One of the biggest problems newlyweds have with money is that there’s never enough of it. But there are some small lifestyle changes that can put more money in your pockets and less stress on your marriage. Here are some suggestions for saving funds together:
1. Eat at home more often.
Let’s face it: Going out to restaurants or bars costs couples lots. A dinner out can cost anywhere from $20 per couple at a fast-food joint to hundreds at a gourmet restaurant. You probably don’t even want to think what a cocktail costs you in a major city bar. Multiply those numbers by the number of times you go out per week and then figure out how much that costs per year. You’ll see that you can save substantial amounts of money simply by cooking for yourselves and eating in. This option gives you the chance to cook with your spouse – and unwind in the home you created together. It could even be therapeutic.2. Shop ‘till you drop – at the clearance rack.
America is a pretty great place. Unlike some countries in Europe, where sales are reserved for only certain times of the year, U.S. stores put stuff on sale all the time, especially at the end of a season. If your favorite date is shopping together on the weekend, you and your spouse don’t have to give it up to save money. Just be more frugal. Only allow yourselves to buy items that are on sale. One strategy for doing this successfully is to head straight to the clearance racks when you enter a store. Try not to be distracted by the new stuff up front. If you happen to see something new you like, keep returning to the store. It will likely go on sale at some point, too. Don’t give in to temptation. 3. Use coupons every chance you can.
Search the Internet for coupons or clip them from the newspaper on Sundays. Look for coupons for items that you are always using – toothpaste, soap, shampoo, conditioner, cereal, and other staples in your pantry. Some couples even use the supermarket’s weekly circular to plan their meals. If roast beef is on sale, then that will be Monday’s dinner. If you can stock up on things you use all the time when you have a coupon (for example, there’s a two-for-one deal), then go for it. You’re going to need to buy it again sooner or later anyway, so you might as well get it at a lower price now.
4. Track your purchases.
For a week, you and your spouse should keep track of every penny you spend and how you spend it. At the end of the week, share your lists and realize how much money you’re spending on a daily basis. Many financial experts say that this activity makes people more aware of the little things they purchase that add up over time. You might find that you’re spending something like $20 per week on fancy, store-bought coffee. Maybe you’re spending $100 on going out to eat lunch. You could make coffee at home or brown bag your lunch, and save. But you’ll only be able to decide what actions to take if you write it all down and analyze it. 5. Reuse items.
If you’re painting your new place, you can clean the paint brushes and use them more than once. Or you can use glass jars, such as those that hold salsa, or margarine tubs as containers for leftovers or storage for other items. Some people even use these containers to organize a junk drawer. Reusing items is not only kind to the environment, but it saves you money because you don’t have to keep purchasing new items when you already have others to do the job. 6. Make gifts and cards for one another.
Maybe you and your spouse went all out for special occasions when you were dating. You bought each other jewelry, trips, flowers, and cards. Now that you’re married and trying to build a stable financial future, you could try making each other gifts – from a handmade card and hand-picked flowers to a hand-painted wooden picture frame. Make your cards by hand or on the computer, too, and you’ll save a bundle and create a meaningful, personalized surprise that honors your beloved and your savings account.
