Operating on a budget is a common practice for residents in Philadelphia. Depending on where you live in the area, the cost of living can be pretty high, making it hard to cover all your bills and have enough left over to enjoy leisure activities and save for the future.
Saving for the future is all about making the right decisions now. If you are not happy about the amount of money that you are putting away, or your long-term savings potential, then there are many steps that you can take to secure a better financial future.
Let’s discuss a few ways that you can increase your long-term savings plan as a resident of Philadelphia.
Story Stages
Save on Car Insurance
Car insurance is one of those monthly bills that can be frustrating to see. Even for just one car, you see your bank account decrease by several hundred dollars each month, even though you have never been in an accident or had to use it. Unfortunately, insurance is a requirement, so there are only a few ways to save on car insurance. Primarily, you should consider shopping around for cheaper insurance. However, do not sacrifice quality just for lower premiums, as this could backfire if you do end up getting into an accident. Other ways to save include paying the premium annually, building up your no-claims discount, and reading the terms of your policy carefully to eliminate unnecessary expenses.
Making Full Payments on Credit Cards
Many consumers are a bit shortsighted when they make purchases with a credit card. They see the minimum payment amount and only pay for that number when the monthly bill arrives. Getting into this habit will quickly build interest, resulting in spending far more money than the products were actually worth. If you have already accrued interest, work hard to pay down this debt until it has been eliminated. Going forward, only pay for things you can afford with your credit card so that you can make full payments each month without accruing extra interest. This will save you a ton of money in the long run while improving your credit score.
Make the Switch From Renting to Owning
Your living space has a big impact on your finances. If you are renting an apartment or other type of property, then your money is not acting as an investment. While you may be saving on maintenance and even utilities, there is no future benefit from the money that covers your rental payments. Owning a home offers multiple financial benefits. First, you can get tax benefits for paying interest on your mortgage. Second, every monthly premium builds equity in the home which can help you financially in the future. The lower your principal balance, the more equity you have. Buying a Main Line/Philadelphia home may be expensive upfront, but the financial benefits over time can make up for those costs, and your monthly payments may even be lower than rent in some areas.
Minimize Restaurant Visits
Preparing your own food is almost always cheaper than going out to a restaurant or ordering takeout. You can buy most ingredients in large quantities so that you can use them for multiple meals. If you are looking for a way to save money, then evaluate how often you go out to eat. Living in or around a big city like Philadelphia usually means that food costs are higher for restaurants because of increased demand, so this could be putting a bigger dent in your bank account than you expect, even if it is providing a basic human need.
Cancel Unused Subscriptions
We live in a world where many of the services we use come on a subscription basis. From streaming services to magazines to meal delivery kits, there may be a lot of regular payments that are automatically deducted from your bank account. It is possible that you are paying for subscriptions that you rarely or never use. These services are draining your resources without you even receiving the benefits. Evaluate all the services that you pay for by subscription and determine if you actually need all of them. In all likelihood, there are several that you could get rid of without them significantly impacting your lifestyle.
Smart Decisions Now Mean Reaping the Benefits Later
It is easy to think about what you want now rather than what you want 20 years from now. But this shortsightedness could cost you if you do not plan carefully. Saving money for the future is an important skill to have. The steps listed above can get you started on that path toward a more secure financial future.
