Tag: financial literacy

Budget, Parachute Services

“Stretching Your Budget When Money is Tight” – Part 1: Tips for food, groceries and dining out expenses

The majority of individuals will likely go through periods where money is tight due to unexpected expenses, a significant life or job changes, medical hardships, inflation/increased prices, and much more!  Here are some simple, but not insignificant ways, of stretching your dollars further. Small amounts of savings do add up! Part 1 will focus on food, groceries and dining out.

Groceries

  • Plan your meals for one week ahead, if possible. Be sure to inventory what you already have at home to avoid buying items that you do not need.   
  • Make a grocery list to cover meals and stick to it!  Plan the aisles you will go down when shopping, and try and avoid the others. You can get a store directory ahead of time to plan your route.  
  • Avoid multiple trips to the grocery store. This counts down on gas and the temptation to buy more than you can afford.
  • Comparison shop by cost per ounce/pound, etc.
  • Avoid shopping when you are hungry, tired, or in a hurry. Also, try to avoid bringing a number of other people with you.
  • Calculate your costs with your phone, or using an app while shopping so there are no surprises at the register.
  • Consider ordering groceries online and utilizing curbside pick up to avoid going into the store to prevent buying items you don’t need.
  • Buy in bulk the items that you are sure you will use; such as paper products, hygiene products, etc.
  • Buy store or generic brands.
  • Only use coupons for those items you are sure you will use. Many times, food and groceries are purchased because we have a coupon, but then they are thrown out.
  • Plan some meatless meals that are still high in protein (e.g., cheese, peanut butter, legumes).
  • Meals do not have to be “standardized”.  Kids may love pancakes for dinner!
  • Involve the family! Making dishes such as a casserole, lasagna, enchiladas, etc. together on a weekend can produce leftovers for part of the next week.
  • Consider growing a family garden of fruits and vegetables. If neighbors grow fruits and vegetables, trade or exchange with them.
  • Go to a farmers’ markets.
  • Consider discount grocery stores.
  • Check out your local dollar stores for items like toothpaste, shampoo, etc.  
  • Ask for grocery store gift cards for holidays gifts and birthdays.

Dining Out

  • Make dining out a treat, and limit to special days.
  • Look for establishments that offer specific days when kids can eat free.
  • Share meals
  • Ask if you can order from the kid’s menu.
  • Ask for senior citizen or retiree discounts, if applicable.
  • Cut in ½ (or less) the number of times you go out to eat per week (e.g., grabbing coffee, fast food, lunches).
  • Don’t order beverages or alcohol when dining out. Eat dessert at home, or just go out for dessert.

Would you like to work on your individual budget plan with one of our knowledgable counselors? Contact Parachute today to schedule a one on one appointment! 716-712-2060 https://parachutecreditcounseling.org/services/credit-budget-counseling/#financial-coaching

Budget, Parachute Services

How to Budget Your Money: A Beginner’s Guide

Budgeting is a key part of financial management, but it can be difficult to know where to start. This blog post will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to budget your money, so you can take control of your finances and reach your financial goals.

Step 1: Track Your Spending

The first step to budgeting is to track your spending. This will help you see where your money is going and identify areas where you can cut back. There are a number of ways to track your spending, including using a budgeting app, keeping a spreadsheet, or simply writing down your expenses in a notebook.

Step 2: Create a Budget

Once you have tracked your spending, you can create a budget. A budget is simply a plan for how you will spend your money each month. There are a number of different budgeting methods, so find one that works for you. Some popular budgeting methods include the 50/30/20 rule, the envelope method, and zero-based budgeting.

Step 3: Stick to Your Budget

The most important step in budgeting is to stick to your budget. This can be difficult, but there are a number of things you can do to make it easier. First, make sure you have a realistic budget. Don’t try to cut back too much too soon, or you’re likely to give up. Second, automate your budget. This means setting up automatic transfers from your checking account to your savings account. This will help you save money without even thinking about it. Third, track your progress. This will help you stay motivated and see how you’re doing.

Step 4: Review Your Budget Regularly

Your budget should be a living document. That means you should review it regularly and make changes as needed. Your income and expenses may change over time, so your budget should change too.

Step 5: Make a Plan for Overspending

Everyone overspends from time to time. It’s important to have a plan for what you’ll do if you overspend. One option is to have an emergency fund for unexpected expenses. Another option is to transfer money from your savings account to cover the overspending.

Step 6: Reward Yourself

When you reach a financial goal, be sure to reward yourself. This will help you stay motivated and keep working towards your goals.

Budgeting can be a challenge, but it’s worth it. By following the steps in this post, you can take control of your finances and reach your financial goals.

If you’d like more detailed, individualized assistance, contact Parachute Credit Counseling at 716-712-2060 or www.parachutecreditcounseling.org

Budget, Credit, Debt, Parachute Services

April is Financial Literacy Month!

Financial Literacy Month is a national observance held every April to promote financial education and responsibility. Financial Literacy Month is a great time to learn more about financial literacy and to start taking steps to improve your financial well-being.

Financial literacy is the ability to understand and manage personal finances, and includes the awareness and knowledge to make informed financial decisions. Financial literacy can be improved by seeking to understand basic financial concepts such as budgeting, saving, and investing.

Financial Literacy Month is a great time to start taking steps to improve your own financial well-being. Here are some tips to get started:

  • Set financial goals.

What do you want to achieve financially? Do you want to buy a house, save for retirement, or start your own business? Once you know what you want to achieve, you can start making a plan to reach your goals.

  • Create a budget.

(…and stick to it!). A budget is a plan for how you will spend your money. It can help you track your spending and make sure you are not spending more than you earn. You can’t make progress toward your financial goals if you don’t know where your money is going each month.

  • Save money.

Start by setting aside a small amount of money each month and gradually increase the amount you save as you get more comfortable with it. Set up auto pay to direct deposit a realistic amount to a savings account out of each paycheck.

  • Start thinking about investing.

Investing money is a way to grow your money over time. There are many different ways to invest, so it is important to do your research and choose an investment strategy that is right for you. Contact a financial planner or advisor for specific advice and guidance.

  • Get help.

If you are struggling with financial literacy, there are many resources available to help you, both online and in your community. You can take a financial literacy class, read books or articles about financial literacy, follow reputable financial sources on social media, subscribe to financial newsletters, or listen to personal finance podcasts. Meeting with a financial professional is a great way to assess your own situation, and work together to create a plan on how to achieve your personal financial goals and stay on track moving forward.

Parachute Credit Counseling is dedicated to promoting financial literacy and well-being, and to help minimize the stigma associated with debt.  We offer many different services to assist individuals and families achieve their personal financial goals, and to provide financial education.

  • More information on Parachute’s Workshops and Events to promote financial literacy:
Workshops & Events
  • Essential information compiled by Parachute to promote making wise budgeting choices and maintaining good financial health:
Educational Articles

Contact us at (716) 712-2060 to speak with a certified financial counselor and review your personal situation and create a plan to take specific steps to improve your own financial literacy.  We are offering appointments all through the month of April, and beyond!