Tips for Financial Success - Part V

In the previous article we learned tips to lower costs on essential items. There are still other necessary expenses we incur in our day to day life. These are transportation expenses, clothing, utilities, and pet care. Let's take them one by one and see what we can do to lower the costs a bit more.

Transportation: if you must use the car, carpool when available. Plan your errands according to their location. For example, when your electric bill is due and the power company is on the same side of town as your grocer, bring the bill with you and go pay it before you go shopping. Then, move to the next side of town to take care of other errands, instead of going back and forth continuously. If you forget to purchase something at the store, don't just run out and get it, unless of course it is an emergency. Wait until your next trip.

If you live in a location with a great transit system, consider using public transportation instead of your own vehicle. Not only you will save in gas and car maintenance, you may possibly save on insurance (since you might be possibly driving less than the average driver). The added bonus to riding the public transit system is that you can read a book or a newspaper, talk on the cell phone or text without risking an accident or getting ticketed.

Clothing and accessories: learn to buy three tops and three bottoms that look well together. You can end up with nine distinct outfits just by mixing and matching each of the three. If you want to save even more, shop at consignment shops or second hand retailers. Learn to use accessories: a scarf or a belt can add to an outfit and make it look like a different one.

Choose shoes that will complement any and all outfits you have. Although it may be nice to have purple shoes to go with the purple sweater you bought, chances are that blue or black shoes would have worked just the same, and you can use them with other outfits as well.

Grooming: Shop around for grooming options. Although it is nice to be pampered like royalty once in a while, there are stylists who can do the job for a fraction of the cost because they operate out of their own home or a small and unpretentious salon. Another option is to look into beauty schools. Students, under careful supervision of a qualified stylist and beautician, can provide the same quality service as high priced salons at a much smaller cost.

Utilities: unless you are in an all electric apartment or house, you will have electric, gas, and water bills to pay. There are ways to save on all of them. Most utilities companies have suggestions on how to save on their bills. They range from better insulating your home to regular usage.

For tips on how to save on electricity (and going green at the same time) check out Green Living Tips. For tips on how to save on your natural gas bill check out this southern provider or contact your local gas company. For tips on how to conserve water, and, therefore, lower your monthly bill, check out Water, Use It Wisely.

Pet care: animals are part of the family and you cannot forget about them. They can live eating the off name brand food. Before you purchase the name brand food, look at the labels and compare brand with off brand. Chances are you can find a product very similar to the name brand you are considering. Do also cost comparisons, as you would for your own products.

As far as medical care, talk to your vet. At times, if an intern performs a procedure, it will be less expensive than if the regular veterinarian performed it. If you are worried about knowledge and skills, the intern operates under the supervision of the veterinarian, so your pet is still getting the best of cares. If a local university has a veterinary program, contact them and find out if they are open to the public. They might offer services at a lower cost than a regular veterinary clinic.

We have concluded discussing tips on how to save on variable costs. In the next article, How Can I Save on Insurance?, we will begin exploring how to lower insurance premiums, one of our fixed expenses. There are ways to lower those premium payments and put some more money into your savings account.

Stay tuned for more.