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Submitted by: Chirag Savaliya

In these hard financial times, even for those of us lucky enough to be gainfully employed keeping your finances straight can be such a challenge. With the cost of everything from milk and eggs to gas rising, saving is near impossible. This article will offer some advice on personal finance.

Using a frugal approach to spending can be a powerful method of keeping your personal finances under control. A few simple changes in your spending can make a dramatic difference. Purchase a used car instead of a new one. Shop around for a cheaper cell phone plan. Look for ways to make your home more energy efficient.

Refrain from going out with your co-workers to restaurants on lunch break. These bills can cost upwards of 10 to 15 dollars per day and can put a real dent in your expenses over the course of the year. Bringing lunch to work is just as efficient and does not cost a lot of money.

Always save your change from the day, when you get home. Any change you have in your pocket should go into a jar. Change adds up quickly, and it should go straight into your savings account where the change from the week can add up and build interest for your future!

A fun personal finance tip that everyone can put to use is to only use paper money when making cash purchases. Then saving the coins received as change throughout the day by placing them in a jar at home. You will be surprised by how much money you can set aside without putting forth much effort at all.

Always purchase generic medication whenever you can. Not only does it save you as much as fifty percent off the cost of brand name pills, but you may be able to utilize one of the monthly plans commonly offered by large retailers. This means extra savings on already great prices.

Have your family on the same page with you. If finances are tough, and you’ve had to make budget cuts, explain to them that everyone is going to have to be understanding of any changes. Don’t go deep into debt, just to make everyone happy. Unburden yourself, be open, and share with your family, exactly what is happening.

Be very careful when you are taking on more debt. While some debts like mortgages. and student loans are acceptable, it is not wise to amass other debts. If you have a car that needs to be repaired, or a home improvement project you want completed, wait until you can afford to pay for them.

If you want to have great personal finances you should avoid over-drafting your bank account. These accounts will charge your very high fees, even if you only overdraft your account by a couple of dollars. Always use cash whenever you can to ensure that you are not spending money that you do not have.

Consider renting a home instead of buying, if you want to cut your monthly costs. Financial analysts have been debating over renting versus buying for a long time. Do a cost comparison to see how much owning really costs you, after you factor in property taxes, maintenance, insurance and other expenses. If you rent, you can take the money you save and invest it to earn a return. This can take the place of the appreciation that you would earn on a home that you own.

Before you go out and do yet another trip to the grocery store, have a really good look in the pantry to see what meals you can make using the ingredients you already have. All too often good food is thrown away as it is past its “best before” date, yet a little more careful planning could save a fortune.

Before purchasing an appliance or electronic device, take a few minutes to read customer reviews and consumer reports. This information can help you to make a better decision and get more for your money. It will also make it easier to identify products that are likely to require frequent or costly repairs.

You can save tons of money each month by drinking more water and less bottled drinks. Of course, everyone knows that water is healthy for you. But it is also free, meaning that you do not have to dish out so much money buying it. You will also be more full, meaning that you won’t spend as much on food.

Do you tend to overspend? You can get rid of this habit by carrying only a small sum of cash on you. Leave your credit card and checkbook at home when you go shopping and take only as much cash as you can afford to spend. You will have to go home and think about your purchase if you want to buy anything else.

Instead of paying full-price for new release books, CD’s and DVD’s, consider applying for a library card at your local public library. You can return these items after you are finished and will pay next to nothing to do so. Libraries are also a great source of free entertainment for families with young children.

Take advantage of the benefits that your job offers because these can save you a lot of money. If your company offers life or health insurance, that will save you a lot and you may also be able to benefit, if your company offers an employer matching contribution on a 401(K).

A great way to improve your personal financial situation is to create a budget. If you have a strict budget to follow, in order to reach your goals, you will be far more likely to accomplish them, than if you had not. A budget will also make it easier to save money, as you will see exactly where your money is going.

Even though times are tough it is still feasible to get a handle on your finances. Whether it be by investing, scrimping and saving, or by sheer manpower, it is possible. This article offered some advice on how to handle your personal finances so that these tough financial times won’t be as tough.

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