Many would agree that handling personal finances properly is one of the skills that define the level of maturity of a person. At the same time, some of us need years to master this art. Luckily, it is possible to speed up this process, at least if to follow a couple of simple tips and tricks.
What are they?
(source http://www.menshealth.com/guy-wisdom/money-saving-hacks)
- Keep as far as possible from Starbucks and McDonalds. We actually spend a fortune on coffee and do not even notice this. Meanwhile, average American spends $1,200 a year on fast food. You’d better not be average, as you might have guessed.
- An average American family throws away approximately $2,200 worth of food each year. Don’t be average, as mentioned above, and develop a habit to use all the food that is about to expire. Finally, stop buying foods that makes its way to your use-or-lose list too often.
- Lay down a rule to unplug chargers and all the other devices that consume energy when not in use. It is a must, for instance, to turn off the lights when you leave. Air conditioning is another expense item – turn it up a few degrees when you go out.
- It is great to go in for sport, but it shouldn’t cost a fortune. Instead of paying for a gym or fitness classes every month, learn how to get fit for free – start running in a local park or buy some tools (like bands, weights, fitness ball, etc.) to exercise at home. Luckily, there is plenty of free workout videos on the Internet. Visit Mashable to find the best sport-related sites.
- Find a source of additional income. It doesn’t matter if this will be stock investing or high frequency trading (more details on Glenmore Investments) or something like babysitting or pizza delivery. Just remember that income diversification is the main rule of personal finance management.
- Don’t pay more than the thing you want to buy actually costs. Remember, for instance, that a car is just a piece of metal. When choosing it, make sure you do not overpay for a brand name. After all, you need a means of transport, but not the proof of your financial status. The same principle works with any electronic devices and especially clothes – just focus on practical aspect, not the prestige one.
In such a way, your financial security depends not just on your salary and taxes you need to pay, but also on your ability to manage your money wisely. You will be surprised how much you can save if you make a little effort. Simply try and you will see it by yourself!
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