July 18, 2008
Access Nurses Weekly Volume 16 Number 5 July 18, 2008
News
Simple Budgeting Tips that will Make a Big Difference in your Wallet
With the current economic slump, it seems like everyone is trying to adjust and learn to budget a little better. After all, you don’t want to just throw away that hard-earned paycheck from your travel nursing job. You want to put it in your savings account or toward a fun vacation during your time off or buy something you’ve had your eye on at your favorite store.
But where to begin? How you choose to cut back on expenses depends on your personal lifestyle and financial goals. Here are some great budgeting tips to get you started.
Be a Smarter Shopper.
Shopping with a purpose is the best goal if you want to save money. No good can come from browsing when you’re trying to budget, so have a plan when you go shopping to avoid impulse purchasing. You’ll need to plan ahead to reap the most benefits. Make a “To Buy” list before going shopping; it’ll ease the desire to buy just because. Another good idea is to buy generic brands whenever possible to save money. There are times when the brand name makes a difference, but in general you’re paying for advertising. Buying in bulk on necessities that won’t expire (toilet paper, batteries, toothpaste, etc.) will also make a difference in your monthly spending.
Look for Alternatives.
No one likes to be inconveniencedespecially when it comes to expenses. Costs are rising on everything from gas to milk. But you don’t have to let this keep you from living your life. You just have to adjust a little it. Look into the public transportation systems in your travel nurse location. Whether by bus, train or subway, public transit is a smart way to save money. Buy a monthly pass for extra savings. Another adjustment is to cut back on to-go coffee and water bottles. The convenience of getting Starbucks and grabbing a new water bottle every time you’re thirsty is nice, but it costs a pretty penny. Making coffee at home and reusing water bottles are both easy and super cheap.
Cook at Home.
Don’t let your health suffer just because you’re budgeting. It’s not necessary to trade delicious meals for fast food just because you’re stressed out from working the 12-hour shift. Ordering take out meals often will really add up. Cooking at home is a much better and healthier idea. Look for recipes with few ingredients and fast cooking times. Or cook big batches of freezable meals. You’ll have a quick and stress-free meal to come home to or take to work the next day. Also, buy yummy snacks at the grocery store to take with you to work or keep in your car too so you can avoid the tempting vending machines and drive-thru runs.
Drop those Bad Habits.
It’s finally time to nip those bad habits in the bud. Smoking, drinking, eating fast food or other vices will not only wear down your wallet, but they’ll take a toll on your health, which will cost you more in the long run. Do what you need to do to cut out the vices.
Get Your Rewards.
There are tons of money-saving rewards programs; it’s time you took advantage of them. You may not be ready to give up the frozen yogurt shop you frequent each week, but you can use the “Buy 10, get one free” card at save on that 11th visit. Remember, every little bit helps. Start a collection of frequent-buyer cards at your other favorite local restaurants and coffee shops. If you use credit cards, why not sign up for one with rewards that will complement your lifestyle? Airline credit cards are a great idea for travel nurses since your life revolves around traveling. But there are also cards for everything from department stores like Nordstroms to online outlets like Amazon.com. Just be sure to pay off your card every month to reap the full benefits.
Budgeting plans are different for everyone. By no means do you have to follow every tip thrown at you. Take baby steps at first to find the balance and decide what will work best for you. Your wallet will thank you.
New York, New York
Look no further than New York City as the ultimate travel destination. From world-famous tourist attractions like the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building and Times Square, to quaint charm of Greenwich Village and the culture of Queens. Also, there is an endless option of shopping boutiques, restaurants, museums and Broadway shows. There's certainly never a dull moment in New York.
Weather: High: 62, Low: 48
Population: 8,143,198
Nearby Cities: White Plains, Yonkers, Rye
Hot Jobs
Contact your recruiter to inquire about the following jobs!
New York, New York CST
Positions: One
Shift: 8-hour days
Start Date: ASAP
Cooperstown, New York Med Surg and Tele
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Inglewood, California Tele
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El Centro, California Med Surg
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Glendale, California ER
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Willits, California ICU
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Bennington, Vermont Med Surg
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Orlando, Florida Cardiac PICU and Cath Lab
Positions: Two
Shift: Days and nights
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Tacoma, Washington OR Tech
Positions: One
Shift: 8-hour days and evenings
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Cleburne, Texas Med Surg
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Shift: Nights
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Dallas, Texas ICU
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San Antonio, Texas PACU
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Shift: 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Start Date: ASAP
Washington D.C. MICU and SICU
Positions: 13
Shift: 12-hour rotating days and nights
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Albuquerque, New Mexico OR
Positions: Three
Shift: Flexible days
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Shiprock, New Mexico PACU
Positions: Two
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Augusta, Georgia L&D
Positions: One
Shift: 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Start Date: ASAP
Englewood, Colorado ER
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Columbia, South Carolina Med Surg
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Honolulu, Hawaii OR
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Start Date: ASAP
Featured Forum Topic
Advice for a New Nurse
I'm looking into beginning my travel nursing career! I am a new nurse. I am talking to two different companies and trying to decide which route I want to take. If you could give me one piece of advice what would it be? What do you wish you knew when you first stated traveling? Any advice you can offer would be appreciated! Thanks!
On the Lighter Side
"A wise man should have money in his head, but not in his heart." ~ Jonathan Swift