Financial Tips

How to Save Money - Food for Thought II

Food to Go

Convenience food is everywhere today, prepackaged in small portions to fit into our busy lives. From coffee, to carrots and cookies, they seem perfectly sized and inexpensive. But if you look closer, you can see they’re actually draining money from your wallet, to the tune of hundreds of dollars over time. This is especially important if you’re working on debt reduction.

Plug these leaks from your household budget through preparation and discipline. In this instance, time does equal money. The following tips from the experts at Credit Counselors show you how to make your money go further.

Coffee bars. Stopping in at the nearest coffee shop on the way to work is an easy ritual to slip into, but that’s a very expensive cup of flavored water. Instead, invest in a good coffeemaker at home and get it ready each night before you go to bed. Use a thermal carafe if you need a cup at work. The sweetest part is that you’ll probably find you like the homemade coffee better.

Choose water. Avoid buying bottled water, which is often just tap water from a different city (and bad for the environment as well). Fill your own water bottle from your tap; you won’t know the difference. At home or in restaurants, drink water more often. It’s usually free and it’s better for you.

Pack it in. Take lunch from home more often and make going out to lunch more of an occasion. Buying lunch every day, especially from restaurants, is a very expensive habit. Making your own lunch the night before means it doesn’t interrupt your morning routine.

And don’t forget. . . to carry snacks, especially healthy ones like sliced vegetables and cheese, so you’re not feeding the vending machine. It will reinforce your goal of saving money if you think about how much healthier it is as well.

Travel light. The same tips apply when you and your family travel, especially on road trips. While you may not be able to pack all your meals, packing a cooler with food and snacks will save money you could use better at your destination.

When it comes to food, healthier, more economical choices can improve your debt management, make you feel better and cut down on doctor bills at the same time. To learn more about cost-saving tips, contact the consumer credit counseling professionals at Credit Counselors.