Guest Post: How To Save Money By Not Going Out

How To Save Money By Not Going Out

The average family budget can save some major dough by simply staying in, rather than going out. This is because you will almost always spend a lot more money than you would by staying at home. There are a slew of activities that burn a whole in the family budget. Here is a list of activities you should try to minimize, and some alternatives to save money!

1. Movies

If you're a young, struggling family, then you shouldn't be going out to the movies. You will spend an average of $30-$40 in a couple hours. Consider investing in a big-screen TV at home to replicate the experience. Buy Netflix so you don't have to purchase an expensive cable package. You will not have as much variety, but you will still save $100 or more each month. On the other hand, if you don’t want Netflix, then Red Box or Hulu Plus are extremely affordable.

2. Eating Out

This sounds like common sense, but too many people think they can wing it with just eating fast food or eating at cheap restaurants. That's not a good idea. For one, it's unhealthy. Secondly, you will inevitably have to spend more money on medical and dental expenses because of the negative consequences of eating food that’s so bad for you. It's all right to purchase food in bulk at Wal-Mart or Target, as long as it is healthy food. Simply make sure that you are getting all your essential nutrients by alternating between carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and water. Another great rule of thumb is to not purchase soda or candy at the store, no matter how tempting it may be. Friendly tip: don't let your kids go shopping with you! They might make that last goal very hard to achieve.

3. Gas

Going out a lot means driving around a lot. Gas is expensive these days, and you’d be surprised how much you’ll save if you cut your gas budget in half. Try to save money by getting your kids to ride their bikes in certain areas, and take your family on daily bike trips when weather is nice. This is a good way to get some exercise too, perhaps saving a trip to the gym!

4. Games

A great way to have fun at home is to play a few board games, because you can easily get to know one another around the kitchen table. Friends can come over too, and this way, you can keep a good watch on your children, rather than have them out and about. Furthermore, you can also save money by serving dinner at home, rather than giving your kids each money to go out and get dinner.

Jaimie Peters saves money by frequenting www.dentalinsurance.net.