In last week’s Blog Post I gave you a few suggestions on how to save money within your grocery budget.  This week I want to go a step further and talk about a few areas where we can cut back and even eliminate if your financial situation needs it. 

Let’s start with eating out.  I remember just a couple of years ago (if that long) me and my husband could pretty much count on spending $30 when we went out to a decent, “sit down” restaurant.  That same meal at the same restaurants are now costing us about $50.  It doesn’t take many of those trips for it to add up!!  And honestly, I think the portion sizes are smaller now than they used to be so there’s THAT.  Another area we can discuss is coffee…I know I’m now walking a thin line with some people BUT seriously – when you have debt and/or your finances are a mess you will have to cut back and/or cut out some things but once you get back on track you can gradually introduce some of these back in (within reason).  It amazes me to pass a couple of the local coffee shops and see the line wrapped around the building and sometimes out into the street when I know the coffee there is over $5 per cup.  What about smoothies, those are good as well as good for you but just like everything else can add up pretty quick.  My thing has been sweet tea, but I have improved and went to unsweet now lol, even using the app and getting the price including tax down to $1.48 – that’s almost $30 if I get one 5 days a week. 

The list could go on and on – bagels, muffins, biscuits, doughnuts, etc. but I think you get the point.  This is why I always have my Coaching Clients track their spending.  $1.48 doesn’t sound like much but when you aren’t able to meet your obligations each month that $30 would definitely help! 

My challenge to you is no matter how small you think your spending habits are, write them down and add them up…you may be surprised at how much they total and how far that would go toward getting you to YOUR finish line sooner.