Life Hacks To Help You Make The Most Of Your Money

American Investment Planners LLC

500 North Broadway, Suite 260, Jericho, NY 11753

(516) 932-5130 / (866) 932-5130

If you currently are, or ever have, lived paycheck to paycheck, then you know how long those weeks in between pay days can feel - sometimes it can feel like years before your next direct deposit hits! And although it may seem impossible to stretch your last 20, 50 or 100 dollars until it does, today we're here to get you thinking otherwise by offering a few life hacks that can help you make the most of what you have:

Hack #1: Don't hesitate to use coupons.
If you know that you have to make a purchase or two before your next paycheck arrives, dedicate some time to researching coupons that can be applied at the counter. You can look for these in magazines, newspapers, or online, and if you can, try to find a store that's already offering a sale too to double up on savings.

Hack #2: Start meal planning.
Are groceries one of your biggest monthly expenses? If you have a lot of mouths to feed, we bet it adds up! To lengthen the amount of time in between trips to the supermarket, start meal planning on Sunday nights and decide what you'll have for breakfast, lunch and dinner for the rest of the week using what you already have.

Hack #3: Conserve gas.
Despite the fact that gas prices have been the lowest we've seen in a while over recent months, too many trips to the pump can certainly take a toll on your wallet. That said, try to avoid unnecessary trips and only use your car when you absolutely have to, such as to get to and from work. If you can, it may be beneficial to set up a carpool with friends, neighbors or co-workers who take similar trips as you throughout the week.

Hack #4: Start with the minimum payment.
Yes, you should try to make more than the minimum payment each month on debts such as credit cards, but if it's going to push you over budget, start with the minimum payment until your next paycheck comes - at that point, you can reassess how much you have left over and determine if you can send extra money.

Hack #5: Choose entertainment wisely.
You'd be surprised at how many free events you can find in your community - especially for those of you on Long Island. From concerts in the park to street fairs and more, we bet you can fill your entire weekend with plans without going over budget - all you have to do is a little bit of research!

By making smart financial decisions, you'd be amazed at how far you can stretch your budget! Need a few tips on budgeting as well? Here are some that we've shared in the past.

American Investment Planners LLC offers comprehensive financial planning services to individuals of all ages. Services include, but are not limited to, retirement planning, estate planning, portfolio and asset management, and taxes and accounting. For more information, call (516) 932-5130 or email info@americaninvestmentplanners.com.