If you’re trying to live on a budget, you might not feel like you can have the things you want.
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But you don’t have to resign yourself to living a bare-bones existence if your budget is tight. It’s possible to live on a budget and get some of the stuff you want, too. Here’s how you can stay financially healthy without too many sacrifices.
Create a Budget That Prioritizes Needs
If your income is limited, make sure it covers your needs first.
“Food, shelter, clothing and utilities are needs,” said Donna Freedman, author of “Your Playbook For Tough Times.” “The rest is just a series of wants.”
Creating a budget can help. List the expenses you have to pay to survive. Add them up, and then subtract them from your income. If there’s not much left over, you might have to make some sacrifices. Don’t think of cutting out wants to cover needs as deprivation though. Think of it as a smart use of available funds, Freedman said.
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Build an Emergency Fund
If you’re living on a budget, you might not think you can afford to set aside money each month in an emergency fund. But would you be able to afford an unexpected cost without savings?
“The thing that keeps you out of debt is to find room in your budget to grow your savings,” said said Bruce McClary, senior vice president of communications at the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.
You won’t be able to build your savings quickly; but, if you can stash away a little each month, you can fall back on your emergency fund rather than go into debt when something unexpected happens.
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Tackle Your Debt in Smart Ways
When you’re struggling with debt, you don’t want to just keep paying the minimum balance on what you owe. However, you may not be able to afford much larger payments, so you should look at other smart ways to tackle your debt. A personal loan could consolidate that debt into one set regular monthly payment.
Take Advantage of Tax Breaks
If you’re a low-wage worker, take advantage of tax breaks when you file your tax return — such as the earned income tax credit (EITC). If the credit you receive is more than the taxes you owe, the IRS will refund you the difference. That tax refund can be used to help pay off debt, build an emergency fund or cover additional expenses.
Eat at Home
Food is an essential expense, but it’s one that you can control. The best way to do this is by cooking at home rather than eating out.
Plenty of websites provide recipes for meals that are cheap, easy and delicious. And by eating at home more often, you will be able to afford the occasional outing with friends or family, so you don’t have to give it up completely.
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Cut the Cost of Groceries
The key to saving money on groceries is planning your weekly menu and shopping list based on what’s discounted at the supermarket. Check your grocer’s website for its weekly ad, or pick one up as you head into the store. Also, browse your supermarket’s clearance rack for deeply discounted items and the “manager’s special” meat bin for items marked down 30% to 50% for being near the sell-by date.
Find the Deepest Discounts
Don’t limit your deal hunting to groceries. McClary said you should spend extra time pursuing the deepest discounts on all the goods and services that you use. You can scour sites such as Slickdeals for the best prices on items you need, RetailMeNot for coupons and Cardpool for discounted gift cards that you can use at supermarkets, gas stations or retail stores.
Sell What You Don’t Need
You likely have hidden sources of income lying around your house — things you don’t need that can be sold.
“Electronics, bicycles, collectibles and even toys might fetch a fair amount,” Freedman said. “Someone paid me $1,200 for a little plastic baseball figurine.”
So, scour your home for items you can advertise on Craigslist and Facebook. You can also sell them on eBay or to a consignment store. And then, you can enjoy that money how you want or need.
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Buy Used Rather Than New
You can outfit yourself, your kids and your home for less by buying gently used items at a thrift shop or consignment store. In fact, you can often find quality items that are deeply discounted, McClary noted.
The key is to shop at resale stores where more affluent people live. McClary said he once found a brand-name sports coat for $10 at a thrift store in a nice neighborhood near Chicago.
Cut the Cost of Insurance
You might be able to free up room in your budget by lowering your monthly auto insurance premium.
“Ask how much you would save by raising your deductibles or whether it’s appropriate to drop collision,” Freedman said.
Also, shop around to find the best deal on auto insurance — you might save money by switching insurers.
Consider a Personal Loan for Needs and Wants
Sometimes what you need doesn’t always come at the right time for your bank account. But whether you want to improve your home, fix your car or make a big purchase that will help your overall life, a personal loan might be the right move for you.
By using a personal loan, you can avoid putting charges on high-interest credit cards.
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Keep Down the Cost of Utilities
Even if your utilities seem overly expensive, it doesn’t mean you have to resort to bundling up in blankets all winter just to stay warm or sweating it out in the summer.
Consider calling your utility providers to see whether they offer reduced rates for people in financial trouble. Or, if you live in a state with a deregulated electric or gas market, shop around to see whether you can get a lower rate from another provider.
Take Advantage of the Public Library
No need to give up books just because the cost of buying them can add up quickly. The public library offers plenty of freebies that can make life more enjoyable — and affordable. You can check out books for free or borrow DVDs and CDs for no-cost entertainment.
McClary said public libraries also typically offer free Wi-Fi, so you can get online to find more deals, compare prices or search for better-paying jobs.
Find Free Things To Do
“You certainly want to do things that can add joy to your life,” McClary said.
But when you’re on a budget, you should find ways to have fun that won’t leave you in debt. Fortunately, there are plenty of free things to do in every state, from museums to hiking trails to public concerts. Check your city government’s website or community paper’s website for a calendar of events.
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Take Advantage of Workplace Benefits
If your employer offers any workplace benefits — such as subsidized health insurance, a flexible spending account or a retirement plan with matching contributions — you should take advantage of them.
You might have avoided signing up for benefits because you didn’t want to have money taken out of an already small paycheck. But employee benefits can save you hundreds of dollars over time. Even if you work part time, you might still qualify for benefits, so check to see what’s available from your employer.
Find a Second Job or Other Opportunities
Taking on a second job — especially if you’re already working part time — can help you go from scraping by to living comfortably. Even if you’re already living comfortably, the extra funds can help you buy the things you want.
You might even be able to make money without a 9-to-5 job by taking surveys at sites such as InboxDollars and Opinion Outpost, testing websites or participating in online juries.
Get a Job With Tips
When the company that she was working for closed down, Catherine Treme, a behavioral finance blogger, said she was able to live comfortably on a small income by working as a Lyft driver.
“With the tips, it made things a lot easier,” Treme said, adding that she had a lot more wiggle room in her budget thanks to the extra cash.
Get a Roommate
Another way Treme was able to live comfortably on a small income was by splitting housing costs with a roommate. If your current accommodations aren’t big enough for two, find someone who is looking for a roommate on sites such as Craigslist, RoomieMatch or even Facebook. This way, you can enjoy other expenses you might want like vacations or a new car.
Consider Moving
You might be able to reduce your biggest monthly expense by moving to a smaller or older space, McClary said.
“You don’t need to live in the newest, most modern apartment or house,” he said. “There are more competitive deals for older structures.”
If you live in a place where the cost of living is high, consider moving to a city where your paycheck stretches further.
McClary said, “Take a moment to consider where you can relocate to find the same kind of employment opportunities but in an environment that’s much more affordable.”
Get Assistance
Don’t let pride get in the way of reaching out for help so you can go from barely getting by to a more stable existence, Freedman said. There are plenty of public and private entities that can help.
Start by calling 211, which is the community services clearinghouse run by the United Way. It can connect you with local agencies to find assistance, but remember to be specific about what you need. You also can get help dealing with debt and budgeting issues by visiting NFCC.org to find a free or low-cost credit counselor.
Taylor Bell contributed to the reporting for this article.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 20 Tips To Stay Financially Healthy Without Sacrificing What You Want
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