Did you go overboard with your holiday spending? Did you write one too many checks or swipe your bank card one too many times? Now is the time to make up for any over spending that you did. Over spending at Christmas can take a toll on your bank account and your nerves, so go ahead and do what you need to do to put some of that money back into your bank account. Here are five ways to recover from your holiday extravagance by saving money on items you would normally spend money on:
Turn down the heat. An easy way to save money is to put on a sweater and keep active during chilly weather. This will eliminate the need for a warm temperature setting in your home. Clean out your closets and put away the items you got for Christmas. If you think you will not notice a difference, think again. Look at your last heating bill and make sure that your next two or three heating bills stay well below the cost of the one you looked at. Put away the cash that you save on your upcoming bills by stuffing the cash in a safe place. Stash away the saved cash until at least May and then put the cash into your bank account for a quick cash boost.
Burn candles for light. You can also save some money over a stretch of time by relying on candles for light, rather than flipping your light switches every chance you get. Scented candles are a good way to feel cozy in your home while saving some money on your electricity bill, so go ahead and light up those scented candles that so nicely decorate your home. Handle the savings on your light bill the same way that you handle the savings on your heating bill. Stash the money for several months until the money adds up to a hefty cash boost for your checking account. Do not dip into the money for small spending, or you will never realize your actual savings.
Eat from your cupboard. Do you find your freezer short of all that quick, fatty food that you enjoy popping into the microwave? Do not run out and spend a bunch of money to replenish your freezer so quickly. Turn your holiday leftovers into some new dishes by adding items from your cupboard. Open up a can of mixed vegetables to stir in with your chopped turkey leftovers to make a delicious skillet of turkey hash. Use your leftover cornbread dressing or turkey stuffing to eat with that can of Spam sitting in your cupboard. Use up any canned milk you have before buying a jug of milk from the store. Staying out of the grocery store means staying out of your bank account.
Exchange unwanted items. Did you get any useless or unwanted items for Christmas gifts? Why not exchange those items for a store card. Take any items that came from places such as Wal-Mart or K-Mart and return them for in-store credits. You can use the credits to buy any grocery items you may need, or you can buy yourself just about any items that you plan on buying soon. You can even exchange items at other stores. Use the in-store credit to buy something you need for your household, such as towels or linens. Stash back the cash that you would have spent had you bought the items from your personal bank account.
Unload your vehicle. Gasoline is high, and it costs a lot of money to cart around items in your trunk. Unload your Christmas items to avoid buying extra gasoline to compensate for your weighted-down vehicle. You may think you have no place to put your gifts, but make a place. You will have to unload the gifts sooner or later, so why spend extra money on gasoline just to avoid having to unload?
*The key to putting money back into your bank account is to first cheat yourself out of some frivolity. Stash the saved cash for several months, and you will then realize your gain.