Helpful Ideas on Lowering Your Monthly Bills. We will show you how to Save money on your cable bill, phone bill, utilities bills, credit card bills, student loan bills, and other montly payment bills. Save $100's a month!
One of the questions consumers often face when making a buying decision is, "New or used?" We typically want the new product for the obvious reason: We believe new is always better. And while that's typically true for certain types of products, such as HDTVs and underwear, a savvy shopper knows when a used product is a perfectly reasonable alternative. Here are five used items that are just as good as a new version, and sometimes even better.
Cars:
Buying a used car will save you a lot of money and the difference in quality of the resulting ride is fairly negligible, provided it's not too old. Look for used models that are about one to two years old. Often a car that's only a couple years old will cost a fraction of its original sticker price, and is there really much of a difference between the 2013 and 2014 model? Not really. If you buy new, you're mostly paying for negligible feature upgrades and the cachet of having a "new" car. Regardless of the car's age, though, you should always have an independent mechanic check it out before buying.
Baby and toddler clothing:
When you shop for new baby and toddler clothes, the reaction is always the same: "That costs how much, again?" There is absolutely no reason to spend money on kids' clothes that you'll only be able to use for a brief period of time before they outgrow them. And unless your newborns are already coveting designer labels, they don't care what they're wearing, anyway. I'd bet that if you blindly tossed a rock at the people in your social circle or work colleagues, you'd hit someone with a closet full of baby and toddler clothes they've been meaning to discard. My wife and I spent hardly any money on kids' clothes (except the occasional pack of onesies) until my oldest was at least 4 years old. If this isn't an option, there's always thrift stores and Goodwill. (Just wash it all first in very hot water.)
If you're still rocking the "analog" versions of books and movies (you know, books with actual pages and movies that come in disc form), buying new is not only unnecessary, but pretty darn expensive. Does it really matter that someone else has thumbed through the book before you did? Or peeled the cellophane off that "The Dark Knight Rises" Blu-ray and dinged it up a bit? No, it doesn't. You'll still get the same amount of entertainment and you'll have more money to spend on other things, like a Kindle and e-books. (This rule also applies to textbooks.)
Fitness equipment:
If you're big into exercise or are just starting out in an effort to get healthy and lose weight, buying brand new fitness equipment is just silly. Weights and other standard gym equipment don't have expiration dates and can be used for quite a long time. Equipment such as treadmills and more complex equipment with electronic components should be scrutinized more closely, but buying used in that area can likely save you thousands of dollars. And let's be honest, when it comes to fitness, many of us eventually drift into "don't have time" excuses and gradually lose interest. If that happens, you're stuck with some pretty expensive equipment you're not using.
Tools:
If you properly take care of tools, they will last a very long time. And most Average Joes don't have a need for expensive, specialized tools, so stocking up on expensive and fancy tools you'll rarely use isn't worth it. A screwdriver is a screwdriver. It's simple and no single one is really better than the other. When it comes to power tools, that can be trickier and any used purchase should be made from a trusted source.
Buying used might not be glamorous, but it will keep your budget in check.
Larry Bills is the Director of Editorial for Offers.com and opines often on the best ways to lead a money saving lifestyle.
Help Lower Your Monthly Bills is a blog dedicated to helping you save money on your monthly bills. We find the best money saving tips and offer them on our easy to navigate blog. We also offer a easy to use workbook that is guaranteed to lower your monthly bills and save you hundreds of dollars a year. Hopefully you find this information helpful and put it to use in your montly budget!
Food is one of those variable expenses that can definitely hit your budget below the belt. I mean, have you seen the price of beef lately?
According to the latest figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average U.S. household spent about $4,000 on groceries in 2012.
The good news is that couponing, shopping sales and making a list aren’t the only ways to save a substantial amount of money on your grocery bill. In the video below, Money Talks News money expert Stacy Johnson offers some tips to slash your food costs by up to 50 percent. Take a look and meet me on the other side for additional suggestions.
Prepackaged products are convenient for the consumer, but they also come with a much higher price tag. Although it may be a tad bit time-consuming, buying whole food products, such as fruit from the produce section, whole chicken, block cheese and fresh vegetables, will save you a substantial amount of money.
In other words, put your hands to work and stop paying others for something you can do on your own.
2. Buy generic
What’s the point of buying the high-end version of the product if the generic one is comparable in both quality and taste? That’s exactly why you should give those generics a shot, and save between 20 and 50 percent on your grocery bill while doing so.
