Finance Roll

There are plenty of simple tips to save money when dealing with personal finance basics. Some are slightly more time consuming than others but despite that fact it is completely worth what time it might take. If you only follow one or two of the following tips you could save hundreds of dollars each year.

REQUEST FREE SAMPLES:

There are plenty of websites that offer free samples for every day products. Even the huge stores such as K-Mart or Petsmart have great opportunities for everyday people to get free items. These items range from skin moisturizers and shampoos to frozen food or bathroom products. Another option is to visit a manufacturer's website to find those free samples on brand new items. If you need something, type 'free sample' into Google before you go to the store to purchase it. This is the beginning of mastering personal finance basics.

CHANGE CREDIT CARD SPENDING AND HABITS:

Credit cards can be wonderful but can be dangerous. With high interest rates and monthly fees, credit cards may wind up costing you a lot more in the future than you expected.

My rules of thumb:

- always use cash unless its for a major purchase

- be certain you are able to pay for the item before you use a credit card

- be sure you can pay the balance of your credit card

AVOID IMPULSE BUYS:

Everyone has had to push a shopping cart through the aisles of the grocery store and the moment we get to the check out we have double the amount we planned to get. Always, always, always create a shopping list, follow it and never purchase anything that's not on that list. This should include any type of shopping like wardrobe, food or entertainment. Retail outlets are mapped out specifically for impulse buys with candy racks and gum within easy reach. 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. You have your list and know what you need, so check the sale display before you shop. Chances are you will locate that said item on sale and pay half the usual price. Food stores operate the same way. They usually over order products and are forced to run unadvertised specials on overstock items. Just make sure the item is on your list.

SAVE YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY:

This may be the hardest thing you have 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 should save ten per cent of your paycheck every month. That may not sound like much but it will add up rather quickly and if wisely invested it will assist your retirement down the road.

SAVE YOUR CHANGE:

This may sound a little silly but this little tip is a great one. How? Because in some way's it's like found cash. After you come home from the store put any 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 reward yourself to a well deserved evening out. These are the personal finance basics you learned when you were very young.

BUY IN BULK:

We've already touched on shopping but I have another shopping tip that mostly applies to buying grocery's. Buy in bulk. If you drink a lot of fruit juice and you see that it is on sale at half price, buy four rather than two or purchase the 24 pack of water instead of the smaller 12 pack. This may seem easy but plenty of people do not make bulk buys on every day products.

CLIP COUPONS:

I know this might make you feel like your grand parent but this is another great way to save plenty of cash. It only takes a few minutes every week and you can end up saving hundreds of dollars each year on items you were already going to buy. Go through your local newspaper or check online for some amazing coupons.

RECYCLE PLASTIC BAGS:

This is a wonderful way to 'Go Green' and it will save you money too! Lots of stores are now making you pay as much as 10 cents for plastic bags. Chances are you have about 1,000 hidden away in your closest already. Couldn't you just bring them to the store and use them again? Another way to recycle and save money is to use those plastic bags from the store in your garbage under your kitchen sink or in the bathroom. You don't have to spend $5 each month on a box of kitchen garbage bags when you already have them at home.

These easy tips will save you lots of money and they are simple and might even be fun. It's always 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.