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Another big goal this year could be saving money. It could be creating a nest egg for retirement. Saving for a new car or a house. Or just saving, so you don't have to live paycheck to paycheck. Whatever your reason is, make sure it is evident to you and the people you live with because if everyone knows your goals, it helps you make it real, and it helps them realize what you are making a priority in your life. So you don't need to be ashamed. You deserve to think about you for a change. So, I give you permission to go to the highest rooftops and share your goals with the world.
Jump to:
- Cut online services you may not be using.
- Find challenges to help you save money.
- Sell stuff in your home that is unused and people want.
- Use reward cards, online coupons, and app coupons to save you money.
- Organizing your pantry and planning your meals will help you save on groceries each week.
- Share Entertaining Costs.
- Look for FREE Entertaining Activities.
- Quit habits that cost money.
- Start a budget
- Bring lunch every day
- Brew Your Own Coffee
- Start Buying Generic Brands
- Reduce the Recurring Charges
- And, lastly, Reduce energy usage.
Cut online services you may not be using.
Comb through your credit card and bank statements and find unused services you can cancel. Remember, it doesn't have to be forever. You can set it up again later after you reach your goal.
Find challenges to help you save money.
There are many "Saving Money Challenges" you can choose from online. Here are just a few I found from other bloggers. Look for challenges with printables so you can determine what you need to do each week.
52-Week Money Challenge by Rocket Money
Fidelity 52 Week Money Challenge
Tip: Set up auto-transfer for the amount you want to transfer and add it to your "Bills" in your money management software. Even though it is not a bill, think of it that way so you get into the habit of paying it every month.
Sell stuff in your home that is unused and people want.
This task may not be the easiest thing to do, but it will help you in two ways: It will help you save money quicker, and it will reduce clutter in your home. It's a win-win. Don't you agree? Start by finding an item in your home and then search online to see what people have been buying. Try eBayor Craigslist. Be sure you are safe (Affiliate Link), and never let anyone come to your home to buy something. Meet at a location that is familiar to you and bring someone with you just in case. You can even have a yard sale. This task will take some planning, however.
Use reward cards, online coupons, and app coupons to save you money.
There are many apps out there that will help you save money. Some I like are my local grocery stores, Target's Cartwheel, Walmart's coupon website. Some years ago, I created a list of sites I would visit before going shopping to make sure I had all the coupons I could use. Did you know that some stores allow you to use two coupons on one purchase? Yes, it's true. You can use a manufacturer coupon and a store coupon on the same items. Check your store's policies or ask the cashier.
Organizing your pantry and planning your meals will help you save on groceries each week.
We forget what we have when we can't see it. So make sure your pantry (Affiliate Link) is organized with all the like items together. This task will help you quickly figure out what you need and not buy duplicates unnecessarily. Feel free to visit my organizing your pantry posts to help you when you take on this task.
Below are some of my posts about meal planning.
Spring Sale: Receive an extra 10% off discount with code LEAP
HOW TO MAKE A MEAL PLANNING SYSTEM THAT WORKS
SPEED UP THE WEEKNIGHT COOKING CHALLENGE
If you are a social eater, consider inviting friends and family over for a potluck luncheon. Everyone brings one dish, and each person can enjoy the other people's meals. If you like to reach out at lunchtime, try bagging a fun lunch for two and sharing it with a friend, so you also help them save money.
Look for FREE Entertaining Activities.
Kids entertain easily. Check your local paper for activities to take the kids. Or better yet, get your kids into nature. Find a hiking trail to take them when they just need to get out. Visit our low-cost date night tips post for a list of activities.
Quit habits that cost money.
Yes, I know you may not think drinking a wine glass a day isn't hitting your pocket. But it is. What about the cigarettes that you buy? How much do you spend on them? How often do you buy them? Even if you cut back on this habita little at first, that will automatically help you save money. Do the math; you will see a difference in your savings right away.
Start a budget
Everything has its price, and knowing how much comes in and goes out each month is key (Affiliate Link) to managing your money and saving money as well. Creating a useful home management binder where you can write down everything from budget to chores is key (Affiliate Link) to keeping everything running smoothly. For your convenience, I created a free ebook called "How to Make a Useful Home Management Binder." I also share the step-by-step instructions on how to make the binder itself in this "THE EASY WAY TO MAKE A DIY HOME MANAGEMENT BINDER FOR YOUR HOME" post. Spend some time gathering all the numbers together, which will awaken you to the issues that you have.
Bring lunch every day
Buying lunch or dinner each day will bleed your money dry each month. Instead, decide on five to seven recipes you can make and enjoy for lunch the next day. If you have a microwave at work, you are set. You can easily heat things up there. If not, you can buy insulated containers that can stay warm for hours. My father, who was an electrician, would bring soup and bread to work in a coffee Thermos (Affiliate Link).
Brew Your Own Coffee
Buy your own coffee for as little as $2.00 per 12-oz cup. If you do this for the entire year, you can save $300 per year.
Start Buying Generic Brands
If there is a vitamin you need or medicine you take, pick the ones that are generic. If there are groceries you buy, pick the store brand instead. Store brands are usually at least 10% or more cheaper than the other brands.
Reduce the Recurring Charges
Do you know where your recurring charges are and how much they are? Creating a list of these recurring charges and autopay charges and the date they renew yearly or monthly. There can also be a column for if you can cancel it to use later when you want to reduce cost.
It's helpful to have a column that allows you to write the bank or credit card number on it (the last four digits work nicely) so you know which associated card or bank you used.
You should also track your recurring money charges somewhere as well. This can be added to your budget sheet or on a separate piece of paper or file.
Feel free to get a free copy of the printable by signing up for my newsletter.
And, lastly, Reduce energy usage.
Start by walking instead of driving. Try lowering your thermostat when you are not at home. Take shorter showers. Turn lights off and unplug appliances when they are not in use. All these little tasks will add to significant savings.
Spring Sale: Receive an extra 10% off discount with code LEAP
Well, there you have it. Hopefully, this gives you easy ways to save money. If you want, feel free to share the reason you want to save money this year below. I would love to hear about it. I hope youachieveyour goals with little sacrifice.
Review more of our money management posts for more tips!
- Friendly Reminder: It's Time to Organize Your Tax Return Papers
- How Long to Keep Tax Records and How to Organize Them
- How to Organize Christmas Gifts Easily
- 5 Tips to Get Your Home Ready for Thanksgiving
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