Economic Alternatives: Save Some Cents
From:
India-Jewel Jackson
147 days 21 hours 5 minutes ago
There’s no better time than the present to start being a bit frugal, as these days every cent counts. See our six savvy ways to save a little cash; and pad your pockets for those unexpected expenses.
1) Shop online. At over $4 a gallon, who wants to waste gas–it’s expensive! Buy your groceries in bulk at FreshDirect.com, or shop at your favorite clothing stores on their respective sites. If you’ve been wearing Gap jeans and Banana Republic sheath dresses for years, you’re familiar with their sizing and you’ll know how everything will fit your frame. Also, stores like Forever21 and Victoria’s Secret have a much larger inventory online than they do in stores and are usually having some sort of sale – bonus!. Lastly, what’s better than front door delivery?
2) Purchase only what you love. Want not, waste not. If you leave it on hold and you’re still thinking about it by the time you get home, it’s safe to say purchasing this item will be money well spent. If you don’t have to have it, leave it on the rack for the next person.
3) Skip the movies. Since it cost about $12 to see a film these days, watch blockbusters from the comfort of your couch. Underground sites like SurfTheChannel.com and Watch-Movies.net show films almost immediately after they’ve been released; sometimes they’re showing the film a day or two before it opens.
4) Avoid unnecessary ATM fees. If you hit random cash machines quite often, it’s possible you’re unknowingly racking up $2 fees that’ll start to put a dent in your checking account. Ten visits equals $20, or five Venti coffees at Starbucks. Visit your bank once a month to take out enough cash to get you through, and stash it in a piggy bank at home. It can be your very own ATM that you withdraw from every morning for free! If you must get cash at the last minute, try to visit your bank’s ATM so you’ll be able spare yourself that $2 fee.
5) Clip the landline. Chances are you’re grabbing your cell phone when it’s time to make a call, since that’s where all of your contacts are saved. Even if it comes as part of a cable/internet/phone package, there’s no need to pay for it if you barely use it.
6) Resist the urge to splurge. Willpower is key; you know better than to go to the grocery store when you’re starving, so why would you indulge in a little retail therapy when you’re depressed? It’s always better to wait until the next day, when you’re mind is a bit clearer and your choices much more calculated.
