You know how it goes. Your bills pile up, your paycheck seems smaller every time, and it feels like there’s just never enough money to live comfortably. We’ve all been there. The good news is that with some strategies, you could start saving money on all those everyday purchases that drain your bank account.
In this blog post, you’re going to learn money-saving tips to spend less on necessities such as groceries, fuel, clothes, entertainment, and more. Small changes that will make a huge difference. Ready to keep more money in your pocket without sacrificing the essentials? With effort, master the art of saving on the everyday things you need to live. So read on to pick up easy ways to make your dollars last!
Make a Budget and Stick to It
To have your personal finance under control, you need to know exactly how much money exactly is coming in and going out each month. Take time to list your monthly income from all sources. Then, track your expenses—everything from rent to Netflix to coffee runs. Find expenses you can reduce or eliminate, such as eating out or unused subscriptions.
Pay Off Your Debt
If you have high-interest debt such as credit card debt, make paying it off a priority. Even paying a small amount extra each month saves money long term. Try the “snowball method”: Pay off your smallest balance first, then roll that payment into the next smallest balance.
Budget for occasional splurges
It’s okay to budget for non-essentials occasionally, just do so responsibly. Give yourself a monthly allowance to spend things like dining out, entertainment, and hobbies. When that category is spent for the month, avoid further splurging until next month’s allowance.
Making a budget and switching your spending habits likely feels tedious, but the payoff of getting your finances under control and saving money on everyday costs is huge. Stick to your budget, pay off your debt, trim away unnecessary expenses, and budget for responsible splurges.
Meal Plan and Cook at Home
Next — you’re going to want to give meal planning a go.
Plan Meals
Meal planning is essential to saving money on food. Take time each week and plan out your meals for the next 7 days. Make a grocery list from your meal plan and only buy what’s on your list. This avoids wasting money on impulse purchases and ensures you have everything you need for your home-cooked meals.
Cook More - Dine Less
Cooking at home is so much more budget-friendly than eating out. A meal you cook at home costs an average of $4 a person, while a meal at a restaurant is $12 a person or more. That’s a huge difference that really adds up over time. Challenge yourself to cook one or two extra meals at home each week. Your high yield savings accounts are sure to thank you.
Using Leftovers
Cook once, eat twice – or more! When you cook a meal at home, make extra and use the leftovers. Leftovers are perfect for lunches, or reheat them for a quick dinner next night. You’ve already paid for the ingredients, so using them again saves you money. Leftovers also reduce food waste, which helps your environment.
Shop Store Brand Items
Name brands aren’t always better, they’re just more expensive. Choose store brand items instead. Many times, they’re just as good as name brands at a reduced price. Things such as rice, beans, pasta and canned goods are all good options for store brands. You will hardly notice the difference, but your savings could very well add up significantly over time.
Eating at home and planning your meals are two of the easiest ways to save money everyday on essentials. With some simple strategies, you’re going to be keeping more cash in your pocket.
Shop Discount Grocery Stores & Shop Bulk
When it comes to saving money on essentials, two of the best strategies are grocery shopping at discount stores and buying in bulk.
Discount Stores
Stores like Aldi, Lidl, and Grocery Outlet offer steep discounts on everyday items. Find staples such as rice, beans, oats, and nuts for up to 50% less than traditional stores. Be flexible in the brands you buy and you can save a bundle. Check discount stores first when stocking your pantry.
For perishables like produce, meat, and dairy, shop sales and use coupons at your local stores to get the best deals. Discount grocers typically don’t have the best selection of fresh foods. Buy only what you need and meal plan around the ingredients to avoid waste.
Shopping Bulk
Purchase non-perishable groceries in large sizes and you’re automatically going to be saving money. Stock up on things like:
Rice and grains: Look for 10- to 20-pound bags.
Dried beans and lentils: Buy 2- to 5-pound bags.
Nuts and seeds: Look for bags over 10 ounces.
Oils: Buy large gallon or half-gallon containers.
Pasta: Look for 1- to 5-pound boxes.
Not everything is cheaper in bulk, so compare unit prices. And only buy what you can use before the expiration date.
Shopping or online shopping discount stores could save 40% or more on your grocery bill. Some stores even offer loyalty programs or a cash-back credit card helping you save even more!
Trim Away at Transportation Costs
Your daily commute and errands around town could add up if you’re not careful. There are a couple ways to reduce on what you spend getting from point A to point B.
Fuel is one of the biggest expenses for most people. Compare gas prices in your area to find the cheapest station, and fill up there when possible. You should also try to combine errands into one trip to avoid excess driving. Another option is to use a gas station rewards program to save a few cents per gallon.
Public transit is an affordable and eco-friendly alternative if it’s available in your area. Bus or rail passes can save you money versus paying each time you ride. If you drive to work, see if there’s a way to carpool with coworkers who live nearby. You can split the cost of gas and also gain the benefit of the carpool lane during rush hour.
Ride-sharing services charge less than taxis or rental cars. Look for promo codes from companies like Lyft or Uber to get a percentage or dollar amount off your first few rides. Once you start using the services regularly, you may be offered additional discounts and rewards.
When it comes to longer trips, compare the fares of trains, busses, and budget airlines before booking expensive plane tickets or renting a car. You could discover huge savings, especially if you book in advance. Look into budget travel sites where you can sometimes find really good deals on transportation.
Making a couple changes to how you get around each day leads to a bigger separate savings account (hopefully a high-yield savings account). Focus on options that fit your needs and budget.
Saving Money? Apply to EASY Wireless' FREE Phone Plan
If you’re reading this blog, you’re likely facing some sort of financial hardship trying to save cash. Don’t worry — it happens. Luckily, EASY Wireless is here to help!
Partnering with programs such as Lifeline & ACP, we’re offering FREE phones with data to eligible individuals just like yourself. Whether you’re needing to keep in touch with friends & family or you want to save on your current plan, here’s what we’re offering:
EASY Wireless Unlimited Plan
FREE Unlimited Data
FREE Unlimited Talk
FREE Unlimited Text
FREE SIM Card Kit and Activation
Choose to Keep Your Number or Get a New One
To start with EASY Wireless, apply online by clicking the below:
Start Saving Today!
Or you can come to one of the EASY Wireless’s retail stores, where our customer service agent will help you apply for your benefits.
