Save Money Cut Cost During Hard Times

We are seeing gas and food prices go up and wondering when it will end. Some of you are looking for ways to cut cost and make ends meet.

It amazes me the people I see online whining about not having enough money for groceries right after they’ve shown off their new pedicure, sporting pictures of themselves with gourmet coffee or bragging about a new handbag they’ve purchased. I’m going to share with you a list of things that are not necessities and can be cut out of your budget.

Pedicures

This is a new thing women have decided they have to have but in reality is not necessary. A few decades ago women painted their own toenails and lived to tell about it. You can soak your feet in warm soapy water and sand your calluses with a pumice stone or other device sold at your local department store or pharmacy.

Unless you have an extreme weight problem or health issue keeping you from bending over and reaching your feet you should be able to polish your nails without any problem. Practice makes perfect and look at the money you’ll save.

Manicures

Just like pedicures, getting a manicure isn't something you absolutely need. Some just get in the habit of having a service and can't imagine life without it but when you have to cut back this is one of the best ways to do so.

Buy a few new colors the next time you are out and experiment. You can even go on Pinterest to get ideas for fun ways to decorate your own fingernails.

There are clear coats you can put on to protect and lengthen the life of your manicure. Put a new coat on every few days to keep your nails fresh and chip free.

Hair Salons

You can do some things yourself like dying your roots if you have gray hair. Henna is a safer hair color and most salons only use harsh chemicals.

Believe it or not the easiest hairstyle to maintain is long hair. You can put it up in a ponytail or bun or wear it down loose. There are many different things you can do with long hair. Short hair has to be cut on a regular basis, needs to be styled and is higher maintenance.

Gourmet Coffee

Another new item we’ve acquired in the past few decades. Not only is it not a requirement, they are loaded with extra caffeine, calories and in some cases fat none of us need. There are flavored creamers you can buy that make it taste better if you can’t stand to drink it black.

Better yet switch to green tea, it’s better for you anyway.

I overheard a senior citizen talking to his buddy, "Kids today don't really like coffee, they like the syrup and whipped cream they add on top."

Paid Television

Watching too much television isn’t good for any of us. And how many times have you surfed through all three thousand channels only to decide there is nothing on and end up watching one of the networks you don’t even have to pay for?

I was shocked to find how many free channels we have when we cut our cable a few years a go. We have a channel called Cool TV, it's a music channel that actually plays music videos instead of reality shows. That is cool.

I know people that pay a hundred dollars a month or more just for cable. They could be putting that money in savings, investments or paying off a credit card bill.

Do yourself a favor and cancel your cable or satellite service. It wastes time and money.

If you can’t get reception without it, buy an antennae, it will pay for itself in one or two months.

You may go through withdrawals for a bit but find something else to do, like oh I don’t know maybe take a walk, visit a friend or take up a hobby like bird watching or star gazing.

Avoid a new cell phone contract.

After that initial two-year plan you’ve paid for your phone. You do not have to start a new contract. Most cell phone service providers will keep you on your original plan even when rates go up and they will go up, they always do. You can buy another phone if yours wears out or disappears. Sometimes you can find a used one that will work just as well. Just make sure it’s keyed for your provider.

When you sign a new contract and get another phone you usually have to pay more and you are locked in with that company until the time is up. If later you decide you want to change to another service you are stuck.

You can keep your same cell phone number even if you change services, provided you didn’t leave the old company owing them money.

You do not need the latest cell phone, the one you have probably still works just fine.

Cell Phone use

When possible use WiFi unless you have unlimited internet access. Using your cell service can rack up bills.

You don't need to be connected to your phone at all times even though this seems to be the trend. You can run your bill up pretty quick if you aren't careful depending on what kind of cell phone plan.

Gym membership

You can exercise at home or at the park for less. Look on YouTube for ways to work out without going to a gym. Your health is important but there are still ways to move, lift and get your heart rate up without paying a membership.

The Latest Electronic Gadget

The funny thing about new appliances is that we didn’t know we had to have one until we got it. Take cell phones, microwaves and even cars; before their invention people got along just fine and had no idea what they were missing. After having them for a while people decided they were a necessity and can't live without one.

Do yourself a favor and don’t buy any new inventions unless it's necessary for your job otherwise you may fall into the trap.

If you have the extra money to spend, great, but when we are trying to cut back and stay within a budget we have to reevaluate our priorities and some of these things can wait.

Buying a child a cell phone.

Children are always under the care of an adult or at least they should be so they do not need a cell phone… in most cases.

If they walk home alone in a dangerous neighborhood or are left home alone without a land line then it makes sense. Most kids I see with cell phones are not in this situation. They have a home phone and are never alone where they would need to call their parents.

Peer pressure is the main cause of this. One parent that had more money than sense bought their child a cell phone so the other moms and dads not wanting to be outdone got their kids one too.

If your child doesn’t need one then you might reconsider. Yes, they’ll whine and pout but if you explain to them the economy and the fact you can’t afford it they should understand. If they want one badly enough let them find a way to make money to pay for it.

Expensive Clothes

Fashion is fun and we like to look nice. You can still look good without buying high dollar designer duds. People do it everyday and get by just fine. There are lower end look a likes as well as consignment shops selling career clothes if you work in an office environment and need to dress professional.

Before making that purchase ask yourself these questions. Do I need it? Do I have room in my closet? Can I do without it?

Dry Cleaning

I mostly buy easy care clothing that doesn't need to be professionally cleaned. I make exceptions for coats or other outerwear. I take them in to be cleaned at the end of winter and store them until I need them again.

Unless you are an executive that has to wear a suit everyday you can get by without clothing that has to be dry cleaned.

You can find lots of nice easy care pieces. It costs a lot of money to have your clothes done professionally and it adds up over time. Learn to iron your own shirts or buy wrinkle free.

Enjoy simple things in life-

There are a lot of fun things you can do that are free:

Walk in the park, go for a hike, free concerts in the park, public gardens, a picnic, play a board game, watch the sunset or sunrise, bike ride, read a library book and a whole lot more. Learn to enjoy nature and the little things in life.