I was once a Froot Loop junkie until I discovered that the Walmart brand not only tastes better, but is half the price.
And with store brands, you can also rest assured that you’re not wasting money, as most grocers offer a money-back guarantee on their products if you are not satisfied. So why not give it a shot? You may just be in for a treat.
3. Seek alternative sources
Be sure to check out alternatives to the major grocery chains to substantially reduce your grocery bill. And, no, I’m not referring only to warehouse clubs, such as Sam’s Club and Costco, but local meat markets, fruit stands, food coops and salvage grocery stores. The latter stock dented cans, closeouts and items with torn packaging — at rock-bottom prices.
Please note that dented cans have the potential to be hazardous to your health. Check out this document to learn more.
4. Store food properly
Storing your food in the most effective manner possible will extend the food’s shelf life and significantly reduce the number of trips you make to the grocery store each month. You can butter cheese to prevent mold, store perishables in smaller quantities in durable, air-tight containers, and freeze meats.
Also, take a look at this list of optimal storage times from FoodSafety.gov.
5. Shop strategically
Just like everything else in life, saving big bucks on your grocery bill requires that some sort of strategy be implemented.
For instance, you should never go to the store hungry because you will be tempted to buy all sorts of junk food and other items that look good. Instead, fill up your food tank before heading out so you don’t need to resist the urge to give in to your cravings.
If you’re a member of a warehouse club, take advantage of the bulk offers on the items that you consume frequently. The Sam’s Club in my neck of the woods offers a jumbo box of oatmeal for $8.99, which is what I used to spend for two small boxes each month. But thanks to what I like to call the “mega-pack,” we are still eating away three months later.
6. Look forward to leftovers
There’s nothing better than a good old-fashioned family feast that provides plenty of leftovers, enough to last for several days. In my home, after a holiday meal or other special occasion I know I’ll be spared from cooking duties for a few days.
Now, I’m not suggesting that you cook a Thanksgiving feast for a family of four in an ordinary week, but it’s not a bad idea to prepare a large enough meal to yield leftovers that can be consumed for lunch the following day.
7. Set boundaries
The ultimate goal here is saving, correct? That’s why your needs must supersede your wants. Isn’t it funny how we all of a sudden crave items that we hadn’t thought of before we spot them in an aisle at the grocery store? You must not give in to your cravings, but be disciplined enough to stick to your grocery budget and list.
8. Check the bottom racks
Manufacturers pay for shelf space, and they sometimes cover the cost by passing it on to the consumer. When you’re grocery shopping, take a moment to look at the lower shelves for the cheaper products that you may have been overlooking in the past.
9. Plan ahead
It’s important to plan ahead if you want to cut your grocery bill in half. For instance, you won’t spend money on items you already have in your home.
I’d also suggest creatively combining the food products already at your disposal and preparing meals with items that have been collecting dust on the shelf. In other words, be wise with what you already have, and don’t let food go to waste.
Help Lower Your Monthly Bills is a blog dedicated to helping you save money on your monthly bills. We find the best money saving tips and offer them on our easy to navigate blog. We also offer a easy to use workbook that is guaranteed to lower your monthly bills and save you hundreds of dollars a year. Hopefully you find this information helpful and put it to use in your montly budget!
If you are like most people, you clip a coupon here and there and feel great about saving your 50 cents. You probably have also seen those die-hard coupon clippers in front of you in line at the grocery store who have a coupon for everything. Have you ever wondered to yourself, "How do they find all those coupons and save so much?" Today is your lucky day. Here are the keys to couponing success!
You obviously need to take the time to match your coupons to items you buy. Maximizing yoursavings means matching the coupons to items when they are on sale. If you save 50 cents off Ziploc bags, it is a better deal to save that 50 cents off the sale price than full price!
Horde all the coupons you can find! Coupons are found in more places than just your Sunday paper. Look for coupons online, at the grocery store, attached to products you recently bought, attached to bottles of wine (this varies by state), and through coupon clipping services. If you horde all the coupons you find, you'll be able to trade away coupons you'll never use for multiple copies of ones you will use. I don't have any pets, but I love to trade those coupons for diaper coupons to keep my little one dry! A great resource for finding coupons you're looking for is AFullCup.com. Since the membership is free, it is a great one-stop shop for all your savings needs (and not just at the grocery store)!
Stockpile items that have a long shelf life. Shampoo, razors, canned goods, soda, soap, laundrydetergent, diapers, perfume, gifts, lotion, cereal, the list could go on and on. When a good sale pops up, get a fistful of coupons and go stock up! When cereal went on sale $10 for 10 boxes, I got 30 boxes, matched a coupon to each, and watched the cashier's jaw drop. 3 months later, I'm still enjoying it!
