1. On Groceries. Keep watch of the local mall’s sale. You can save as much as 50% on your groceries during sale. Be sure that you are ready with your list so that you prioritize your family’s needs. Choose generic brands whenever possible because they are a lot cheaper.
2. On Entertainment. Most public libraries have your favorite movies and books. You can access them for free. Instead of going to movie houses, you can watch the movie at home. Instead of going to concerts and other events, watch for free events in malls and public arenas.
3. On Household Maintenance. Save on routine and unexpected household maintenance expenses by learning to do minor household repairs by yourself. Do simple routine maintenance like unclogging gutters. Keep track of the preventive maintenance schedules of your home appliances. Don’t think that just because your appliances are working well you can skip letting your service advisors look into your equipment. You can save a lot of money by allowing regular maintenance checks.
4. On Utilities. This area of living expenses is the most workable of all. First, program your air conditioner’s thermostat, especially if nobody is home. Use fluorescent lamps instead of incandescent lamps. Second, you can use less water by consolidating your washer and dishwasher loads. When the loads are larger, you run your washer less often; hence you save on water bills. Finally, limit your water use when watering your lawn. Optimize the time of day for watering the lawn.
5. On Gasoline and Fuel. Petroleum prices have been constantly rising so trimming on gas expense is really helpful. Use car pool whenever possible. Plan for your trips so you don’t run around the city when doing your errands. Remember that fewer trips mean less gas use. Consider taking mass transportation once in a while. It is much cheaper than gassing up your car.
These tips are meant to help you curb your living expenses but they only can if you take the first step.