We live in a society where bigger is better.  Premium is better than standard.  First class is better than economy.  And the list goes on. The problem with this mentality is that our average income can hardly be considered premium.  As such, those with this mindset often live beyond their means, and some even go into debt to fuel their needs for bigger and better.

Here are some ideas to help you do a self-check, and perhaps help you save some money in the process:

• Cell phone – Do you need the 5,000 minutes plan when you rarely go above 1,000 per month? Is the unlimited text messaging and unlimited Internet access necessary?
• Cable — Do you need every single channel in existence when you spend 90% of your time watch basic channels?
• Gasoline – Do you really need the 93 octanes?  Your car is not going to move any faster with it.
• Food – Do you really need to order large or super size it?
• Hotel – Do you need deluxe accommodation when the standard room will do just fine?
• Health Insurance — Do you need the low deductible plan when you only visit your doctor for annual visit once a year?
• Coffee — Okay, I won’t go there.

Okay, I think you see where I am going with this.  Frankly, I am guilty of these occasionally, but I have been putting my expenses under the microscope lately.  You’ll be surprised how much money you can safe my trimming back on all the bells and whistles.

Written by Pinyo of Moolanomy

This entry was posted on Thursday, February 28th, 2008 at 7:00 am and is filed under Frugal Tip. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.