If you’re overweight, you know how difficult it can be to have the dedication and will power to stick to a new way of eating and exercising. These difficulties can be compounded if you’re on a tight budget. Losing weight does cost more than staying in your current pattern initially. But over time, reducing your size will actually save you money. In the long run, you’ll find out that reduced food bills (because you avoid fast food) and less strain on your health insurance costs (because of the lack of weight-related problems) are two of the most obvious benefits of losing weight.

In the meantime, before you experience those benefits, you’ll have to deal with losing weight on a budget. Losing weight doesn’t actually cost that much if you are creative and willing to think outside of the box. A lot of the costs of weight loss have to do with the programs, potions and pills that weight loss companies push on people. Weight loss is a huge industry, but you don’t have to buy into it.

The following tips will help you trim down the waistline and your budget at the same time:

1. Exercise in your own space. The average gym membership costs hundreds of dollars per year, even more if you buy into the gym’s hyped up weight loss and nutrition products. Many people join a gym and never go because they are embarrassed or self-conscious. They join thinking that the gym will help them stick to a program. Really, it’s all about personal dedication and commitment.

You can achieve the same kind of results at home with your own DVD player and a few basic pieces of exercise equipment. Invest in some used exercise DVDs and look for a set of 10 to 15 lb free weights at the discount store. With these basic items, you’ll be able to exercise all of your major muscle groups without the expense of joining a gym.

2. Opt out of “fake” diet foods. Many weight loss programs are so expensive because they want you to buy their brand of diet shake or their snacks. You can reduce these costs by making the majority of the food yourself. No matter what kind of diet you are trying to follow - low-fat, low-carb or low-calorie - you can make the food yourself and save. Taking the time to learn how to prepare the food yourself instead of relying on packaged meals will also help make your changes permanent. If you learn how to cook healthier, you’ll definitely have an easier time eating healthier.

3. Search at thrift stores for “in between” clothing sizes. As you start to lose weight, you’ll reach a point where your old clothes are too big, but you’re not quite at your goal weight. Although it may be tempting to go out and get a new wardrobe for your “in between” size, the best thing to do is wait. Look at thrift stores or discount stores for some basic clothes that will get you through this interim period. Additionally, having clothes that aren’t new and exactly what you want may motivate you to keep going with your weight loss. If you know you have a shopping trip at the end of your journey, you’re likely to keep going.

As the temperatures rise, so do energy bills. Between the costs of gas, increasing food prices and the general downturn of the economy, you may be looking for ways to cut down your monthly expenses. If your budget is tight this summer, or you just want to save money on your bills, you can use the following 7 tips to reduce your energy costs.

With the price of oil topping $130 a barrel every little bit helps. Implement these below suggestions today and save enough money for 2-4 extra tanks of gas by Labor Day weekend!

1. Energy savings start with keeping your thermostat in check. If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, buying one would be a good investment. This way you can set your air conditioner for a specific temperature. When you leave the house, set the thermostat for several degrees higher than when you’re at home.
2. Keep your family in the dark, literally. Turning off unnecessary lights in your home can help cut your energy costs. Get your family to get into the habit of turning off lights when they are not in use. Keep rooms that you aren’t using completely dark and only turn on one light in a room if possible. In addition to saving money on your energy bills, keeping the house dark during hot summer days will make you feel cooler.
3. Make sure to use Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs) in all of your lamps inside and outside. These use ¾ less energy than standard light bulbs. Don’t balk at the price of the CFLs. Although they are more expensive than standard bulbs, they last longer and will help you save on your energy bill.
4. Consider using motion detector switches in the bathroom, hallway and children’s room. They can be set for different time increments from 10 seconds all the way to 20 minutes. This is especially helpful if you have children who are forgetful about turning off the lights. (more…)

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No matter how much you try to budget and watch your spending, there are always unexpected emergencies that you have to pay for. Whether it’s a broken tail pipe or a emergency trip to the veterinarian, these financial obligations that come out of left field can wreak havoc on your spending plan. That is, of course, unless you follow the 5 budgeting tips in this article.

Even though it seems counterintuitive, you can plan for emergencies. It’s all about saving in specific ways so that you’ll always have a money cushion to rely on. Your “in case of emergency” funds will be there to cover your expenses, no matter what form they come in.

1. The first step to saving for emergencies is to track your expenses. You can’t develop a saving plan if you don’t know how much you have to save each month. Begin by writing down all of your expenses. Save your receipts and invest in a personal financial program that will help you track what you spend. Once you take a look at how much of your income is available each month you’ll be able to develop a spending plan.
2. If your expenses are very close to, or exceed, your income, then you have some decisions to make. Are there any expenses that you can cut back on in order to make way for savings? Try evaluating your spending so you can cut back on the extras. For example, if you spend $5 at the coffee shop every morning you’ll have $150 by the end of the month for your savings account.
3. The next step is to determine how much you’ll save each month. While it’s definitely beneficial to save as much as possible each month, it’s not always possible. Try to set a goal of saving at least 10% of your income to your general savings account. After a few months, you’ll have a nice cushion to rely on. It’s up to you to decide how much you’ll need to save in the long run. Most financial experts advise that you save up three to six months worth of income.
4. Make sure that your monthly savings plan includes room for out of the ordinary, but somewhat regular expenses like oil changes and clothes shopping trips. If you can work these expenses into your savings plan in a regular way, they won’t impact your budget as much. For example, if you know that you’ll need to spend $300 every six months on a new work wardrobe, you’ll be able to save just $50 per month and be on track. Although clothes or regular car repairs aren’t technically emergencies, they are expenses that can get your budget off kilter.
5. Finally, you need to make sure that your emergency savings is reserved for emergencies only. Avoid the temptation to dip into your savings for non-necessary expenses, like to take advantage of a sale. Saving your money only to blow it all on something you don’t really need is bad money management.

When you follow these five simple steps, you won’t have to worry if you have an emergency. You’ll be able to develop a savings plan from a workable budget and build the cushion that you need when you need it.

This time of year brings out the traveler in us all. After being cooped up for the winter, it’s nice to get out with the family and explore. This year, many families are facing the struggle of trying to plan family vacations for summer on a budget. Even with the recent economic stimulus checks, most people have tight budgets due to rising food and gas prices. If you’re feeling the pinch, there are many things that you can do with your family this summer without having to take out a second mortgage.

1. Visit a National Park - If you’re lucky enough to live within driving distance of one of the nation’s 58 National Parks, it can be a great way to explore the great outdoors with your family. Pack a picnic lunch and head out early before it gets too hot. Most parks have a small entrance fee but it is normally charged per car and not per person.

2. Local Museums - How long has it been since you visited the local art or history museum? Although the kids might complain at first, this can be a wonderful and relatively inexpensive family outing. Check with your local museum for their list of special exhibits. You may be able to see something new each month.

3. Train Trips - If gas prices have got you down, consider taking the train to a nearby destination. Train travel is not only economical but is a great experience for the kids. Call Amtrak or look up their schedule of trains online. If you travel to an area where there is a lot of public transit, like San Francisco for example, you won’t even have to worry about renting a car. Taking a few day trips by train over the summer will allow you to vacation without spending too much.

4. Vacation at Home - For some families, traveling anywhere at all just isn’t in the budget. In this case, making vacation special at home can be the solution. Pick a new theme each weekend, like Water Play or Movie Weekend and plan at home activities around the house. Ban housework for an entire day and just enjoy spending time together. Do something out of the ordinary, like picnicing on the living room floor or sleeping outside under the stars to make staying at home fun. (more…)