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Saving money is hard to do sometimes when you’re just trying to live your life- life can be expensive! But are you spending more money than you need to? Are you, in fact, actually wasting money? Here are some tips to help you stop wasting money- who knows- you may find enough to save!
1. Use only cash:
Your credit card is like a little devil in your wallet, urging you to spend without thinking. Well, someday, someone has to pay the bill, and it won’t be your fairy godmother! Set aside a certain amount of cash for spending each week, and you’ll see how mush harder it is to spend recklessly.
2. Know the difference between need and want:
Carefully evaluate whether you really need or just want something. If something turns out to be something you’d like to have, but don’t actually need, sleep on it. Wait at least 24 hours before buying it. There’s a good chance you’ll decide you don’t really want it after all, and you’ll have saved some money.
3. Shop with a list:
Make a list of what you need before you go shopping- whether it’s to the supermarket for groceries, or to the mall for some new shoes- and then buy only what’s on the list!
4. Take inventory:
One of the smartest things you can do to avoid unnecessary spending is to take a good look at what you already have. Am I the only one who has 20 cans of tomato sauce in my pantry? Now that I know this, I won’t keep buying more until I use up what’s there. This applies to clothing, shoes, gadgets, and home goods.
5. Feel gratitude:
Another way to curb your spending is to feel grateful for what you have. You won’t feel compelled to spend as much when you already feel like you have a lot.
6. Unsubscribe:
Admit it: you open your email and get temped by the brilliant marketing of all the retailers you subscribe to. We’ve all been there, and there’s an easy way to make it stop: just unsubscribe and you won’t fall for it.
7. Buy what you need:
When something’s on sale it almost feels like a waste of money not to buy it, whether you need it or not! Only buy it if it’s something you need; you’re not saving money if you spend it on something you don’t need. Be strong!
8: Cancel memberships and subscriptions:
If you’re not actually going to the gym, stop paying for it! Same for magazines you don’t read, or entertainment services you’re not using.
9. Buy generic:
Most of the time you won’t be giving up quality, you’ll just stop paying for branding and advertising. Every generic brand is different, and you won’t really be saving much if you need to double up on garbage bags to avoid leaking. Get the best price for the best quality.
10. Meal plan:
Meal planning is a smart way to save money and calories- two birds with one stone! When you plan your meals for the week you can shop smartly, and look around for deals on the ingredients you need. You’ll avoid spending money on foods you won’t use, and you won’t need to fall back on expensive and high calorie takeout!