Let’s face it; we would all love to be able to wave a magic wand and have all our bills and expenses paid off with some money left over for fun. However, the harsh reality is that life is becoming increasingly more expensive and we often have to budget in order to ensure we don’t get left behind on our payments. One thing that we can all agree on is that there’s nothing worse than worrying about money. If finding a higher paying job or getting a pay rise is out of the question for you at the moment then fear not! We’ve put together a brief list of things you can do to help make your money stretch that little bit further.
Shop Around
When it comes to fixed, monthly expenses, it’s important to take advantage of the comparison sites out there such as uSwitch. After all, we’re dealing in saturated markets here, and with so many firms fighting for the same customers, there are some amazing deals to be had if you look hard enough. As well as a cheaper product or service, these deals can include special offers and free stuff. This is particularly prevalent when it comes to taking out a new phone contract out or changing internet provider. The online casino sector has also recently got in on the act – online bingo offers at Lucky Pants Bingo, for example, include 200% deposit bonuses as a way of differentiating themselves from other online casino platforms.
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Budgeting Is Your Friend
Although we touched upon this earlier, budgeting is a vitally important tool and is well worth revisiting. It’s important to remember that budgets can be amended and altered at any time depending on your circumstances – don’t feel like a slave to your own calculations as this will just add even more unnecessary stress. A good tip to use when drawing up a budget is to be slightly pessimistic with regards to your incomings and outgoings in order to make yourself a little tighter with money. In this sense, there shouldn’t be any nasty shocks, and you may even find yourself pleasantly surprised at the end of the month with regards to how much cash you have leftover.
Go Old School and Use Cash
Back in the good old days (whenever they were), if you didn’t have enough cash on you then you simply couldn’t buy something. Nowadays, however, it’s far too easy to brandish your debit or credit card at any chip and pin machine and spend what you can’t afford. If you take a certain amount of cash out with you and are physically able to see your money dwindling from your purse or wallet, you’re much more likely to decline anything frivolous or unnecessary.
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Short-Term Pain, Long-Term Gain
If you’re trying to save money, chances are that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, and focusing on this end goal will certainly help motivate you. However, if you’re simply struggling financially, a long-term plan will often help focus your mind. So, whether you have to eat beans on toast for a few months or go without a few luxuries or essentials, you’re going to be better off for it in the long run if you have a plan to change things for the better. Happy saving!
