Tuesday, July 21, 2009

7 Ways to Save Money During a Recession


There are a lot of ways to save money during a recession that can help families and individuals cope with these trying times. Below are small changes that you can make to help you save money during a recession.

Rent Movies from the Local Library
Your local library should have a large store of old and new movies for you to check out - for free! If you find that a movie you want to watch is already checked out you can usually put a "hold" on it so that when it is returned, you will be next in line to check it out.

Reduce Your Meat Intake
Cutting back on red meat and poultry is another way to reduce your grocery bills and save money during a recession. Instead of meat, try using beans, canned tuna, and other filling substitutes. Cutting down on meat will not only help your pocketbook, it will also help to improve your health.

Go out for Lunch instead of Dinner
If you can't stand completely reducing your dining out experiences, then consider going to lunch at your favorite restaurant instead of dinner. Restaurants raise their menu prices for dinner, so going for lunch can save you up to 50% on the same meal you would have ordered for dinner.

Cut Down on the Alcohol
Reducing your alcohol intake can help to reduce your monthly expenses. If you often go for happy hours during the week, try committing to one less trip to the bar and you might find that it does add up to substantial savings. Or, if you must go out, then consider getting a soda between drinks to save money on your total bill.

Break out the Boardgames
Take a night to just stay in and enjoy the company of your friends and family. Boardgames are a great way to have fun on the cheap! Turn off the television on turn on the competition! Saving money during a recession doesn't mean that you can't have fun.

Recycle Old Clothes, Books and Movies
There are a ton of used clothing stores and bookstores that will give you money for your old stuff -- or credit if you want to buy some stuff in their stores. Clean out your closet and bookcases and get some cash for your stuff. Or if you are in the mood to shop, try a gently used clothes store, you might be surprised at the money you can save!

Have Breakfast for Dinner
Breakfast dishes can be hearty and satisfying -- and are relatively cheap to make. So break out the eggs and vegetables and treat yourself to gourmet omelettes or even hefty breakfast burritos!

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Content Source: 7 Ways to Save Money During a Recession - Bukisa.com

Save money ideas- how to put an extra $200 in your piggy bank every month

In this current financial recession money is in short supply and many families find it difficult to put food on the table never mind save a few pennies. If your pockets are empty and cash flow is low here are 5 save money ideas to put an extra few hundred dollars in your piggy bank month after month.


1) Save dining out for special occasions


Eating out is an expensive hobby, especially for those that have large families or do it more than once a week. Try sitting in more and preparing cooked meals which tend to be cheaper and healthier.


2) Cut down on electricity use


There are many ways to reduce your electricity bill such as switching off lights and sockets which are not in use. Additionally do not overfill kettles and teapots as you have to use excess electricity to boil water you are not actually going to use.


3) Car share


If you live nearby to a few work colleagues why not take it in turns to drive. If there are four of you this reduced your petrol/gas bill by 75% a month. This is quite significant a saving if you drive over 100km a day to work and could save you over $100 a month with rising gas and petrol costs.


4) Pay off high interest credit cards


It is sickening the amount of interest store cards and other credit cards add on to your already pending debt. As soon as you get the money together it is best to clear these cards and then hide them at the back of your purse so you are not tempted to use them again. Clearing your cards will lift a huge weight off your mind too.


5) Keep a piggy bank


You should hide a piggy bank in the kitchen cupboard and every time you have some loose change place it in the piggy bank. You will be surprised at how your change will add up over the months. Fifty cents a day makes $15 a month, and $180 a year.


It is recommended to put your saved money into a high interest bank account which will give you more money back in the long run.


These 5 save money ideas will help you save for a rainy day, a new car, your retirement or the unexpected, and remember every little helps.

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Content Source: Save money ideas- how to put an extra $200 in your piggy bank every month - Bukisa.com