4 Ways to Make Every Penny Stretch in 2021
#2021 #STRETCH #EVERY #PENNY #MAKE #WAYS
4 Ways to Make Every Penny Stretch in 2021
Budgeting is something that most people hate to think about. Strangely enough, when they actually start to get into budgeting they find that they actually enjoy it. Not only does it give them more control over their life, but it relieves the stress that comes from not quite knowing how much money you have and if you are going to make it until next month. If being less stressed and having more control is something that is appealing, then keep reading. Here are 5 simple ways to help accomplish your budget this year. 1. Eat out less
Many people do not realize just how much they spend eating out each month. If you eat out for lunch every single day, you are probably spending upwards of $150 to $200 on lunch. That is the price of a decent car payment! If you choose instead to bring a lunch from home and save that money, the options are endless. You could get an upgrade on a car, create an emergency fund, save for retirement, or save up for a big summer vacation.
Food savers are one of the fastest growing trends in the last few years. The idea is that if you can make many meals at once, and then freeze them, you can save money and time, while still enjoying delicious meals. Many people will make up to 30 days worth of meals, put them in the freezer, and then spend an entire month without cooking.
Most of the meals can be warmed up in a crockpot, essentially requiring 5 minutes of time to have a healthy, delicious dinner. This will only save you money if you don’t overspend on a food saver. Try to get one that will last, but not cost more than it is worth. You can find some good medium-range food savers and reviews here.
If you have not budgeted then you likely do not even realize how much money you are spending on gas each month. The truth is, the average person spends almost $250 on gas every month. A majority of that is likely driving to work. Doing something as simple as finding a friend or co-worker that goes in the same direction can save another $100 a month.
Carpooling is also great for the environment and a great way to meet new people. With all of the benefits, why not give it a shot? If it doesn’t work then it is easy to go back to driving yourself.
The average American has a significant amount of debt on their credit cards. This may not seem like a big deal, but most credit cards have extremely high interest rates. This means that the average American also spends upwards of $100 a month just paying off interest. This is not paying off actual debt, this is just paying off interest. This is essentially money that is just getting thrown away. Pay off your debt and then focus on not getting back into debt and a significant amount of money can be saved each month.
Many people have had the same insurance company for years. A lot of things change in years and while that company may have been the best deal a few years ago, you could be drastically overpaying now. If you have the time, try shopping around with a few different insurance companies to see if rates have changed. You may be surprised.
All of these have the potential to save hundreds of dollars a month. That money can be used for dozens of better things if it is saved and utilized. All of that on top of the increased satisfaction that budgeting brings makes it a no brainer!
The journey to paying down your debt can be challenging in the best of times. It can be even more complicated when you’re balancing the effects of a global recession. Many Americans are facing immediate financial uncertainty from losing their jobs or being underemployed. The economic repercussions of this pandemic recession will be felt for years to come. Although becoming debt-free might not be your top priority during this difficult phase, you should still take steps to maximize your money.
The first on this list of debt consolidation tips is asking your creditors to lower your interest rates. Many borrowers don’t realize they can contact their existing credit card providers at any time to request a lower interest rate.
This often-overlooked tactic is a quick and easy way to reduce your debt burden, and it may result in a permanent or temporary (e.g. 12 months) interest rate reduction.
Creditors are more likely to say “yes” if you have a history of on-time payments or if your credit score has recently increased. Even if that’s not the case, the worst thing your creditor can do is say “no.”
If you aren’t successful in lowering your interest rate, don’t hesitate to ask again after a few months or after receiving lower offers from competitors. Credit card providers can issue reductions at their discretion, but it’s up to you to initiate the request.
High-interest loans and credit cards can prevent you from climbing out of debt. Although you’re hard at work making payments, interest charges are continuously accruing. This interest can quickly eat away at yo…