Easy ways to save money

Eighty easy ways to save money.
Free advice and tips on how to save money.
A working families guide to saving money.

In this guide, you will find easy ways to save money during your everyday life that were so obvious that like so many of us you just simply overlooked them. In times of hardship recession and crisis and with none of us not really knowing what our futures hold anymore. Its essential that we try to save as much money as possible to allow ourselves the peace of mind that we need to function.

The information in this article has been put together based on my own life experiences. Everyday observation and the research that I have done, in an attempt to try to save money and ease the pressure on my own families budget.

It is only a guide on saving money and should be treated as such. A certain degree of common sense on your parts required, as what works for some may not work for others. We are all different and we all live our lives accordingly. We have our own tastes, preferences and make our own choices.

Its not a DIY guide to insulating your loft, fitting Double Glazing, lagging your pipes or any other form of home improvement. Nor is it a guide to cheap airfares, theatre tickets or any other discounted products. It is purely based on a day to day families existence and living with what you already have.

I don't have time in my daily routine to sit for hours wading through page after page of figures, blurb and statistics so there's no long drawn out detailed explanations.

Whats covered in this article on easy ways to save money?

Some things you may already know others you may not. Some are so obvious they probably go unnoticed every day. Alots just pure common sense. But if you, like most of us, lead a busy hectic life then reading this articles just what you and your family might need in order to start saving some money.

At the end, theres a list of sites relevant to each section you may find useful depending on your situation.

Easy ways to save: First and foremost.

If you, like millions of others have any kind of outstanding balances/debts no matter how insignificant they might seem, the first thing you must do is try to pay off as many of them as you can before the recession really hits. e.g. Credit cards, Loans, Catalogues, Tax bills, National insurance contributions. Whatever they are try to get a lid on them. Try to pay off the ones with the higher rates of interest first.

The longer you leave them the harder it will be to manage them. At all cost avoid loan sharks or any other great offers of reducing your debt. There are a lot of companies out there who are more than willing to cash in on your current situation so beware and do the research first, and don't be afraid to ask questions. If you are really up to your necks in debt then seek professional advice. Try speaking to your local citizen's advice bureaux. They may be able to advise you and put you onto a genuine reputable company who can help you. I know its really hard for any of us to admit we are in trouble or need help. Especially if it's to do with finance or family, but sometimes you have to know when to swallow your pride and seek the right advice.

With that in hand, you now must at all costs avoid adding to and increasing your debt.

Only spend what you can afford.

I know this is easier to say than it is to put into practice, especially when you've a growing family. But what with rising costs, falling incomes and the fear of job losses ever present you now have to start thinking. If I can't pay for it with cash, than I just can't have it. (My father always raised me by this philosophy and so far it has stood me in good stead.)

Start building an emergency fund. Even if you can only manage a penny a day, as they say, "A penny saved is a penny earned.

Not so easy ways to save money.

Cut out those must-have treats. As torturous as it sounds that Cappuccino after shopping or the bottle of wine at the weekend all adds up. We all want our luxuries and hey why not. We work really hard so we deserve them but realistically we now have to start asking ourselves Can we afford them right now?