9 Tips To Save Money - Personal Finance Basics

By: Brandon Schmid Click author's name for more of his/her articles

There are many easy ways to save money when dealing with personal finance basics. Some are slightly more time consuming than other methods but in the end it is completely worth what time it might take. If you only follow one or two of the following tips you could save more money than you might imagine each month.
REQUEST FREE SAMPLES:

There are plenty of Internet sites that offer free samples on every day products. Sometimes the big companies such as K-Mart or Petsmart have excellent opportunities for everyday people to get free items. These items range from skin lotions and personal hygiene products to pet food or cleaning products. One other option is to go directly to a manufacturer's website to find those free samples on brand new items. If there is something you may need, type 'free sample' into google before you go to the store to purchase that product. This is the beginning of mastering personal finance basics.
CHANGE CREDIT CARD SPENDING AND HABITS:

Credit cards are great but also dangerous. With high interest rates and monthly fees, credit cards may end up costing you more down the road than you may have planned.
My rules of thumb:
- always use cash unless its for a major purchase
- be certain you are able to pay for product before you use a credit card
- always pay the balance of your credit card
AVOID IMPULSE BUYS:

We all know what it's like to push a shopping cart through the aisles of the grocery store and when we get to the check out we have twice as much as we planned to buy. You should create a shopping list, go by it and don't buy anything that's not on your list. This goes for any type of shopping like wardrobe, food or movies or CD's. Retail outlets are mapped out specifically for those impulse buys with magazine racks and chocolate bars within an arms length. Make your list, check it twice, and follow it.
SHOP THE SALE RACK:

This is another personal finance basics rule but don't confuse this with an impulse buy. If you made your list and know what you need, so check the sale rack before you shop. It's pretty likely you will find exactly what you are looking for on sale and pay far less than the usual price. Food stores operate the same way. They often over order products and are forced to run unadvertised specials on overstock items. Just be sure that product is on your list.

SAVE YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY:

This may be the hardest thing to do when money is tight, but it just might be the most critical step to take. According to the book 'The Wealthy Barber' you must save 10% of the money you make every week. That may not seem like a lot but it will add up very fast and if properly invested it will go a long way towards your retirement down the road.
SAVE YOUR CHANGE:

This may sound a little silly but this little tip is a great one. Why? Because it's just like found cash. Every time you get home from the store put all of your loose change into a jar. Each month or every couple of months count up the change, roll it up and deposit it into your bank account or treat yourself to a well deserved night out. These are the personal finance basics you learned when you were very young.
BUY IN BULK:
We've already talked a lot about shopping but here's another shopping idea that mostly applies to grocery shopping. Buy in bulk. If you drink a lot of fruit juice and you see that it is on sale at 50% off, buy 4 instead of two or purchase the 24 pack of water instead of the smaller 12 pack. This may seem easy but many people don't make bulk buys on every day items.

CLIP COUPONS:

I know this may make you feel like your grand parent but this is another great way to save lots of cash. It only takes a few minutes each week and you can probably save hundreds of dollars every year on things you were already planning to buy. Go through your local newspaper or check online for some amazing coupons.
RECYCLE PLASTIC BAGS:

Not only is this great for the environment but it will save you money too! Lots of stores are now charging around ten cents for plastic bags. Chances are you have about a million of them hidden away in your closest already. Why not bring those bags when you go shopping and use them again? Try to use those plastic bags from the store in your garbage under your kitchen sink or in the bathroom. Don't spend money every month on a box of kitchen garbage bags when you already have them at home.
These simple tips will save you lots of money and they are easy and can also be fun. It can be rewarding to know that you have started to take the first steps to becoming free from debt. By carefully following these tips to save money you are one your way to understanding the personal finance basics all of us should know.

Article Source: ABC Article Directory

About The Author: You can pay off your debts and save money at the same time! Say goodbye to your boss forever! A blog that will show you the secrets of the wealthy: www.howtomanagemoneytips.com Get a free budget sheet, net worth calculator, tools and more: www.howtomanagemoneytips.com/ebook.html