Guest post by Stewart Bradley

Following the recent economic downturn which began in 2008, more and more people have been realizing the importance of saving money. With prices rising on basic items such as gas, fuel, electricity,groceries and other essential items, people are finding it difficult to make ends meet. During times of financial trouble, it is essential for people to know the techniques of saving money.

In case you’re jobless or have accrued an insurmountable amount of debt, you need to find out the areas to trim down your expenses and redirect that cash saved towards fundamental requirements (food, clothing, housing) or debt repayments.With some assessment of your budget and some wise steps, it’s possible for you to restore your financial situation to good health and learn some important lessons in how to save cash for your future needs.

During trying economic times, it’s truly essential to lead a frugal lifestyle. This is not just something that you can do occasionally; rather, it’s a complete transformation in your way of life. While people look at different debt relief options, they often ignore the importance of living a frugal life.

Keep a coin purse       

If you want to live happy on a strict budget, start carrying a coin bag. Many people get irritated while searching their pockets for change; they simply pay with big notes and end up getting more loose change than they require. Keep this change in a coin purse. If you still have problems paying with exact change, simply put the coins in a coin purse and pour it into a container when you reach home. Once the jar is filled, carry it to a coin counter at your nearest store or bank branch and swap it for cash.

Opt for a healthier lifestyle                                                 

Your health plays an important role in determining the amount of money you spend. One of the best tips to follow is to get back in shape. People who smoke, drink, or have poor eating habits, tend to splurge more cash than an individual leading a healthy lifestyle. Ironincally, low-quality processed foods and TV dinners are often more expensive than buying fresh food. When you’re in shape, you tend to eat a smaller amount of food. Once you stop drinking and smoking, you’ll be able to save a lot of cash on cigarettes and alcohol. Go for a walk or jog on a daily basis; these activities will not only make you healthier, but also save a substantial amount of cash on doctors and medicines. Trading expensive car journeys for travel by bike is a great way to save money, get fit and reduce carbon emissions.

image: dno1967b

Prepare simple meals

One single step that will lead to substantial savings every month is to cook your own food. Instead of eating expensive restaurant or take-out dishes, cook for yourself. You can also save by buying fresh vegetables, rather than processed meals or pre-prepared foods (e.g. potatoes that have already been peeled). Go for the foods which are nutritious and tasty.. If you’re a novice chef, don’t be put off;, collect different recipes from your friends and relatives or see what you can find with a simple online search. If you follow the instructions you can’t go wrong. Like with many other things, the more you cook the better you’ll get at it and the confidence you’ll gain will encourage you to attempt more exotic dishes

As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. Instead of leading a careless lifestyle and getting into debt problems, it’s better to follow these frugal living tips and avoid debt. Visit the debt consolidation program for more info about solving your debt problems.

Stewart Bradley is a contributory writer associated with the Debt Consolidation Care Community and has written several articles for various financial websites. Though he holds his expertise in the Debt industry and has made significant contribution through his various articles, he has interest in money management, short term loans, bankruptcy, credit advice and more.