Instant gratification might feel good, but the truth is the cost of comfort is killing budgets everywhere. Impulsive spending, whether it be of the daily latte or larger "keeping up with the Joneses" variety, can sink a budget over the course of a year. With just a little help from Wise Bread, here are 5 intelligent investing suggestions that will help you tame the runaway cost of comfort.
Don't make such a mess
If you are able to support your local community cleaners, then go ahead and use the cleaning services. However, maid services are definitely a luxury for some people. Do it yourself and save. You’ll even get some exercise within the process.
Slim down your cell phone
Mobile devices are ubiquitous these days, but for some people who don’t rely upon them for business, they are yet one more cost of convenience. Land lines are cheaper, and cheap VOIP telephone services are available for people with a computer and broadband connection.
1000 channels and nothing is on
Many individuals feel like they have a huge selection of TV shows, and nothing entertaining is on. TV addicts tend to have a TV in nearly each and every room of their house along with the selection of channels they will never watch. Try opening a book. You will find other entertainment choices that will save you a bundle. For example you can use the "free" radio for news, or even the "old-fashion" newspaper. In case you are bored, get up and go do something outdoors.
Don't depend so much on your car
Public transportation is convenient if you live in a city with a good grid design for the use. A reliable form of transportation is needed for school, work, or any obligation you may have. It is often a requirement for you to have a car to get around if you live someplace where public transportation is inadequate. For those who need a car, buy depending upon need, rather than signing up for all the bells and whistles. Paying for more car than you need is a prime example of the great cost of convenience. Try riding a bicycle instead.
Don't eat out so much
Cooking should be a skill everyone possesses; sadly, most American's simply do not know how to do that. The average American family with children spends at least $300 a month eating out according to MSN Moneycentral. That is sad because simple meals are not difficult to learn to cook. With some preparing, eating out could be cut to a minimum and conserve recession-starved families a few thousand dollars per year.
Info from
MSN
articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SmartSpending/blog/page.aspx?post=1639331
Wise Bread
wisebread.com/8-ways-convenience-is-screwing-your-finances
Nix the cleaners
If you can actually afford to have a cleaning service, go right ahead. After all it helps the community. However, maid services are definitely a luxury for most people. Not only will you get exercise by cleaning yourself, in the course of a year you will save a good amount of money.
Stop paying for what you don't use on your cell phone
If you don't want to admit it, your cell phone is a convenience cost; unless it is for business purposes. Land lines are cheaper, and cheap VOIP telephone services are available for people with a computer and broadband connection.
Who needs so much TV
So many people have thousands of channels but yet have nothing they want to watch on. Not only do TV addicts think they need the variety, but some will have multiple televisions within the same household, so ingrained is the passive habit. Try opening a book. Even cheaper and healthier would be to go outside and exercise, use the radio or old fashioned newspaper for your news, and find other outlets for entertainment.
Other options for transportation
Having reliable transportation is necessary for school, work and other obligations, and in well-designed cities, public transportation serves the public need. It is often a requirement for you to have a car to get around if you live somewhere where public transportation is inadequate. Buy what you need to get where you need, don't waste money on pointless upgrades. Paying for more car than you need is a prime example of the great cost of convenience. Try riding a bicycle instead.
Cut back on eating out
Sadly many American's never learn the necessity of cooking. The average American family with kids spends at least $300 a month eating out according to MSN Moneycentral. That is sad because simple meals are not difficult to learn to cook. If you simply plan your meals, you could save thousands a year on dinning in.
Information from
MSN
articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SmartSpending/blog/page.aspx?post=1639331
Wise Bread
wisebread.com/8-ways-convenience-is-screwing-your-finances
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