FabulousSavings.com’s Advice for Saving Money in the New Year

*This is a guest post by Jill from FabulousSavings.com.

The holidays have come and gone, and I’m sure everyone is a bit strapped for cash after the weeks of constant gift-giving ceremonies. And the New Year makes for the perfect time to reorganize your financial plans. After quite the tumultuous 2008, we’re all ready for a fresh start in 2009 (I know I am). FabulousSavings.com, the free online coupon website, wants to offer you some advice for saving money in the New Year.

Throughout the year, you’re bound to need personal items, gifts for loved ones or just want something new (we’re all human). This makes it unrealistic to not spend anything and save all your money. It’s a wonderful idea – just impossible! So combat the longing to buy and the guilt of spending with FabulousSavings.com. We’re at your service to save you money and keep that budget on track.

The first tidbit of advice for saving money in the New Year is how to stick to your budget. Of course you have to make one first, but everyone has the basics of that down…hopefully. So I’m going to skip straight to the part on how to stick to it, which is actually the hardest step of any budget.

Tip #1: Keep a money journal – You know how everyone keeps a food journal to track calories and mindless eating? Well, a money journal tracks money spent and mindless shopping. Keep track of all purchases to put your finances into perspective.

Tip #2: Plan ahead – This sounds like a generic statement, but it holds the key to so much more once the concept is understood. By simply planning ahead, you can eliminate wandering dollars. Make a meal plan and every grocery trip is hassle-free with no extra spending. Know where you are going, give yourself a cash limit, and leave the plastic at home. This eliminates the temptation and then the added debt that a night out can incur.

Tip #3: Never pay full price for anything. In today’s world, coupons exist for everything. Never shop for groceries without checking the Sunday paper for what has a coupon. And never shop online without using free coupons, like the ones listed below for FabulousSavings.com.

These discounts and many more from our site fit quite well in any budget:

* Best Buy coupons – free shipping offers & discounts on brand-name electronics
* Orbitz coupons – additional 10% off your hotel stay
* Dicks Sporting Goods coupons – 15% off sports equipment & gear
* Onlineshoes.com coupons – 10% off everything on designer shoes, casual & dress footwear
* 1800Flowers.com coupons – 15% off $49 or more on beautiful floral arrangements
* Ice.com coupons – 20% off on all jewelry & watches with free shipping

Start the New Year with a solid financial plan and budget – give yourself a clean slate from the year before and get your feet under you financially. If you need help keeping honest with your budget while getting items you need, just remember FabulousSavings.com offers free coupons for every shopping category. We make saving money in 2009 a cinch. It’s a wonderful feeling to have yourself in a comfortable financial place, and these tips are here to help… happy saving in 2009!

Cheers-

Jill