One of my friend's sons will be unemployed in 6 weeks, his position is being eliminated. They have a new baby on the way and 3 kids under 5. I advised him to work with his employer to get a severance package and deal with the health insurance issues I updated his resume and urged him to look for a position now. In Maine. you can collect unemployment for 26 weeks if you follow all the guidelines. He called me today for advice on how to keep everyone fed while he pays the mortgage ahead. If they quit eating out, and other budget fluff, and follow a whole food budget they could save 3 months' expenses. If they had been saving for expenses a bit at a time, they wouldn't be freaking out right now.
Essential items should take priority over fun items. The basics are food, shelter, utilities, and clothing. You do not need to go out 3x a week, however, there may be times that it might be necessary. At one time in my life, I was working 60 hours a week, I deserved to not have to cook and clean up. So, we went out to eat a lot.
How to know if it is a fun expense or necessary for your well-being? A Gym memberships may be necessary for a person's health and mental well-being. I refuse to pay for a gym membership in my town because it is overpriced for what is offered. I have a full gym in my garage and I use it daily.
Maybe you need to get your nails done because it forces you to sit and be quiet. There are dozens of expenses that others may view as frivolous that are necessary for your well-being.
Know your shopping triggers. Filter your email for shopping sites, so you aren't shopping out of boredom. I never give out my primary email to shopping sites. This allows me to shop mindfully.
Use free trials always cancel 5 days before the due date. I have done this with Kindle Unlimited, audible, and t.v. channels.
If you have credit card debt and decent credit. Get another card with a 15-month 0% intro APR. Cut the other card up and pay the new card double payments.
Reduce that grocery bill by having a few meals that range 1-5 dollars for main dish servings. I can make a gallon of soup for 2-3 dollars.
Look at the little things you can do to reduce basic bills. Hang out your laundry. Run appliances at off hours.
Bake multiple items in the oven.
Get to know the people who stock the shelves at the grocery store, they will know markdown days.
Save money on clothing:
shop during sales
buy good quality
buy off season
Shop thrift stores
Use rental clothing sites or borrow from friends for special events.
Mend clothing
Sell your old clothing.
'Use coupons
buy clothes to fill gaps
do the 2 in and 2 out rule
buy quality
have clothing swaps
follow laundry guidelines
iron your clothes so they look better
Ask for a discount if clothing has a minor flaw you can repair
Buy generics for basics
create a capsule wardrobe
calculate cost per wearing.
upcycle your clothing turn jeans into skirts, turn dresses into blouses
Have date nights at home.
Find the one streaming service that provides the most for your needs. Usually things will take a few months to get across the streaming services,
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