Rebates are the frugal couponer's dream! The triple threat: sale, coupon, rebate! Partial rebates definitely add to the savings and sometimes combined with the coupon and sale actually end up being full rebates. Find an item on sale, clip the coupon, send in the rebate. I often get items (like my contact solution) for the cost of one postage stamp!
Sometimes spending more means saving more. My local grocery store often hands out dollar off coupons if your total is higher than the stated amount. Recently, the amount was $180. For a family of three, I rarely get $180 worth of groceries at one time. However, if I am getting $20 off of $180, why not take the time to see if there are some areas of my stockpile getting low and add them to my grocery cart to bump my total up so I can save that additional $20 I would not have before? Don't let this be a trap. Only get what you have a coupon for and what is already on sale!
Don't be loyal to one store. It is so tempting to save some time and shop only at one store; however, this mentality keeps you from maximizing your savings by having multiple sales available to you at once-after all, not all sales are created equal!
Ask for the coupon policies at your store. Some supermarkets double coupons. If yours doubles up to $1, a .50 cent coupon (which can be doubled) is more worthwhile than a .55 coupon (which will not double) for the same item. My local supermarket takes expired coupons up to 6 months old! Maybe yours takes competitor's coupons!
The more you coupon, the more you save. It is an investment of time, but just like most things in life the more you put in, the more you get out! The more you coupon the better you get. Why not go to AFullCup.com and start your savings today?!
This article was written for AFullCup.com by Mandiedq
Help Lower Your Monthly Bills is a blog dedicated to helping you save money on your monthly bills. We find the best money saving tips and offer them on our easy to navigate blog. We also offer a easy to use workbook that is guaranteed to lower your monthly bills and save you hundreds of dollars a year. Hopefully you find this information helpful and put it to use in your montly budget!
Living paycheck to paycheck is stressful, and it doesn't take much to turn a paycheck-to-paycheck lifestyle into a financial disaster. What if your car breaks down? Or, you need to take extended sick leave from work? Or, your company lays you off?
If scenarios like these strike fear into your heart, it's time to change your financial situation. It won't be easy. Yet, the peace of mind will be worth the effort and sacrifice. To get off the paycheck-to-paycheck treadmill to reclaim your finances and your life, try these four steps:
1. Take a survey. When it comes to personal finances, many people try to make changes without knowing what they need to adjust. You might think you're spending too much on groceries, for instance, but maybe you're really overspending on entertainment. Or, you may assume paying off your credit cards will be the fastest way to free up extra money, when you really need to downgrade your car. So before you set any financial goals, take time to do a thorough personal financial audit. What are your biggest bills each month? Where are you spending money that you don't even realize you're spending? You might be surprised at how much you don't know about your spending habits. Arming yourself with knowledge is a great way to get started.
2. Set attainable goals. You won't get anywhere financially if you drift along aimlessly, trying only to put food on the table and pay the electric bill on time. But you may start to see progress if you simply set some goals. Goals will focus your efforts and lead to success. Start by setting smaller goals that are easily achievable. Reaching these small goals will give you the confidence you need to tackle larger, longer-term goals. A few goals you might start with include saving $100 a month for the next three months, paying off $1,000 in credit card balances by March, trimming $50 a month off your grocery bill and tracking every dollar's worth of spending for 30 days. These goals are baby steps, but any one of them will help bring your journey toward financial freedom. Once you achieve a tiny goal, set a slightly larger one.
3. Make your budget realistic. Now that you know where you're overspending and what your first financial goals are, it's time to budget. But don't go about this the wrong way. Too many people budget based on fantasy rather than reality. If you've been spending $800 a month on groceries, you're not going to whittle your grocery budget down to $400 a month overnight. Start by setting a budget based on what you're already spending. If you've spent $750 to $800 on groceries for each of the past three months, budget that much each month. You know you'll have enough, and you won't go over budget.
4. Be pound wise. Have you ever heard the phrase "penny wise, pound foolish?" It's a phrase that refers to our tendency to get wrapped up in the small things, so that we miss the larger, more important ones. If you spend all Sunday afternoon clipping 25-cent coupons, but then order $30 worth of pizza for dinner, you're probably being penny wise but pound foolish. When tackling your financial problems, it's important to look for the areas of biggest impact. Eliminating your $80 a month cable subscription will have a bigger impact than cutting out that $3 a week you spend, for instance, on the occasional drive-thru coffee. You'll save even more money if you drop your cable subscription and drive-thru coffee, but the cable subscription has a much bigger impact.
