Financial Literacy by First Alliance Credit Union

5 Neat Ways to Find Extra Money in the Budget

Written by Jenna Taubel | May 1, 2018 10:19:00 AM

If you are like many people, you might feel as if you never really have enough money in your budget for the things like investing and getting out of debt. However, there are some ways that you can find extra money in your budget. These are a few tips that can help you do just that.

Sell So Much Stuff the Kids Think They’re Next

If you look around your home, there's a good chance that you will find items that you don't need or use. If you sell these items, you can get rid of clutter in your home and add some extra cash to your budget as well. For example, you can sell gold items, such as old jewelry that you don't wear anymore, for top dollar. It’s even become popular to sell your gold fillings. However, as Crown Buyers points out, gold prices fluctuate based on the regular volatility of the market. You can also try selling old clothing, decorations, or anything else that you and your family don't use to make some extra cash.

Cut the Cable

If you have subscriptions that you don't use -- such as if you find yourself throwing the newspaper out more than reading it or if you have a movie streaming subscription that you rarely log into -- then canceling these things can be a good way to add a little more money to your budget.

Try to Get Your Bills Lowered

For some of your bills, there might be a chance that you can lower them without having to miss out on or cancel anything. For example, consider calling your cable company to see if there is any way that you can reduce your bill. If not, consider shopping around and seeing what other companies have to offer; you might find that you can get a similar or better service for a lower price if you shop around.

Amputate the Latte

Sometimes it is the little expenses that can add up. For example, if you go out and have coffee each morning, you could be spending more throughout the month and year than you realize. Making coffee at home can help you save money. Additionally, cutting out extras like going to the movies and watching something at home instead can also help you save money.

Shop Smart

Focusing on meal planning based off of items that are on sale and that are already in your pantry can help you greatly reduce how much you spend at the grocery store. Additionally, stocking up on things when they are on sale and buying certain items in bulk can also help you save money while ensuring that your family has plenty to eat.

 Wrap up

As you can see, there are a few neat ways that you can find extra money in your budget. If you follow these five ideas, you might be surprised by just how much money you can free up each month without really having to make any major changes.