| nal expenses are usually classified as discretionary | | | | writing and communication skills. |
| because they are generally quite flexible. And as | | | | Keep track of your calling minutes to make sure |
| such, we tend to overlook their importance when | | | | you don't go over your allotted time. Most long |
| it comes to budgeting and saving money. This is | | | | distance and cell phone companies have high |
| the category that people keep the least track of | | | | charges for extra minutes. If you consistently |
| because they really don't want to know how | | | | exceed your plan's minutes, upgrade your plan. |
| much money they are wasting. Here are some | | | | The extra monthly cost for the next step up is |
| tips for lowering personal expenses in three areas: | | | | usually much less than the extra charges for |
| clothing/appearance, communications/cell phones, | | | | more minutes. |
| and funeral arrangements. | | | | Shop around for cell phone plans. Cell phone |
| Clothing/Appearance | | | | companies and plans vary widely, so compare |
| Buy used clothing. According to the U.S. Bureau of | | | | carefully. Now you can even take your cell |
| Labor Statistics' most recent Consumer | | | | number with you if you switch providers. Before |
| Expenditure Survey, the average consumer | | | | switching from your current company, call them |
| spends about $1,850 a year on clothing and its | | | | and tell them you are about to switch and see if |
| upkeep. You can potentially cut that in half by | | | | they will match or beat their competitor's offer. |
| shopping at consignment shops, auctions and thrift | | | | Funeral Arrangements |
| stores. | | | | Make your wishes known about your funeral, |
| If you must buy new, buy in the off season. This | | | | memorial, or burial arrangements in writing. Don't |
| is especially great for kids' clothes because you | | | | leave this decision to the ones you leave behind. |
| know they generally go up one size each year. | | | | Before selecting a funeral home, call several and |
| Plan ahead and budget for this. You can also buy | | | | ask for prices of specific goods and services, or |
| clothing at name-brand outlets, factory outlets, or | | | | visit them to obtain an itemized price list. You are |
| secondary department stores (where department | | | | entitled to this information by law and, by using it |
| stores send their overstocks). | | | | to comparison shop, you can save hundreds of |
| Buy less cost-related clothing; choose fabrics and | | | | dollars. |
| designs that are easy both to wear and maintain. | | | | Many funeral homes offer prepaid plans, but be |
| Watch out for "Dry Clean Only" and instead | | | | cautious about prepaying because there may be |
| choose garments that you can care for at home. | | | | risks involved. For information about the least |
| Cut back on makeup and perfumes. Or look for | | | | costly options, which could save you several |
| sales and buy generic brands. Most people won't | | | | thousand dollars, contact a local memorial society, |
| notice the difference. | | | | which is usually listed in the Yellow Pages under |
| Donate old clothes to charitable organizations and | | | | funeral services. |
| keep track of their values to use as a charitable | | | | Keep your discretionary spending in check by |
| donation tax write-off. Go to for a guide on the | | | | modifying your spending habits. Evaluate your |
| value of donated items. | | | | apparel and communications spending and see |
| Communications/Cell Phones | | | | how you can improve. Jot down your wishes |
| Instead of calling, use e-mail. It's free (if you | | | | concerning your future memorial service and put |
| already have an Internet connection) and you will | | | | them with your will and trust. Downsize or even |
| save money on your long distance phone bill. Also, | | | | eliminate those extra dollars that just disappear |
| comparison shop long distance plans and find one | | | | each month and put them to good use, such as |
| that works well with your calling style. | | | | paying off debt or investing. Soon you'll be on |
| Write a letter. It only costs a bit more than a | | | | your way to a healthier financial you. |
| quarter to send and it will help you improve your | | | | |