Tips for Living on a Fixed Income, Retired or Not

Whether due to the loss of a job, retirement, or dwindling finances, sometimes people are forced to reevaluate their monthly budget. This can be difficult for most Americans who live in a society built around consumerism, but there are many things you can do to cut down on your monthly expenditures.

If you find yourself in this position it’s important to not see it as a bad thing. This can help you target your really bad spending habits.

There are simple things that you do that can make a big difference. For example, turning of lights and appliances when inactive, insulating your water heater, change and clean you AC and heater filters monthly. You can also bank online and save yourself a lot in stamps just by paying your bills online.

But these steps will only get you so far. It will make a difference but you won’t really see a massive change until you really start evaluating your habitual spending.

Giving yourself a budget is the first step in the process of living on a fixed income. First determine the necessities such as food, utilities, and other various bills that are necessary.

Before you even cut down on what you’re buying at the store you first need to figure out how much is going out versus how much you’re taking it. Just spend one month and document every purchase no matter how small. Keep every recipe and by the end of the month you’ll be amazed at how much you’re actually spending. There are many great online programs that can help you balance your monthly budget and factor in all of the various costs that eat at your wallet.

Another of the biggest ways to cut back on spending is by looking at what your buying at the grocery store. Food shopping is a flexible expense that can be better tailored to meet your needs while trimming the excesses.

Don’t buy brand name products and buy fewer prepared foods. You can do these things and not have to sacrifice a comfortable life-style. Remember – don’t think of it as living will less but living with what counts!