Would you like to go on a cruise but just can’t afford it? Is you budget stretched to the limit? Well relax; things might not be quite as bad as you think. You probably have a lot more room in your budget than you know. If you are just making ends meet and living month to month, there may be a way that you can go on that cruise.
Most people spend much more money than they think on frivolous impulse items. That coffee every morning, or those candy bars in the afternoon all add up to a considerable amount. If you cut out those meaningless impulse purchases, you can put a substantial amount of money in your pocket every month. Following is a list of items that you might be able to save money on and put enough money away for that cruise:
1. Going out to eat. How many times during the course of an average month do you eat dinner at a restaurant? The average family spends about $200 each month on food eaten outside the home. That includes lunches for children in school. If you invest in a supply of brown bags and some lunchmeat, you can easily shave $150 off this amount.
2. Do you get coffee or some type of breakfast treat on your way to work each morning? The expense may seem meaningless, but when you add it up, it comes to a considerable amount. By spending just $2.50 a day for coffee and a bagel, the annual cost for this meaningless luxury is about $600. Invest in a pound of coffee and drink it at home. This can easily save you $500 per year.
3. Do you eat and drink on a regular basis? I though you might. You can save big bucks by changing your grocery buying habits. Many people drink nothing but bottled water and soda (along with the occasional beer). By switch over to tap water, you can save you almost $300 each year.
4. Use coupons at the grocery store and frequent stores that give double the amount for your coupons. This little trick can save you a cool $250 a year.
I could go on and on, but I think that is about enough for one article. Using just these 4 easy steps above, I’ve saved you about $2850 over the course of a year. Now, I’m not sure what kind of cruise you are considering, but $2850 will get you on a pretty decent cruise. So, happy cruising!
Check out my newest ebook for details on how to put money in your pocket (without having to get another job).
By: Jo Mark
Posts Tagged ‘Enough Money’
Find Extra Money To Go On That Cruise
November 18th, 2009Turning Debt into Wealth Tools
October 26th, 2009Turning debt into wealth is easy, right? It can be a lot easier if you have the right tools and the patience. Here are some of the tools the rich use to with their wealth creation:
Budgeting Tools: Yes, believe it or not, wealthy people budget. They may not budget the same way other people do, but they know exactly where there money is coming and exactly where it is going out. A simple monthly/daily spreadsheet will do the trick, or take a look at the Mint personal finance program will help you. However you do it, budgeting is an essential component to turning debt into wealth.
Books and Magazines: Wealthy people are always trying to become better. In order to do that, the rich are constantly tying to increase their IQ. Reading books on investing, self-improvement, money management and other areas of interest keep them inspired while learning new ways to create wealth and produce more income streams. Increase your understanding of personal finance, and you’ll be leaps and bounds ahead of other people in turning your debt into wealth.
Wealthy Friends: The rich know that becoming wealthy requires some friendships. You need people who are good money managers, people who can give sound tax advice, and people who have a vision. Friends and connections make the wealthy wealthier. Connect and surround yourself with people that have a wealthy mindset and you will naturally become that way yourself.
Earplugs: Rich people understand that investing is a long-term strategy that will produce great wealth over time. The day-to-day fluctuations in the market that the media focuses on has little relevance to the individual investor’s portfolio 10 years from now. Learn to avoid the noise, and stay focused on your plan to turn debt into wealth.
Automation: Millionaires are far too busy making money or enjoying life to have to worry about paying the bills, saving enough money and doing menial tasks like transferring funds to their brokerage account. Set up their bank accounts to automatically pay your bills and invest so you can put debt into wealth transformation on autopilot.
By: Ryan J. Taylor