To help Canadians overcome financial anxiety, Gail Vaz Oxlade was excited to launch ‘Use Your Common Cents Day’ on November 4th to educate Canadians on better budgeting and financial literacy. With the holiday season looming over us, many Canadians are feeling the inevitable burden of bills and the need to save. In Fact, 1 in 3 (31%) Canadians identify November as being a month their budgets get derailed due to unforeseen holiday spending.
Starting November 4, visit www.savingmadesimple.ca for helpful tips and advice from Gail on how to gear-up for successful savings. You can also join over 1 million Canadians and register to have access to print-at-home coupons on top brands, exclusive samples and daily inspiration every day of the year! Happy Savings!
Gail Vaz-Oxlade’s Common “Cents” Tip Sheet
- Do a spending analysis – Knowing where your money is going is half the battle. Go through your past six months of spending, including groceries, household expenses, utilities, rent/mortgage, clothing and entertainment, and analyze just how much money went where. You want to understand the areas in which you’re overspending.
- “Common Cents” comparisons – In addition to doing a spending analysis, it’s time to shop smart and look for products that will stretch your dollar. So many people default to value brands thinking they equal savings. Not always! If you need to use more of a budget-product or rewash items to get the same results you’re not saving a thing. Look to trusted products such as Tide Simply Clean and Fresh, Charmin Basic and Ultra Dawn that offer value and efficacy.
- Plan your purchases and stick to your budget – To avoid impulse purchases, plan head, make a list, and use cash! Avoid overspending by taking cash from the ATM twice a month and planning how you’ll use that money. When it’s gone, you’re done shopping.
- Common “Cents” Couponing – Common sense couponing can equal cash! Websites such as savingmadesimple.ca offer deals and coupons to save on products you already use and love. Flyers can also be a useful tool for finding great deals from the stores you regularly shop at and for price-matching.
- Save your savings – Too often people don’t actually save their savings; they simply find another way to spend it. Working towards a big goal like a vacation or a special purchase? Every time you save a cent by shopping smart, send those savings to your high interest savings account where you can watch them grow.
- Don’t be a money moron – In the end, it’s important to be conscious of what you’re doing with your money. Be conscious of how you’re using your money so you’re always working towards reaching your goals.
To celebrate Use Your Common Cents Day one of my lucky readers will win this giveaway valued at $40*, including:
- Ultra Dawn Dish Washing Liquid – $3.99*
- Charmin Basic – $6.99*
- Bounty Basic – $4.99*
- Cascade ActionPacs with Dawn – $9.99*
- Puffs Basic Facial Tissues – $2.99*
- Tide Simply Clean & Fresh – $9.99*
*Pricing at the discretion of the retailer.
Disclosure: I am a P&Gmom/mamanP&G. As part of my affiliation with this group I receive products and special access to P&G events and opportunities. The opinions on this blog are my own.
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