Page 12 Fall Home Improvement 2025 Lincoln Daily News Can you buy anything for a penny nowadays? What does it matter if it’s just a few more pennies or a couple more dollars? Well, it most certainly does matter!! Math doesn’t lie and money, regardless of the denomination, adds up. Have you ever been pleasantly surprised when you ran the change jar from the laundry room through the machine and had $25 or $40 dollars? Mindset…. It’s all about changing your mindset and how a penny is just as important as a dollar bill. Your mindset, and the mindset of those living and contributing to your household, is a key factor in any kind of successful change, whether small or large. One of the first mindsets that you need to implement is to only buy what you need, not what you want. If you can ask yourself that question with every purchase, you will be far ahead of most individuals. How can you prepare for the rise in household expenses in the coming months and prepare better for the rollercoaster weather of Central Illinois? Be prepared, do your homework, instruct your family, stay consistent, and make it fun! Fun, you say!! Yes, if you look at this as a challenge, especially if children are involved, you can make it a fun challenge for everyone. Set a timeline, set a ‘reward’ (such as the money saved goes toward a vacation, playset, used at a festival or fair or a new outfit for yourself) and make a list of how everyone has a job that will help towards the goal. earned A saved is a There are a few normal things that most of us do or preach to our kids (or spouses) such as: Turning the lights off, don’t waste food, shut the fridge door, close the windows/doors, run the dishwasher/washing machine/dryer only when full and shutting off the water. Today, that may not be enough with all the rate increases, so here are a few more ideas to help with that bottom line. If you do not currently have a budget, this is a good time to start. There are many free examples online, in books and at local tax, banks and financial institutions. • Evaluate your current bills – Who says that you can’t call all your providers for your cable, internet, insurance, cell phone, credit cards to look for deals, discounts and/ or negotiate costs. Bundling services with the same provider for a discount is a popular option and can lead to keeping your existing service at a lower cost. • Insurance is necessary, however shopping for a lower premium or eliminating some unnecessary coverage could save money. • Using consolidation companies may be a good option if you have high-interest debt to help to pay off earlier. • Pay with cash as much as possible and don’t rely on credit cards to pay for things that are not of emergency nature. • Entertainment – If you take the time to search there are numerous free things to Continue --
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