Sneaky Ways To Save Money
With inflation sweeping the nation I don’t know about you, but I’m looking for small ways to save in my monthly budget. But even if you’re trying to stretch your budget further, it doesn’t mean you should cut back on the things you love. That’s why I’ve put together a list of sneaky ways you can save money month after month without even realizing it!
Review Subscriptions—When was the last time you logged into Netflix or used your gym membership? Too many people are making monthly payments on subscriptions they’re not even using. Go through your bank statement and trim the fat. Think of things like streaming services, box-of-the-month memberships and subscription clubs/organizations. If you aren’t using it, stop paying for it!
Buy Generic—Big brands like Kellogg’s and Nestle are fun to buy at the grocery store. But did you know most grocery items have a generic or “store brand” that’s basically the same thing? Most of the time you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between the original brand and its more cost-effective store-brand alternative. Just make sure you’re comparing size and price to ensure you’re getting the best deal every time.
Make Meal Plans—While we’re already talking about saving money at the grocery store. Let’s talk about the easiest way to save money when grocery shopping. Make a meal plan, write a list and stick to it while you’re shopping—that’s the best way to ensure you don’t overspend on impulse purchases. Plus, meal planning will help you eat healthier, more well-rounded meals if that’s a goal of yours too.
Use Cash—If you’re anything like me, using a debit or credit card can sometimes feel like using monopoly money. I understand that money is getting taken from my account, but I never see it, so I don’t feel the loss—which can lead to overspending and impulse purchases. Using cash is an easy way to help contextualize your money and force you to re-think every purchase before it happens.
Re-evaluate Your Insurance—I’m not saying to cancel your insurance, but a lot of people don’t realize they’re not getting the best rate. Evaluate your current plan and determine if it’s the most cost-effective option for you. If it isn’t, don’t be afraid to shop around. If you find a cheaper rate for the same or even better coverage, that’s an easy way to save more money.
Saving money doesn’t have to be hard. Nor should you need to make major sacrifices in your budget to do so. Just pick two of these ideas to try, and you’ll be amazed how much money you can get back in your budget each month.