Save Cash the Easy Way

By now everyone is more than aware of the global financial crisis, but for a lot of people, the need to change their lifestyle to match the change in their income hasn't been easy to impliment. Many families and individuals are beginning to feel the strain, and if, like me you have suffered redundancy, these changes are more important than ever.

Recently the company I worked for was suddenly sold and I found myself out of work with less than a weeks notice. Suddenly, I found myself with no income and only my severance pay to survive on. After subtracting the costs of rent and bills, I found I needed to get creative to make every cent go as far as possible.

Here I will share the simple tips I have learned, that helped me to live more comfortably at such a stressful and uncertain time.

These tips work for everyone from families to students; they may seem simple, but if you stick to them, before long you will notice the difference.

Here are some super easy things you can do today; they may seem to simple to make any difference, but remember, a penny saved is a penny earned.

• Open your wallet or purse, look down the side of the couch and check your jacket pockets. Found any coins? Put them in a jar. Before you know it, that small change will turn into big bucks.
  
• Grab your last grocery receipt and look at what you're buying, really look. Store brands are usually just as good as name brands. Doesn't it seem a little ridiculous to be paying so much more for fancy packaging. When the food's on the table, nobody will notice the difference, so keep your money and buy store brands.
  
• Clean house! Did you know the dust and dirt that gathers behind your fridge makes it work harder, costing you money. It's a quick fix and any saving is a good saving right?
  
• Laundry is a total pain and I hate doing it, but alas it is a necessity for everyone. Doing your laundry in of peak times, usually at night, will save you cash and give you a great excuse to put off this chore just a little bit longer!
  
• Bedtime! Turn off all of your appliances at the wall. Leaving things like TV's, laptops and microwaves on standby uses a surprising amount of power. Why pay for your TV to be almost turned off? A flick of a switch is too easy to ignore. (Note: A friend of mine took to turning off her hot water cylinder at night. This is crazy, when you turn it back on, it takes ages to reheat and costs!)
  
• Turn down your heat a few degrees at night, or even better, throw an extra blanket on the bed and turn off the AC altogether.
  

Staying on a budget can be especially hard when it feels like all you do is scrimp and save. It often feels like everything fun costs money, but if you get a little creative, you can have fun for free; and maybe you'll find yourself doing something you never expected.

• Instead of going out to a fancy restaurant with that special someone, why not organize a picnic? It's romantic, cheap and you'll get some fresh air. If the weather isn't so good, have it at home. Push back the furniture, spread out your blanket and let the good times roll.
  
  
• Have friends over for a potluck dinner. Potluck is fun, social and you only have to bring one thing, how easy is that?
  
  
• Get reading! Instead of going to the cinema, go to the library. Borrowing books is free and as well as being entertained, you might just learn something.
  
• Go for a walk. I never really used to walk anywhere, driving is so much more convenient, but also expensive. Walking when you can not only saves you money, it's also relaxing and a great form of exercise. Take the whole family and see what you notice about the world when you're not stuck in the car.
  
• Clip coupons. They really are great once you get used to using them. Video stores offer great coupon deals for cheap rentals or two for one deals.
  
• Live near a beach? Go there! Need I say more?
  

• Get the family or a group of friends together for a board game night. It's fun and everyone knows someone with games, so it wont cost a cent.

Just remember, it doesn't have to be flashy and expensive to be fun. Spending time with the people you love is the ultimate good time.

Ok, so walking everywhere would be great for your health and your wallet, but it isn't always the most convenient way to get around and lets face it, the prospect of walking for an hour to get to the store isn't very appealing. On a larger scale, travel can be costly, but there are a few ways you can cut down on costs and get to where you need to go.

• Take the bus when you can. It might take a little longer than driving and you have to sit next to strangers, but hey, it's cheaper than filling your tank right?
  
• Ride a bike. This is a great work out, it's free and it's fun, what's not to love?  Ok ok, fanatics in Lycra, not always great, but it's mostly a fantastic way to get around.
  
• If you can, skate! If you're like me and totally uncoordinated, maybe it's not a great idea
  
• When driving long distances, clean out your car first! Exess weight makes your car burn fuel faster, meaning more trips to the gas station. This is never good. Take out all the junk you don't need and save fuel.
  
• Carpool to work or school. It might take a little longer to get there, but you'll save on gas and you get to catch up with friends on the way.
  
• Shop online for flights, there are great deals. Google is your friend and can help you find the cheapest flights out there. After all, it's the destination, not the ride there that counts right?
  

Finally, the most important thing I have learned so far. For the first week of my intense budget cuts and scrimping, I denied myself of everything that wasn't strictly essential. Financially, it was a great move, but emotionally, it made me a wreck.

It's important to save whatever you can, but it's still OK to treat yourself sometimes. After all, where's the fun in life if you never give into temptation every now and then?

Just be sure to keep it in check. A couple of lattes everyday isn't a great idea, but if you really want that doughnut in the bakery window, go for it. Just remember a treat means not everyday.

Good Luck with the savings;
Anyone with any other tips, feel free to comment below.

Dylan
www.twitter.com/dylanNZ