There is no shame in saying you have limited resources because you are not alone. In fact, you are probably among the majority of people who are just getting their feet back on the ground after years of living through the Great Recession. Yes, the bottom dropped out of the economy about 8 years ago and many of us were put out of jobs we thought we’d have forever.
Sadly, some folks are still out of work and others have settled for smaller paychecks, but that doesn’t mean you can’t survive on the funds you have. Here are three amazingly simple ways to overcome a challenging budget, which will enable you to enjoy some of life’s pleasures you thought you’d never see again.
1) Bundle Your Services
You know, there are several ways to get more for less when you learn how to bundle things like insurance and the Internet. Most insurance companies will offer significant discounts when you bundle various types of insurance. For example, many insurance companies offer auto, home, rental, fire and other types of insurance we all need. Or perhaps you have more than one vehicle in the family and can save considerably by putting them all on the same policy, even though there are several drivers involved.
Then there are savings such as DIRECTV deals that let you get Internet, cable and home phone all in the same package and typically for under $90 per month in select areas. Think about that for just a moment. Have you checked the latest going rates for home phone numbers or simple Internet? Those 2 alone, if purchased separately, could run more than $100 a month, not including cable TV. That’s a significant saving if you think about it. Why go without any of those services or important insurance coverages when you can simply bundle them up!
2) Sustainable Living – A New Look at the Green Economy
Businesses around the globe are focusing on a green economy, so why shouldn’t you? Find ways to avoid using products that are not renewable while learning how to grow or make your own whenever possible. For example, did you know that even apartment dwellers can grow a great deal of their own fruits, vegetables and herbs in containers? You don’t need a huge yard to plant things like tomatoes, peppers, squash, onions, garlic and most herbs. Even leaf lettuce and other leafy greens do well in containers, so cut down on your food bill by growing some of your own.
3) Get Together with Friends and Family in the Trendy New Sharing Economy
It seems like we’ve gone from the green economy to the sharing economy but both are extremely beneficial to those trying to overcome a challenging budget. While you try to use sustainable products and processes (like growing your own foods), you can also learn to share resources with friends and family members. Try carpooling, babysitting each other’s kids as often as possible, and even sharing tools and other items instead of buying your own. Just look at how Uber has grown and you’ll see that the sharing economy has offered ways for people to have more for less.
Each of these three amazingly simple ways to overcome a challenging budget is powerful on its own, but when combined with each other you’ll soon learn how to have some of those things you thought you’d never see again. But for one last tip on overcoming that bare barrel budget, get creative! This is just a starting point and when you have the hang of it, you’ll soon find ways to make it through even the most challenging emergencies that crop up. It really isn’t as hard as you think, so give it your best.