Are you looking for ways to save money, but still have the things you want? It may seem impossible to do, but it’s not! There are many lifestyle changes you can make that will still allow you to spend money on the things that make you happy. By following these steps below, you could be on your way to saving thousands of dollars a year.
Keep Track of What You Spend
For a month or two, keep track of every penny you spend. Write down how much and what you are spending your money on. This will give you a clear idea of where you can cut costs. If you are finding you are buying coffee multiple times per week, you can probably cut this expense and save that money. When keeping track of your spending, you can find alternate ways to get what you want. For example, by making coffee at home, you can still indulge, but won’t be paying over $2 per cup. This will help you to ensure your money is being spent wisely.
Eat at Home
Many people spend lots of money every month on going out to eat. A meal at a restaurant can cost about $20 a person. By buying groceries and making dinner at home, you can save lots of money. If you are able to bring your lunch to work or school, that is another great way to save money. By going out to lunch every day, even just to a sandwich shop, you are spending a lot more than if you brought food from home. A bonus is that you can make your meals even healthier at home and there are no hidden ingredients that might be causing you to put on weight.
Pay More on Your Credit Card
You might be surprised to hear the advice to pay more, but in the long run, it will save you lots of money. You see, when you owe money on your credit card, you are accruing interest every day. The faster you pay it off, the less interest you will pay in the end. Even if you can add $20 more to your payment per month, you will save yourself lots of money. It also is a good idea to get rid of credit cards altogether or at least close all but one of your accounts. Use that credit card for emergencies only.
Downsize
You can save a lot of money by downsizing your home and finding a smaller home in a more affordable town. Do a comparison of the towns in your area. If you are able to save money by moving into a smaller house or one with less taxes, you can save thousands of dollars per year. You also might want to consider downsizing your home and moving into an amazing prefab cabin. You will still have everything you need, but can save tons of money!
Be Honest
This might seem like it is on the wrong list, but here is the thing. Many people get into financial trouble when they are out with their friends. Their spending rules tend to go out the window because they are too afraid to admit that they are trying to save money. By letting your friends know upfront you are trying to save some money, you won’t get trapped into an uncomfortable situation. All you need to do is say something like, “I am looking forward to spending time together, and I just want to let you know I am trying not to spend too much money.” Perhaps then you can suggest a cheaper restaurant or activity or even offer to cook dinner at home!
Spend Less on Cable
Call your cable company and see if you can negotiate a new price for your monthly cable bill. They want to keep you as a customer, so if you explain to them that you are possibly thinking about cutting the cord, then they might cut you a deal. If you find that you don’t watch too much TV, you can get rid of cable altogether. Get a streaming program like Netflix or Hulu that will cost you a fraction of what cable companies charge per month.
Be Kind to Yourself
How does this save you money? It will help you to be less stressed out, which is better for your health. Just by looking into how you can save money, you are already on your way to making changes in your life. It is always a good idea to reflect on what you are doing and what you can be doing better, but you have to be kind to yourself during the process.
Many small changes with your finances can make a huge difference in the long run. It is always a good idea to try and cut costs. This will allow you to spend money on the things you need and eventually have enough money to get the things you want.
