Get Rid of Unnecessary Expenses So You Can Spend More on Things that Matter

I hope that the tips I've shared thus far have proved helpful for you. This is the final two steps on easy ways to save $4,000 in a year.  This will seem like simple commonsense, but when you help people with ways to manage their debt, you realize that people overlook the small things that they can do each month will help them overcome their overall debt situation. 

Take a good hard look at the things that you "need" and really examine them. In the grand scheme of things, if you gave these things up, would your life end? If the answer is "No" then it's time to consider how they're affecting your financial health.

• Look for ways to reduce your cell phone bill. My cell phone is integral to my life as I'm sure yours is as well. But does your cell phone company have a plan that costs less but still lets you do the things that you need to do? Is there a competitor that might give similar perks at a lower rate? If so, go for it and put the difference into your savings account. Looking for more ways to reduce your phone bill? Check out this article on Acorn.
• Cut down your cable bill. In today's world of instant streaming, Roku, Amazon, Netflix and Hulu is there really a reason to have a high cable bill. Many families have eliminated cable from their lives completely and haven't missed a beat. The internet makes it possible to entertain ourselves without breaking the bank. 
• Save on your entertainment costs. Living in New York there is always some form of entertainment to be had. One of the best ways to see a Broadway play is to get discounted tickets. Here's a great article by TimeOut New York on how to find the best deals. 
• Think twice about buying a name brand. Now don't get me wrong. I love name brands as much as the next guy, but if purchasing a name brand at full price is coming between you and your goal to get out of debt just leave it on the shelf.  We're trying to build savings so that we can enjoy the better things in life, including that brand name item. But first you  have to build up your finances before you can indulge. 

The final tip to help you achieve the goal of $4,000 in one year is to not think of saving as a chore, but as a game that leads you and your family to a better way of life. But getting started is always the hardest step to take. So here are some apps that might make that first step less daunting:

• Digit. It's not really an app but it is a mobile program that you work with on your mobile phone. Transactions are handled through SMS messages. According to their website, "With Digit, saving is easy. Just link a bank account and we'll save a few dollars for you every few days."  In addition, the have a three month reward system to keep you motivated to keep saving. Here's a very clear review of the Digit system that you may find helpful.
• Acorn.Acorn was the first app to help people get on the road to savings by removing some of the anxiety that accompanies changing or creating a new habit. Using your mobile phone you can automatically invest the change from purchases you make everyday into an account that they maintain. To learn more about this you can visit their website at www.acrorn.com or check out this review from Investor Junkie.
• Schedule automated transfers to your savings account. Many banks offer this service as a free or small fee. Check with your particular bank to see what programs they may be able to offer you.

This week we've gone through a few ways to help you save an extra $4,000 in 2016. As you can see, there's no great secret or steep learning curve to savings. All these tips can be easily incorporated into your daily life and will help you save money - one dollar at a time.  The key to saving money is to find something that works for you. Make a step-by-step plan, focus on adopting one new habit at a time, and reward yourself when you save. For more information on how to manage your debt, be sure to stop over at my other blog, Timberline Financial where we cover the subject in more depth.

And remember ... 

“You must learn to save first and spend afterwards.” -  John Poole