Even the most diligent budget keeper battles to make their money stretch from one pay day to the next. There are three areas of the budget which seem to swallow the bulk of your household income before you able to do anything, then there are areas where you throw a lot of money away on a monthly basis.
Take a look at the detailed graph below and how you could possibly make your money stretch further.
Housing – Certain areas are more expensive than others, not just on the cost of purchasing a property, but also on the cost of utilities and rentals. Moving to a cheaper area or refinancing your current mortgage will help make your money stretch further.
Transportation – Although the costs of petrol and oil can be high, it is the monthly repayments that knock the budget more. If you can find alternative ways to get to work, or organize to work from home. Most families have two cars, do you really need two? Selling one will give you a burst of income and save monthly.
Food – There are plenty of ways to save on your monthly food bill, from cooking meals that are cheaper and nutritious to buying in bulk and sharing with friends.
The other areas where you can cut back on your expenses are listed below
Loans – interest on loans is always high. Pay off your debts as quickly as possible so that you do not have to pay the additional interest.
Taxes – make sure that you itemize your tax return and claim all the deductions you can using a free tax calculator.
Insurance – shop around on a yearly basis to ensure you are paying the lowest premiums available.
Entertainment – Most people on a tight budget do not have cable TV, but there are many ways that families can have fun without spending money, just be creative and use the library internet or the internet at work for ideas.
By taking the above tips into consideration and making some changes, you can make your budget stretch further.
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