and visit my daughter next summer (husband is in the Air Force). As I was analyzing my expenses I came up with an impressive list of expenses we can all cut back on.

Cell Phones

This is probably our most wasteful spending. We pay to download music, directions, minutes, text messages, internet connections, etc. After analyzing my families cell phone usage I reduced my monthly bill from $360 to $221. That's a whooping $139 per month. I did it by getting a lower minute plan an encouraging texting since its unlimited for a small fee. Eliminated or blocked downloads or premium add ons.

How about you? Do you own a smart phone? That alone cost around $80 a month plus the cost of the new phone and calling plan. Look at your cell phone bill and analyze it carefully and see how much you could save.

Land-line Phone

I saved around $29 a month by canceling because the only people who call that number are solicitors. You need to remember to have the cell on and in the bedroom at night in case of emergencies. Also tell those who text you that the phone is on so please resist from late night texting to keep from being awaken at all hours.

Premium Channels

Cable television might be America's great downfall but like everyone I want to just chill with mindless entertainment most nights but I scraped the premium channels and saved $29.95 a month. If I rent movies from a box vendor instead of cable movies I save another $31.60 a month for a total of $61.55.

Lunch Out

This a huge savings! I work 6 days a week and on average spend $10 for lunch per day. I try and eat healthy so value menus at the local fast food joints are out. I reduce my lunch expense $7.50 on average which amounts to $180 a month. I couldn't believe how much I saved and you can to.

Don't buy the ready made lunches at the store but opt instead for lunch meat, tuna, PB&J, pimento cheese, or make your own soup or salad. Remember to pack some fruit, nuts or granola.

Satellite Radio

Something else we can do without to save money is satellite radio subscriptions. I saved $39 a month for something I hardly use anymore.

Utilities

I decided at the beginning of the year that I needed to be the electricity police in my house. Our average electrical bill last year on budget billing was $206. Not bad for a family of four. Well my new budget bill amount for this year came in April and it is now $184 per month a $22 a month savings. I am really proud of this one and I look constantly for ways to cut back some more.

Books

I love to read and spend about $100 a month on books. Amazon loves me. But before I buy a book now I call my local public library and see if its in their system. That way I can read a book to see if I want to own it. If I do then I call the used book store or see used books on Amazon. So far this year I have saved $32 a month on average.

Printer Cartridges

Printer toner for a laser printer is expensive. So I started saving money by purchasing replacement cartridges from Cartridge World who refills the old one I bring in. This saves me $27 per month on average.

Other items to eliminate for significant savings are:

Coffees from the local hangout

Donuts

First run movies especially the 3D ones

Concerts

Live sporting events, watch ESPN instead its free if you didn't shut down the cable

Buying cloths new- try the thrifts you will be surprised at the deals

Buying DVD's

Hang cloths outside rather then using a drier. They smell great without using drier sheets a double savings.

Make desert rather then going out. They are usually a lot better and more fun if you make them.

Lots of ways to save money if you focus on everything you spend for a month or like me just look at your bank statement or register.