Sunday, June 14, 2009

Improve Your Finances, Cut Back Where You Can

Improve Your Finances, Cut Back Where You Can
by: Bernz Jayma P.



Market changes have forced a lot of expenses to go up. If you notice,
your mortgage payments and other costs are not at the same level as
before. For the ordinary consumer, this means less purchasing power and
lower standard of living. Fortunately, you can fight back by knowing the
tips and tricks in saving money. We have compiled five tips that will
help you financially during tough economic times:

• Check your mortgage – most mortgage lenders offer an introductory
offer. If you took advantage of this, make sure that you know when it
will end so that you can remortgage in time. With the variable rate of as
much as 8.5%, no one wants to make even one late payment.

• Save on energy expenses – previously, consumers weren’t that concerned
about their energy bills. It was just something to be paid each month.
With today’s harsh condition though, every penny counts. If you make a
conscious effort to cut back, you might be surprised by the amount of
savings you can keep each month.

• Lower your grocery bills – it is easy to get tempted on the grocery. By
preparing a list and sticking to it, you can eliminate a lot of
unnecessary expenses. In addition, using coupons and buying items that
are really on sale can dramatically reduce your expenses.

• Phone calls – although landlines are no longer popular as before, some
people still rack up expensive monthly bills. If this is the case for
you, examine your pattern and implement strategies that will help lower
it. For example, getting an affordable package will help or you can make
less-urgent calls during off-peak hours. It is even better if you can
manage to call using the VoIP technology instead.

• Gym membership – it is true that investing for your health is good. In
fact, it is probably one of the best investment policies out there.
However, if you have an expensive gym membership that you barely use,
consider some alternatives. For example, look into the gyms that offer
pay-per-trip programs. That way, you only need to pay for the times when
you actually exercise.

These tips are just an overview of what you can do to save on your bills.
There are many more ways to save according to your unique circumstance.
In addition, combining effective investment practices with your saving
strategies will help you attain better financial health.





About The Author
Author and entrepreneur Bernz Jayma P. is the owner of a financial blog,
dedicated to helping people expand their knowledge about their personal
finances. Learn up to date investing strategies and retirement planning
by visiting http://www.Invesmint.com.

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