Budget basics

byMKearns

7.6K followers

8 years ago

In the US and most locations life is driven by household expenditures. There are three basic types: Housing, transportation and food. In these days where every dollar counts it is advisable to find methods of reducing the expenditures of each!

Housing

-put at least 5% of your mortgage payment extra into your monthly payment amount to hasten the payoff date and the accumulated interest charges which can total up to 30% overall savings

-If your family is grown consider the tiny home trend which will save on heating, cooling and taxes. This will also reduce insurance charges

-some people combine housing and transportation outgo by living in mobile homes and large boats. In San Francisco the heavy area costs are reduced by renting a space in a harbor slip

Transportation

-use a smaller vehicle as family size diminishes

-consider electric of hybrid electric to save the cyclical high fuel costs

-make ride sharing programs your friend. There are several found in most locations

Food

-grow your own in season. Where I live in the mid Atlantic US region, tomatoes, peppers and zucchini squash thrive well in the summer heat

-take advantage of the latest retail consolidation in the grocery area. Aldi which is skyrocketing in our and many areas offers substantial savings over Walmart and name brand grocers

-shop at a military commissary if nearby and eligible. In our area that is a less expensive alternative than Aldi It is possible to save as much as 40% per year over standard costs

-always buy generic brands. Most are the same name brands you know rebranded by distribution companies. These are centrally located in the heart of the US in places like Godlettville, TN, Bentonville, AR and locations in Missouri and Illinois

-buy in bulk for needed items and prepare salads and other foods labeled as convenience with basic materials of your own

These practices will reduce your financial outgo and ease your living quality. It is healthy for you and your endeavors as well as the financial health of the companies you transact business with. Further preferred reading at the source listed below.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/money...