Living frugally does not have to mean living in conditions that you don’t like. There are often many things in our lives that we pay for, but rarely use or wouldn’t need if they were gone. Cutting back on spending is about finding these things and eliminating their costs from your life.
Laundry
Laundry is one of the most expensive luxuries most households maintain. A majority of our energy bill is generated by heating water. Cutting back on the amount of laundry you do will help conserve. But does that mean you have to live with dirty clothes? No. There are many simple hand devices that make hand washing much easier. Hand wash the clothes you wear on a regular basis so that piles of dirty laundry don’t accumulate in your hampers. This allows you access to your favorite clothes much faster than if you’d waited to throw them into a large load, and saves money. You also can cut costs by hanging the clothes on an inexpensive drying rack (which will also cut back on the need to iron them).
Tv
Even if you are an avid TV fan, the internet makes most TV’s obsolete. You can follow your favorite shows online without needing to pay a monthly cable bill. Select TV watching also cuts back on your energy bill as you are much less likely to drift from show to show while online. Most newer TV’s also come with an HDMI hookup that allows you to connect your computer to your TV and turn the TV into the monitor. This way you don’t have to miss out on the definition that you can get from your TV. TV’s also come with Netflix andHulu services even if you don’t already have these services on your laptop. Between the internet and a connecting cable, there is really no reason to pay for a cable deal.
Cut Off Your Landline
How often do you use it? Most telephone communications are done via cell now. There is really no need for a land line.
Cancel Private Mortgage Insurance
If you put less than 20% down on your mortgage when you bought your house then you may have been asked to pay .5% in mortgage insurance. However, once you have paid 20% of your equity, you are no longer obligated to pay the insurance. Remember to cancel it with your bank. It can save you a significant amount every month.
These simple ideas will help you cut back on some of your major expenses and save you money month to month. Money saved is money earned, and the savings will add up. If you are looking to live a bit more frugally, without feeling as if you are sacrificing your comfort and your standard of living, look into these sorts of changes. Try one change at a time, or try one out for a while to see what works for you. Remember, it’s about making a lasting change, not the short term benefit.
About Author
Karina is a bank executive and a part time blogger who occasionally writes on finance and relationship, She recently read this article http://markets.ibtimes.com/ibtimes/news/read/23424120/turns_out_you_can_put_a_price_on_love!_it%27s_$43 about the cost of love and found it very interesting
