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*post updated 7/2020
I’ve been kind of hesitant to write about Money-Saving Tips – simply because if there is one thing to share that I have learned about money – is that I love it. Yet, I was/am terrible with it. I love to spend it – and when I have it, that’s what I seem to do. I can make a budget look great on paper, but my impulse control is well, not existent.
For the longest time, I didn’t have a healthy relationship with money, and I still struggle from time to time. I’ve seen first hand what it can do people and relationships.
We ALL love money, right? We want to save more. Do more. Make more. There always seems to be a never-ending NEED for it. For our home, children, BILLS, shopping, vacations, retirement, the list can go on and on and on. We’re drowning in our need, and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight!
But, no more! You need to start saving – even small gestures, changes, and purchases add up over time. So today, I wanted to share my 5 Money-Saving Tips For the New Year that work!
5 Money-Saving Tips For the New Year
Stop Eating Out
And stop Buying Coffee! Think about it. If you get a $5 coffee three days a week, that’s $60 a month, minimum. Eating out for lunch every day can cost anywhere from $20-$50 a week, depending on where you go and what you get. That’s $80-$200 a MONTH! How many bills could you pay with that? Pack a lunch & snacks, and save some money!
Do Grocery Puck Up or Delivery
Using this service may SOUND counter-productive since some stores charge a small fee for this service, usually no more than $4.95.
However.
How many times have you been grocery shopping and had impulse buys? Or, bought something because it was on sale? You realize that grocery stores market their stores for “The Impulse Shopper” and will use it for their gain?
When ordering online, you get what you want/need, without the impulse buys. Just search for the item and add it. You can also add coupons at the same time! (And yes, they do accept paper coupons as well. ) Of course, this does require you to create a list of items you will need for the week – even a meal plan and create a menu. But trust me, it’s worth it! The first month I tried it, my grocery bill went from $450 a month to $240 (roughly from $110 to $60 a week).
Try it out! See if your grocery store offers drive-up service or delivery. I pretty much guarantee you’ll save money.
You May Also Like: 5 Tips For a Healthy Life You Can Start TODAY
Save Money from and have it directly deposited into another account (savings) and/or set up automatic deposits to your savings
Having a small percentage of your paychecks go directly into savings is an easy way to save! Quite honestly, this helped me out a LOT. Personally, if I don’t SEE the money and have to move it myself, it’s like it’s not THERE. You adjust pretty quickly to the smaller check, I promise.
As for automatic deposits? My bank offers withdraws from my checking TO my savings based on my balance. So, if I’ve been a reasonable spender, and have a little extra in my account, my bank will pull a bit more than usual. You can set the terms, and set minimum and maximum. The most I did a month was about $90 – and I couldn’t even tell it was happening!
Not every bank offers this service, and I understand that. But automating it will help tremendously!
Save money into investment accounts
In addition to having money put into a savings account, have purchases rounded up to place in an investment account, and start investing more for your future!
Wait, what? Yep! And, it’s easier than it sounds, trust me!
Acorns is a financial services company that specializes in micro-investing. After creating an account and authorizing your bank, your purchases are rounded up to the next dollar, and the spare change is invested into your account.
Literally, your spare change is invested! You won’t even notice, and you have the peace of mind that you are saving for your future.
Sign up now, and get $5.00 when you sign up for Acorns today!
Cancel automatic subscriptions and/or cable
I just mentioned above that having automatic deposits is an easy way to just forget about saving, right? Well, that applies to automatic subscriptions! Once you set it and leave it, it’s easy to forget about it. And if you don’t need or use the service, what’s the point?
Do you need Hulu, Netflix, Disney+, Cable, and Amazon Prime? If yes, then.. well, we should talk about productivity and hobbies. But I digress. You can easily save $12.99 – to over $100 a month by canceling these subscriptions and using other services.
Also applies to:
- Gym memberships. There so many free resources for home workouts, nutrition plans, and more you can use and not pay high gym fees.
- Audiobook subscriptions. Use your Library!
- Blog resources. I canceled three services because I didn’t use them enough to warrant a monthly payment – and the free option is just as good!
Is saving money one of your goals this year? Check out this list of simple things you can do to save BIG. Click To Tweet
Other tips for frugalness!
- Use your library
- Ask for a discount while shopping
- Don’t go shopping unless you NEED something
- DIY!
- Buy generic
- Just stay home
- Change banks that don’t charge fees
- Drink water and bring a water bottle with you EVERYWHERE
Lets Chat!
What are some simple things you could do to save money?
Do you do any of the money-saving tips I’ve listed? Have they worked for you?
Tonyalee is an avid reader, gym junkie, coffee addicted workaholic, and blogger. Be sure to follow on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram for random shenanigans.
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