Simple Ways to Save Each Month

For some of us, it is a constant fight and a challenge to find extra money. Some people work by a budget and others just spend the money as it appears. What is really interesting is that we all can find extra from unexpected places - it lies in the money we currently have.

Here are some tips on where to look for money:

Breakfast

If you buy breakfast every work day, you are throwing money away. Yes, I know that you are always rushing and do not have time to make something. As an aside, if you do not have time to take care of yourself, look out - no one will do it for you. Let's get back to my point. You spend $3 - $4 on breakfast every day which adds up to $20 per week - $80 per month and $960 per year. Now, so as not to deprive you completely of this treasured pastime, let's say that you buy breakfast 2 days per week. Also, you pick up a bag of bagels, cream cheese and another breakfast snack for $6. Your new weekly total is $14, making your savings $24/mth and $288/yr. For some that will be more because their breakfast costs more.

Lunch

The same principle can be applied to lunch. You do not have to go out to lunch every day. Lunch costs $6 - $12/day, a whopping $30 - $60/wk and $120 - $240/mth (more for some). If you were to buy 2 frozen meals per week and some sandwich materials, you could save substantial amounts. Frozen meals have improved in health offerings, size and taste and you will pay $2.50 - $3 for a decent meal. I eat 2-3 frozen meals for lunch per week, bring a drink from home and if my wife cooks, she prepares me a dish for lunch. Adds up to great savings! Once again, I am not telling you to completely give up eating out or with friends. I eat out once or twice weekly and still save quite a bit on lunch.

Groceries

Use coupons when you shop for groceries. Yes, join sites like couponmom.com, print your coupons and go pick up groceries. Cut coupons from newspapers and those weekly mailers. You will be amazed at how much you can save. My wife consistently prints and cuts out coupons and saves us money on our grocery bill. And now that she has lost her job, she will be printing and cutting a lot more coupons.

Bundled Services

Find a company that offers package deals. AT&T offers something called a "bundle" - phone, internet, television and/or wireless at a reduced price. The cable companies like Comcast and Charter offer similar packages. Always remember to shop around and compare prices. Read the fine print.

Transportation

If you live in and around cities like Atlanta, you probably drive long distances to work. Guess what? There may be a transit system in place that will save you money. Or, you may be able to head vanpool. That is, you volunteer to be the driver. I live in the suburbs of Atlanta, GA and I am fortunate to be able to use the Xpress bus service to get to work. Check this out: 2 years ago I drove over 400 miles per week to work and spent $60 - $70 on gas every week. Today I buy a bus pass for $45 and a 20-ride train pass for $30 and fill my tank once per month. That is a whopping saving of over $200/mth. If you choose instead to join a van- or carpool, you will be paid $3/day up to a maximum of $100 just to share the ride. Additionally, if you want to volunteer to head the vanpool, you will be provided with a van. I believe that is impressive and many more people should jump at these opportunities to reduce their transportation costs.

These are just a handful of the ways you can save a little more money each month. Start small and build on what you did the month before. You will surprise yourself!