1. Save for what you want.
Instead of buying on credit, save until you can afford to buy it.
2. Budget for small things too and pay in cash.
Put a small amount aside in an "envelope" for weekly incidentals, like coffee, gum or a lottery ticket. Once it's gone--that's it. Don't use your debit card or spend more cash.
3. Put change in a "jar."
Not a piggy bank--get your kids to decorate an actual jar, or do it yourself. When full, make a deposit at the bank. Or if you're doing this virtually, whatever you don't spend at the end of the week from your reserved amount in #2, tranfer to savings or an investment accoun.
3. "Take-out" food from your freezer.
- Make food basics like salad dressing, croutons, soups and pancakes. Use oil on your fingers or a basting brush instead of buying tinned spray-on oils. Check the Dollar Store for inexpensive kitchen items. Wash and tear lettuce bought in a bunch instead of buying bagged.
- Cook double and freeze portions or entire meals to use another day: take-out meals from your own freezer.
5. Never buy gas during the hottest part of the day and make a plan.
- Fll up at night, when you'll lose less to vapour expansion and evaporation. When you do use the car, plan a route and do all your errands in the most cost-effective way, all in one trip. Don't grocery shop more than once a week, for example, unless you can walk.
6. Cancel or cut down on household help services and memberships.
- Snow shovelling, lawn-mowing, gardening, and heavy cleaning can help keep you in shape. Make them part of your regular exercise routine. Get active doing your own work and save the cost of these services plus the cost of a gym membership.
7. Cancel your premium cable service, read more, use the library, exchange with friends.
Get or renew your library card--and start going to the library once a week--walk or bike there as a family. Sign your kids up for programs and find out about the free courses your library has available for you. Exchange books you own with friends and check out free books available online--unless you also want to cut down on screen time.
8. Socialize More (at home)
- Dig up your Scrabble, Monopoly, or Twister game, or get a nostalgic old game at a garage sale. If you don't have a board game, play Charades. Invite friends or another family over for a a game or movie night.
- Reduce trash, try to fix what's broken and could be still useful, instead of buying new, if this makes sense.
