Bulk Up Your Savings by Cutting Expenses

When working on building and maintaining your Financial Strength finding expenses to cut can be one of the best ways to find extra cash. Here are some tips on where to look for savings in your monthly budget:

• Use gift certificates and gift cards soon after you receive them. Lots of gift card issuers will decrease the value of the card if not used in a specified time period. Check to make sure you do not lose any of its value.
• Unless you have set aside the amount to pay off the bill when it arrives use credit only for major purchases.
• Avoid paying user fees/surcharges at ATM machines by using THE EXCHANGE ® Network and not Interac ATMs. Take out a larger amount at the ATM instead of several small withdrawals.
• Keep track of how many debits you use each month and make sure you have the chequing account plan that is best for you.
• Balance your chequing account, and keep track of your debits so you do not have to pay extra fees for overdraft or NSFs.
• Keep the minimum account balance in your chequing account to avoid monthly fees. Check out our chequing packages to see which one fits your needs.
• Trim your car expenses and your waist line at the same time – walk to work or take public transportation.
• There are lots of unadvertised coupons and promotions made available on the internet. Check-out http://www.frugalshopper.ca , http://www.pricenetwork.ca to get deals for on-line and retail store/service purchases.
• Watch store flyers and sales.
• Always shop from a list. Set-up your grocery list by categories – you will cut-down your time in the store and be less likely to purchase off-list items if you don’t ‘browse’ as much. Eat before you go grocery shopping - you will buy less. Stick to your list - even if the double fudge brownie ice cream is screaming your name.
• Plan your meals a week in advance. You can base it on the weekly grocery specials and coupons. It is the easiest way to start your grocery list.