So to begin this journey, look for the three biggest changes you can make in your finances among such things as: refinancing your house, paying off high-interest credit card debt, downgrading your car, eliminating several restaurant meals a month.
These changes could lead to significant progress, more than smaller changes you may make later as you gain momentum in your financial freedom journey.
Abby Hayes is a freelance blogger and journalist who writes for personal finance blog The Dough Roller and contributes to Dough Roller's weekly newsletter.
Help Lower Your Monthly Bills is a blog dedicated to helping you save money on your monthly bills. We find the best money saving tips and offer them on our easy to navigate blog. We also offer a easy to use workbook that is guaranteed to lower your monthly bills and save you hundreds of dollars a year. Hopefully you find this information helpful and put it to use in your montly budget!
Here is a list of things you can do to immediately help lower your monthly bills. This list involves minimal change and can have a TREMENDOUS effect on your budget. Put all or some of these items to use and be on your way to financial freedom!
Making Cents of the Dollars
33 Proven ideas to make your budget work and get your Debt under control:
Re-shop auto, home and life insurance to see if you can bring down your payments.
Downgrade your cable package, or get rid of it entirely.
Disconnect your home phone if you have adequate cell service at your home. Or downgrade to a cheaper package.
Buy and sell clothes at your local consignment or shop at Goodwill.
Have a massive garage sale. (If you’d rather be out of debt than have an item, choose to sell it to help you get you there.)
Advertise higher quality items on Craigslist, Facebook, or your local newspaper to get better prices.
Focus on buying mostly sale items at grocery store or generic brands to reduce your cost.
Use a grocery store awards program to earn money off gas.
Cancel unnecessary expenses like magazine subscriptions, newspapers, manicures, pedicures etc. Anything that could be considered a “want” instead of a “need” should go until you are out of debt or greatly decrease your debt.
Go to the matinee movies instead of paying full price (and skip the concessions).
Or better yet, use the Red Box for at-home movie entertainment.
Get temporary work or seasonal part time work to boost your income.
Read books from the library or take a few trips to Barnes & Noble to complete a book.
Buy your most expensive groceries in bulk at Coscto: meats, breads, cheese, produce, paper products. Establish a monthly grocery budget for the additional needs at regular grocery stores.
When eating out, skip the soft drinks and stick with water. Skip the extras too (dessert, etc.).
When eating out, share a large entrée or have small appetizers instead of the costly meal.
Plan your errands more efficiently to conserve gas.
Find friends that you can trade services with…haircutting, handyman, photography, babysitting, pet-sitting.
Give home-made gifts, baked goods, or service IOU’s rather than expensive presents.
Boxed cereals are expensive; switch to oatmeal, eggs or fruit for more nutritional and financial bang.
Call the utility companies and get on a budget plan to give you more consistency with expenses each month.
Set a spending limit with family at Christmas and/or draw names.
Use exercise videos, walking or hiking instead of paying for the gym.
If your haircut is too expensive, find a less expensive stylist or see if your hairdresser will cut you a break on price temporarily – ours did.
Say “no” to hosting and/or attending in-home parties where you feel pressure to purchase.
Does your family live nearby? Once a week dinners with mom or dad saved us a meal out of our shopping budget. Additionally, it usually led to leftovers and our parents looked forward to our visit each week.
Make your coffee at home instead of buying it each day.
Pack your lunch – not once a week, but regularly.
Make extra dinner servings on purpose to have leftovers for lunch.
Our dentist advised us we could skip the fluoride treatments if we were using a daily dental rinse – which we did… and bought on sale.
Program your thermostat for savings on heating/cooling when you’re not at home.
Tempted by certain retail stores? While digging out of debt, avoid window shopping these places where you’ve failed to control your impulses before.
Give**.
Many may say, “What? I need my manicure!” or “My kids will only eat box cereals!” But trust me. If you are serious about climbing out of debt and changing your life, the only thing you need is a roof over your head, clothes on your back and gas to get to work to bust your way out of this.
Plus, take comfort in knowing that you don’t need to eliminate these things forever. Personally, I look forward to hiring back our housekeeper and treating myself to a few pedicures next summer. But until we are debt free and have a fully funded emergency fund, we’ll be focusing on using the dollars we bring into our home to set us up for a lifetime of success.
