| The current financial crisis has been a wake-up call for | | | | You can easily erect a small hot house and thereby |
| us all. The importance of placing a greater emphasis | | | | enjoy a continuous supply of vegetables. |
| and priority to managing our finances cannot be | | | | 7. Soup - consider making your own soup instead of |
| overemphasized. We have to find smarter ways to | | | | buying canned soup. Not only will this be more nutritious |
| shop and manage our everyday expenses. | | | | but it will save you money as well. |
| Surveys show that people who have knowledge on | | | | 8. Save money on gas - consider car pooling with your |
| managing money are better able to manage their | | | | neighbors and friends, use public transport, and by |
| money and enjoy better lifestyles. | | | | driving the speed limit you can cut back on gas |
| To enable you to keep more cash in your wallet, here | | | | consumption. |
| are a number of creative tips on budgeting that you | | | | 9. Parking lot fees - by using public transport you can |
| can implement immediately. | | | | eliminate the expense of parking in expensive |
| 1. Garage sales - you will be surprised at the bargains | | | | downtown parking lots. |
| that you can find. You can also buy certain items and | | | | 10. Luxury items - consider cutting back on alcohol and |
| resell them for a profit! | | | | smoking. |
| 2. Reduce heating costs - lowering your thermostat by | | | | 11. Work and school lunches - consider taking cut lunch |
| a couple of degrees can result in significant savings. In | | | | instead of eating lunch in restaurants. |
| addition, consider using firewood for heating your | | | | 12. Reduce junk foods - chips, candies, soda/pop drinks |
| home. | | | | 13. Take out foods/TV dinners - consider eliminating or |
| 3. Television - consider getting just the basic cable | | | | reducing |
| package instead of the fully loaded package. The | | | | 14. Interest charges - consolidate high interest credit |
| savings will be enormous. | | | | card, department store cards and other loans into one |
| 4. Shopping - watch for sales promotions, discounts, | | | | loan with a lower interest rate and create extra cash |
| specials and coupons. More importantly make a list of | | | | flow immediately. |
| the items you actually need before you go out | | | | By implementing these tips on budgeting you will keep |
| shopping - avoid impulse buying. Shop at Thrift stores | | | | more cash in your wallet. More importantly, for your |
| especially for children's clothing. | | | | long term financial success, you should consider |
| 5. Fishing - this can not only be fun but also can supply | | | | investing in your financial education so that you can |
| you with fresh fish. | | | | master the art of budgeting, investing, retirement and |
| 6. Gardening - if you have a back yard, consider | | | | estate planning. To learn more about these topics |
| designating a portion to planting your own vegetables. | | | | please check the resource box below. |