Money is tight for so many people right now. We’ve all got less of it than we used to and that means we need to be frugal when it comes to spending it. However, that doesn’t mean you have to give up on everything nice in life and settle for being miserable all the time. Instead, why not find ways to save money so you can keep your standard of living but on a smaller budget? These days, everyone has their own money-saving tips and tricks but only a few of them are actually effective. Sure, there are plenty of things you can do that will save you some cash here and there but the problem with most of them is that they only offer small savings that don’t go very far in the long run.
Committing To A Solid Budget
A lot of people think that if you’re spending less, you’re saving money. However, that isn’t always the case. For example, you could be living off cheap but unhealthy food that you bought in bulk on sale but that means you’re spending a lot more each month on it than you would if you’d just bought the healthy stuff to begin with. The key to saving money on a budget is to find ways to reduce your expenses while also increasing the amount of money you’re bringing in. You can’t just cut things out and expect to be in a better financial situation because you’re not earning as much. You’ve got to be smart with your money and make sure you’re spending it wisely.
Ditch The Junk Food
Junk food is delicious and cheap but it’s also terrible for your health and your wallet. Most cheap foods are filled with preservatives, added sugars and artificial ingredients that are both bad for your body and wallet. If you make an effort to swap out the junk food for healthy fruits, vegetables and protein-rich foods, you’re not only saving money but also your health and a lot of medical bills. You can also make some baked goods at home instead of buying them from the store, invest in a slow cooker so you can make healthy soups, stews and casseroles that are cheaper than eating out, and start growing your own herbs so you can flavor your foods without paying for them.
Shop At Second Hand Stores
Most people only shop at second hand stores when they’re looking for clothes or furniture but you can buy just about anything there. You can find toys, sporting equipment, books and so much more. If you regularly shop at thrift shops and second hand stores, you can save an absolute fortune. You can also sell some of the things you buy there to recoup some of your money.
Go Digital Only
A lot of people are still paying for cable, newspapers and magazines, or a data plan filled with tons of unwanted things. If you’re paying for things that you’re not actually using, it’s time to cut those expenses out for good. Depending on where you live, you can swap out things like your newspaper subscription for an online subscription, drop your landline in favor of a cellphone plan, and cancel subscriptions to things like Netflix or magazines that you don’t read anyway.
Take Advantage Of Free Activities
There are tons of free things to do that are both fun and educational. You can take advantage of free museums, libraries, and parks. You can also visit your local university or college to take advantage of their free events and activities. You can also check out free events such as festivals, parades, and fairs in your area. You can also join a club or donate your time to a charity. There are so many ways to have fun and learn new things without spending a dime.
Try Taking Or Commuting In Co-op Shuttles Or Buses
If you have to take public transportation on a daily basis, it would be worth your time to check out your options for using a co-op shuttle or bus. You could save yourself a lot of cash by taking the bus or shuttle. You can also commute to work on your bike or by foot if you live close enough. Not only will you save yourself some cash but you’ll also get a bit of exercise and avoid being stuck in traffic.
Install Dark Theme Apps On Your Phone
Some apps, such as your phone’s settings and clock, as well as your photo editing app and music player, have the ability to change their theme from light to dark. You can also download apps that have a dark theme to them. Switching your apps to dark theme can help you save on your data usage and is also a good idea if you’re trying to save money on your phone bill. If you’re trying to save money and are worried about going over your data limit, using a dark theme app will help you use less data so you don’t go over your limit and incur extra charges.
Negotiate Everything You Can
It may sound silly but you can actually negotiate the price of things if you try. Whether you’re buying a car, a house, furniture, or groceries, you can try to get a better price. If you have bad credit, you can also try to get a better deal on your loans. Ask your credit union or bank if they offer better terms to people with bad credit so you can negotiate a better deal. You can also try to negotiate with your landlord or utility providers. You never know unless you ask.
Conclusion
Life isn’t easy when you don’t have a lot of money. However, there are plenty of ways to save money and make your pennies go further. Committing to a solid budget, ditching the junk food, going digital only, taking advantage of free activities, and trying to negotiate everything you can are just a few ways that you can save yourself some cash.
