I’m in the US but everywhere on this planet, men and women are seeing and feeling the crunch of these current times. They say, History Repeats itself and so it is… We are experiencing an economic crunch such as in the 30’s depression and the shortage of oil in the 70’s. All over the world our quality of life is relentlessly affecting us in a barrage of forms.

But the Times will Change and The Economy will too.

We can depend on change as it always comes…The economy is in transition constantly. It is like the saying, “What goes up must come down”. If we could just leave out the down part of the transition we wouldn’t have to tighten up our financial belt so much. But if we make good plans and use a budget we can and will survive these ups and downs of the economy.

But it is so hard to learn how to save money and pinch our pennies. We will see that it is essential to learn and find a way to stay within our budget. Whatever our budget might be, there are many ways to reach our goals or learn how to budget better. Here are a few ways we can accomplish our goals and there just might be something that we can do to improve on.

1. If you have not already done so then set up a budget.
2. Track your spending for a couple months to see if you can adjust your spending habits.
3. Shop sales and cut coupons then use the coupons with the sales whenever possible 
4. Shop stores that have bonus programs.
5. Shop online and utilize free shipping to save gas.
6. Make choices on what you can go without by separating essentials from non-essentials. 
7. Buy products based on quality not necessarily on brand name. Read Reviews whenever they are available.
8. Shop at stores the same way. What is the benefit to shopping in a Designer store like Macy’s when you can save money by shopping hundreds of other stores that are lower priced?
9. At Home, make things from scratch when you can like pancakes.
10. Plant a small garden or grow some vegetable plants in a bucket or pot.
11. Do your best Not to eat out in restaurants or fast food places.

There are many ways to save money and keep within a budget if we use just a few of them it can make the difference. We can then afford to treat ourselves for sticking to our goals. But keep things reasonable and don’t mess up what you have accomplished.

But this is not doomsday and it is Not the End of the World

Times Change that is certain as do our lifestyles. We must learn what to do and learn to cope and then just do it. We share this world and it is our responsibility to aim for the best for ourselves and our loved ones.

Keep seeking ways to improve your habits and turn your savings into a lifestyle so you can enjoy long-term results that will see you through the crunches in your life and our economic ups and downs.

So what can You Pinch a Penny in March?

Try this…
Want to make some Home Improvements before summer sets in?

A lot of building contractors are willing to negotiate their prices to save the homeowner money this time of the year. I have family members that have building for years and it is just traditionally slow around March.

As you get into negotiations on the work to be done please consider the weather is fickle this time of the year and that it can alter remodeling and building schedules. So, be sure to inform the contractor that you are quite wiling to be flexible.

You could save money on the cost of the remodel or building I would estimate at about 10 percent to 25 percent with good communications and flexibility.

Maybe you could even get them to just do the stuff that you can’t and say hey I’ll do that part. Never know…

If you give things a little there are more ways to save a buck than you might give regular thought to…

Now if we can just think of more ways to save money gasoline.

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You can save money in February
Here is how…

Go shopping for that laptop or desktop computer this month.
Why?
After the holidays many of the best deals can be found or negotiated now since the stores and sales people need to sell merchandise more than you need to buy it.

But word of warning, don’t be talked into overspending by the store clerk. You might want a lot of goodies for that super fast shiny new computer but you are out to save a buck here. So pinch those pennies if you don’t need the extra stuff. Keep it simple and get that cheap laptop. Maybe even buy a cheap laptop online and save that money.

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Here is a way to save money in the month of January

Check with gyms this time of the year as often it is a slow period for them in January.
It is possible especially with the economy currently to find a sale anyway but still January is a good time to get reduced memberships fees or some extra benefits in the same price range.

But you have to ask first or I’m sure they will happily take you at full price too.
Save money at a gym today. Believe it because you can find many ways to save that you might not think of that will help you to pinch a penny.

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