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5 Ways to Cut Your Spending & FREE budget printables!


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 What's your reason for wanting to cut your spending? You must have something on your mind if you clicked on this post. 

  • Paying off debt?
  • Saving for a trip?
  • Send your kid(s) to college?
  • Give more to your church? 
  • Income loss?
Whatever it is, I have a few helpful tips that I'm still learning and refining! 

1. Establish a budget (and use it!)


I feel like this should be an easy one... like, DUH. But it's not so easy to keep track of a budget and stay on track. I've found myself slacking up in knowing where my money was going many times. 

You can't cut spending to save money if you don't first know where it's being invested! 

Track your...
  • Income
  • Budgeted expenses
  • Actual expenses
This overall view will determine where you can cut and where you can't. 

If you haven't used a budgeting system before, here's a few downloads to help you get started. 

Budget at a Glance by Clean & Scentsible 

Family Budget by A Spectacled Owl 

The Simple Budget by A Cultivated Nest 


2. Check your bank account 

There's been many times when we've looked at our bank account but only to get the big picture of how much we had, the bills that just got paid, or sometimes (especially in our younger years) if we had enough to pay the next bills. 

Look at every single debit in your account. Unless you're very meticulous about your bank account, you'll find that you're paying for subscriptions monthly that you didn't even realize. This could save you $3/month that went unnoticed or $100/month on some subscription that you decide you don't really need. 

3. Use cash for fun things 

Sometimes if we're in a pinch or we're trying to reach a specific financial goal, I get a little too stingy. I'm trying to learn a balance of being wise but also having fun. 

So I advocate to still do fun things - day trips, weekend get aways, amusements parks - but may be find a more creative way to spend less!

Create an amount you want to stick to and use cash. Once it's gone, it's gone - so plan accordingly. If your trip or fun excursion is nearing an end and you have plenty of money left over, splurge a little!

4. Search for lower payments

Take the time to contact your internet provider to ask if they have any current deals you could sign up for. Research your cell phone company for a better plan. Refinance your vehicle for a better interest rate (If you have a payment, and your credit would allow for a better rate). 

A few phone calls or chats online could save you quite a bit each month!

5. Limit your groceries costs (THIS IS IMPORTANT!)

I saved this one for last because I feel that this is one of the most important - if not the most important. If you're at rock bottom on your grocery budget and can't go any lower, then you're probably already doing numbers 1-4 anyway! 

Grocery budgeting and shopping is something that we have complete control of, even though you may feel out of control. 

When Aaron and I first got married, we didn't have much; so I dedicated myself to spending $30-40/week. 

Now, as a family of four, I try to keep my budget around $75/week. This includes toiletry items like paper towels and toilet paper and baby items like diapers and wipes. There's some weeks that I don't stick at that number if there's a good meat sale going on or I want to stock up. But I try to even it out. 

I don't have ALL the tips and secrets, and I'm still learning. So, I want to suggest some resources that might be helpful if this is an area you want to get better in.

I suggest Crystal Paine's (The Money Saving Mom) Slash Your Grocery Budget Ebook. 
I don't have my specifics quite as refined as her but following her over the past decade or so, I've learned a lot! Her family of six eats good and healthy meals for around $50/week. 
This book is only $17! So if you spend $17 then save $50 the next week in groceries, I'd say it was well worth it. 

My other favorite is Laurie's (Passionate Penny Pincher) Meal plans. You can find the digital copies HERE for as low as $7.95. If you're not as tech savvy like me, you can find the physical copies HERE. She has a great collection of meal ideas PLUS grocery lists - that's the great part!

You can also use some CASH BACK apps that have been helpful to me!

___________________________________________________________________________________

Some extra money may already be coming in every month! You just have to make it work for you!

I'd love to hear what your financial goals are and any other tips you may find that help!

Until next time...

xoxo,
Lizzy 💜

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