How to live on a budget in the USA?

Easy tips to live on a budget in the USA

1. Stay outside the main city

If you work or study in a big city like New York or Chigaco, you will have to pay a huge amount of rent to get a house nearby. However, this large expense can be avoided if you live a little far away, preferably in a town close by or in the suburbs of the city. Maplewood, a town in New Jersey, is about 30 minutes away from NYC and offers cheap housing options. Live in Maplewood if your office is located in Manhattan and save a ton of money each month.

2. Look for a shared accommodation

You should look to get a shared accommodation as that helps lower your housing costs even further. Rather than living alone in a luxury apartment in the city, look for a shared residence on the outskirts. However, you must take the safety aspect very seriously and ensure your flatmates are trustworthy people. Once you find the perfect people to share a house with, move in and start sharing the rent. This will lower the utility bills such as the power and water bills.

3. Use public transport

Everyone in America drives, but do not be in a hurry to purchase your own vehicle as soon as you land in the country. Start by using public transport. Trains, subways and buses are very popular and easily available. They also are affordable conveyance options that allow you to travel from your workplace to your residence in a reasonable fashion. If you work or study in a smaller town where housing is cheaper, look to get accommodation very close to your office or college so that you can walk and save more money in the process.

4. Eat at home

It is very tempting to eat at restaurants and try out new types of cuisines every now and then. But this is expensive! So if you are on a budget, look to cook the majority of your meals at home. You can save huge sums of money every month just by cooking and eating at home. Buy groceries from the large supermarkets where you get good deals. Stock up on ready-to-eat meals such as breakfast cereals and other snacks so that you always have something to munch on at home, thereby reducing your need to go out and spend at a restaurant.

5. Do not indulge in gambling

As a new resident in the US, you may be very tempted to try out the casinos, buy lotto tickets, etc. While this is a form of entertainment that you may explore once, do not make a habit out of any form of gambling. This is a completely unnecessary expense that you can totally avoid. Keep your financial goals in mind and save the extra money you have, rather than throwing it away at a casino.

6. Set travel budgets

Many people leave their families behind and move to the US either to study or work. You may have done the same and surely miss your folks a lot. But set travel restrictions so that you know exactly when and how frequently you can travel to your home country. International air travel can be very expensive, so do not do it regularly if you want to sustain on a tight budget in America.

7. Exercise smartly

Never ignore your health. Even if you have to live on a tight budget, look for inexpensive ways to exercise. Most cities and towns in the US are very clean and have beautiful public parks and jogging tracks. Go for a walk or a run at a convenient time. You do not have to spend any additional money on a gym membership to stay fit.

8. Look towards thrifting

Thrift stores are very trendy in America. You get beautiful and very classy designer clothes at a fraction of the original cost at these stores. If you need to dress up for an occasion, look towards thrifting. This will help you save a lot of money.