Family Budgeting

For families all across the country times are hard

. What with the fragile economy, low employment records and bleak job prospects there has never been more reason to budget carefully and find new ways to save money. Cutting back on your outgoings can be soul destroying for any family but with some inventive and creative ideas you could find you can save precious money and still have fun along the way.

The first thing you should do when you're looking to cut down on your expenditure is assess exactly what you are paying out every month. Put together a rough budget for your household costs including rent, bills, transport and food and look at it against your current income. Once you know exactly what you are spending, and the things you're spending it on, it will be much easier to see where you can cut down.

Utility bills are a huge outgoing for any family so it pays to see if there is anything you can do to lower the cost. Turning off equipment such as games consoles, TVs and lights when they are not in use will all help reduce your energy expenditure and in turn lower the bill. It's also a good idea to check out whether you may be paying too much for your utilities and see if switching providers may help reduce your costs.

Food is often the biggest weekly outgoing for any family so finding inventive ways to cut costs and keep your family meals healthy is paramount. The most effective way to save money in this area is to plan ahead. Try making a weekly menu where you can calculate exactly what groceries you will need for each meal so you won't be spending money on little extras. Many families often waste money on food that goes out of date fast so making sure you check the sell by date, before you buy, will ensure your purchase will last a lot longer.

No one likes to cut back on their leisure activities but when times are hard these are often the first and easiest thing to go. Cinema visits, special outings and trips out for a meal will all have to be pared back but that doesn't mean you have to cut these things out for good. Keep an eye out for 2 for 1 offers or discounts so you can have a guilt free treat every once in a while.

All of these changes can help you lower your costs but if you really want to be sure you're getting the best from your money it's paramount to sort out your bills, direct debits and credit cards so you don't end up doing all that saving for nothing. If you are in any doubt about your options you can make an appointment at your bank or speak to a financial advisor who can talk you through the best ways to save. It's also a good idea to find a low interest rate credit card so you can have a special family treat now and again without the worry.

Family Budgeting

By: andrew.regan.2006@googlemail.com

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