There are tons of articles online about how you can make changes to your home or lifestyle to save money in the long term. You can keep a spending diary, add solar panels to your home or put in a programmable thermostat. You can’t wait months or even years for a return on your investment! You need cash in your pocket right now! Here are 5 quick ways that you can put more money in your pocket right now.
Rent Movies from the Library
The price of entertaining a family of four has never been higher. Between the rising cost of movie tickets and the outrageous prices charged by theaters and ballparks, it is almost impossible for an average couple to keep their kids entertained. One way for a family on a budget to be entertained without breaking the bank is a family movie night at home. Best of all, you don’t need to have a subscription to Netflix or even take a trip to the Redbox machine. You can get DVDs free of charge from your local library. Not just stuffy, educational stuff either. You can get real movies that your family actually wants to watch with nothing more than a library card.
Buy Generic Brands
There isn’t a lot to be said here that isn’t already out there, but by buying generic brands you can save tons of money over the name brands. This doesn’t mean giving up your favorite soft drink or breakfast cereal, but it does mean buying the generics brands of the stuff you really don’t care about like condiments and green beans.
Use a Shopping List
Whether you keep it on your phone or on an actual piece of paper, make a shopping list and stick to it. One of the places that you are the most likely to overspend is at the supermarket. By creating a list and sticking to it, you can pick up all of the groceries that you need without making impulse purchases. Not only will you save money, a list may actually help you to keep your diet on track.
Negotiate For a Lower Cable Bill
This is a big one. It is likely that your cable and internet bill is one of the largest that you see every month. It is easy to save money, but most people don’t know how to make the call. Call your cable and internet provider and ask for a lower rate. If they say no, tell them, politely, that you know you can get a better rate from their competition and that you intend to switch. Continue this conversation, asking for manager if you have to, until they lower your price. The only issue is that you have to actually be willing to switch if it comes to that. If you are bluffing it will show and you won’t get anywhere with the negotiations. Good luck!
Get Organized
A messy, disorganized house can lead to bills being paid late, items being lost and you having to rebuy stuff that you already own just because it is out of its place. For some families, getting organized means doing a full house cleaning and making a serious effort to keep it that way. For others, it just means getting a small file cabinet to organize bills and other important paperwork. Whatever your family needs to do to get organized, get it done today and start saving money now.
Kenny Soto is a blogger at MyMove.com For even more ways to save money, coupons and online deals visit MyMove.com today.