Painless Ways To Trim The Budget

Here we talk a lot about budgets and something we mention whenever budgets come up is ‘trimming the fat’ to help you save money. What we don’t do is give you some ideas on WHAT to trim. There’s the standard issue “cut the trips to Starbucks” that everyone mentions, but let’s face it, sometimes you need to cut more than that. So, here’s a list of seven things you can cut and trim from your budget.

# 1 - Luxuries

This one definitely includes things like going to Starbucks, but that’s not the only one to consider. This also includes giving up name brands when generic will do. I realize this will start a bit of a debate, but I didn’t say EVERYTHING had to be generic. I am one of those who refuses to eat generic cereal because I can taste the difference. In this instance, generic simply won’t do. However, here’s a few of the store-brand items I’ll buy to save a few bucks!

- Dairy (eggs, milk, etc.)

- Sugar

- Paper Products (except tp, this is Charmin all the way for me)

- Hand soap

You can also ditch the name brand clothes, too. Or, if you really must have the logo stitched in, check out thrift and second hand shops.

Other luxuries you can do without are the big gas guzzlers or fancy cars that you don’t need. Sell them and get a practical car. Use the money you save in car payments and gas to put towards your debt.

There are some luxuries that are hard to give up for many people. I have a client that’s very into her appearance and absolutely will not give up her manicure/pedicure’s, brow waxes, and facials. She says that these things make her feel better about herself which allows her to do a better job at work. I say that’s a psychological thing, but if it works it works. She’s had three promotions within a year - even in this economy. But, she recognized the need to make some changes so here’s what I told her.

Instead of cutting them out completely, trying altering the frequency. She goes every two weeks for the manicure, pedicure, and brow wax and then every month for a facial. I told her that she could probably go once a month for the pedicure and brow wax (she has fine, light hair so it’s not visible). During the winter she doesn’t wear open-toed shoes so it’s really a waste anyway. And her brows don’t need the waxing every two weeks. As for facials, since those are recommended every six to eight weeks, she could go every two months and that would save her some money. I also told her that she could do facials at home to save even more.

Other luxuries my clients have given up are personal trainers, hair stylists, massage therapists, pet sitters, and maid services. In any event, if your budget is overloaded with expenses in this category, it may be time to consider cutting some and trimming others.

# 2 - Quit the Gym

Here’s the thing. Gym memberships are expensive and while health is important, exercise is free so it shouldn’t be something you have to factor into your budget. Grab a friend and go hiking, biking, walking, or running. All involve exercise and they’re all free.

The branch I work at for the credit union is an all girls branch. Naturally, we’re all worried about our weight and with the new year coming our way, it’s at the top of our personal new year’s resolutions. But, none of us really wanted to do the gym membership because it’s a waste of money - we never went anyway. Instead, we got online and discovered there is a half-a-marathon just for women and we get a half day at the spa for running it. So, we printed out the recommended training schedule and begin our training regiment next week. Since we’re doing it together, we’re more likely to stick to it. And the best part is that none of us are wasting money on a gym membership.

Maybe running isn’t your thing. Try joining a local sports league and get involved with them. Or, if there aren’t any official leagues, find some like-minded sports groups to just get out and play with. Check out Meetup.com for groups in your area. The existing groups are free unless the organizer asks for donations and even then it’s not much but a couple of dollars.

If you really just feel more comfortable with the gym environment, consider befriending a person who lives in an apartment complex. Apartment complexes have their own exercise rooms and they’re free to residents. Residents can also bring in a guest for free, so you get the benefits of the gym without the money.

# 3 - Trim the Grocery Bill

One of our biggest expenses is the grocery bill and when you’ve got a house full of people, trimming the bill can be difficult. Here are a few things that can help with that.

- Clip coupons.

You can clip coupons from the Sunday paper or you can print them from online for free. Either way, it’s in your best interest to check out the coupons each week. Don’t forget in-store coupons either. Sometimes you can get the weekly advertisements that lists the coupons, or - like my store - they have a big peg board with them on there as you walk in. I go to the grocery store once a week just to look at the board and see what coupons they have. It’s on my way home, so it’s not out of the way or anything.

