Money saving tips from my recent life

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So I noticed that I have been able to keep better tabs on my spending recently and thought I would share with you all what the difference, for me has been. Bringing in more money, at the moment , isn't an option for me. So, instead I knew I would have to adjust my spending. I went from making charge card payments and charging them right back to max by the end of the month, to making the payments and not using them. I discovered that it is equally as important to not use the cards, as it is to making larger then minimum payments. At first it was hard because I didn't know where the money was going. I didn't buy any one thing or things that were expensive during a month. I started by looking at optional, reoccurring bills. For example - Netflix. I really didn't enjoy it or use it anymore. Cancel! Even though it's under $10 - it still counts. Another example was an annual magazine subscription. A cooking one, where I really didn't enjoy the food style they feature. I canceled it online and not only will it not automatically re-new, they refunded me for the unsent issues. * I don't currently have cable TV or an expensive cell phone plan (mine is quite minimum) - but if I had- those would have been next. From there I reconsidered my buying of sale items at the grocery store. - Normally, I had taken pleasure in stocking up on items when they went on sale, even if I had plenty of it already. That may be fine reasoning if you take in quite enough money. However if you are on a budget that can get expensive - quickly. I have quelled thoughts of "missing out on a good deal" with the thought that by the time I need said items - there will likely be another sale. Small item impulse purchases have also dropped down way down. Often times I would buy plenty of small items. These things only cost $1-$5 , but - if you do that enough times in a row - it counts up. These are things like - that extra soda and bag of chips when you get gas. I also like to take cans of soda or water in a to-go bottle when I leave home. Fast food meals. Those are really tricky. I have tried to cut down on what I order or cut them out completely. Also I have supplemented my video renting with using the local library which is no cost. That seems to be what is helping me the most and I hope that these tips can help some of you if you need. Photo: Pixabay