There’s something inherently sci-fi about living in the 2020s. Heck, we’ve already surpassed many of the late 20th century’s sci-fi milestones including Blade Runner, Logans Run and Escape from New York to name but a few.

Yet, while we’re surrounded by sci-fi tech that we now take for granted (admit it, 5 year old you would have blanched at the sight of a smartphone), we remain plagued by the same household concerns of previous generations. Especially when it comes to managing our household expenses.

In fact, it’s arguable that many of us are more concerned about our household expenses than previous generations in this economic climate that seems determined to put us in our places no matter how hard we work. But who really wants to sacrifice their lifestyle? 

Thankfully, with a little knowledge and forward planning, you can have the best of both worlds. Here are some helpful tips to get you started in the right direction: 

1. Reign in your expenses with a household budget.

Don’t you just hate that feeling when you look at the balance on your monthly bank statement and your heart just sinks? Doesn’t the discrepancy between what’s on the paper and what’s in your head just drive you wild? This often happens because the little costs that add up throughout the months, from your daily Starbucks fix to the Pay-Per-View sports game on Saturday night, while fairly inconsequential on their own quickly add up as the month goes on. 

One of the best ways to keep your little sundry costs under control is by downloading a Household Budget Template and making sure that you stick to it. Not only will this help to reign in all those little expenses, it will also help you to feel more in control of your finances and less like your income is slipping away from you. Plus, you’ll be more likely to have a little in your pocket for life’s little luxuries. 

2. Stay on track with a budget-watching app.

Even with a budget in place, you might still benefit from a helping hand when it comes to keeping a close eye on your spending, especially when most of us have so many expenses coming out of our accounts every month from your gas and electricity bills to your Netflix and Spotify subscriptions. Take a look at this Truebill review and you’ll see how easy apps can make it to manage your money. They can help identify areas of wasteful spending and make it easier to see all the expenses coming out of your account so you can find unnecessary subscription services and other monthly outgoings which are unnecessary and can be cut.

3. Plan your meals, and learn to cook your own take out faves.

Meal planning is not only a great way of making sure that you meet your health and fitness goals, it also helps ensure that you keep your household’s outgoings as trim as your waistline! A bare refrigerator combined with a rumbly tummy are a perfect recipe for overspending on take out. But that doesn’t mean you should subject yourself to a life without delicious treats. With a little knowledge and patience you can cook up delicious versions of your favorite take out foods which are not only a fraction of the cost, they’re often much better for you, too!

4. Buy incredible clothes- secondhand. 

Just because you’re taking back control of your household finances doesn’t mean that you can’t look great! Often you can save a fortune on clothes by buying pre-loved designer gear either from charity stores or eBay. So long as you’re cool with the fact that someone else has worn them, you’ll be able to enjoy the latest fashions at a fraction of the cost.

5. Stop wasting money on interest.

Credit card debt is an unavoidable reality for many households… but that doesn’t mean that it has to become an inescapable trap! One of the surest ways to liberate yourself from endless credit card debt is to reduce the amount you spend on interest and pay off your debts faster. Fortunately,I’ve written this post to help you do exactly that!

6. Don’t hesitate to change service providers regularly. 

Finally, don’t make the mistake of assuming that any service provider will reward your loyalty, no matter how long you’ve suck with them. From your utilities to auto insurance and phone / broadband provider, you’ll find that service providers save their best deals for new customers. So don’t miss out because of your misplaced loyalty. Keep moving to new providers and make sure you don’t miss out on the best deals!

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