Money Saving Tip - Lists

Today's great money saving tip is....

Lists: {Making lists keep you focused.}

Make a list of the 10 most important things in your life. Rank them
in order of importance. The purpose of this exercise is to help you
see the things you consider the most and least important and to
provide you with a visual of why you need to save.

Some examples of things that a person might put on their list
include:

-Buying a new home.
-Getting a new car.
-Taking a special trip.
-Planning for your retirement.
-Stating an emergency fund
-Starting a business.
-Paying off your debts.
-College fund for your children.
-Buying your dream boat.
-Planning the perfect wedding.

Once you have a list made it will help keep you focused.
If you go off track take another look at your list to remind yourself
why it is important that you stick with your savings plan.

Another good candidate list is a to do list.
Make list of things you need to get accomplished. Once you
have your list and see things you feel need to be done, number
them A-B-C. A's of course the most important and top priority.
Now take all your B's and C's and set aside for now.

Do a feel-good exercise, take a one of the very easiest
A tasks and complete it. Think of your list as a things to
do list for today and start putting holes in that
list like a piece of Swiss cheese. Doing a few of the simple tasks
first starts to shorten the list and as your list becomes shorter
the things to do start to look a lot less formidable.

After you finish your A list you can go back pick up your
B's and C's making a brand new list. Start putting holes in
the list again. Just sitting back thinking about all the things
you have to do won't get them done and it will seem like
a insurmountable burden. Breaking things down and starting with
some easy tasks first you start working on them rather than
just looking at what needs to be done and not knowing where
to start. Try it.

Harvey Akeson

harvey@harveyakeson.com

http://A1MoneySaver.blogspot.com

EXTRA TIP Make a little money writing, it's easier than you think.
Read More, earn a little extra by writing.

Money Saving Tip - Cook at Home

Today's great money saving tip is....

Cook at Home:

Dining out is fun and convenient, but it's not always economical.
Most of us don't realize how much we spend on eating out. Did
you know that the average American family today eats out
approximately three times a week. For a family of four, that can
add up to $300 or $400 per month, or even more.

Instead of hitting the restaurant a few times a week, opt for
once or twice instead. On the other nights plan to make a special
at-home family dinner. You can get the whole family evolved by
taking turns cooking, trying new recipes, or having everyone
contribute a dish.

Eating out is fun when you don't have to worry about the expense
or on special occasions. But cooking together and spending time
with your family is much more rewarding and a lot less expensive!

Harvey Akeson

harvey@harveyakeson.com

http://A1MoneySaver.blogspot.com

EXTRA TIP When shopping carry a marking pencil or colored stickers to mark items on sale, in store specials or discounted specials. Sometimes early in a sale or special mark down the store scanners haven't been reprogramed or programed in error. Make sure you get the price you were expecting, not yesterday's price before the sale.
In order to take advantage of bulk or large quantity packaging share purchases at Costco or Sam's Club with family members or neighbors. Plastic bags, such as zip lock, trash or garbage bags, case lots can be divided and often times save you money without purchasing an over supply for one household.