**Many wonder about Number 33 (Give) because it seem counter intuitive to most of us. One thing we never stopped doing – even in the worst of times – was giving. We always gave money to our church, our favorite charities, and foundations that we believe in. It’s easy to say “I can’t give. It’s not in my budget.” But if we’re looking for a lifetime of success and influence – not just the latest gadget or status symbol – how can we afford not to give? Giving reminds us that we can live for a purpose greater than this world and all the temporary treasures it offers. It helps keep everything else in perspective. So pick and choose from our list above – do one or two or everything on the list – but don’t leave out number 33. We can attest from firsthand experience, it will radically transform your life!
Help Lower Your Monthly Bills is a blog dedicated to helping you save money on your monthly bills. We find the best money saving tips and offer them on our easy to navigate blog. We also offer a easy to use workbook that is guaranteed to lower your monthly bills and save you hundreds of dollars a year. Hopefully you find this information helpful and put it to use in your montly budget!
Most heat sources are expected to cost more this winter compared to last season. Recent estimates of heating costs for a typical home show the greatest price jump for natural gas:
Natural gas = $679 (13% higher)
Propane = $1,666 (9% higher)
Electricity = $909 (2% higher)
Heating Oil = $2,046 (2% lower)
But hefty energy bills don’t need to dampen your winter holiday season. Lower your home energy bill and save money this winter with these 7 simple and effective energy and money saving tips:
1. Start with an Energy Audit:
An energy audit will assess the needs and energy efficiency of your home.
An energy audit can be done by yourself, local utility company, or independent energy auditor.
2. Take Care of Your Furnace:
Heating the home accounts for 45% of your winter energy bill.
Set the thermostat to 68°F during the day.
Set lower during the night or if you are away from home.
You can save 5% to 15% a year on your heating bill by turning your thermostat back 10-15 for 8 hours.
Heat pumps, electric resistance heating, steam heating, and radiant floor heating may require specially designed programmable thermostats to get the same results.
3. Take Care of Your Water Heater:
Water heating accounts for 18% of your bill.
Set your thermostat at 120°F to reduce heat lost to the environment.
Wrap old water heaters with an insulation jacket.
Insulate hot water pipes for additional energy savings.
4. Seal Air Leaks:
Thoroughly check the interior and exterior of your house for cracks, gaps, and holes. Pay special attention to chimneys, ceilings, plumbing fixtures, furnace flues, electrical outlets, switches, windows, and doors.
Fill spaces with caulk or spray foam according to the size of the opening.
Add a door sweep under exterior doors.
5. Upgrade Windows:
Install exterior or interior storm windows.
Install a window insulation kit.
Install insulating window shades.
Keep curtains and shades at closed night, open during the day.
Clear south side windows for winter sun to heat your home.
6. Improve Insulation:
Add insulation to the attic – the most cost-effective way to add comfort all year.
Add insulation to exterior walls if it still feels drafty.
Consider adding insulation to crawlspaces and basement.
Check with a professional contractor for proper installation.
Take advantage of these simple home improvement tips and enjoy lower heating costs, reduced energy use, extra savings, added warmth and comfort this winter.
Jessica Roberts is a REALTOR® with Exit Realty Achieve in Smithtown, NY. She specializes in a holistic approach to home buying and selling. As a Certified Holistic Health Coach, yoga instructor, and fitness nutrition specialist, she understands how a holistic perspective to wellness results in optimal well-being. Her former career as a veterinarian developed her focus, dedication, and responsibility to her patients and clients. Her passion is creating the ideal home experience using holistic principles to find balance in the ever-changing economy, community, and environment.
Help Lower Your Monthly Bills is a blog dedicated to helping you save money on your monthly bills. We find the best money saving tips and offer them on our easy to navigate blog. We also offer a easy to use workbook that is guaranteed to lower your monthly bills and save you hundreds of dollars a year. Hopefully you find this information helpful and put it to use in your montly budget!
A home-cooked supper costs the typical American family of four about $5 per person, and that figure is on the rise. But you can beat the trend. Use these tips for easy, affordable meals that will have you spending less but eating better.
Help Lower Your Monthly Bills is a blog dedicated to helping you save money on your monthly bills. We find the best money saving tips and offer them on our easy to navigate blog. We also offer a easy to use workbook that is guaranteed to lower your monthly bills and save you hundreds of dollars a year. Hopefully you find this information helpful and put it to use in your montly budget!
