You might think that the best way to save money is to not spend it. However, some of the most useful money saving tips involve taking advantage of free services and exercising a modicum of self-control. But those are not the only ways to save money. And they don’t cover every situation in which you might find yourself.
A more literal approach to saving money is to set a little bit aside periodically for a rainy day, or against a time you know is coming. A college fund is a good example. Retirement is another. You know these events are coming, and that they will require a lot of money. So you have to get into a habit of saving now for later spending. Also, you need some set aside if and when disaster strikes.
Even those do not exhaust what it means to save money. Some of the most effective saving techniques involve spending a bit more up front. It is like a gambit in chess. That is where you sacrifice a piece for a less obvious benefit that won’t become apparent until later. Here are a few examples of how to put this type of saving to work for your family:
Professional Pest Control
Insects and rodents were here before humans, and will likely be here long after humans have exterminated themselves. But in the meantime, they pose a danger to the humans in your family on a variety of fronts and have to be professionally controlled.
Some of them carry debilitating, even deadly diseases. A simple bee sting can be fatal to someone who is allergic. A rat running loose in the house can cause terror that should not be ignored or minimized. Don’t even get me started on spiders.
Beyond the damage to humans is the damage to property. Once you see your first termite, your house may already be lost. Failure to protect your home from pests can sink you financially. Therefore, the question is not “Do I need a professional exterminator?” but rather, “How soon can the best pest control near me get some people over here?”
Paying for professional pest control is a lot less expensive than a trip to the emergency room, therapist appointments to overcome terror, and major home repairs. You will never know how much money you saved by getting professional pest control. Frankly, you probably don’t want to know.
A Quality Computer
That $300 price tag sure does look appealing when you are at Walmart looking for a new computer. But you must resist the urge if you want to save money. Shopping for a cheap deal can be more expensive in the long run. This is especially true for personal computing.
Companies don’t offer low priced computers for your benefit. They offer such computers for their benefit. You have to ask yourself what they get out of selling a $300 computer. Once you start evaluating the answer, it is never a good proposition for you.
When computer hardware and software is subsidized, they are not the product; you are. You can bet that your personal information will be somewhat compromised the moment you bring that box into your home. You can also give up on customer support, which you most certainly will need when it does not behave as it should.
The price you pay for a cheap computer is lost time, productivity, and security. Spending a little more up front will not only save you in the long run. The savings begin right away.
Education
I’m not suggesting that everyone needs a degree. But everyone needs some type of college completion, even if it is just an associates degree. If not college, one should complete some type of certification program.
It does not matter if you learn anything from the experience. As an investment, you will always be able to find some sort of job with a degree that wouldn’t be available to you if you didn’t have one. A good education not only saves you money in the long run, it makes you money.
Whether it is spending money on pest control, a better computer, or your education, you will be saving money in the long run. And when it comes right down to it, the long run is what saving money is all about.
Photo Credit: TaxCredits
Olivia says
good tips and tricks to make money easier. you have a good knowledge about that how to make money fast and easier. keep it on..