Looking to save? Aren’t we all? With the economy the way it is, it can be difficult to know where to trim down or stop spending. Here are some tips to help you save some cash, but still enjoy life and live happily while you are at it.
• Cook at home often. It’s cheaper than regularly eating out. Save eating out for the weekends or when it’s unavoidable.
• Buy generic products. You don’t NEED to have name brand products or clothing, but do keep in mind to buy quality.
• Avoid impulse buying. It’s easy, when you see something you want, to buy it right then and there, but a little bit of patience can pay off and ensures that you get the right thing at a good price.
• Ride your bike and avoid the car. If it’s convenient for you and you live close to where you work or study, ride the bike. It saves you from spending money on petrol, which, let’s face it, is one of the biggest uses of our money.
• Keep an eye on your plugs. Anything you have plugged in, even when it’s turned off is still using power. Unplug your computers, mobile phones and microwaves when not in use.
• Book holidays or trips early. You can get great deals on flights and trips if you book in advance.
• Walk more, take transportation less. Most public transport is not that expensive, but it does add up. If your desired destination is close, say a couple of kilometres, why not walk? It’s healthier and may save you quite a bit of cash.
• Cut down on drinking. Cringe. Easier said than done, but drinks aren’t as cheap as we’d like them to be and people don’t usually end the night with just drinking one. You can end up spending quite a bit of your savings by giving in to “just one more”.
• Quit smoking. Cringe. Again. But smoking is a BIG money spender. If you’re used to smoking a lot and are wondering “where did my money go”? Well, check out that little box in your hand.
• Spend less time on the phone. Phone bills can be costly. Spend more time communicating with your internet connection, which you need for other uses anyway, through Skype, Facebook or email.