1) Review your expenses
What are the significant expenses in your life? Do you spend a lot on entertainment, dining out, or hobbies? Figuring out where your hard-earned money is going is the first step in saving more.
Reviewing how much you spend on these different categories can give you insight into how to make changes to start saving more.
2) Set a budget
Setting a budget is one of the best ways to ensure you're spending your money in a way that aligns with what's important to you. Figure out how much income comes into the household monthly and where it goes.
The more detailed this process is, the better.
3) Cut unnecessary expenses
One of the most significant ways to save money is to cut unnecessary expenses. If you don't need it, don't buy it! Try to keep track of what you're buying and spend at most $200 a week on non-essentials.
Other things to consider cutting out are cable TV, expensive cell phone plans, and eating out.
4) Automate your finances
Automating your finances is a great way to save time and ensure you have enough money. There are many different ways to automate your finances, but one of the easiest is to set up automatic transfers from checking to savings.
You can set up these transfers once a month or whenever you want. This way, when payday comes around, all the money in checking goes into savings.
5) Invest in yourself
Investing in yourself is a great way to save cash because you'll pay less for clothing or haircuts.
For example, if you take the time to learn how to do your hair and makeup, you'll spend less on these services.
6) Invest in a hobby
Finding the time and energy to invest in a hobby can be challenging. That is until you realize how much fun it can be and how many dollars it can save you. A simple idea might be to start gardening or learning about DIY projects on Pinterest.
These hobbies may not require significant monetary investments up front, but they can save you a lot if you're an avid crafter, gardener, or do-it-yourselfer.
7) Live below your means
Live below your means, and save for the things necessary to you. It's tempting to think about how much more fun it would be if we could have a little more money.
But in reality, we would often only use it on things like new clothes or going out to eat.
8) Have an emergency fund
Living paycheck to paycheck is a surefire way to end up on the street. The best way to avoid this is to have an emergency fund; now is the best time to do it.
If you can set aside $500 in an account with a high-interest-rate savings account, you can cover at least one month of living expenses if something happens.
9) Shop around for better deals
It's essential to shop around regarding the products or services you need. This is an easy way to find the best deals and get the most bang for your buck.
Take a little time to compare prices, read reviews, and ask friends what they recommend. Remember: no one knows your life better than you do!
10) Use cashback apps
Cashback apps can save you a lot of money, but it's important to remember to keep them up-to-date. Before shopping, check the app and see what deals are available.
The more deals you have access to, the better chance of finding one with a high payout.
11) Use coupons
Coupons are a great way to save money on products and services. You can find coupons in the newspaper, online, and in stores. Remember to look at the coupon's expiration date before using it.
Read the coupon carefully to understand all terms and conditions before using it. Remember to bring coupons because many grocery stores won't honor expired or damaged vouchers.
12) Join a warehouse club
Join a warehouse club to save on groceries and other items. You can typically purchase items in bulk, such as non-perishable food and toiletries, saving you money in the long run.
13) Negotiate your bills
Negotiating your bills might be intimidating, but it's worth a shot. You could save hundreds of dollars by asking the company to lower their prices.
Plus, once they know you're serious about cutting costs, they might offer deals on other services.
14) Get a cashback credit card
One of the easiest ways to save money is using a cashback credit card. While these cards typically have high annual fees, the perks make them worth it.
The best cashback credit cards offer 10% APR on purchases, balance transfers, and cashback rewards on every purchase. They also provide additional benefits like roadside assistance and travel insurance.
There are many options for cashback credit cards, so do some research and find one that suits your needs.
15) Invest in stocks
The stock market is a great way to invest and make money. The best thing about the stock market is that it can be a low-risk investment. When investing in stocks, research the company before buying any shares.
Also, make sure to buy shares from companies with a good track record and are likely to perform well in the future.
16) Sell unwanted items
Sell unwanted items. Do you have many clothes in your closet that you never wear? Consider selling them online through sites like eBay, Etsy, or Poshmark.
With these sites and apps, it's easy to take great photos of the clothes and then sell them on social media or in an online storefront to shoppers looking for something new and different to add to their wardrobe.
17) Downsize your lifestyle
Downsizing your lifestyle is a great way to save. Consider what is important to you and how much money it would take away from your financial security.
For example, do you need an expensive car, or can a used one work just as well? Do you need a lot of clothes, or could you get by with less? These little changes can make a big difference in the long run.
18) Get a roommate
You may not want to consider a roommate, but it could be a great way to cut expenses. With more people in the home, there are more people to share the costs of things like rent, food, and utilities.
Plus, if you have roommates with different schedules than yours, they can care for the house while you're at work or school and vice versa.
19) Consider a staycation
One way to cut down on vacation costs is to stay in town. A staycation allows you to explore new parts of the city and take advantage of free or inexpensive options like museums and restaurants. Plus, it will enable you to enjoy the beautiful weather without spending much on airfare!
Get creative with lodging - rent an Airbnb, crash at a friend's place, or camp in the backyard. Skip the expensive car rental - if you're going somewhere where public transportation is readily available, use it instead. Make mealtime more affordable by buying ingredients in bulk. Bring a cooler full of food with you.
20) Invest in passive income streams
One of the best ways to save money is to invest in passive income streams. This is what I do with my blog. I don't spend time on it and earn extra cash monthly.
You could also buy a rental property or write eBooks and then sell them online to make extra monthly money. The key is to find something that is low-effort but still makes you some cash on the side!
