Here are a few things that usually slip our attention and result in expenditure that can be avoided.
Plan vacations ahead of time: Vacations are sacrosanct, and necessary to keep your sanity levels from dipping. But vacations are also a huge drain on the family finances. You can cut the cost of
a vacation significantly by planning and booking ahead of time. Bookmark travel sites for finding inexpensive airfare, hotels, etc., and book at least two weeks in advance.
Carry your own water bottle: The heat is soaring and you should keep yourself hydrated. But this does not mean you shell out from your pocket every time you need a sip. Many of us forget to carry a bottle of water when we head out and end up spending on a new one. That said, buy bottled water only once in a while, and then reuse that bottle to fill your own water.
Check the expiry date on perishable goods: There is no point getting a gallon of milk if it is going to turn sour within a couple of days. Same goes for meat, eggs, yoghurt, spreads, frozen items, deli/bakery items. A little alertness from your side can prevent losses incurred over spoilt food.
Go grocery shopping while you are in a hurry: Try to squeeze in the grocery trip in that intermediate time. Armed with your grocery list, you should be in-and-out very quickly with little time for meandering and getting tempted to buy things you don’t need.
Do regular scheduled main-tenance on your vehicles: Do not skip on or forget to do regular oil changes. Remember to check the air in your tires often. And use the grade of fuel that the owner’s manual recommends. These small acts can significantly lengthen the life of your car, giving you years of use.
