With gas prices rising on what seems an hourly basis, as well as all of the other costs of living escalating, it’s always important to stay grounded and focus on how you can fare best with the situation. Since many of us are likely watching our pennies more carefully these days, I wanted to write my next few posts on giving you ideas on how to save money. Here are your first five tips:

1.) Get a work from home job! Duh, you know I had to put that one down, didn’t you! Seriously though, it scares me to think about what my husband and I would be spending on gas if we had full time jobs outside of our home. My husband used to commute to the next state over, driving over 100 miles a day for work. Thankfully he now has a job working for a corporation that allows him to work from home. I leave my home to work just three days a week at my office in town. (The rest I work from home.)

2.) Opt for automatic deductions. Before it enters your “hands,” set aside a good portion of your paycheck to go to your savings and/or 401(k) or IRA account. Easier said than done though, I know. I have a tough time doing this one myself. But I wanted to list this, because it IS good advice.

3.) Stop paying unnecessary fees! There are plenty of banks out there that should prevent you from being stuck with one that charges astronomical fees each month. Shop around for the bank that works best for you and your budget.

4.) If you must use credit cards (hate those dang things), use the rewards ones. Get cash back on your purchases. The trick is to PAY off the card each month that you use it to avoid paying interest fees. If you have credit cards with balances already, it will not pay to get another one even if it is a rewards one. Pay off the ones you have before using any others.

5.) Never pay full price at the grocery store. Sometimes, you can’t help it. But stock up on really good sale items on each trip, and avoid paying full price for products. (No matter how bad you want that cheesecake in the bakery! I had to stop myself the other day.)

I hope these tips are helpful! Stay tuned for more money-saving tips, more of which will be tailored to the already- or aspiring- telecommuter. :o)

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Categories: Tips for Telecommuters
Tags: freelance gigs, freelance jobs, freelance work, save money, saving money at home, telecommute, ways to save money, work at home mom, work for yourself, work from home, work from home business, work from home dad, work from home mom, work from home parents