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20 Ways to Stretch a Budget

1. Plan weekly or monthly shopping around sales and seasonal price reductions, and use coupons.
2. Purchase foods that are in season.
3. Raise a garden.
4. Avoid eating out.
5. Make your own mixes, such as biscuit mix and cake mix, instead of buying the boxed version at the grocery store.
6. Start a carpool.
7. Walk or ride a bike more often.  Not only will this save on gas, but it can save on medical bills in the long run, too.
8. Learn to sew.  Not only can you make inexpensive clothes for your children and yourself, but you can also do simple repairs instead of buying a new item.
9. Make meals from scratch instead of buying convenience foods.
10. Don’t over buy when shopping a good sale.
11. Buy multipurpose items such as sofa beds and food processors, instead of buying each single item separately.
12. Use dry milk instead of fresh for cooking.
13. Get rid of items you don’t use or need anymore.  Not only are these items costing you time and money on upkeep.  Have a garage sale, or swap these items for others you do need.
14. Buy in bulk.
15. Recycle – not just aluminum cans, but reuse as many things as you can before you throw them away.  An example?  Instead of throwing out the paper cups you just used at the picnic, rinse them out and save them for planting season.  The cups are ideal for starting seedlings. Or, get even more creative with your recycling and find programs that will pay you for your unwanted goods. There's even a program that will allow you to
16. Rent expensive seldom-used items, like carpet cleaners and floor buffers, instead of buying them.
17. Learn to do-it-yourself!  Thousands of dollars a year can be saved when you replace and repair yourself instead of hiring the work done.
18. Make sure your storm windows and weather stripping are in good order.  You can save up to 20% on heating bills in the winter.
19. If you don’t already have it, invest in good insulation.
20. Shop around.  One store’s bargain basement price may be another store’s top dollar!

 

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