PHOENIX — A new year means new resolutions! Is saving money one of them? If so, follow these tips!
Since new habits take practice, let's start with exercise! DealNews put together a roundup of great information, stating that you should expect up to 50 percent off fitness equipment in January. Last year, DealNews said the best deals they saw were at Dick's Sporting Goods and Walmart. Click here for more information. There you go! Now, you're tackling saving money and working out at the same time!
DealNews also says January is the month to get good deals on bedding, winter clothing, and it's a great time to save on booking spring travel. DealNews urges you to wait on toys, smartphones, laptops and video game consoles. Those items and prices will be better in the fall.
What about ways to save in general? Well, there are a ton of FREE budget sheets out there!
Consumer.gov offers a worksheet, showing how much you spend and can help you save the next month. Click here to see the pdf.
In Microsoft, go to Office Templates, and you'll find Budget Templates for shopping, events, even month-to-month.
Mint is one of many apps out there with budgeting templates from daycare to student to home and more!
We've also told you before that you can automate transfers, a weekly or monthly amount of cash from checking into savings.
Lifehack.org also suggests cutting back on items you don't need in order to keep your wallet full. Do you have a pricey habit? Are you spending money on something that you don't even realize you're using? Maybe it's from an app you don't use anymore. Do an inventory, and purge what you don't want and don't need.
Good Housekeeping has a great slideshow of New Year's Resolutions. Here's an honorable mention. The site recommends booking all of your annual doctor's visits for the year. That way, you're less likely to skip that trip to the dentist, physical or well woman's exam when life gets hectic.
Good Housekeeping also suggests that you sanitize your phone weekly to stay healthy. I'm a germophobe, and I wipe mine down daily, along with thorough hand washing.
Lifehack.org also has several links offering helpful tips like 50 New Year's Resolution Ideas and How to Achieve Each of Them, Eight Great Apps That Will Help You Save Time and Money, and 55 Practical Ways to Save Money Efficiently.
Good luck! Know that I believe in you! Happy New Year!