The economy has seen better days and it is affecting us all. Regardless of your financial state here are 5 ways that getting organized will help you save money.
1. Don’t duplicate – Have you ever made a purchase and came home to find that you have one or even more of the same item at home? Maybe you just placed it in some random cabinet or closet and forgot about it. First and most importantly organize what you already have!
2. Make a list – If your intention is to go grocery shopping make a list and follow it to avoid making unnecessary purchases. A super Walmart can be a dangerous place if you are wandering around with out a plan. Ah, yes you need meals for this week and you come home with a new outfit then you realize you forgot two ingredients for tomorrow nights dinner. Now your making an extra trip to pick up the forgotten ingredients and you also grab a pair of pants you had your eye on the day before. It’s a viscous cycle, your wasting time, money and gas here!
3. Avoid late fees – We’re talking movie rentals, library books and yes, bills! Have you ever looked down at your calendar and realized… “Oh, not again! The electric bill (or whatever it may be) was due yesterday!” Perhaps your kids misplaced a library book or you can’t find the movie you were supposed to return. Late fees are avoidable!
4. Save receipts for returns – You may not need to keep track of your receipts for anything other that writing the amount in your check register but I advise you to hold on tho those receipts for larger purchases. At least keep them until the store’s return policy or warranty expires. While I was organizing with a client we found a receipt that was expiring that day. She was so grateful because the receipt went to a bench she bought at Home Depot and an edge broke off. She returned the bench right after our session together and it saved her $250!
5. Don’t spend - When I asked Hubby how organizing can save money he said don’t spend it. I translate that to make a budget and stick to it. Sit down with your spouse and spell it out in black and white. Decide together what your future goals are and where you want to see yourselves financially. When you find yourself out shopping with no real objective in mind ask yourself, if you really need whatever it is you are desiring and how it fits into your long term goals. Make conscious choices about your spending!
If you have more ideas to add to the list please leave a comment and get the conversation going…
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If I am looking int buying something “frivolous”, I will often put it off. I do not buy the item/outfit/shoes when I first see it. I wait and think on it. (Shopping control equates with gun control here?) If I don’t deem the item important enough to go back for after leaving the store, then I figure it wasn’t important enough to buy. The majority of the time, I don’t remember that I even wanted it! Either way, no harm, no foul.
I agree with you on keeping receipts!