After the holidays everyone is looking forward to a new year and plan all of these great resolutions like saving money and getting our budget under control. The reality is, however, that by mid-February most of us have fallen off the resolution wagon and we have gone back to our old way of living.
It’s not too late through, you can still achieve your financial resolutions this year–its only February, we will have plenty of time left in 2016 so don’t be discouraged!
Here are some easy tips to help you get your budget back on track:
Spend more time at home–that’s right, spend more time at home with your family. By doing this you will spend less money on activities and less money on food costs from eating out. This time of year is the perfect time to stay in, watch movies or read together or play a board game. Your family and your budget will thank you!
Meal plan–I swear, I can hear you all groaning but you really can save money by doing a meal plan each week. I find that when I do a meal plan I save money, save on preparation time and have less food waste. Plus, since my family knows in advance what we are having for dinner each night they are less likely to complain. Click here to print my Meal Plan worksheet.
Stock up on food when it is on sale–even better? Stock up on foods like fruits and veggies when they are in season. By buying food in season you get better prices and quality. Did you know that your freezer works more efficiently when it is packed as full as possible? It’s true, so having a full freezer not only helps you save money on food costs, it also helps you save money on your electric costs as well. Remember to check your freezer temperature often as freezers would be kept between zero and five degrees Fahrenheit at all times. Temperatures that are too cold waste energy and temperatures that are too warm can lead to food spoilage.
Do you lose track of what is in your freezer? Make sure to print out this handy “What’s in the Freezer” checklist to help you stay efficient.
Use your slow cooker more often–As a mom of 5 kids involved in sports activities I understand how busy life can get. I know how tempting it can be after a busy day to just swing through the drive through and grab dinner. However, by planning ahead with my meal plan and using my slow cooker I can make sure that I have a delicious dinner ready for my family the minute we walk in the door.
Start a savings plan–not sure where to start? Keep it simple with the 52 Week Savings Plan. It isn’t too late to start and by the end of the year you will have saved over $1,000.
Disclosure: I am a Project Envolve Ambassador and received product and compensation for this post. As always my opinions are 100% my own. Project Envolve is sponsored by PPL Electric Utilities. Learn more money saving tips at PPL Electric Utilities Pinterest boards here. #ProjectEnvolve
I am absolutely amazed at the amount of time and money I save when I actually do menu plan. It is such a simple thing to do, and the benefits are awesome!