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Save money: Ways you're wasting cash and don't even realize it
Financial stress is common for many people regardless of their income level, and you may be one of many individuals who feel as though they have scaled back their budget as much as possible. The reality, however, is that many individuals are still spending far more money each year than they need to. There are numerous hidden expenses that you may not realize are costing you a small fortune. By focusing your attention on these expenses, you may be able to free up even more money in your budget each month.
Credit Card Fees
Many people have multiple credit cards at their disposal, and these credit cards can cost you money in different ways through their fees. For example, if you pay a credit card payment even a day late in some cases, you may be charged a fee of $25 or more. In addition, some credit cards have an annual fee of $75 or more. When all these fees are tallied up over the course of a year, you may be spending hundreds of dollars and not know it. Consider closing accounts with an annual fee, and make an effort to always pay your credit cards on time.
Credit Card Balances
Credit card balances are another source of monetary waste. Each time your balance carries forward to the next month, you pay interest on the balance. In some cases, this may be as much as 25 to 28 percent or more. Add up the total amount of your interest charges paid last month. This is pure financial waste that could be eliminated if you stop using your cards and pay the balances off. While you work on paying balances off, consider transferring the debt to an account with a better interest rate and no annual fees.
Restaurant Food
Restaurants can be expensive, and you may consider eating at home more often. While you can cut down your trips to restaurants, it is unrealistic to never eat out. When you do go out, research restaurant prices online before you decide where to go. Consider going to a more affordable restaurant that offers a variety of food for everyone to enjoy.
Coupons on Purchases
If you are serious about saving money, you should consider looking for coupons for everything you buy. This can take considerable time and effort, but you may be surprised to find coupons available for most purchases. You can research coupon codes for various e-retailers, and you can also use the Internet to download coupons for your grocery store purchases.
Not Using Your Employer-Matching Retirement Program
Many employers offer an employer matching retirement program. Essentially, they will match your retirement contribution dollar for dollar. If you are not taking advantage of this program, you are essentially throwing free money away. It can be difficult to find money to save on a tight budget, but by making an effort to do so, you can enjoy the accumulation of great wealth over the years.
Low-Quality Merchandise
It is a common myth that buying cheap stuff saves you money. In many instances, the cheapest items available are very low quality. You may find yourself needing to replace them more quickly than if you had bought a quality item. Make an effort to research each purchase online, focusing on quality and durability. This will help you to make a smarter buying decision.
Managing your money can be stressful, and you may struggle to make ends meet despite your best efforts. However, you can see that there are many additional steps you can take to be more frugal with your money. Consider how implementing these tips can help you to improve your finances in the coming months.
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