*First National Community Bank’s blog does not constitute legal, tax, accounting, investment or other professional advice. Recipients should consult their professional advisors for advice.
With inflation driving up the cost of just about everything these days, our household budgets are being affected like never before. Learning new ways to stretch your budget is not only practical, but also necessary in these times. First National Community Bank has outlined four tips to help you focus on your finances and trim your budget:
- Cancel Unnecessary Subscriptions
With the streaming age upon us, chances are that you’re enrolled in multiple streaming services with a monthly subscription cost. From movie, music and television streaming services to watch (or listen) to your new and old favorites to delivery services such as meal kits, the costs look small when you look at them individually, but they eventually add up – Sometimes totaling hundreds of dollars a month! But cutting out even a quarter of these streaming services, you can save hundreds each month. The same goes for gym memberships and/or any subscription that you don’t use or is not a necessity. If you’re not using your subscriptions regularly, cancelling them is an easy way to free up funds in your budget.
- Reduce Your Energy Costs
Remembering to turn the light off when you leave the room, keeping your thermostat set to a reasonable temperature year round and switching to LED lightbulbs are just a few ways you can easily and substantially reduce your energy costs. By being mindful of your family’s energy usage and habits, you can make a large impact in your monthly energy bill and a year-round positive impact on your budget.
- Buy The Generic Version Of Your Favorite Products
Grocery shopping can add up quickly and with the cost of every day staples like eggs on the rise, buying the generic version of your favorite products can save you big! While groceries are a necessity, name-brand products are not. When you switch to store-brand products your savings will add up with each shopping trip. As mentioned earlier, cutting a food/meal delivery service is another option that can save you money in the form of extra fees for the convenience of having your groceries delivered.
- Eliminate Your Storage Unit
Many of us are guilty of holding on to items of yesteryear in hopes of using them again someday. However, the reality is that these items won’t be thought of or used again for quite some time – if ever! Monthly storage unit costs can really add up so it is important to take the time to go through your items in storage and decide what you really want to keep and what you can get rid of. You can even sell unwanted items by hosting a garage sale and make some extra cash!
Reviewing your expenses and finding ways to trim your budget is not only practical, it can save you thousands of dollars a year. As your locally owned community bank of choice, the success of your financial future is top of mind. We offer Personal Checking Accounts, Money Market, Personal Savings Accounts, CDs, IRAs, Business Loans, Treasury Management Services, Mortgages, Personal Loans of all shapes and sizes and much more! To learn more about First National Community Bank’s financial solutions, contact us here.
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