10 Killer Tips to beat the Recession!
http://www.websitecontent.com/10-Killer-Tips-to-beat-the-Recession/a11274_1
Madhubala
By Madhubala
Published on 05/13/2009
The Recession is a tough time for all of us. Decreasing incomes and Pink slips make this a dismal period to live through. But all is not as gloomy as it looks. With a little money management, you can surely survive the Recession and save money too! Here's how.
10 Killer Tips to beat the Recession! - Page 2 of 2
6. Save on Electricity
This is another money-guzzler particularly since the scorching summer is here and it is impossible to stay without the AC. So how can you save on your Electricity bills?
Turn off lights and fans whenever you leave a room. Turn off your computer when you are not working. Use Water Heater (Geyser) and Microwave Oven minimally - both are high-power devices that draw a lot of power. These small savings will slowly, but surely, add up.
If you are planning to buy an AC to beat the summer, choose one that has a certified Star rating for low electricity consumption. If you already have an AC at home, have it serviced regularly. Did you know that cleaning the AC filters would do wonders to improve the efficiency of your AC? You can do it yourself, but if you don't know how, have a certified service professional to do it first. Watch and learn so you can do it yourself the next time.
Turn off the main supply to your TV when you are not watching the TV. Turning it off with the Remote is not enough as your stabilizer would still be drawing power all night. If you haven't done it yet, now is the time to change those old incandescent bulbs and start using energy-efficient lights (CFL).
7. Save on Food expenses
Reduce your expenditure on eating out. Trust me, it can be fun to have the whole family take part in cooking on the weekends! Try out new dishes right at home with your spouse and kids - not only will it be fun, you would also end up saving more than half the money! If you do eat out, check for early evening offers, buffet deals, new restaurants with specials and hotels that offer discounts.
Oh, and start taking your lunch to work. Not only would this save you money, it is a much healthier alternative!
8. Shop right
When you go shopping for Groceries, plan your meals, make a list and shop to the list. If you stick to your plan and your list, you won't spend money on all that food (particularly, junk food) that looks good but that you don't need.
Avoid disposables, and use re-useables instead - disposables are a waste of money. Instead of paper towels, use washable cloth dish towels. Instead of paper cups and plates, just use your regular dishes. Use cloth handkerchiefs instead of buying tissues. Spend a few minutes to think about such small changes that you can make to your shopping behaviour that can save you money.
Look for good deals before you go out for Shopping. Online Resources like www.DiscountsVu.com can help you find the best deals in the market.
9. Avoid using Credit Cards
Lock your credit cards away, and fight the temptation to use it. It would certainly be tempting and easy to use Credit Cards when you are short of cash - but it is a fact that you lose track of your expenses when you use credit cards. Use cash instead. Go to the ATM, withdraw some money and set that aside for household expenses. Try to limit your expenses within that amount. And when you find yourself short of cash, do NOT use your credit card - go to the ATM again. If anything, all these extra trips to the ATM will be a deterrent and might actually reduce your expenses!!
10. Save on Gifts
Always be on the look out for good deals. Save by buying things under sale - for example, while shopping for yourself, choose a 'Buy 1 Get 1' offer on Clothing. Keep 1 for yourself and gift the other on your friend's birthday!
Create a collection of original gift ideas. Present your dear ones with hand-made gifts, a personally embroidered handkerchief, fresh homemade pickles etc. They will appreciate your skill as well as efforts and you will save a lot of money.
The Recession may not be the easiest of times to live through, but with a little planning and disciplined saving and spending, it needn't be as bad as you think!
This is another money-guzzler particularly since the scorching summer is here and it is impossible to stay without the AC. So how can you save on your Electricity bills?
Turn off lights and fans whenever you leave a room. Turn off your computer when you are not working. Use Water Heater (Geyser) and Microwave Oven minimally - both are high-power devices that draw a lot of power. These small savings will slowly, but surely, add up.
If you are planning to buy an AC to beat the summer, choose one that has a certified Star rating for low electricity consumption. If you already have an AC at home, have it serviced regularly. Did you know that cleaning the AC filters would do wonders to improve the efficiency of your AC? You can do it yourself, but if you don't know how, have a certified service professional to do it first. Watch and learn so you can do it yourself the next time.
