Here are 7 quick and easy tips to help you save money.
No matter what your financial situation is, it is possible to save at least a little money with some of these tips. There are literally hundreds of ways to save money, these 7 tricks and tips pull from a variety of areas of spending and saving.
1.) Start a savings account.
Better yet, start an automatic savings account. Have money deducted weekly or monthly from your checking account and placed into an interest bearing savings account.
If you have your work paychecks deposited via direct deposit to checking you can open a savings account before setting up the direct deposit. Then when you set it up, have some of your paycheck deposited directly into your savings account so it doesn’t pass through your hands or checking account first.
2.) Pay of credit card bills in full.
If you have existing credit card debt and can pay it off in full, do it. If you still are working on bringing down your credit card balances, stop spending on the card until you’ve paid the card off.
If you have a credit card and you use it regularly, treat it like a debit card and only spend what you can afford to pay off at the end of the month. By doing so, you’ll have more than enough to cover the monthly bill, avoid interest and fees, and even make a few extra bucks if your card has cash rewards.
3.) Do price comparisons online before buying large purchases.
Do research online before going out and buying a purchase that costs a considerable amount of money.
Why online?
Because you’ll save time and money by staying home to check prices and do product research. Plus you’ll be able to comparison shop side by side with thousands of products right on your home computer. You may end up finding an incredible deal online or find a store that sells the item cheaper.
4.) Cut back a little on going out.
You don’t have to shut down your social life to save money. Rather look to reduce spending when going out to eat or out with friends. Do you really need a large popcorn every time you go to the movies? Do you always need to get a second beer while out to dinner?
These small reductions add up and will save you money on your entertainment and eating out spending without having to give it up completely. Want to save even more? Go out one night a month less than last month and you’ll save a nice chunk of change.
5.) Cut coupons and look for sales on everyday purchases.
You don’t have to spend hours comparison shopping for juice, but taking the time to clip some coupons, check store fliers, or take advantage of in-store offers can save you a few extra dollars each time you go shopping.
Consider purchasing items your regularly use when they are on sale such as buy 1 get 1 free sales. Items with long shelf lives can be bought in bulk and stored until you need to use them when buying them at the sale price.
6.) Save change.
Empty you pockets, purses, and cup holders from time to time. Take that change and stash it in a can or coin bank. When it fills up, take it to a bank that will count it for free and either take the cash or deposit the change directly into your bank account.
Don’t hesitate to pick up some loose change laying around either. You’d be surprised how much change ends up just laying around places.
7.) Don’t spend your whole paycheck week to week.
This may sound obvious to some people, but you’d be surprised how many people get stuck in the paycheck to paycheck rut over and over. Just because you are getting paid (or hoping to get paid) again in a week or two, doesn’t mean you should run out and buy everything possible with the paycheck you just got.
Put it in the bank and spend it as you need to or in moderation. More money may be coming next week or the week after, but act like the check you just got could be your last and save some of the money.
You’ll slowly end up building up extra’ money in your bank accounts and will slowly feel the paycheck to paycheck stranglehold loosening up.