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Life expenses add up really quickly. Increasing your income is awesome if you can, but you can’t count on getting a promotion at work or finding a new job. You can, however, change how you’re spending your paycheck. Being more mindful of where your expenses are going can help you stretch your paycheck from week to week, and even let you rack up some savings.
Here’s how you can change your financial health for the better.
If you look at your accounts every day, you’ll become more aware of how you’re spending your money. If you notice that your savings are running low, you’ll be more likely to spend wisely throughout each day so that your money can grow again.
DIY is all the rage these days, and you can save tons of money by making your own products. Instead of buying an air freshener, for example, blend your own essential oils and put them in a spray bottle for a more natural and affordable scent.
The same applies to household cleaning products, lotions, laundry detergents, makeup, soaps, and almost anything else you can think of. Doing it yourself instead of buying it at the store will always save you cash down the line.
Meal prep is so easy and saves so much money, we should all be doing it. Buying ingredients in bulk, then cooking your meals for the week is much more affordable than ordering takeout.
Instead of spending $15 on a meal at Chipotle, for example, you could make a week’s worth of burritos for yourself for less than $10. You’ll be amazed at how much money you save doing this. It should also only take an hour or two, depending on how intricate you want your meals to be. Not only will you be saving big, but you’ll also have lunch for the entire week.
Sometimes it’s the simplest things that make the biggest difference. Writing down the essentials on your grocery list is one such task. This small effort can save you big bucks.
This will help you buy only the things you absolutely need. Refrain from those purchases you don’t really have to have, like the super cute products that line the shelves when you’re in the check-out line. Also, be sure not to go grocery shopping while you’re hungry. You’ll end up buying way more snacks than you need!
Don’t be afraid to buy store-brand products. If you can give up being brand loyal and just shop for the cheapest price, you’ll be keeping more of your money. You’ll get the same products at a cheaper price and chances are you won’t even notice the difference.
Another way to save money is to use apps that make saving, selling, trading, and investing a breeze. The app “Digit,” for example, automatically saves money for you based on your spending and earning patterns. It connects with your bank account so that you don’t have to do any work at all.
There are plenty of other apps that can help you earn money, too. “OfferUp” allows you to sell your stuff on your own–no middle man required. It’s a free and easy way to make a little extra cash.
Whether you like old-school paper coupons or modern-day deals apps, you can save money by finding the right bargain. Don’t make a purchase without seeing if there’s a deal to be had, first.
A great service called “Honey” will find coupons and hidden deals for you at no cost at all. Simply install the Honey extension into your browser, and it will help you find deals on almost any online shopping purchase you make. It’s one of the easiest ways to save money.
If you’re not using your gym regularly, do you really need a membership? Some folks like to keep their gym memberships with the idea in mind that if they keep paying for it, eventually, they’ll end up using it.
The problem is few of us actually stick to the plan. We end up paying for the gym every month, even when we didn’t use it once. If you can get out of your gym membership without a cancellation fee, it’s wise to do so.
Speaking of little things adding up to a big difference, let’s talk about change. While pennies and nickels may not seem like much, they can add up to much more than that over time. All you have to do is be patient.
It seems like a simple thing to do, but there are people who literally throw pennies away because they seem so worthless. You have to adjust the way you think about change; instead of seeing the coins in your pocket as a useless amount of money, think of them as the start of a new savings account that will one day be full of cash.
The Department of Energy estimates that you could save around 10% on your electricity bills by turning off lights when you leave the home and unplugging devices like coffeemakers and microwaves when they’re not in use. Also, it’s wise to turn off any fans in rooms that nobody is using.
Switching from incandescent light bulbs to LED bulbs will also save you some money. LED bulbs use less power and last much longer than old-school bulbs, making them a fantastic investment for your home.
If you’re in debt, your money should go to paying it off first. As difficult as it may seem, wait to treat yourself until after your debts have been paid. It will feel better to spend on yourself when you don’t owe anybody else your hard-earned money.
Of course, make sure you have enough money to live comfortably. However, if you want to get out of debt as fast as possible, making little sacrifices to save money now will keep you from experiencing even more financial instability in the future.
