Money is tight for almost everyone these days. Even with the cost of housing and other expenses continuing to rise, wages largely have not. This means that nearly everyone needs to find ways to save money wherever they can.
Fortunately, there are many different ways you can save money without sacrificing your lifestyle. If you want to live frugally without feeling like you’re giving up the finer things in life, try implementing these ideas into your everyday routine.
If you’re looking for ways to save money, you’ve come to the right place. The tips below will show you how to save money on everyday purchases as well as how to cut back on unnecessary costs in your life so that you have more cash at the end of every month.
Socking away even just a few quids here and there will add up over time, so start today and begin saving money every day! Here are some cheap, thrifty tips for saving money that will help put more cash in your pocket from now on.
1. Change your habits first
Before you start saving money on purchases, make sure you’re not wasting money in other areas of your life. One of the very first things you can do is to create a budget, track your expenses and make sure that you’re not spending more than you can afford to on unnecessary items. This will give you a better idea of what your monthly expenses are and where you can cut back.
You can also make sure to pay your bills on time and avoid late fees. You may also want to put money into savings each month to build up a fund for emergencies. These habits will help you reduce your spending and make it easier to save money in the long run.
2. Know where your money goes
Before you can start saving money, you need to know where your money goes. To do this, you’ll need to track all of your expenses for at least a few months. You can use a budget spreadsheet to track your expenses automatically, or you can log them on paper. Whatever method you choose, make sure you track your spending as accurately as possible.
You’ll be able to identify areas where you can save more money once you know where your money is going. Knowing where your money goes will also make it easier to create a budget. You can use this knowledge to prioritize your spending and save more money each month.
3. Shop in-season and buy in bulk
Saving money on groceries is easier if you shop for sales, wait for the in-season produce and buy items in bulk. If you’re looking for ways to cut back on your expenses, you can try to shop with this in mind.
You’ll want to keep an eye out for sales so that you can take advantage of lower prices when you can. Waiting for the in-season produce will also help you save money. Produce is often cheaper when it’s in the season because it’s grown locally or in other countries.
Buying in bulk can also help lower your grocery bill. When you buy in bulk, you are paying less per item, but you’re also spending more upfront. Make sure you can store the extra items you buy in bulk so that they don’t go to waste.
4. Get out of debt
If you have high-interest credit card debt, getting out of debt as soon as possible will help you save money in the long run. Credit card debt is very difficult to get out of, and it will also cost you a lot of money in interest every month.
Use a debt repayment calculator to find out how much you’ll save by getting out of debt sooner rather than later. You’ll be able to save money on your monthly expenses and see your money grow thanks to investment increases.
Depending on how much debt you have, getting out of debt will take time and effort. You’ll want to find ways to cut back on your spending to free up money to put towards your debt payment each month.
5. Make your own food
Food can be one of the biggest expenses in your budget, especially if you enjoy eating out or buying expensive groceries. If you’re looking for ways to save money on groceries, try to make more of your own food. This can help you save money on groceries, and it can also be healthier than eating out all the time.
You may also want to try growing some of your own food. Growing your own vegetables is a great way to save money while enjoying fresh produce all year round. Growing your own food can also be a relaxing pastime as a hobby.
6. Save on transportation
If you drive to work, you can save money on transportation costs by driving less. You can carpool with co-workers, take public transportation, ride a bike to work or try carpooling apps like Uber.
Alternatively, you can try to obtain a carpool permit for your neighbourhood to reduce your driving costs. Public transportation is also an option.
Carpooling with friends, walking or cycling to work are also ways to drive less when you have to drive. It might also be worth looking for a cheaper car insurance policy or a job with better public transportation.
7. Lock in good rates
If you’re paying for services or subscriptions every month, you may want to lock in good rates on them before rates climb any further.
Utility, Internet, and TV subscription rates can all be locked in with good rates. Cell phone providers can also offer you better deals. Use an app to negotiate with the company or try to negotiate with the company directly.
It is also possible to lower the interest rate on your credit card. Keeping your bills current can be accomplished by paying them on time each month. If you want to pay off your credit card balance faster, you can also make a monthly payment. By reducing interest rates, you will save money each month.
