Living Frugally: 6 Tips To Help You Pay Off Your Bills Before Expected

In a time where it's considered normal to be buried under a mountain of debt, many people simply assume they'll never be able to pay it off and try go about their lives regardless. Unfortunately, unpaid debts can haunt you for the rest of your life. If you're feeling crushed under the amount of money you owe, here are six frugal living tips that can help you pay it off sooner than expected.

Pay Bills On Time
When you're trying to pay off debt, it's important pay bills on time. If you don't pay on time or within the grace period, you start owing interest on that debt. Eventually, you'll end up paying a lot more money than you originally owed.

Shop On Sale
For necessities like groceries and household or pet supplies, try to buy them on sale whenever possible. Keep an eye on store ads and watch the paper for coupons. If you find a really good sale, don't be afraid to stock up.

This is an easy way to save loads on money. Most of the time it will be common items going on sale. So by just keeping a look out you can have the same shopping list, and manage to spend less.

Reduce Impulse Buys
Impulse purchases are the bane of a person's budget, and it's a very easy thing to do. A couple of dollars here and there doesn't seem like much at the time, but it adds up quickly. If you spend even $30 per month on impulse buys, that adds up to $360 dollars per year, nearly one dollar per day.

Cancel Unnecessary Services
Unnecessary services are a lot like impulse buys. You get them because you think you'll use them, but you hardly do. Get rid of services that you can do without or rarely use like gym memberships or satellite TV. Storage units are another service that drains money and offers little in return. Instead of storing things until you don't remember you have them, find another way, like adding a small portable shed or garage on your property.

Create a Budget
Budgeting is key to saving money and avoiding over-spending. Figure out your entire monthly living costs, including your debt, and try to stay within that budget. You'll suddenly find you're able to afford to pay your bills on time.

Generate Some Extra Income
One of the easiest ways to pay off bills sooner than expected is to get some extra money. There are nearly endless ways to generate extra income, such as online freelance work, arts and crafts and offering services in your area. You can even earn extra cash from writing a blog.

Debt can be hard to get out of, but it's not impossible. With these tips for living frugally, you'll find that you're able to get out from under it quicker than you thought.

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written by: Brionna Kennedy

Brionna Kennedy is native to the Pacific Northwest, growing up in Washington, then moving down to Oregon for college. She enjoys writing on fashion and business, but any subject will do, she loves to learn about new topics. When she isn't writing, she lives for the outdoors. Oregon has been the perfect setting to indulge her love of kayaking, rock climbing, and hiking.