Spending Too Much? 4 Frugal Moves to Save Money Each Month3 min read

If you feel like you can’t make ends meet each month, it may be because you are spending too much money on unnecessary expenses. It is also possible that you are paying more than you have to for heating, air conditioning and other utilities. Let’s look at some ways that you can cut expenses and keep more of your cash.

Start Making Your Own Meals

Instead of going out for breakfast, lunch or dinner, make your own meals at home. In addition to being cheaper, there is a good chance that they will be healthier as well. Smartphone apps can help you find coupons and other deals that will further reduce your cost per meal without having to sacrifice the foods that you love. Buying in bulk can also help if you have an affinity for energy drinks or like to have a beer after work.

Just one of the times when I took on meal planning for the month. I have been doing it for a couple years and it has been awesome and so much cheaper.

Take a Look at Your Entertainment Budget

Your entertainment budget contains items such as your cell phone package, cable television package and vacation budget. If you aren’t using all of the features on your phone or watching all the channels on your television, consider cutting back to save money without harming your lifestyle. To trim your vacation budget, look to take trips during the week or stay with friends instead of in a hotel.

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Is Your Air Conditioner Running Properly?

If your air conditioner isn’t running like it should, that could be costing you hundreds of dollars a month in wasted energy. Having it inspected could reveal the reason why it is running at less than peak capacity. It can also let you know if it is time to replace it instead of simply swapping out parts. Contact multiple HVAC services to get a few different quotes before deciding who to work with.

Our A/C unit has been running faithfully since we bought our house 8 years ago, with only one hiccup. We know it won't last forever and we'll probably have to replace it in the next couple years.

Get a Roommate

While not everyone is happy with the idea of sharing a home or apartment with another person, it can help to save money on rental or mortgage payments. It can also reduce the amount that you have to pay for food and utilities each month. The combined savings could total hundreds or thousands of dollars each month that can be used to start a retirement savings account or emergency fund.

If you are looking for ways to become more frugal, you can start by analyzing your monthly expenditures. Talking with a financial adviser can also make it easier to learn how to be smarter with your money. This person can take steps to improve your financial situation such as helping you write a budget or lower the interest rates on your outstanding debt balances.