I’m sure you’ve heard the old saying, “Money makes the world go round”? Well, it certainly can seem that way especially if you feel like you are living from paycheck to paycheck. Money is one of those things that can cause so much stress and anxiety when you don’t have it, but learning to save money and budget properly it can become a tool to help you achieve freedom and peace of mind! No matter what your goals are you can never go wrong in trying to save money where you can. Here are 15 of our best save money tips and hacks you can start using today!
Tip 1 – Eat At Home
Save stacks of cash by cooking your meals at home rather than eating out. According to a study conducted by Forbes:
We found on average, it is almost five times more expensive to order delivery from a restaurant than it is to cook at home. And if you’re using a meal kit service as a shortcut to a home cooked meal, it’s a bit more affordable, but still almost three times as expensive as cooking from scratch.
Cooking meals at home not only saves you money but they are also generally healthier so ditching takeaways and restaurants truly is a win-win!
Tip 2 – Save For Emergencies
Arrange a direct deposit to your saving account so that a certain percentage of your salary goes straight into your emergency fund. Doing this means you don’t have to think about specifically putting the money aside and it’s easier to build up the fund. Ideally, your emergency fund should have at least 3 times your monthly salary to carry you through tough times.
Tip 3 – Credit Cards
Choose a credit card with a generous reward program. And make sure that you always pay off your balance at the end of the month. If you are not disciplined enough to pay off your card at the end of the month then it is better to ditch it in favor of using cash. Over 40% of American families have credit card debt, don’t be one of them!
Tip 4 – Brand Loyalty
Stop brand loyalty purchases. Shop around for cheaper alternatives to your favorite brands and if you have coupons by those brands instead. Using a $2 off coupon today might not seem like a huge saving but over time it can definitely add up!
Tip 5 – Start Saving Early
Do not save what is left after spending; instead spend what is left after saving.
WARREN BUFFETT
If you plan on having kids and you are hoping to send them to college or university, you need to start saving cash when they are born. This might sound a bit extreme but regular small savings will add up over time and by the time they are ready to leave home you should have enough saved to help them fulfill their dreams!
Tip 6 – Protect Yourself
With identity theft on the rise you need to protect yourself and your family’s future by being careful and thorough. According to The Guardian, more than £2.3bn has been lost to scammers and identity thieves since the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic. Protect yourself by making sure you have a safe way to get rid of important financial documents. Never give out personal or financial information over the phone and educate your family on the dangers of the internet and phishing scams.
Tip 7 – Pay Your Bills
Pay your bills as soon as you receive them. Paying your bills early helps you to budget and see exactly how much you have available to spend and save. As a bonus you will not be anxious about outstanding bills and you won’t have to worry about something coming financially that you didn’t expect.
Tip 8 – Change Your Lifestyle
Small changes can make a huge difference in helping you save! For example, rather than buying coffee every morning on your way to work, make it at home and take it with you. Likewise, ride the bus instead of using your car. These savings add up over time and you can use the money you have saved to add to your retirement fund or invest. And this will be worth a hang of a lot more than the convenience of a store-bought coffee!
Tip 9 – Tax Refunds
If you are lucky enough to get a tax refund, use this money to pay off some of your debt rather than spending the money on things you don’t need.
Tip 10 – Learn To DIY
Why pay a professional when you can easily learn to complete home improvement projects and repairs on your own. Online tutorials are fantastic when it comes to step-by-step breakdowns of easy repairs and improvements.
Tip 11 – Insurance Policies
Look over your insurance policies. You may be paying for options you don’t need which could affect your premiums. Find an insurance professional to help you work through what your needs are and what you can afford. Often cutting out unnecessary options can save you quite a bit in your monthly premiums
Tip 12 – Get Rich Quick Schemes
If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is! Stop spending money on things that promise you overnight riches. A lot of people get deceived and lose money chasing the next get rich quick scheme. Rather than risking your money, place it into a savings or investment account where it is save and it can grow and work for you.
Tip 13 – Tax
Keep your tax information in order. Be proactive when keeping all documents related to your tax organized. Keep all your receipts and other tax documents in the same place so that everything is in order when tax time rolls around.
Tip 14 – Savings Accounts
Speak to your bank about different types of saving and transactional accounts. Sometimes different accounts include options that you don’t necessarily need and you could save by switching your accounts. Investigate each banks fees and work out which bank can offer you the options you need at the best price.
Tip 15 – Retirement Savings
You should never use your retirement savings to solve a difficult financial problem that arises. Seek professional financial advice before using your retirement money. Often it is a lot easier to see solutions to a problem if you are not directly involved in it. A financial professional will be able to assess your situation in an unbiased way. They will be able to give you options and offer advice that you may not have thought of yourself.
Conclusion
Although it can seem tough to get on top of your personal finances, with commitment and consistency it really is possible to get a handle on everything and improve your situation. Remember each little step you take will add up to big savings in the long run!
