by Lesley Rigg

Created on: May 22, 2009   Last Updated: July 29, 2009

"Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons."
~ Woody Allen

Money per se is not important, but it's ability to give you peace of mind, keep you out of debt and buy you the things you either need or want is second to none. Once you realise that you are in control of it and what you choose to do with it then saving money is a simple step forward.

Nonethelesss, you cannot achieve a savings habit, if you do not first know where you spend it. In order to re-order your finances, the first thing you need to do is get a piece of paper and pencil or a spreadsheet on a PC, and record all your expenses. You can then work out where there might be some cost savings.

Transport: If you drive anywhere look at how you are driving. Is there a way you can avoid blocked town routes and spend your journey on clearer main roads. The less you have to change gear or brake, the less gasoline you use. It is also worth considering your air conditioning. If you use it when the weather is cool, that is also something that can drain your tank.

If you do drive, do you have to? Can you walk to pick the kids up from school? Is public transport an option? If so, do your sums. Can you buy a monthly or even annual pass on the bus or train that will save you money? Can you car pool, and arrange to have the kids picked up from parties, or events so that you share the costs with another parent? There are a number of ways of looking at this.

Food: The rules here are simple, buy raw ingredients from farm shops, supermarkets or co-operatives. Buy staples such as rice, pasta, etc., in bulk that you will use and make your own meals. Make meat and tomato sauce in bulk and freeze it in containers. You can then defrost portions to become bolognaise, chili or shepherd's pie.

Don't waste food. Work out what you can readily eat in the fresh produce section, and buy smaller and more often even if it would be cheaper to buy more per item. If it ends up getting binned because it goes off it is no saving to anyone. If you live alone, find someone else in a similar position and ask them over, and get them to return the favour. Cooking for two is not much more expensive than cooking for one.

Money: If you have it in your purse, the chances are you will spend it. If you can possibly do it, take out whatever you can afford and put it into a savings account, or somewhere it won't get eaten up by little things like newspapers, candy, drinks, etc. All the things you might buy if there were a few more pence in your purse. Try to take a bottle of water and a snack with you when you go out. That way you aren't likely to buy high priced convenience snacks.

The important thing is to be honest with yourself about what you are spending and what you can legitamatly give up without it affecting the fabric of your life. You are so much more likely to do it then! Concentrate on the basics, and work whether any of the essentials, bills, etc could be switched to cheaper suppliers and this should help you to save money on your daily living.

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