To save more money is something many of us aspire to do. However, between the daily grind, never-ending bills, and life’s small surprises, saving often takes a backseat. The good news is there are easy ways to spend less and stash more each month without feeling deprived.
With a couple simple lifestyle tweaks, you can save money each year to put towards your savings goals. Best part? You won’t even miss the money. Ready to start funding your savings in an easy & simple way? This blog post will show you some simple money saving tips to get you started. Before you know it, your savings accounts could be bigger than ever!
Budgeting Basics – How to Start Saving Money
Step 1 to save money is creating a realistic, monthly budget. List your income sources and expenses to see where your money is going each month. Look for expenses to reduce or eliminate and set limits for each category. Once you have a budget, track your spending for a couple months to make sure you’re staying on track.
There are budgeting apps that automatically sync to your accounts to track spending in real time. These tools make budgeting easy and help hold you accountable. Saving money may require some sacrifices and discipline but will give you more financial freedom and stability in the long run as long as you stick to it.
Reducing Everyday Expenses – Ways to Cut Costs on Food, Entertainment, Etc.
Cutting costs on everyday expenses is easier than you might think. Some tips to get you started:
Eat in more often and shop smarter
Grocery shopping and cooking meals at home is one of the biggest money savers compared to eating at restaurants. Fruits and veggies that are in season are usually cheaper. Stock up on sales and freeze or preserve extras. Shop sales on meat and pantry staples too, and avoid pre-cut or packaged fruits and veggies which can cost more.
Find free or low-cost entertainment
Start controlling your spending habits by cancelling of unused subscriptions, there are many free activities you can check out. Check your library for free movie, book, and audiobook rentals. Many museums have free or discounted admission days each month. Explore parks, hiking and biking trails in your area. Have friends over for a game night in. Look for free community events like festivals, concerts, or craft fairs.
Cheaper Alternatives – Store Brands, DIY Options, Etc.
Store brand alternatives are typically cheaper in price but a similar product to name brands. Don’t assume the name brand is always better. Compare ingredients and reviews to find affordable options that suit your needs.
DIY Food
For DIY, consider making things yourself that you would normally buy pre-made. Things such as coffee, baked goods, cleaning supplies, and personal care products can all be made at home for a fraction of the cost. Search online for simple recipes to get started. Making your own doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Even swapping out a few store-bought items each week can add up to huge monthly savings.
Buy Groceries in Bulk
Buy in bulk when possible and look for the best unit price. Larger sizes are often cheaper per unit of measurement. Stock up on non-perishables and staples you know you will use. Just make sure you have enough storage space and will use the item before its expiration date.
Making a couple simple changes to your regular spending habits can have a significant effect on your budget. Choose to spend on what really matters to you and look for ways to reduce spending on everything else.
Making Some Extra Money – Side Hustles and Passive Income Opportunities
Making extra money on the side with a side hustle or passive income stream doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with a simple idea and build from there. Everything helps when saving money. If you’re looking for an extra income, here’re a couple easy ways to make some extra money on the side:
- Driving for rideshare or food delivery services: If you have a reliable car, consider signing up to drive for companies like Uber/UberEats. You can make around $10-15/hour in your spare time on the weekends or evenings
- Participating in paid studies: Companies are always looking for people to provide opinions and insights into new products and ideas. You can sign up with a market research firm to participate in focus groups, online surveys, and product testing in exchange for cash or gift cards. Studies typically pay $50-200 for 1-2 hours of your time
- Online tutoring: Harness your skills and knowledge to help students learn and earn money in the process. Many sites allow you to set your own rates to tutor students online in various school subjects or music lessons
- Selling your unwanted items: Go around your attic, basement, garage, and closets and bring out items you no longer want or need. Price items reasonably and you can make a couple hundred to a couple thousand dollars clearing out the clutter in your home. Meet buyers in a public place for larger items!
Investing and Retirement Planning – Growing Your Money Over Time
What if we told you that you could save money over the long run with investing and planning for retirement? Here are some tips to get you started:
Take advantage of employer matching.
If your employer offers a 401(k) match, contribute at least enough to get the maximum match. That’s free money that can really add up over time through compound interest.
Start now, time is on your side.
The sooner you start investing, the more time your money has to grow through the power of compounding interest. Even contributing a small amount to a retirement or savings account each month can go a long way to save money over 40-50 years. Look for banks that offer a high yield savings account.
If you’re receiving direct deposit into your checking account, some bank accounts allow you to set up an amount or percentage to automatically transfer into savings. If possible, keep an emergency fund in your bank account for things such as living expenses or credit card debt. You could have a separate savings account for this!
Rebalance periodically.
Check on your investments and your bank balance often and rebalance as needed to maintain your extra cash or savings goal. Make sure your money is working as hard as possible for you.
With patience and persistence, you can build your wealth over time. Time and the power of compounding interest are on your side. Start with what you can and keep working at it—your future self will thank you!
Want a FREE Phone Plan to Help Save Money?
We understand saving money isn’t easy. But luckily — EASY Wireless is here to help save money! That’s right! We’re offering FREE phones to qualifying individuals.
Thanks to government programs such as Lifeline & ACP, were able to offer some incredible connectivity benefits to stay in touch with friends & family or simply save some cash on your bill each month. here’re the benefits EASY Wireless offers:
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!
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
