How to Save Money in a Tight Economy by Spending Less

By Lisa Musser
Right now everybody has a tight grip on their wallets as jobs are disappearing and the cost of everything just keeps going up. Food and utility costs are outrageous and the cost of gas is going back up too. So how can you manage to pay all your bills and still put away a little for emergencies....By spending less for the things you buy and use. I'll give you practical tips on how to spend less on food and consumable goods, use less electricity and even improve gas mileage so you don't have to fill up as often. The money you save will be what you are a able to keep "For a rainy day", and with the economy as it is that rainy day id looming on the horizon. Every good financial planner will tell you that you should have 3 months of income saved up in case of an emergency: loss of a job or unexpected event could wipe you out and leave you homeless. I will even give you a tip to pay less interest on your mortgage payments.

First things first: Sit down and look at your current budget, are there any areas you could cut back a little. Substitute a movie rental and microwave popcorn for a night out. You won't have to do this forever, just until you have a nest egg securely tucked away. Cut down wherever you can. Make your morning coffee and take it in a to go mug instead of buying Starbucks. Make your lunch the night before instead of opting for the vending machine or McDonald's, Cook multiple meals at home when you have the extra time. Then on busy nights just pull one out of the freezer and your set. Example: you make lasagna just make a double batch and freeze one for later. Pies or desserts, makes extras and put in freezer. Leftovers go well in the freezer too.

You can save a lot on food by price matching at Walmart. Take your weekly circulars and look for the lowest prices on the foods you buy. Make a list of the price and what store has it. This is called making a price book. When you go shopping get everything that is on your list. You'll need to be careful about brands though. Name brands are honored and the generic Walmart brands like food club are honored. Nothing that says club price or buy 1 get 1. You'll have to go to those stores to get that deal. I shop Walmart all the time because of this. But make sure to bring your newspaper ads and price book because sometimes the cashiers will give you guff unless you can prove your price. Not too often though I've only had this happen once and only by one cashier but I like to always be prepared.

Electricity costs can be lowered by lowering your thermostat to 68-70. Replacing light bulbs with low energy 60-watt bulbs everywhere that doesn't require bright light. Turn lights off in unoccupied rooms. Insulate doors and windows to keep heat from leaking out through cracks and gaps. Windows can be covered in plastic sheeting found at your local hardware store and gaps under doors can be filled with newspaper or get what is called a "Door Duck". Which is basically a rolled up piece of material that is tucked under or in front of the door. Like rolling up a bath towel and laying it in front of the door.

Gas usage can be less if you keep the right amount of air in your tires. 30 lbs of pressure is optimum for most cars. Make sure to check and replace air and fuel filters when they get dirty. Combine small trips into one bigger trip. Top off your tank, a full tank burns slower than an empty one.

Buy household items at thrift stores or Pawnshops. Pawn Brokers usually have a good assortment of used TV's,VCR"s, DVD players, jewelry, watches, Laptop Computers, stereo systems and much more. Furniture and appliances can be found at discount furniture stores, look for ones that have going out of business sales.

And lastly you can save money on the interest you pay on your mortgage by making an extra payment each month. Check with your company to see if they will let you pay above your payment amount. The way this works is you make your regular payment as scheduled, then later make a second payment of any amount. The first payment will have the interest deducted and the balance goes to the principle. But they can only charge interest 1x a month so the second payment goes totally to the principle. This will help you pay it off quicker and with less paid out in interest.

- Clothing can be found cheaply at discount retail stores like Target, Walmart(check the clearance racks for up to 75%off.) Ross, Mervyn's, TJ Maxx, Twice as nice, Value Village, Savers, Salvation Army, and a dozen more just look in your phone book.

- Hope this gives you some good ideas to start off then get creative and come up with more of your own. There are lots of ways you can save money. I am listing some frugal living websites below for additional information and more money saving tips. This is a lifesaver for me.