- Choose cheaper meals that go further.

Steak and potatoes, while an excellent meal, is pretty expensive and doesn’t go a long way. To really get more bang for your buck, find meals that are inexpensive to make and last a while on the left-over front. Sometimes you can just freeze things and pull them out later. Winter is an excellent time for this because you can make all kinds of soups, chili, spaghetti, etc. These are also pretty quick and easy to make, as well.

For those of you who don’t like regular spaghetti, try this chicken variation:

Boil chicken until it is almost cooked. Transfer the chicken to a crock pot and then pour cream of chicken soup over it. Add salt and pepper to taste (I also add a little Cajun seasoning for extra flavoring). Cook on medium (low for those with only two settings) heat for 20 min. While that’s cooking, boil the water for noodles. Cook spaghetti noodles like normal. When finished, drain. Add butter and garlic to noodles. Chicken should also be ready. Stir. Cover noodles with chicken and sauce.

- Reduce how much you’re eating out.

Some of the reason our food bill seems so high is that we eat out a lot and then much of the food we’ve bought from the store goes to waste. If you want to trim your bill, the best thing to do is watch how much you eat out. The trick to this is to keep some quick and easy ideas and meals on hand. Most of my eating out is that I’m too tired to cook. If I have something at home that’s easy to throw in, I’ll do that. If everything I have requires me to cook, then I’ll go out.

Also, make your lunch and take it to work. Lunch during the week is a big expense for a lot of us. The easiest thing to do is set a little aside from dinner as your lunch. But, if you’re not into repeats like that, then make your lunch at night. Trying to get up in the morning to do it will, nine times out of 10, result in you deciding to just grab something at lunch time.

If making your lunch isn’t something you think about, then take stuff to work to make lunch with. My office has an entire kitchen area. Every week I take stuff for my lunch meals into work with me. I’ll have lunch meat, cheese, mayo, bread, sometimes lettuce and tomato, and chips. Having that already at the office has made my brown bag lunches even easier. It’s just something to consider.

# 4 - Slash the Cable Bill

For me, the decision to get rid of cable was one of the best I’ve made. I actually get more done now. But, many people don’t want to part with their cable - especially if they’ve completely cut entertainment from their budget. Fine. Like I said at the beginning of this, trimming the fat doesn’t necessarily mean you have to get rid of everything. But, getting rid of the excess is a good idea.

Take a look at what you have. If you have a premium package with 30 movie channels you never watch, what do you need that for? Simplify what you have. Look at the packages available with your carrier, as well as with competitors (provided you can use a different carrier). Use competitor pricing to your advantage. Also, get rid of the DVR. You’re paying extra for something you don’t need, has limits on how many shows you can record, and half of them you’ll probably delete anyway. Most shows are online. If you must have cable, compromise by watching the shows you’ve missed online instead of paying for DVR.

Note: This is just a recommendation. Ultimately you will do what you want to, but I’m offering ideas on ways to help cut the budget. Don’t eat me for this suggestion!

# 5 - Cut Down on Electric and Water

Turn off the lights when you leave a room. Use CFLs instead of regular light bulbs. Use power strips that you can easily switch off when you leave. Take shorter showers. Rinse dishes all at once instead of individually. Turn off the water when brushing your teeth. Wash and dry bigger loads so that you get more done with less energy and water. These are some simple and easy ways to help cut the cost of these bills. If you’re consistent with them, you can count on the savings every month.

# 6 - Save on Landlines

With everyone including toddlers now owning cell phones, there’s not much reason to have a home phone. There’s all sorts of taxes and fees associated with them that you’re already having to pay on your cell phone bill, so why duplicate the two? For those of you whose argument is “for emergencies only,” try cutting back on what you have. If it’s for emergencies, do you really need voicemail, caller id, and long distance? Probably not.

# 7 - Carpool and Public Transportation

Save money by carpooling, whether it be with a spouse or with a group. Or, take public transportation. In either case, you’ll save money on gas and the normal ‘wear and tear’ on your car, plus you’re helping the environment.

What are some other painless ways to trim the budget?

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