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25 Ways to Save More Each Month
by Ben Steverman
Friday, August 8, 2008
provided by
BusinessWeek
The more we spend unnecessarily, the less money we save for our true priorities and future needs. That's especially important in challenging economic times. BusinessWeek asked financial advisors1 for tips on how to reduce expenses and boost savings2. Changing spending habits can be difficult, but here are 25 suggestions to get started.
1. Track Every Expense
Financial advisors say the best way to control your spending is to know precisely3 where all your cash is going each month. There are several options: Make a budget; keep a spreadsheet of all spending; or buy a computer program designed to help manage your finances.
2. Vacation in the Off-season
Reston (Va.)-based financial planner Frank Boucher says he is taking his beach vacation in early September, when he found a luxury condo for half its cost during July and August. Vacationers can also save by staying with friends or visiting low-cost locations like developing countries.
3. Cut Out Investment Charges and Fees
Jeff Seymour of Triangle Wealth Management in Cary, N.C., points out that many investors4 end up paying 2% to 3% off the top each year for investing costs. Lower-cost mutual5 funds and index funds can slash6 that bill, savings that compound over several decades of investing.
Also, save more by taking full advantage of your employer's matching contribution to your 401(k) account.
4. Cut Back on Eating Out
Food is a daily expense that can add up quickly over time, so office workers can save a lot just by bringing their lunches to work rather than buying every day. Meals eaten at home almost always cost less than evenings out, even at more casual restaurants.
5. Downsize Your Car
Drivers stuck with a gas-guzzling SUV might consider selling it and finding more fuel-efficient wheels. (Of course, that could mean a financial hit given falling prices for the behemoths.) You can save on fuel and also on auto7 loan payments. High car payments are a frequent budget-buster, financial advisors say.
6. Cut Utility Bills, Especially Electricity
Experts are full of advice on lowering electricity and heating bills: Buy efficient light bulbs; lower the thermostat8; turn off the air conditioning whenever possible; turn off lights and unplug appliances when not needed.
7. Make Sure You Don't Have Too Much Insurance
Life insurance can be a bad deal if you don't have dependents. For auto and home insurance, deductibles are often too low, advisors say. "You can save quite a bit by going from a $250 to $1,000 deductible," says Kirk Kinder of Picket9 Fence Financial in Bel Air, Md. "Also, shopping these for prices every couple years is important."
If you can break your addiction11 to fancy coffee, the free office coffee can be a money-saver over time. Unwilling12 to give up out-of-office coffee breaks, some thrifty13 consumers switch to a cheaper drink at their local Starbucks or other coffee shop. For alcoholic14 drinks, quality wines, beers, and liquor can be found at lower prices with a little research.
9. Examine Your Phone Service
Do you need both a landline and a mobile phone? If you have a cell phone, do you need long-distance service on your home phone? Canceling one line could mean one less bill every month. Many people have phone packages that are too expensive for their needs, so read your bill carefully.
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1 advisors | |
n.顾问,劝告者( advisor的名词复数 );(指导大学新生学科问题等的)指导教授 | |
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2 savings | |
n.存款,储蓄 | |
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3 precisely | |
adv.恰好,正好,精确地,细致地 | |
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4 investors | |
n.投资者,出资者( investor的名词复数 ) | |
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5 mutual | |
adj.相互的,彼此的;共同的,共有的 | |
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6 slash | |
vi.大幅度削减;vt.猛砍,尖锐抨击,大幅减少;n.猛砍,斜线,长切口,衣衩 | |
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7 auto | |
n.(=automobile)(口语)汽车 | |
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8 thermostat | |
n.恒温器 | |
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9 picket | |
n.纠察队;警戒哨;v.设置纠察线;布置警卫 | |
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10 beverages | |
n.饮料( beverage的名词复数 ) | |
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11 addiction | |
n.上瘾入迷,嗜好 | |
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12 unwilling | |
adj.不情愿的 | |
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13 thrifty | |
adj.节俭的;兴旺的;健壮的 | |
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14 alcoholic | |
adj.(含)酒精的,由酒精引起的;n.酗酒者 | |
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