Bird Bargains
Eat cheap: Supermarket rotisserie chicken makes a fast meal, but convenience costs: about $7 for the average bird. You can roast your own three-pounder in an hour with inexpensive herbs from the pantry for $3.50. Bone up: Swap boneless chicken breasts ($5.99 a pound) for bone-in thighs ($2.19 a pound), which is perfect for easy-prep-and-cook casseroles. Talk turkey: Not just for Thanksgiving, a hefty gobbler can serve up three hearty meals, with enough meat left over for sandwiches. Choose a frozen turkey, at $1.29 a pound, over fresh breast fillets, at $4.89 a pound.
Sizzling Savings
Avoid the tender trap: Buy value cuts like chuck pot roast, bone-in sirloin roast, and pork shoulder, at $3 to $5 a pound. While not as juicy or as quick-cooking as rib-eye or pork loin roasts, they have top-notch flavor, tenderize with slow cooking, and can feed a crowd. Meet a new meat: For an economical version of premium, $20-a-pound filet mignon, try flat iron steak (also called top blade), a richly marbled butcher's bargain at $5 a pound. This newly created cut, from the steer's shoulder blade, used to go into the grinder for hamburger until a more precise cutting technique was developed. Steer clear: Skip those pricey premade burger patties. Make your own with ground beef from a family pack of three or more pounds and save nearly 15 cents per patty; freeze any extra meat for another night.
Liquid Assets
Fish around: Switch out halibut and sea bass, which can cost $25 per pound, for wallet-friendly fish with similar tastes and textures. Tilapia and cod are as mild-flavored and firm as fancier fish, at one-third the price. Fake it: If a dish calls for $11-per-pound lobster or $25-per-pound crab, opt for surimi ($4 to $6 a pound). Used in Japan for 900 years, this imitation shellfish (made with real white fish seasoned with crab or other seafood extracts) works well in salads, crab cakes, and casseroles. Be happy as a clam: Fresh seafood doesn't get thriftier than blue mussels and chowder clams. Both are under $2 a dozen, and can be made into dollar-stretching soups.
Deals on Dairy
Keep your sunny side up: While the cost of eggs is rising to more than $2 a dozen, they're still a nutritional steal: Eggs are one of the fastest ways to make over leftovers or to quickly create filling dinners. Cartons of 18 are often marked down, since they're not as popular as the classic dozen. And pick up whatever size eggs are on sale; unless you're baking, it doesn't matter if they're jumbo or large. Say cheese: It seems counterintuitive, but spending $15 for a pound of ultra-flavorful cheese like Gruy�re or feta can actually save you cash. Because the taste is strong, you'll use less for cooking. Milk it: With a gallon of milk inching above $4, why not try the powdered stuff for baking and cooking? A four-pound box of dry, nonfat milk costs about $8 and yields five gallons when reconstituted.
Meal Multipliers
Hit a whole in one: There's no better budget stretcher than cooking with whole grains. Pearl barley ($.90 a pound), brown rice ($1.15 a pound), and bulgur ($1.76 a pound) are low in fat, high in protein, and tummy-filling. Combine with meat or veggies to make a little go a long, healthy way. Try dry: Dried beans, lentils, and split peas are less than $1 a pound and packed with nutrition. Cook up a pot and eat for three nights, turning them into a satisfying, Southern-style meal, Veggie Bean Burgers, or Pasta e Fagioli. Do the math: A box of rice pilaf will set you back $2.29 and yield three cups, or one meal. Spend a dollar more on a five-pound bag of rice, and get the equivalent of 50 cooked cups. Mix with onions and chicken broth for DIY pilaf.
Heed nature's call: Seasonal, local fruits and veggies are always cheapest, so look for supermarket signs for produce from nearby farms. Bulk-purchasing lowers costs even more. Chill out: Hit the grocery's frozen aisle for out-of-season produce that's affordable and full of flavor, as it's picked at its peak. Just bypass the pricey sweetened fruits or seasoned vegetables, and shop the store brand. Also a deal are canned veggies, especially tomatoes: A 28-ounce can delivers top taste for $1 less than the price of a pound of fresh. Make the cut: Put in a little time slicing and dicing, and spend a lot less money on produce: Whole veggies and fruits can run a dollar less per pound than the precut versions.
Help Lower Your Monthly Bills is a blog dedicated to helping you save money on your monthly bills. We find the best money saving tips and offer them on our easy to navigate blog. We also offer a easy to use workbook that is guaranteed to lower your monthly bills and save you hundreds of dollars a year. Hopefully you find this information helpful and put it to use in your montly budget!
