How To Save Money - The Now Number 1 Priority

None of us needs to be told about rising food and oil prices, let alone the dreaded council Tax. What most of us would like to know is how to cope with this increasingly difficult situation?

It is no use kidding ourselves - this situation is likely to exist for many years to come. So what's to do about it?

Economize, but try not to make yourself miserable when you do so. Every aspect in your life could probably do with a little trimming back and pruning where expenditure is concerned. From banking right through the alphabet to working from home, there are untold opportunities to save money. See where you can do so sensibly without feeling too much of a pinch.

Frivolous things like cutting back on Lattes. If you spend 1.80 per day on a cup of coffee, this amounts to 9.00 every five days and over a year becomes 468. Quite a saving. If you do away with the Latte you probably won't need to buy an expensive glossy magazine to read whilst you drink. Double bonus.

Health-wise, many people have thought about giving up smoking. How about looking at this from the money saving side of things? A packet of 20 cigarettes can cost around 4.50. 7 packets a week takes this figure to 31.50. Again over a year this multiplies into a staggering 1,638. Just think what you could do with that sum of money. This apart from the fact that your skin, your health and your teeth will have improved plus you will no longer smell like a dirty old ashtray.

Cancel that gym membership. How many times have you used the gym since you enrolled way back in January as part of your New Year Resolution? Take the dog for a walk instead - you never know whom you will meet as you walk. Learn how to use other methods of keeping fit that are definitely not as expensive as gym membership.

Then there is the subject of food. This is one area where economy is possible without your family realizing. Watch how and when you shop. Use different recipes to save yourself money. Recipes where your family will not notice what you are doing, but will think how clever you are to produce a different range of dishes for them.

Don't take the children with you when you shop. This will cut out the nagging when they start their 'I want....' Cut down on the endless bags of crisps, treat, sweets etc. Their health and their teeth will improve - least of all your bill when you arrive at the checkout. You just have to learn a two lettered word - No. Just be firm, stand your ground and think of the money saved.

Learn how to cut down on your central heating bills. If you live in a rural area and are dependent on oil (kerosene) for heating, follow a tip recently broadcast on BBC Radio 4, the You and Yours programme, then you can save around 100 on your bill.

Once you realize that shops need to make a profit in order to stay in business, and that their one aim is to get their hands on your hard-earned cash, then you are halfway there. Yes, we need retailers, but everyone needs to be sensible. Learn how you can use them to your advantage, particularly the large supermarkets.

University students (and their parents) can find this a very stressful financial time. Learn where you can save money. Yes, by all means enjoy your time at Uni, but remember your debt will be carried forward into you working life and can possibly take years to clear. So - again - learn how to save money, you won't regret it. Get your degree but try and remain as near solvent as possible.

If you wear glasses it is possible to buy designer glasses at knock down prices if you are prepared to steer clear of the High Street multiple chains.

There are so many other areas where it is possible to save money. On medicines, mobile phones, insurance, buying a house, working from home, clothes, DIY, your dog, motoring, holidays - in fact almost every subject you can think of.

Bargains are available, and not just in BOGOFs. You just have to know where to look. Shops are reducing their prices by as much at 25% in order to shift some of the stock they bought at high prices. As their profit margins decrease to perhaps what is a more reasonable level, you should be able to benefit. But don't buy something unless you absolutely and definitely need it.

For even more money saving ideas just visit www.save-money-guide.com and see how it is done. Saving money becomes so easy when you are shown how.

This is a friendly, inter-active site with readers contributing their own money saving ideas. A monthly newsletter is also issued giving all the latest money saving tips, which saves you the time and bother of seeking them out yourself. Why not join in and benefit? Live well and protect your wallet, purse and bank balance at the same time.

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