What if you still haven't been able to stash as much money in your savings account as you'd like? What if you're in the midst of a complicated debt situation that you're anxious to clear?What you may need is to overhaul your budget, and now is a great time to do so. Here are a few alterations that could have a huge impact on your finances in 2021.
Dump your car
A car is convenient, and in some parts of the country it is unquestionably necessary. However, if you live somewhere where public transportation is readily available, you could reduce your driving costs immensely if you switch to buses or trains instead.
AAA reports that owning a car costs $773.50 a month, while unlimited public transit passes for under $200 can be purchased in some cities. Of course, without a car, groceries can only be taken home on public transport. And those aren't easy things to do. But in the long run, you could save a ton if you're willing to put in the effort.
Stop eating out
In many cases, restaurants charge 300% markups on the meals they serve. That means a $40 fee at your favorite restaurant could cost you $10 if you were to serve the same meal at home.Restaurant meals could be one expense you can slash in the coming year if restaurant meals take up a huge chunk of your budget.
However, if you dine out at least twice a week, you ought to limit yourself to twice a month only. Or, better yet, confine your dining out to special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries only. In addition, ordering takeout or delivery counts as dining out (even if you're technically dining in your own home), so you'll need to be judicious with those meals as well.
Don't take the big vacation.
Travel is fun, and it's a great way to have new experiences. But next year you may not want to allocate so much money to travel. Instead, focus on your savings goals. You could save thousands of dollars by switching to camping instead of a resort stay, and still have a fun getaway. Or find a middle ground: Book that resort for only five days instead of 10, and travel at off-peak times to lower your costs.
There's something to be said for small changes in your budget -- and there's some truth in that. But if you desire to accomplish major financial goals next year, like building a solid emergency fund or clearing nagging debt, then you should aim higher. The changes you make will help you close out 2021 in a much healthier place, and allow you to move forward from there with more financial flexibility.