Managing finances well is one of the focuses of this blog. As breadwinner, I'm determined to save as much money as I can without compromising my family's basic needs. I'm glad that, over the years, I have taken control of my money, spending it wisely and indulging ourselves with good stuff only during special occasions. I have also disciplined myself to allot a portion of my income to savings. I can't overemphasized the importance of savings in one's life.

I chanced upon this article from Yahoo Finance talking about ways on how we could save one third of our income. At first I thought it was impossible to do, but the examples she presented was believable. She emphasizes the need to live simply, to live within your means and sometimes, even below it.

Here are some of the strategies she shared:

Live like a college student long after graduation. My husband and I continued living in a small apartment with our old futon as a sofa for five years after graduation. At first, we didn't use cable and stuck with an old tube television. For awhile, we even figured out a way to make room for our baby in that small space.

Become a frugal chef. I didn't know much about cooking before I got married, but I quickly learned how to make vegetable-focused meals from the Food Network. Using small amounts of meat saved us money, as did limiting our restaurant meals.

Stick with one car. We've always chosen to live near public transportation so we can limit ourselves to one car, which saves us thousands of dollars a year. Between gas, upkeep, and insurance, cars are expensive, so sticking to one can make a big difference. (These first three items--housing, food, and transportation--take up about two-thirds of most people's incomes, so focusing on that pricey trifecta can have a big impact.)

Read the rest here.


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1 comments

it's always best to save for the rainy day.

November 15, 2010 at 11:45 AM

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