an article on saving money. this was on yahoo, a little 'duh' but some of them might be useful if i really do it... Eight Ways to Cut Back Without Sacrificing by Kimberly Palmer
Friday, February 1, 2008 When times are tight—as they are now for many Americans facing declining home values, depressed stocks, and tighter credit markets—cutting back on indulgences can seem inevitable. But it might not be. U.S. News asked budgeting experts for advice on how to make ends meet during tough times without sacrificing too many of life's pleasures. Here are their top tips. Take bubble baths. If soaking in hot water doesn't cheer you up, find out what does, because it could stop you from wasteful splurges after a bad day. "Especially in times like these, it's very important for people...to find other ways [than shopping] to make themselves feel better, whether it's tantric methods, meditation, Chinese balls, or bubble baths—just do what will not break the bank," says Ken McDonnell, program director at the American Savings Education Council. Host movie night. Going to the movies, especially if you're a popcorn fan, can easily cost $40 for two people. Instead, suggests Faye Griffiths-Smith, community leader for the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, rent a movie and invite friends over to watch. Learn to cook. Not only does eating at restaurants add up, but so too does buying lunch. If you cook dinner at home, you can bring in leftovers to work the next day or take a few minutes to pack a sandwich. If mornings are always rushed, then try packing it at night before bed, suggests Jean Austin, family and consumer science educator for the Maryland Cooperative Extension Service. And when you shop for your ingredients, make sure you have a snack first. Going to the grocery store hungry often leads to impulse buys, Austin warns. Use the library. Your taxes are paying for it, so take advantage of the free books and movies. Austin says that even her small library in Maryland's rural Kent County offers DVDs, audio books, and free Internet service. Drink at home. Whether your beverage of choice is green tea, espresso, or beer, it's much cheaper when consumed in the comfort of your own kitchen. Going to a bar with friends can easily cost $50, McDonnell says. Instead, pick up a six-pack and hang out at a friend's house. The social interaction will cheer you up without the hefty bar tab. Use your savings. If you squirreled away three to six months of emergency savings in advance of being forced to tighten your budget due to a job loss or other unfortunate event, now is the time to use it. "Everybody should be contributing to their own emergency savings fund where it's earning interest," says Austin, so when times are tight, the money can go toward monthly bills and even some small indulgences. Decide what you really want. Most people can cut 10 percent of their spending within 10 minutes, says Ramit Sethi, author of the I Will Teach You to Be Rich blog. Just write down your major spending categories, such as food and loan payments, and then guess what percentage is going to each category. Make a second list with what you want the percentages to be, and then make a third list describing what they actually are. If the reality doesn't match up with your ideal, then adjust your spending. Dress in layers. Turning your thermostat down a few degrees and wearing a sweatshirt to stay warm can save on monthly heating costs, says McDonnell, which adds up over time. Just don't skimp on your monthly mortgage or rent payment, or if you need to adjust the payment schedule, contact your lender. Keeping your home should be a top priority. Copyrighted, U.S.News & World Report, L.P. All rights reserved. 「智慧人家中積蓄寶物膏油，愚昧人隨得來隨吞下」(箴言21章20節) 「我說，你們當順著聖靈而行，就不放縱肉體的情慾了。」(加拉太書5章16節) 神讓我們擁有，目的是叫我們學會付出，好幫助那些貧乏的人。當我們這樣奉獻金錢給神使用，幫助物質方面有缺欠的人，就好比做了全人關懷的工作，這種金錢的奉獻就是一種敬拜, 討神喜悅的行動。很多時候，我們在金錢的敬拜，金錢的事奉上做得不好，是因為我們有一錯誤的觀念，以為金錢付出去就是損失，其實，這是錯誤的看法。因為耶穌基督教導我們奉獻金錢乃是積財於天，並不是一個損失。節制係聖靈果子之一 , 要好好訓練訓練。節制係一種習慣。要持之以恆先可以見到明顯的果效。若我們不控制自己的慾望 , 好容易就會被慾望控制我們。 網上看到一個有關二次世界大戰，德國納粹集中營的研究報告。如眾周知，集中營的生活是非常艱苦的，營友常遭鞭打，食用差，工時長，鮮有人可以長期捱下去。營友多半分組同住，有人找到一片麵包，就會將麵包跟人分享；但也有人得到一塊麵包或餅乾，便留起來悄悄享用。據研究發現，當人經常將得來的食物與人分享時，其生存意志會變得愈來愈堅強；但當一個人改變了，將得來的食物藏起來獨食時，意謂這人變得自私和孤單，很快會死，再難生存下去！一個願意跟人分享、有意志力，在艱難環境下繼續求存的人，懂得將麵包化作橋樑，與人結成患難之交，彼此扶助，共渡時艱，堅持到底。求主幫助我們，曉得用金錢去建造形形式式的橋樑。
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食完個口有陣"益"味
