Let’s face it; you work hard for your cash. Unfortunately, it may not be working as hard as it could be for you. You need these tips for saving money.
While most of us tell ourselves that we’re doing the best we can with the cash that we have, the truth is that there are plenty of lesser-known ways to save money that could end up placing more of your pennies back into your pocket.
If you’ve tried all of the obvious tips for saving money, like tracking your expenses with an online app and making sure that you have a list when you go food shopping, give these ideas a try instead.
1. Make Comparison Sites your Best Friend
These days, we’re all so busy that it’s easy to tell ourselves that we don’t have time to look for a great deal online. When you’re constantly rushing from one task to the next, you don’t want to spend 2 hours tracking down the right deal online.
Fortunately, comparison websites ensure that you can save money and save some time too. And, it’s one of the best tips for saving money. All you need to do is type in some details about the service or product you want to compare, and the site will do the rest for you. You can compare everything, from the price of your new loan and its interest fees to your car and life insurance costs.
2. Scrap the Subscriptions
Modern consumers love our subscriptions. We have everything from monthly beer boxes to makeup subscriptions, streaming services, and so much more. While there may be some subscriptions in your life that you can’t do without (or don’t want to give up at least), there are others you can easily get rid of.
Go through your bank statements and highlight any subscriptions you find. If you don’t remember when you signed up for something, or you can’t remember the last time you used that service, get rid of it. That includes axing gym subscriptions that you keep telling yourself you’re going to use.
3. Get Buff Online
Speaking of gym subscriptions, you don’t necessarily need to pay for a personal trainer to get fit and healthy these days. It’s just as easy to find the guidance and support you need with a video online instead of an app on your smartphone.
You’ll be surprised how much guidance you can track down on the web. Additionally, most of the time, you’ll be able to complete your entire workout without investing in any workout machines or fitness accessories either. All you need is your own body weight.
4. Love the Planet
If you want more green in your wallet, then you need to think about going green yourself. That means giving something back to the environment by reducing the amount of energy, water, and other crucial resources that you use. Unplug everything in your house when you’re not using it, and if you can walk to a location instead of driving – do it.
It’s also worth investing in some smaller items around the home that can help you save energy, like lightbulbs that work with LED or a programmable thermostat. You don’t need to make your entire home smart, but you can update a few things here and there.
5. Be Smarter about Eating Out
Depending on how tight you’re going to go with your budget, you might find it difficult to set money aside for eating out. However, if you do go out, it’s important to ensure that you’re getting the most out of the experience without overspending.
Remember, happy hours aren’t just for drinking anymore. You can find menu specials at specific times during the day, and you can even track down deals online like half-price appetizers. Consider signing up and downloading a restaurant’s app if they have one too. Usually, apps have access to exclusive discount codes and deals that you can’t get anywhere else.
6. Drink a Lot of Water
Drinking water is great for your health, but it’s also fantastic for your financial future too. The more water you drink, the less food you’ll eat when you’re out and about. Ordering water when you’re eating should save you some money on expensive drinks and ensure that you don’t over-eat when trying to stay healthy (and frugal).
To keep costs as low as possible, consider taking a refillable water bottle with you wherever you go. It’s easy enough to find one these days.
7. Stop Making Spending Easy
Finally, quit making it so easy to over-spend. Remove all your credit and debit card details from the websites you usually shop on so that you have to go through the experience of entering everything from scratch when you want to make a purchase. This will reduce the risk of impulse buying and help to keep your details much safer too.
