Unusual Ways to budget!

It's back to school time which means you probably spent more than you budgeted... on school supplies, or you're a student working on a minuscule budget!
So here's some unusual budgeting tips!

Have Fewer Accounts and/or Cards
Trying to keep track of multiple bank accounts can land you in trouble. Some accounts come with rules about minimum balances, maintenance fees or the number of transactions allowed per period. Save the headache and maybe even fees, by cutting down the number of accounts and paying more attention to the few you have.

Buy in Bulk
Who would think paying more now could actually save you later? For items you use regularly, buying in bulk can actually save you money in the long run. For example, if bottled water is a staple in your household, then buying a case of 24 bottles today can cost you less than buying a bottle a day at the convenience store. Think about the items you can't live without and find out if they are offered in bulk to begin saving today.

Pay Bills at the Same Time
Many people do not want to pay all of their bills at the same time. Some try to stagger their payments to avoid dropping below a certain balance or to take advantage of float. The reality is that the money will be paid out anyway and float isn't what it used to be. You can adjust most of your due dates by calling your creditors. Paying them all at once can save time and confusion.

Treat Saving Like an Expense
Expenses are recurring items which have to be paid in order for services (i.e. electricity, cable and water) to continue. If you treat your savings like a bill, when it feels necessary to live, you're more likely to succeed at saving!

Use Cash
Credit cards are faster and easier to use, but when it comes to spending money, slow can be a good thing! Research shows people are more likely to spend less when they pay with cash. To those who think cash is outdated, think again. Cash never goes out of style. Plus, when the networks are down or the power goes out, merchants will only take cash!