Turn off the main supply to your TV when you are not watching the TV. Turning it off with the Remote is not enough as your stabilizer would still be drawing power all night. If you haven't done it yet, now is the time to change those old incandescent bulbs and start using energy-efficient lights (CFL).
7. Save on Food expenses
Reduce your expenditure on eating out. Trust me, it can be fun to have the whole family take part in cooking on the weekends! Try out new dishes right at home with your spouse and kids - not only will it be fun, you would also end up saving more than half the money! If you do eat out, check for early evening offers, buffet deals, new restaurants with specials and hotels that offer discounts.
Oh, and start taking your lunch to work. Not only would this save you money, it is a much healthier alternative!
8. Shop right
When you go shopping for Groceries, plan your meals, make a list and shop to the list. If you stick to your plan and your list, you won't spend money on all that food (particularly, junk food) that looks good but that you don't need.
Avoid disposables, and use re-useables instead - disposables are a waste of money. Instead of paper towels, use washable cloth dish towels. Instead of paper cups and plates, just use your regular dishes. Use cloth handkerchiefs instead of buying tissues. Spend a few minutes to think about such small changes that you can make to your shopping behaviour that can save you money.
Look for good deals before you go out for Shopping. Online Resources like www.DiscountsVu.com can help you find the best deals in the market.
9. Avoid using Credit Cards
Lock your credit cards away, and fight the temptation to use it. It would certainly be tempting and easy to use Credit Cards when you are short of cash - but it is a fact that you lose track of your expenses when you use credit cards. Use cash instead. Go to the ATM, withdraw some money and set that aside for household expenses. Try to limit your expenses within that amount. And when you find yourself short of cash, do NOT use your credit card - go to the ATM again. If anything, all these extra trips to the ATM will be a deterrent and might actually reduce your expenses!!
10. Save on Gifts
Always be on the look out for good deals. Save by buying things under sale - for example, while shopping for yourself, choose a 'Buy 1 Get 1' offer on Clothing. Keep 1 for yourself and gift the other on your friend's birthday!
Create a collection of original gift ideas. Present your dear ones with hand-made gifts, a personally embroidered handkerchief, fresh homemade pickles etc. They will appreciate your skill as well as efforts and you will save a lot of money.
The Recession may not be the easiest of times to live through, but with a little planning and disciplined saving and spending, it needn't be as bad as you think!
10 Killer Tips to beat the Recession! - Page 2 of 2
6. Save on Electricity
This is another money-guzzler particularly since the scorching summer is here and it is impossible to stay without the AC. So how can you save on your Electricity bills?
Turn off lights and fans whenever you leave a room. Turn off your computer when you are not working. Use Water Heater (Geyser) and Microwave Oven minimally - both are high-power devices that draw a lot of power. These small savings will slowly, but surely, add up.
If you are planning to buy an AC to beat the summer, choose one that has a certified Star rating for low electricity consumption. If you already have an AC at home, have it serviced regularly. Did you know that cleaning the AC filters would do wonders to improve the efficiency of your AC? You can do it yourself, but if you don't know how, have a certified service professional to do it first. Watch and learn so you can do it yourself the next time.
Turn off the main supply to your TV when you are not watching the TV. Turning it off with the Remote is not enough as your stabilizer would still be drawing power all night. If you haven't done it yet, now is the time to change those old incandescent bulbs and start using energy-efficient lights (CFL).
7. Save on Food expenses
Reduce your expenditure on eating out. Trust me, it can be fun to have the whole family take part in cooking on the weekends! Try out new dishes right at home with your spouse and kids - not only will it be fun, you would also end up saving more than half the money! If you do eat out, check for early evening offers, buffet deals, new restaurants with specials and hotels that offer discounts.
Oh, and start taking your lunch to work. Not only would this save you money, it is a much healthier alternative!
8. Shop right
When you go shopping for Groceries, plan your meals, make a list and shop to the list. If you stick to your plan and your list, you won't spend money on all that food (particularly, junk food) that looks good but that you don't need.
Avoid disposables, and use re-useables instead - disposables are a waste of money. Instead of paper towels, use washable cloth dish towels. Instead of paper cups and plates, just use your regular dishes. Use cloth handkerchiefs instead of buying tissues. Spend a few minutes to think about such small changes that you can make to your shopping behaviour that can save you money.
