Easy Ways Newlyweds Can Save Money
Seven Sneaky Ideas That Will Make You Forget You're Saving Money
Mar 31, 2008
Saving for your dream home, your growing family and even your nest egg is not cheap. Make saving money easy with these seven simple changes every smart newlywed can make.
Whether you're saving money for your first home, an anniversary vacation or a new addition to your family, there are some easy changes that newlyweds can make in their daily lives that can have an impact on their finances.
- Pay Your Bills Online. This will save you a stamp for every bill, which may not seem like a lot at first, but consider how many bills you write per month and multiply that by 12. Then factor in the ever-rising cost of stamps. If you can't bring yourself to use this level of technology, at least invest in Forever Stamps that are being sold by the United States Postal Service. They are good forever, despite any stamp rate increases.
- Brown Bag Your Lunch. Make it a routine to prepare the following day's lunches the night before. Instead of making your own lunch, prepare your spouse's and vice versa. Also throw in a little love note to make lunchtime extra special for them. Not only will this save you money, but it is a much healthier food option as well.
- Carpool to Work Together. As newlyweds, you probably want to spend every moment in each other's company. Take advantage and carpool together to and from work. Not only will you get to spend extra time with your spouse, you will save on gas money.
- Have Date Nights at Home. Instead of paying big bucks to go out to dinner and a movie, recreate the romantic experience in the privacy of your home. Rent a movie you both want to see (see #7 for free movie rentals!) and share a quiet, meaningful meal together in your own living room.
- Combine Your Car Insurance Policies. When you were single, it was perfectly acceptable for each of you to have your own separate policy. But now that you're married, go ahead and combine your car insurance policies. You will likely find that the monthly payments are considerably lower. Also, check with your insurance provider, because many of them offer discounts for married people.
- Change to a Cellular Family Plan. Do you both need the hassle of separate cellular phone companies as well as vastly different plans? Inquire with different companies and find one that will offer you their family plan. This should offer you a set amount of minutes you can share each month, for one price. This often ends up being cheaper that maintaining two separate cell phone plans.
- Visit the Library. Instead of spending money buying books and DVDs, why not use the free services available to you at your public library? Libraries sometimes offer cooking classes, couples dance classes and classes on how to give massages free or at a very low cost. This is a great way for you to expand your cooking skills, learn to dance with your partner or enjoy the mutual satisfaction of a couple's massage.
Before you know it, these easy changes will become a natural part of your routine. You won't miss the old way of doing things at all, and you'll actually have money in the bank.
The copyright of the article Easy Ways Newlyweds Can Save Money in Personal Budgeting/Finance is owned by Lisa Rufle. Permission to republish Easy Ways Newlyweds Can Save Money in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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