If you’re struggling with debt, we probably don’t have to tell you how it can damage your life. The stress of trying to deal with debt can actually cause physical problems including ulcers, headaches, an irregular heartbeat and insomnia. If you want to slay that debt monster and get the stress out of your life here are eight thrifty tips that can help you save money to pay it off.
Hold a yearly garage sale
Gather up all those items that have been cluttering up your house and have a garage sale. Don’t feel guilty about not donating those items to a charity because holding a sale is really recycling.
Research before you purchase
Don’t spend money on stuff you end up wishing you hadn’t bought. If you spend just a few minutes researching big-ticket items, you can avoid a lot of buyer’s remorse. You can do real-time price comparisons on the Internet that can save you money. And you won’t waste time returning items that you found the unsatisfactory or, worse yet, having to ship the losers back to their manufacturers. One really good source for information about products is Consumer Reports. There are also several good online sites for researching products such as Bizrate.com and FindersCheapers.com.
Buy off-season
Watch for end of season items that have been seriously marked down. For example, you might buy swimwear or patio furniture in the fall, Christmas items in late spring and skis in May. I’ve seen some of these items marked down by as much as 60% or even 70%.
Stockpile your food
Look for super deals on those food items you know that you will use. When you buy those foods in large quantities, you’ll save money and eliminate trips to the supermarket. And remember that the big discount chains also sell food items and sometimes at very reasonable prices.
Clip coupons
Whenever you come across a coupon that would save you money, think about it as found money. In other words, if you get a coupon that would save you $.50 on a bag of romaine lettuce, think of it as $.50 in your pocket. While it does take time and effort to search for useful coupons, these offers can add up to some very serious savings over time. The important thing is to not buy stuff that you don’t really need or use.
Buy a used car
There are very few better feelings than to drive a new car – complete with that new car smell. Plus, you get all the manufacturer’s warranty and know that everything will work. But if you shop carefully, you should be able to find a used car that would give you a lot more for your money. The site Edwards.com reports that almost all new cars depreciate 20% to 30% in their first two years. If you’re smart, you’ll let that first owner take this loss. Plus, you could buy a used car that’s just maybe two years old and get all those pricey options you wouldn’t have been able to afford had you bought it new.
Harness the power of Craigslist
Craigslist has a huge audience. It’s a great way to unload those items you no longer need or want. It will take some time to create a post and add pictures. But it’s possible to earn some big dollars by selling furnishings, decor, antiques, furnishings, and collectibles on this amazing electronic marketplace.
Get rid of your debt
If you’re heavily in debt you’re probably paying a huge amount of interest each month. Another good way to practice thrift is to get rid of those interest payments by letting National Debt Relief settle your debts – for pennies on the dollar. If you would like to know how much money National Debt Relief could save you and how quickly it could help you become debt free, contact us today.
National Debt Relief helps people nationwide resolve $10k or more in unsecured debt. Our debt coaches negotiate with creditors on your behalf so that you pay a fraction of what you owe and can become debt free in as little as 24-48 months.
