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I track ALL of my expenses. We never carry cash. Everything is paid for on check card and written down in a spreadsheet. That way we know where all our money has gone and what we spent it on so we can cut out unnecessary spending. Some of my budgeting tips include:
1. Turn the AC on a higher temp (and during the winter, the heat on a lower temp) when you aren't home.
2. Unplug appliances (like coffeemaker, hairdryer, lamps) when they aren't being used. Most people don't know that they expend energy and hike up your electric bill even if they are off but still plugged up.
3. The dogs really don't need anymore clothes than they already have.
4. We only go out to dinner about 3 times a month. It really does make a special "date night" for us and we save SO MUCH MONEY!
5. We make a grocery list on Sunday of all the breakfasts/lunches/dinners we will have that week and on Sunday we go to the grocery store and only buy things needed for those meals. Then, no money is wasted buying groceries you don't need that will eventually go bad when not used.
6. Don't drink bottled water. We fill a pitcher up with tap water and put it in the fridge. It tastes just as good.
7. Only go to the mall/shopping for specific items. If you have a function coming up that requires you to buy a new dress, go to the mall and buy only a dress for that function.
8. Do your yorkie's grooming yourself. You may botch it a few times before you get the hang of it, but remember it always grows back! You would be SO SURPRISED how much money you will save doing your own grooming.
9. Don't buy expensive meats for meals. Pork chops, chicken breasts, ground beef should suffice. Steaks, ribs, tenderloins are all very expensive.
10. We also save big ticket items for special occassions ONLY! It does make it more special when your husband buys you something expensive for an anniversary/Christmas/Birthday, than you just going out and buying it for yourself. You'll treasure it more.
11. Before renting a movie for the night, see what free ones are on TV.
12. Clean out your closet and take what clothes you don't want anymore to a consignment shop. They'll buy gently used clothes for resale.
13. Buy cheap beer and wine.
14. when having guests over for dinner, have everyone bring something.
15. And last but not least, before I buy anything, and I mean ANYTHING, I think to myself, "Do I REALLY need this?" if the answer is no, I put it back. You'll thank yourself in the morning.