Look for good deals before you go out for Shopping. Online Resources like www.DiscountsVu.com can help you find the best deals in the market.
9. Avoid using Credit Cards
Lock your credit cards away, and fight the temptation to use it. It would certainly be tempting and easy to use Credit Cards when you are short of cash - but it is a fact that you lose track of your expenses when you use credit cards. Use cash instead. Go to the ATM, withdraw some money and set that aside for household expenses. Try to limit your expenses within that amount. And when you find yourself short of cash, do NOT use your credit card - go to the ATM again. If anything, all these extra trips to the ATM will be a deterrent and might actually reduce your expenses!!
10. Save on Gifts
Always be on the look out for good deals. Save by buying things under sale - for example, while shopping for yourself, choose a 'Buy 1 Get 1' offer on Clothing. Keep 1 for yourself and gift the other on your friend's birthday!
Create a collection of original gift ideas. Present your dear ones with hand-made gifts, a personally embroidered handkerchief, fresh homemade pickles etc. They will appreciate your skill as well as efforts and you will save a lot of money.
The Recession may not be the easiest of times to live through, but with a little planning and disciplined saving and spending, it needn't be as bad as you think!
This is another money-guzzler particularly since the scorching summer is here and it is impossible to stay without the AC. So how can you save on your Electricity bills?
Turn off lights and fans whenever you leave a room. Turn off your computer when you are not working. Use Water Heater (Geyser) and Microwave Oven minimally - both are high-power devices that draw a lot of power. These small savings will slowly, but surely, add up.
If you are planning to buy an AC to beat the summer, choose one that has a certified Star rating for low electricity consumption. If you already have an AC at home, have it serviced regularly. Did you know that cleaning the AC filters would do wonders to improve the efficiency of your AC? You can do it yourself, but if you don't know how, have a certified service professional to do it first. Watch and learn so you can do it yourself the next time.
Turn off the main supply to your TV when you are not watching the TV. Turning it off with the Remote is not enough as your stabilizer would still be drawing power all night. If you haven't done it yet, now is the time to change those old incandescent bulbs and start using energy-efficient lights (CFL).
7. Save on Food expenses
Reduce your expenditure on eating out. Trust me, it can be fun to have the whole family take part in cooking on the weekends! Try out new dishes right at home with your spouse and kids - not only will it be fun, you would also end up saving more than half the money! If you do eat out, check for early evening offers, buffet deals, new restaurants with specials and hotels that offer discounts.
Oh, and start taking your lunch to work. Not only would this save you money, it is a much healthier alternative!
8. Shop right
When you go shopping for Groceries, plan your meals, make a list and shop to the list. If you stick to your plan and your list, you won't spend money on all that food (particularly, junk food) that looks good but that you don't need.
Avoid disposables, and use re-useables instead - disposables are a waste of money. Instead of paper towels, use washable cloth dish towels. Instead of paper cups and plates, just use your regular dishes. Use cloth handkerchiefs instead of buying tissues. Spend a few minutes to think about such small changes that you can make to your shopping behaviour that can save you money.
Look for good deals before you go out for Shopping. Online Resources like www.DiscountsVu.com can help you find the best deals in the market.
9. Avoid using Credit Cards
Lock your credit cards away, and fight the temptation to use it. It would certainly be tempting and easy to use Credit Cards when you are short of cash - but it is a fact that you lose track of your expenses when you use credit cards. Use cash instead. Go to the ATM, withdraw some money and set that aside for household expenses. Try to limit your expenses within that amount. And when you find yourself short of cash, do NOT use your credit card - go to the ATM again. If anything, all these extra trips to the ATM will be a deterrent and might actually reduce your expenses!!
10. Save on Gifts
Always be on the look out for good deals. Save by buying things under sale - for example, while shopping for yourself, choose a 'Buy 1 Get 1' offer on Clothing. Keep 1 for yourself and gift the other on your friend's birthday!
Create a collection of original gift ideas. Present your dear ones with hand-made gifts, a personally embroidered handkerchief, fresh homemade pickles etc. They will appreciate your skill as well as efforts and you will save a lot of money.
The Recession may not be the easiest of times to live through, but with a little planning and disciplined saving and spending, it needn't be as bad as you think!