[USER]

Hey! I am moving into my own place in a few weeks and would love to hear any tips/tricks on saving money so I’m not stressing about money pay check to pay check.

I have a good job and bring in about $3500 a month.

My car is paid off and my most expensive bill would be rent which is around $1,100. Any tips for splitting my paychecks for bills/rent/groceries/etc? would be greatly appreciated!

[Melissa]

Do not fully furnish your place. Get the bare mimimum and live in your space for awhile. You will learn what you need and what you really want. Go minimum, you will be thankful on your next move.

My husband and I started with a mattress, 2 folding director’s chairs and a tv on a box. He cut out 2 pictures from a magazine and glued them to poster board. You don’t have to get that basic but we lived in the space and slowly added the perfect, paid cash for, pieces.

[Cheryl]

Never ever purchase anything just because you can afford it. Thrifty always. Pay all the bills you can pay the first of the month. If you have money in the bank to pay all the bills, do it. The rest of the month is free and clear and you will know how much money is “free” to save, invest, set aside for groceries, emergencies, etc…Save each month for the big quarterly, bi-annual or yearly insurance bills. I promise if you pay your bills at the first of the month you will sleep soundly each month because you won’t have anything to worry about, money-wise.

I forgot to say this….buy a small hard back spiral bound journal/notebook list all of your expenses each month from top to bottom in order of date due. Then simply write to the side of each entry date due, amount due, date paid, account paid from. Then yellow highlight the line once paid. When you see all the entries highlighted it is a visual for less stress and worry. Any extra bills that pop up should be written lower on the page and paid as soon as possible….bills like medical expense, car tag, etc… You got this!

Don’t miss: Any tips or perspective that you can offer to help my confidence with my decision making would be greatly appreciated!

[Diane]

I swear by balanced billing with my electric company.

I pay the same every month all year long. That way you won’t have to worry about your bill in the hotter months. I’ve done this for years.

[Donna]

Before any shopping for what you “need” 15% to savings to you. I had a big rock to hammer nails into walls- for years.

[Christine]

I bought new Rubbermaid trash cans and the rounds at the big box store for off season storage, covered with a quilt/blanket/sheet and used as side tables.

Don’t rush on furniture I am a strong supporter of secondhand and top quality everything. Groceries and eating out/buying lunches is a huge savings or drain, get a few meals that you can prep in bulk then freeze for lunches and dinners then rotate them for variety.

My father in law has maybe a dozen different recipes that he does this with. Whenever we visit I always make bigger meals so we can freeze several for him, he often calls and asks how I did something so he can make/freeze it again. Hopefully the apartment has a washer/dryer?

If so add a drying rack and hang your good clothes to dry-it seriously will extend the life of your clothes. I am ocd about separating clothes so thing’s with heavy fabric/zippers (denim) aren’t washed with the delicate fabrics. I use towels and rags much more than paper towels and do one load of hot was with towels as needed.

The rest is cold. Strive for zero food waste. Learn how to dehydrate/freeze/can extra foods or just limit your purchases to fit what you’re able to eat before it spoils. Keep a sinking fund for car repairs/replacement/big bills that aren’t monthly.

Limit your clothing to a mix and match wardrobe with things for work/church as your more expensive/quality purchases (these can definitely still be found at a thrift shop!) then when off work change into the casual clothes and wear an apron when in the kitchen.

For cooking/meal prep again get quality items-and I’ve gotten some of my best stuff second hand at really affordable prices. Vitamix/kitchenaid/All Clad pans/good knives/. Keep your car serviced as needed and oil changed since it’s a big investment and it can last many years.

Being single you don’t need a ton of dishes to start with so just make it a weekend fun thing to hit the yard sales/thrift stores to look for things at bargain prices.

I’ve bought sheets/towels/appliances/clothes/decor/many kitchen items/silverware/pampered chef items/vacuums used and my adult kids are still using it 10-15 years later.

Explore these too: What are your favorite YouTube channels to watch for frugal tips and tricks?

[Michele]

Don’t sign contracts with an electric company or Internet provider. You want the flexibility to negotiate and switch companies at any time.

In fact, look at all of your bills each year and actually call to try to reduce the rates as they keep going up every year.

[Linda]

Budgeting is key to successful living. Remember it a map and sometimes we lose our way but we always get back on the route as soon as we can.

[Allison]

If you have no emergency fund, which should cover at least 6 months of expenses, then set up a savings account and have part of your paycheck automatically deposited into that account.

Do not start a retirement investment account until you have completed the six months emergency fund.

Otherwise, if any expenses come up when you don’t have an emergency fund, then you are going to have to put that emergency expense like a car repair on a credit card. Don’t get trapped in that credit card debt cycle.

[Peggy]

You’re going to do well because you’re thinking ahead.

Set up savings on auto draft. Don’t rush to purchase and avoid new things. Make saving a priority. A good emergency fund makes your life so much more peaceful.

[Holly]

When I retired & moved, I have never bought one new piece of furniture, housewares, garden tools, you NAME IT. I stalk: Estate Sales first in the best neighborhoods, thrift stores & Restore Habitat. And, I have the most beautiful stuff from people that collected &:traveled the world. I only go into grocery stores for FRESH food.

Otherwise, name any category on the PLANET & IT is @ the Estate…..pretty much.

Today I need a tarp, but may have to go to Harbor Freight; been looking for 6 months.

[Ann]

Set aside for bills and groceries and all else stays in savings… keep any credit cards in freezer .

Don’t charge anything that is not essential- repairs, etc. when You charge know where money is coming from to pay for it. Have most of paycheck deducted and put into savings first, then pay bills and discretionary spending afterwards. Eat drink healthy .

[Author]

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