Your goal is to save $2,000 in the next 18 months but you don't know where you will find the money. Try these tips to help you reach-and even exceed--your goal.
* Take your lunch 4 days a week. Save $20 a week for a total of $2,620.
* Before buying anything, think of alternatives to finding the same product for a reduced cost such as garage sales, flea markets and thrift shops. You could save at least $20 a month for a total of $360.
* Saving your tax refund could add $500 or more to your savings
* Pay off your credit card bill in six months. If you save $100 a month (because you have no credit card payment) for 12 months, it will be a total of $1200.
* Borrow videos, books and magazines from your library to save $5 a week or $405 over the 18 months.
* Stop smoking. Save $2,674 on the cost of cigarettes.
* Wait for things to go on sale and save at least $15 a week-$1,215.
* The next time you buy a car, think of buying a compact vehicle, especially if it is used mainly for in-town driving. You could save at least $250 a month in loan payments-a total of $4,500.
* Put your extra change in a change jar everyday and watch it grow. At $1.00 a day, you can accumulate $512.
* Buy soft drinks at the grocery store rather than in the office soda machine. Save $142.
* Never use credit card checks or use your credit card cash advance. Interest charges and fees are outlandish. Your potential savings here:$400.
* Save $100 a year by keeping your engine tuned and your tires properly inflated, to build a total of $150 towards your goal.
* Save $300 by changing your car insurance deductibles and shopping for the best coverage.
* Sell outgrown and seldom used clothes, toys, games, kitchen items, etc. at garage sales, or at consignment and thrift shops. Generate $700 for savings.
* Save $6 a month for smart shopping using coupons, another $108 of savings.
If you could take advantage of these suggestions you could save $15,048 in the next 18 months.
Debbie Wilburn is County Agent/Family and Consumer Science Agent with the Hall (770)535-8290 and the Forsyth (770)887-2418 County Extension Service.
Monday
August 4th, 2025
7:59AM
