The Holidays will be here before you know it. If you start now, you can make a few changes and save money.
- Downgrade your cable bill
Look into a skinny cable package, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Roku, Apple TV, Sling TV and antennas. Do a little research and see how much money you can save. - Pack your own lunch
If you spend $10 a day to eat out, you’re wasting $50 a week or $400 for two months that you can use for holiday gifts. Take the cheaper route and pack a healthy lunch for yourself. - Unplug it
Just having a power cord plugged into the wall uses up energy – so you are charged for electricity that you aren’t even using. Unplug your laptop charger, phone charger, toaster and coffee maker. Plug your bigger items like the TV and sound system into a power strip so it’s easier to turn off. - Drop the subscriptions
Makeup boxes, clothing subscriptions, meal kit delivery services, Audible. We aren’t saying to cancel them – just put them on hold until after the holidays so you can save up some extra money. After the holidays, you can resume delivery. - Change your cell phone plan
Do some research – see what the smaller carriers are offering. Or, if you don’t want to go with another carrier, see if you can change your current plan to save a few dollars. - Skip the weekly Starbucks run.
Make your coffee at home! If you don’t spend $5 a day at Starbucks for eight weeks, you’d end up saving $200 right there.
If you need help creating a realistic working budget, one of our certified financial coaches can work with you. The Credit Counseling Center is a non-profit organization that offers FREE financial coaching. Call 215-348-8003 or visit www.ccc-credit.com.
In 2021, Paula was named Executive Director of Credit Counseling Center. She joined the organization in 2008 as a Credit Counselor and was quickly promoted to Director of Housing Counseling in 2009. Paula is a firm believer that each client is a representation of a family whose lives, financial challenges, and needs are important.
She developed and still leads the Center’s Foreclosure Prevention program; and has partnered with the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas Foreclosure Diversion Program. Her keen focus on making a positive impact in the community has generated numerous program collaborations with the United Way of Bucks County and a multitude of social service organizations in the region.
Previously, Paula served 21 on Active Duty in the US Air Force. Initially serving as a combat photographer and finishing the second half of her career as a recruiter, leading to the position of Flight Chief. Highly decorated, she has received awards from the Air Force and the Department of Defense.
An active leader in the Bucks County community, Paula donates her time annually as a board member for the annual Congressional Service Academy Nomination Interviews under the office of Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick. She is an active Chamber member in Lower Bucks, BucksMont, and Upper Bucks, advocates for financial literacy education opportunities at venues servicing low/moderate income consumers and senior citizen organizations.
