If you're like most people, you spend more money than you need to every month. Like pebbles, these minor extra expenses seem light and easy to toss away. But gather them into a pile, and these "pebbles" really add up.
The reason these expenses can go unnoticed is that they are often included in your monthly budget. So take a close look at what you're spending every month, and where you're wasting money. You might be surprised at the pile of savings you can collect.
Here are just a few ways you can keep more of your money:
- Know Your Stuff: Late fees, interest rate changes, billing errors- these are all added costs that really add up. Read your statements and bills. Keep on top of when payments are due, when interest rates are going to change, and your transaction history. And keep track of the rates you selected when you made reservations for travel or arrangements for services. You are a lot more likely to catch a billing error than the company that overcharges you.
- Choose Wisely: It's not just in fast food restaurants that "meal deal" marketing has taken over. For just a little extra money, you can get extra things or extra services, on almost anything, that you didn't know you needed. And chances are, you don't really need them. Stick to the basics, and keep the extra money. And watch out for monthly membership charges, too. Do you pay thirty dollars monthly for the one health club visit you manage to make each month? Jog to the health club, cancel the membership, and pocket the thirty dollars.
- Shop Smarter, Not Harder: Bargain hunters, beware! An amazing deal is only amazing if it's on something you set out to buy in the first place. The same is true of buying in bulk. It can save you money, but not always. No matter how good the deal, are you really going to be able to eat five gallons of olives? And before you invest in all the items you need for an exciting new hobby, take an inventory of what you already have. Is there some activity you already shopped for that you haven't kept up? It's something to think about before you start fresh (and start spending!).
- Get What You Have Coming to You: If you bought something that didn't work out, don't leave it hiding in a closet. Return it to the store or mail it back in, and get your money back. Also, if your employer matches 401k contributions or provides other benefits to you, use them. If you don't, it's like refusing to take part of your paycheck. Why would you want to do that?
So start paying attention to the "pebbles" you toss away every month. Small savings here and there can result in a healthy chunk of change by the end of the year.