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5 Resolutions to Trim Spending and Reduce Stress
With the New Year upon us, now is the perfect time to make a resolution to save more money. These five tips will help you trim spending, beef up savings, and reduce stress.
1. Pay it off
Pay off your credit cards to save money. Let's say you have a $2,000 balance at 18 percent interest. If your minimum payment is eight percent of the balance due each month, it will take you 19 years to pay it off and you'll incur $3,862 in interest. But, if you increase your monthly payments to eight percent of the balance due--much more than the minimum--you'll reduce the payback time from 19 years to three years and nine months, and your interest costs now are only $433. You've just "saved" $3,429.
2. Conserve
Small changes mean big savings on your utility bill:
• Properly insulate all ducts.
• Use programmable thermostats. Turn your thermostat back 10 to 15 percent for eight hours each day during the winter to save as much as 10 percent a year on your energy bill.
• Use ceiling fans to reduce both cooling and heating bills.
3. Keep track of little things
Grab a calculator. Add up what you spend on so-called "little things" that end up being budget-busters:
• If you spend $1 a day on soda, that adds up to $365 a year.
• If you spend $2.75 a day on coffee, that’s $1,003.75 a year.
• If you spend $6 every weekday on fast food, that’s $1,560 a year.
4. Tune it up
Regular automobile maintenance, including low-cost oil changes, filter changes, and tire rotation, can save big bucks by preventing costly repairs. Keep your engine tuned and your tires inflated to their proper pressure. Stay within speed limits - gas mileage decreases when you drive faster than 60 MPH. Avoid jackrabbit starts, unnecessary idling, remove excess weight from the trunk, and combine errands.
5. Transfer it
Pay you first - set up automatic transfers to your share or money market account. Have your paycheck automatically deposited to your credit union account. Consider using direct bill payment from your share draft account for recurring payments like household bills, insurance premiums, automatic investment and savings plans, mortgage payments, auto loan payments, and charitable donations. Set up a Holiday Club Account. Participate in your employer's tax-advantaged retirement plan.
It all adds up!
Source: Copyright Credit Union National Association Inc.
1. Pay it off
Pay off your credit cards to save money. Let's say you have a $2,000 balance at 18 percent interest. If your minimum payment is eight percent of the balance due each month, it will take you 19 years to pay it off and you'll incur $3,862 in interest. But, if you increase your monthly payments to eight percent of the balance due--much more than the minimum--you'll reduce the payback time from 19 years to three years and nine months, and your interest costs now are only $433. You've just "saved" $3,429.
2. Conserve
Small changes mean big savings on your utility bill:
• Properly insulate all ducts.
• Use programmable thermostats. Turn your thermostat back 10 to 15 percent for eight hours each day during the winter to save as much as 10 percent a year on your energy bill.
• Use ceiling fans to reduce both cooling and heating bills.
3. Keep track of little things
Grab a calculator. Add up what you spend on so-called "little things" that end up being budget-busters:
• If you spend $1 a day on soda, that adds up to $365 a year.
• If you spend $2.75 a day on coffee, that’s $1,003.75 a year.
• If you spend $6 every weekday on fast food, that’s $1,560 a year.
4. Tune it up
Regular automobile maintenance, including low-cost oil changes, filter changes, and tire rotation, can save big bucks by preventing costly repairs. Keep your engine tuned and your tires inflated to their proper pressure. Stay within speed limits - gas mileage decreases when you drive faster than 60 MPH. Avoid jackrabbit starts, unnecessary idling, remove excess weight from the trunk, and combine errands.
5. Transfer it
Pay you first - set up automatic transfers to your share or money market account. Have your paycheck automatically deposited to your credit union account. Consider using direct bill payment from your share draft account for recurring payments like household bills, insurance premiums, automatic investment and savings plans, mortgage payments, auto loan payments, and charitable donations. Set up a Holiday Club Account. Participate in your employer's tax-advantaged retirement plan.
It all adds up!
Source: Copyright Credit Union National Association Inc.