This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Navy Federal Credit Union for IZEA Worldwide. All opinions are 100% mine.
Minimizing expenses isn’t always easy. However, to have successful finances, one needs to know how to budget their finances to minimize expenses. When you’re living life, it’s easy to get caught up in spending money. Putting a limit on oneself or one’s family is HARD. I wanted to share some tips for budgeting finances to minimize expenses.
Tips for Saving Money by Shopping Small Businesses
Did you know there are many ways to support the local small businesses that will save you a ton of money? It's true!
Get prepared and make sure you open that Navy Federal Credit Union savings account for all the money you are about to save!
Take Advantage of Free Activities
When it comes to budgeting finances, one area you can cut back in is on expensive family activities. It’s easy to drop a bunch of money on family activities like movies, bowling, trampoline parks, museums and so much more. You can budget finances to minimize expenses by doing FREE activities.
Many local businesses support local activities and festivals in a way to promote their community and their business. These are a great way to get out for the day for free and you share some photos to support your local small businesses.
Related: 12 Summer Fun On a Budget Ideas
Switch Out Extracurriculars for Community Events
How many activities are your kids in after school? You can minimize expenses by reducing those extracurricular activities your kids are in. Each one costs money. Think about doing monthly events at your local small businesses.
In my town, one of the consignment stores does furniture and painting projects each month for a small fee.
A good place to look for these is in Facebook Groups and Facebook Events!
Eat at Home
The American family eat-out budget has gotten HUGE. A country that once ate at home is now finding themselves eating out more than ever. By eating at home, you’re going to minimize expenses like no other. For example, your family may be able to eat out for $50, but you can eat at home for less than $5-$10 a meal. You can still budget for eating out. However, eating in as often as possible will minimize those expenses.
Head to your weekly farmer's market to stock up. These are hard-working local guys the food is fresh and locally grown. You can get everything from meat to fruit and veggies, even some bath products.
Make sure to buy in the season for the best price and talk to the sellers – they can offer up some great deals!
Stick to Your Budget
Budgeting finances and reducing expenses are one thing, but you also need to learn how to stick to your budget.
You simply cannot do all this work and then fall short of what you’re supposed to do. If you are going to go through all the hard work of creating a budget, then you need to stick to the budget.
Shop Small Business Saturday
Did you know that Small Business Saturday is November 30? Small Business Saturday encourages people to support small businesses by doing their holiday shopping the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
I have found that shopping on Small Business Saturday is a great way for us to save money and stay within our budget. So many of our favorite stores are running a sale you only see once a year! I have been saving up for a mini shopping spree on Small Business Saturday!
Want More Ways to Save
See all the ways you could earn and save with Navy Federal Credit Union. If you’re part of a military family or are affiliated with the DoD, you can become a Member at Navy Federal Credit Union.
What are some ways in which you budget finances to minimize expenses? I’d love to hear your tips! Whether you shop on Small Business Saturday or keep eating out to a minimum, you can save money and keep your family on a budget.
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