Budgeting Tips

A summary of budgeting tips taken from the weekly column – Pig Tits and Parsley Sauce.

Here are some easy hints: Work out how much you are currently spending – be honest.

Set a sensible limit (mine is $100 a week)

Stay out of the supermarket – investigate the cheaper alternatives – Bin Inn or other bulk buy outlets, butchers for meat and fruit shops and stands for seasonal fruit. Veges can be grown.

If you have to go to the supermarket write a list of exactly what you need and stick to it.

If the kids/partner pressure you into to overspending – and kids are experts at getting around their parents – leave them at home.

Take cash.  If you only have $100 in your pocket you can’t overspend.

Know what things are worth and look for the cheapest acceptable alternative.

Look on the lower shelves, the tempting, expensive, luxury items are at eye-level.

Forget specials.  There are usually generic items always at lower prices than those advertised.

Take your time to think before you shop – you’ll be amazed at how much money you can save.

To save piles of cash out of money not spent on groceries, apply the following:  Set a goal ie:  I want to save $12,000 in one year. Limit your grocery spend ie:  $100 a week.  Stick to this limit.  If you accidentally overspend, adjust your next weeks limit accordingly. Eg:  Oops I’ve spent $120, don’t worry but your next weeks spend will be $80. That’s all you need to do.  How much could you save?

The Plan:

Avoid shops.

Stick to a list.

If you can’t afford it, do without! Buy bargains.