Living Beneath Your Means - And Enjoying Every Minute!
Think of your family as a business - a business of spending less money and getting on with the enjoyment of life! There is no secret to spending less than you earn - it is just a matter of living beneath your means. Obtaining financial security in your life will not depend on how much you earn, but it will be closely related to how much you spend.
Top Five Ways to Waste Your Money
Lotteries and Gambling
Tobacco and Alcohol abuse
Buying a new car every few years
Anything that's 'new and improved'
Credit life insurance
Saving Ideas - Housekeeping
Count Your Blessings! Be happy and grateful with all that you have been blessed with.
If you spend some time thinking about all you have rather than all you would like to have, you'll probably discover you are incredibly blessed and fortunate.
Use SaintlySavers.com and other coupons to plan your shopping trips in advance. (Of course!)
Talk with friends and buy in bulk to take advantage of the best deals.
Understand that some prices are seasonal; learn when the best seasons are for certain items and stock up!
Compare items using the unit prices.
Be patient - eventually everything goes on sale.
Resist impulse purchases.
Read the label.
Always follow storage and care instructions on clothing and food. Spoilage and discards are money down the drain.
Buy quality and buy it to last
We seem to live in a disposable world. Many people seem to have forgotten that nondisposable razors and cloth napkins still exist. These items will cost a bit more than their short-lived, disposable counterparts in the short term, but they'll save you a small fortune in the long run.
Organize your storage rather than pay rent to a mini warehouse.
Be prepared to make emergency repairs.
Learn to do it yourself before getting someone else to do it, or barter/trade for handyman services in exchange for goods or services you can offer.
Save receipts - especially for major purchases.
Keep a warranty and owner's manual file.
Re-use containers (for all kinds of things!)