When looking at saving, it’s not just about putting a stash of money away, at the end of the day you have to live your life and to do that, you will need to buy things and spend money. But there are ways in which you can do everything you need to and everything everyone else is doing, but just more economically.
There are plenty of different things you can do to save on just about everything, so here’s a few to get you started.
Move bank accounts
There are always banks offering deals and perks to new customers, so maybe it’s time to look into moving to a new bank and possibly earning more interest. Do some research and see what new offers are out there. Some banks even offer sign-up bonuses just for opening an account and setting up direct deposit.
Sell, sell sell
Stop buying things and have a look at what you’ve got around your house and get it sold! Other people are also looking at ways to save money and buying second hand is another way to do that, so the customers are out there, and one person’s trash is another’s treasure. Don’t be put off thinking that no one would want it, it’s surprising what you can sell online, and with all the different platforms of doing it, there’s nothing to stop you from trying. Check out Jason’s article on how he is making money online.
Free Customer Rewards
Don’t ignore these programmes, while on the one hand, they are trying to get your data, on the other; they are also willing to reward you for shopping in their store. You can always set up a new email address specifically for these emails. Then collect every card you can too because there’ll be extra coupons on offer quite often and you’ll be able to earn points on purchases that can often be redeemed for cash back or other benefits.
Master The 30-Day Rule
This is such a handy trick to start doing, and it means that if you have seen something you want to buy, you should wait 30 days until you can buy it. You’ll often find that once a month has passed, the urge to buy it has gone too and you will have saved yourself some money.
Stick To Shopping Lists
A straightforward way to save money is to only shop when you have a list. If you don’t have one, you’ll probably end up making impulse buys and things that you don’t need – or stuff you already have, you’ve just forgotten. Creating a list before you shop is essential as it can not only help you to buy food that fits in with your meal plan, but it also helps you not to waste food.
Stop Going Out
This doesn’t mean stop having fun; it just means that you need to change the way you do it. Have friends over to your house instead of going out. You can eat, drink, play games and whatever it is you like to do. You’ll have a great time, and you’ll save money. Plus you can ask them all to bring something too.
Learn To Sew
If you don’t already know how then to learn to sew. Get someone to teach you rather than pay for a class, or see what online tutorials are available because this will save you so much money in your lifetime. Rather than throwing out clothes because they’re missing a button or have a hole in them, you’ll be able to fix whatever it is and won’t have to buy a new one. Even if it’s jeans with a hole in and they look daft with a patch, they can still be worn around the house as you won’t mind them getting messy.
Make The Most Of What’s On Offer
If there’s something you want to study, to ultimately get a better job and earn more money, then look to see what options are out there in terms of bursaries and financial aid. If you want to study, then you could opt for an online BBA degree which offers financial assistance over traditional face-to-face study. The result is the same, and you’ll save on travel costs and accommodation too as you can do it from home.
Save Energy
Saving energy will save you money too. Get a programmable thermostat to cut down on energy use while you’re not at home, or to regulate the temperature in your home. By setting it to heat or cool your home at certain times, you can ensure that your utilities aren’t being wasted while you’re at work or asleep – and save money in the process.
Buy Quality
When you have to spend money to buy something big such as a new appliance, it’s worth paying a bit more to get the quality as it will save you energy but also will last a lot longer and save you replacing it in a couple of years.
Stop Using Credit Cards
It’s so tempting, but it can be so dangerous if you’re trying to save money. If you don’t want to get rid of your credit cards altogether, then you need to hide them from yourself and keep them in a safe place at home. It’s too tempting to have them in your wallet.
Compare Prices
The price comparison sites are there for a reason, so make use of them. Comparison sites are beneficial for looking at car or home insurance, but you can also do this by yourself to save money on your weekly grocery shop. Put together a list of your essentials, the things you buy most often then go to different supermarkets for these items. Eventually, you’ll see a difference and will work out where is the cheapest place for you to go.