6 Tips To Help You Get By on $2K a Month, According to a Frugal Expert
Written by
J. Arky
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Zuri Anderson
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Times are tough and money is tight in America right now. Grocery, gas and other cost of living essentials remain high while jobs are drying up and wages are stagnant. So how can you make your money go further, even if you are living off of $2,000 a month?
Christine The Frugal Fit Mom has some answers in a YouTube video where she shares some healthy financial habits to make your monthly budget go further.
Here are her six tips to help you get by on $2,000 a month.
Make Food Only 25% of Your Budget
It’s important that your food budget is 25% or less than your take home income, according to The Frugal Fit Mom, which comes out to about $500 a month on groceries.
The best way to do that is by becoming an “ingredient house,” whereby if you see items that you can buy in bulk and make a variety of multiple meals out of, that’s where you want to be spending your dollars.
Change Your Home
If you are living alone and have some space for someone else, get a roommate to help cut down on your housing costs. Another option is for you to give up your current living arrangement to move in with family members or friends for little or no rent. Living in government subsidized or assisted housing might also be worth looking into. Frugal Fit Mom has done all of these to save money.
Find Alternative Transportation
“Ditch the car,” suggested Frugal Fit Mom, going on to highlight that vehicles cost a ton of money.
You can utilize local public transportation available in your area or make friends nearby who might be willing to carpool or share their vehicle with you. Biking or walking are also great options that cost nothing to get where you need to go.
Downgrade Your Cell Phone
You don’t need to upgrade or get the latest smartphone every year, in opinion of the Fit Frugal Mom. In fact, lots of cell phone companies offer older phones at a discount that you can buy for cheap and still work just as well as the newer models. Cheap plans for flip phones can start around $25. A basic cellphone might not have all the bells and whistles of a smartphone, nor does it have the added expense.
Apply for Low-Income Healthcare
Anyone who is looking for affordable healthcare options can check out Medicare and Medicaid options. Free clinics are also available for those who are looking to cut down the cost of medical expenses or have insurance that has become unaffordable.
For at-home products, such as diapers, the Fit Frugal Mom recommended emailing companies directly to ask for free samples or sending praise in order to get coupons.
Shop Around for Deals
For all the other “wants” in your life, the Fit Frugal Mom suggested “not sleep on Facebook Marketplace” and thrift stores. You can find great deals on slightly used products that your neighbors are selling in your area.
Clothes, electronics, furniture, and more are all available for unbeatable prices. If you really are looking to save money, there’s options to trade as well as searching through “Buy Nothing” groups where everything is free.
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