Entertainment
With sites like Groupon and Restaurant.com, you never need to pay full price for entertainment. Just make sure the availability of so many “deals” doesn’t tempt you to overspend. Financial death by discount is not a good deal!
Health
At the risk of sounding parental, take care of yourself. It is absolutely the best way to save on healthcare costs.
For a long time, I aspired to be a consistent runner, and strangely enough I think I’ve actually become one. You don’t need to run to maintain good health, but you do need to move. Walk on a regular basis or ride your bike.
Oh, and eating healthy is a good idea, too. One of the many blessings my wife brings to our family is her insistence on healthy eating. She has gone a long way toward taming, or at least counter-balancing, my sweet tooth.
Surf For Savings
For just about anything you need or want to buy these days, there are discounts to be had. Many times you can even double or triple dip on discounts.
When we needed new tires for our van recently, I was able to apply three discounts to the purchase. First, I found the tires I wanted at a store offering a manufacturer’s rebate. Next, I pre-ordered the tires by visiting the store’s site by way of Ebates, which triggered a two percent rebate. And finally, I found a coupon code that created an additional discount just by searching on the name of the store and the words “coupon code.”
What are some of your favorite ways to spend smart?
Other posts in this series on the 11 principles that lead to simple, meaningful success:
- The Purpose of Money (Principle One: Know Who You Are)
- How to Recession-Proof Your Career (Principle Two: Earn Diligently)
- The Single Most Powerful Personal Finance Tool (Principle Three: Plan to Succeed)
- An Irrational Financial Act (Principle Four: Give Some Away)
- Common Questions About Biblical Generosity (a continuation of Principle Four)
- Pay Yourself Second (Principle Five: Put Some Away)
- The Debt Doctor Will See You Now (Principle Six: Ruthlessly Avoid Debt)
- Practical Steps for Getting Out of Debt (a continuation of Principle Six)
- The Essentials of Investing (Principle Seven: Patiently Pursue Interest)
- How to Build and Maintain a Strong Credit Score (Principle Eight: Manage Your Number)
- Playing a Great Game of Financial Defense (Principle Nine: Build Walls of Protection)
- Housing: Getting Your Single Largest Expense Right (Principle Ten: Spend Smart on Housing)
Matt Bell is Associate Editor at Sound Mind Investing, publisher of the best-selling investment newsletter written from a biblical perspective. Its core investment strategy has beaten the market in 11 of the past 13 years. He is also the author of Money and Marriage: A Complete Guide for Engaged and Newly Married Couples.
Publication date: October 22, 2012
