Sometimes the hardest part of saving money is getting started. This guide on how to save money can help you step by step to develop a simple and realistic strategy so that you can save for all your short and long term savings goals.
SAVE MONET HARDER ON THE WEEK
A trip to Starbucks around here, a trendy gadget or a packaged dinner over there – it’s wasted money that accumulates. While it may seem like something else, saving on a rainy day can be surprisingly simple. With this compilation of 31 easy-to-incorporate tips from Cheapism.com, there’s a new way to save money every day of the month.
THINK BEFORE YOU DRINK
It’s easy to stop by the coffee shop before work or as an afternoon break, buy bottled water on the go, and order a drink with a meal out. This will add considerable costs over time. Business Insider reports that Americans spend at least 300 times the cost of tap water to drink bottled water. The average worker also spends more than $ 1,000 a year on coffee, according to a survey conducted by staff at the Accounting Principals firm. Start filling a bottle with tap water to go anywhere and make coffee at home.
KEEP THERMOSTAT IN MIND
Every degree you turn down the programmable thermostat for at least eight hours a day can eliminate the 1 percent discount on your heating costs, according to the United States Department of Energy. Keep the temperature at a maximum of 68 and wrap yourself in a sweater or cover yourself with an extra blanket in bed if necessary. In warmer weather, turn down the air conditioning and use fans to create a breeze. Leave the windows open at night, when it’s cooler.
CANCEL THE GYM
For consumers who don’t go often, the gym can be a huge waste of money. On average, a gym membership costs $ 58 a month, and 67 percent of Americans never use theirs, according to data compiled by Statistic Brain. Instead, explore inexpensive fitness ideas at home and take advantage of activities like walking and running (all you would pay is the price of shoes). Sit-ups and push-ups in the living room don’t cost anything either.
USE DISCOUNT PROGRAMS
Earn money every time you make an online purchase with discount programs. Shoppers can often collect 8 percent back, which is free money in your pocket – good if the item was a necessary purchase.
GO TO THE LIBRARY
There is no reason not to borrow books from the library (except for those looking to fill a wall-to-wall shelf as a decorative exhibit). Going to a library in the afternoon is also a fun activity that costs nothing. There are often children’s events, conferences, and other free events.
RIDE A BICYCLE
If feasible, ride a bike instead of taking the car to work or running errands – this helps the budget in many ways. Avoid car maintenance, gas, and possibly even gym membership costs (and reduce carbon emissions). If biking is impractical, public transportation may be an option – just sit down, read a book from the library, and let someone else deal with the traffic.
USE OFFERS PAGES
Groupon, Amazon local, LivingSocial – the list of pages offering discounts on goods and services is long. Offer pages take away the need to spend the full price to try something new, they often feature deals on popular or well-known items, as well as places.
GET EMBELLISHED FOR A PENNY
Save money on the beautification budget with items you already have at home. Cheapism suggests DIY beauty ideas, like using sugar, baking soda, and olive oil for various beauty treatments.
TURN OFF THE LIGHTS
Turn off the lights when you leave a room or go out for the day and save money over time. On average, electricity costs are around 13 cents a kilowatt-hour, according to the US Energy Information Administration. Think in terms of day-to-day usage hours, and this will add up to a significant waste of money.
CLOSE THE TAP
Grandpa was right: It’s worth turning off the water when brushing your teeth or doing dishes. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, simply turning off the tap while brushing saves up to 8 liters of water a day, or more than 200 gallons a month. Do this every day of every month and see a dip in your water bill.
CLOSE THE TAP Grandpa was right: It’s worth turning off the water when brushing your teeth or doing the dishes.
UNPLUG THE CABLES
Save $ 100 on electricity by simply unplugging devices. Household appliances left in standby modes, such as computers, televisions, printers, coffeemakers, and phone chargers, can easily be unplugged when not in use, saving more than you might expect.
UNPLUG THE CABLES Save money on electricity by simply unplugging devices.
EXCHANGE INSTEAD OF BUYING
Hold clothing exchanges, toy exchanges, and even trade household goods with your friends. This is the cheapest way to get new things and get rid of old things. For those looking to expand their selection, Swap Style is a good online source for exchanging fashions.
FIND FREE ACTIVITIES
Visit the Eventful event tracking site and read free local magazines to learn about free events happening in your area. Download the Eventbrite app to keep track of fun gifts on your phone.
VISIT FREE MUSEUMS
Many museums around the country have suggested donation fees instead of the prices set for admission, which means they’re technically free to visit, despite appearances. Pay what you can.
PAYLESS FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
Buying generics instead of paying for name brands is an easy way to increase savings. Many common pharmacy chains, including CVS, Rite Aid, Target, and Walmart have discount programs for generic prescription drugs.
REDUCE THE CONSUMPTION OF PRE-PACKAGED PRODUCTS
Meal ease comes at a cost that is generally much higher than making the same item at home. For example, it is surprisingly easy to make granola, salad dressings, and chicken broth at home. Spending on a packaged product, which is always marked, is another waste of money. Instead, spend some time every Sunday afternoon preparing vegetables and fruit for the week.