8. Re-evaluate services and apps
You may be paying for a subscription that you don’t need or want. Be sure to re-evaluate your subscriptions and services to see which ones are worth paying for and which ones aren’t.
If you pay for services from a company, you can also try negotiating with them. Your credit card company can also be negotiated with if you wish to make a purchase.
9. Make a budget and stick to it
If you’re looking for ways to cut back on spending, creating a budget and sticking to it will help you save money. Budgets can help you account for your expenses and make sure you’re not overspending each month.
You can use a free budget worksheet to log your expenses or you can use an app like Mint to make logging your expenses even easier. Finding ways to increase your income can also help you earn more money. This can help you to save more money each month.
10. Ditch the big brands for discounters
Saving money on household items like cleaning supplies and toiletries can help you save money every month. If you want to save money, you can buy generic cleaning supplies or make your cleaning products at home. Alternatively, you can buy your toiletries in bulk or from discounters like Costco. These stores sell many of the same items as the big brands, but they are often cheaper.
Additionally, you can try making your own beauty products at home. This can help you save money on your beauty budget.
11. Find free activities to enjoy together
If you’re looking for ways to save money while spending time with your loved ones, you can try to find free activities to enjoy together. Take a hiking trip, visit a local park or try other outdoor activities. Also, you can engage in low-cost or free activities indoors like board games, puzzles or reading together.
It is also possible for you to create your own activities at home. You can enjoy artistic activities like painting, playing an instrument or creating art together. If you are with family or friends, you can also try to solve puzzles together.
12. Shop at thrift stores
We all know that buying used is much better for the environment than shopping new. But did you know that it’s also better for your wallet? You can find several amazing items at thrift stores, often in good or even new condition.
You can find anything from furniture to clothes, to appliances at thrift stores. While the quality of items found at thrift stores can vary, you can often find things that are in great condition.
Another benefit to shopping at thrift stores is that you can go as often as you like and always find something new. If you live in a city, you may even be able to find a thrift store with a “grab and go” section so you can shop quickly and easily. Always be sure to wash and sanitize anything you buy from a thrift store, and make sure to check it for any damage.
13. Sell what you don’t use
Put your unwanted items up for sale! Chances are, if you haven’t used it in the past year, then you don’t need it.
Take a look around your house and see what you can sell. Maybe you have some old sports equipment in your garage or a bookshelf full of books that you’ve already read. You can sell these items on sites like Craigslist, eBay or even at a flea market.
Selling what you no longer need can earn you some extra cash, which you can then use to save money. Be careful when selling your items online, though. Make sure you thoroughly clean them before selling them and have them photographed well. You don’t want to have to deal with any returns, so be sure that everything is in good condition.
14. Dine out less often
Eating out can be surprisingly expensive, but you don’t have to go to fancy restaurants to spend a lot of money. Instead, make it a rule to only go to nicer restaurants about once a month.
Dining out more often than that is not only expensive but can also be bad for your health. You probably don’t eat nearly as healthily when you’re out as you do when you’re at home, so it’s better to only go out once in a while.
When you do dine out, make sure to order the most inexpensive item on the menu. You can also ask for a side dish, extra veggies or a smaller portion. You should also avoid the most expensive drinks such as wine or fancy cocktails.
15. Shop smart by knowing the best times to buy things
If you want to save money but don’t want to give up the things that you want, then you need to shop smart. Keep track of the best times to buy certain things and stock up when they are on sale.
You can find out when specific items are on sale by either joining mailing lists or using a tool like Google Keep to create a shopping list. This way, you won’t have to keep checking back on sale dates, which can be a huge time-waster.
Always check the expiration dates on items. Stores will often have clearance items with an expiration date coming up soon. These items won’t last long and you can oftentimes get them for a fraction of the cost.
The bottom line
The tips above will help you save money on everyday purchases and help you to cut back on unnecessary costs in your life. Remember that saving money doesn’t have to mean that you have to make drastic changes to your life. You can make small changes to your spending habits that will help you to save money each month.
