Are you looking for new and simple ways to save more money each week? Well, we have a list of easy ways that help you save by making only slight changes to your routine:
- Unused Accounts:
You are probably signed up for a ton of monthly services that you forget about, especially if the payments are automatically withdrawn. A great way to start saving more money is to get rid of any unused accounts. This means canceling any monthly subscriptions services that you don’t need or even decreasing your data plan on your cellphone bill; however, review your recent usage first to make sure you won’t get a fine in the future by going over your limit.
- Free Activities:
It can be difficult to find fun things to do that are free, especially in winter, if you are on a tight budget. Before stepping out, do some research on what free activities your city offers. You may be surprised at just how much you can do and see without spending any money. Check out this list of free U.S. museums and this list of free entrance days in national parks.
- Vegetarian Meals:
Even if you aren’t a vegetarian, opting to have vegetarian-only meals a few times a week will save you on groceries and eating out. Meat is usually more expensive in grocery stores and meals containing meat cost more in restaurants. If you stick to eating more fruits and veggies, you won’t have to spend as much on food on a weekly basis.
- Buying in Bulk
When it comes to buying items you use on a regular basis such as groceries and toiletries, you will save more money if you buy these things in bulk instead of buying them individually every time you need more. Stores like BJ's Wholesale Club and Costco Wholesale allow you to buy many household items in bulk so that you are not only saving time, but you are paying less.
- Wait for Large Purchases:
If you are planning on making any large purchases, hold off until the end of the month. Most retailers have a quota they need to make for each month so items that have not been sold will be marked down in an effort to clear their inventory. This trick works especially well when buying a car.
- Using Cash:
Another good trick to save money is to use cash instead of your debit or credit cards. With cash, you can keep an eye on exactly what you are spending. When it comes to using debit cards, it can be easy to lose track of how much money you have, which can cause you to overspend and fall victim to overdraft fees. With credit cards, you may not be able to pay back the bill on time, causing you to pay even more (though, if you’re good about paying off your balance on time and in full, you can reap the benefits of credit card rewards).
- Loyalty Programs:
If there are certain stores and restaurants that you frequently go to, look to see if they have any loyalty programs. Many loyalty programs will offer you something for free or a discounted price just for signing up. You can get exclusive deals as well as earn points towards future purchases every time you shop.
- “No Spending” Days:
Each week, designate one or two days as “no spending” days. On these days, vow to not spend any money at all and you will quickly start racking up. Not only can you save money by doing this, but you will get a better sense of how much money might be wasted in the past, and pick up tips to go about your day without spending on things you don’t need.