MONEY COMMENT
Upgrade Your Life - Or Cut Back!

By Cliff D'Arcy
January 7, 2004

I came across an amusing one-liner while searching on Google over Christmas:

It's not hard to meet expenses, they're everywhere.

As the parent of two small children, I couldn't agree more! However, partly thanks to frequent visits to our Living Below Your Means discussion board (where the 'Awesome Lords of Budgeting' hang out), I'm getting better at managing my spending.

In fact, in recent months, I've spent less than half my (modest!) salary. Actually, it's not been that difficult, because I have a small mortgage, don't run a car and don't spend a great deal on clothes and luxuries. Also, I buy an annual Travelcard, which takes care of all my travel expenses with a single payment. Furthermore, I shop around for practically everything that costs more than a tenner, so I try hard not to overpay for goods.

I'll get to the point: here are five articles on slashing your expenses without losing out.

• When Prices Go Up, Switch (tackle rising gas and electricity prices)
• Terrific Tips For Motorists! (crush your car costs)
• How To Beat The Taxman - Forever! (using allowances and tax-free products)
• How To Beat Rising Prices (discounts across the board)
• Save £2,500 A Year (everyday savings on financial products, including mortgages, credit cards and insurance)

And here are five pieces on reining in your spending (which doesn't have to be horribly painful!):

• How To Save Over £3,000 (by cutting out a few treats along the way)
• Wasting Money At The Gym
• Twelve Easy Money-Saving Tips (lower bills, savings at the supermarket and so on)
• Treats, Vices And Sacrifices (fags, beer and other indulgences)
• Why Its Cheaper To Live Together (savings on rent and other expenses)

Good luck with your budgeting in 2004!