At some point in our life, we've all felt the strain of keeping up with our monthly bills.
Understandably, not everyone has the opportunity or time to take up another job to increase their income. Also, not all of us are able to start some "side-gig" after our work hours. However, if you're trying to make your paycheck last longer, you can enjoy extra savings by making some simple changes around the house and in your lifestyle.
In this post, we've summarized some easy and smart ways to save money in your everyday life.
Hopefully, this will help you and your dear ones.
TL;DR
- Avoid plastic as much as possible
- Try different meal recipes on your own
- Utilize your space, grow some kitchen items and repurpose leftovers
- Use homemade cleaning solutions
- Reduce your energy usage (some easy hacks)
- Shop smartly and mindfully (two secret tips)
- Bring some positive changes in your lifestyle
Keep reading to learn all our tips.
1. Stop buying bottled water
This is the first thing you can do.
Bottled water may seem inexpensive, but it adds up over time. Not to mention, single-use plastic is a huge problem for our planet. You can cut back this expense as well as waste simply by purchasing a water filter. Use a refillable water bottle and stop creating plastic waste.
2. Work on your cooking skills
Truth is: it's not that difficult to cook healthy and delicious meals at home. You just need to spend a little time and have some patience.
Why would you spend so much on eating out?
Start working on your cooking skills to enjoy home-cooked meals. Meal prepping is an excellent way to save time and money on home-cooked meals. You can buy ingredients in bulk and set aside a few hours on the weekend to cook. Cooking meals for the week also allows you to stick to a healthy and nutritious diet. There are a lot of useful YouTube channels where you'll find a diverse range of quick-meal and healthy recipes. Also, there are services like Chef's Plate who deliver fresh ingredients at your home so that you can cook delicious meals following their recipes.
3. Grow essential herbs at home
Stop wasting your money on herbs that wilt within a few days. Grow some essential herbs like Basil, Parsley, Rosemary, Thyme, etc., to elevate your dishes. Even if you live in a tiny apartment, you can easily keep a couple of potted herbs on a window sill.
4. Repurpose leftovers
Throwing away leftovers are just unnecessary food waste. Firstly, you should make it a habit to refrigerate leftovers in airtight containers properly, so they stay good for at least a few days. There are many ways you can repurpose leftovers in other meals. For example, you can use last night's rice in a breakfast burrito or make it into fried rice for lunch. Also, you can get started with indoor composting and help your garden and even your community.
5. Use homemade cleaning products
Making cleaning products at home is relatively easy, as well as cost-effective. Homemade cleaning products also allow you to control the ingredients used and ensure the products are safe and free from harsh chemicals. Moreover, homemade cleaning products are usually environmentally-friendly, which is a bonus.
6. Wear extra layers
It's a simple trick.
You can save a significant amount of money on your electricity bills by dialing back your thermostat a couple of degrees. During the winter months, wear extra layers indoors to keep yourself warm instead of cracking up the heating.
7. Run full loads
Whether you are washing clothes or dishes, make it a habit to run your appliances only when there is a full load. If you just have a few dishes, you can wash them by hand. Moreover, avoid operating heavy energy-using appliances during peak hours.
Read more: How to make your laundry routine more eco-friendly
8. Find an affordable energy plan
If you're tired of paying one high energy bill after another, it's probably time to find a better energy plan for your home. Compare energy retailers in your area and switch to a more affordable energy plan if you have the opportunity. If you're looking for a competitively-priced plan, check out AGL electricity rates, if they cover your area.
9. Unplug phantom devices
Phantom or vampire devices are notorious for consuming energy despite being turned off. Make sure you are unplugging such devices after use to prevent unnecessary energy loss. Understandably, unplugging and replugging devices can be a hassle. You may consider installing a smart power strip to automate the task.
10. Check the insulation in your house
Poor insulation leads to energy loss and high electricity bills. Check your home's insulation to ensure there are no leaks or gaps. Upgrade your insulation for long-term energy savings. That's more cost-effective in the long run.
11. Save Money by Shopping mindfully
Whether you're shopping for groceries or clothes, being mindful about your spending will help you avoid wasteful spending. One way to ensure you don't buy things you don't need is by making a shopping list and sticking to it. When you are shopping for groceries, it's better to plan out meals for the week so you don't end up buying unnecessary items.
Related: 9 simple tips for mindful shopping
12. Go thrifting
Whether you are looking for decor pieces for your home or a new outfit, you can easily buy a wide variety of things at highly discounted prices in thrift stores. Platforms like Depop and Facebook Marketplace are also a great way to find pre-owned items.
13. Try free sources of entertainment
Streaming platforms have become the prime source of entertainment for many households. However, the subscription fees aren't particularly cheap, especially when you're trying to stretch your paycheck.
You should look for alternative sources of entertainment that don't cost anything. Take a relaxing walk in the park or look for free events in your neighbourhood. Try constructive online forums and platforms like Meetup or start visiting your local library. You'll find a lot of free events there.
14. Make the most of online discounts
Gone are the days when you had to wait for end-of-season discounts or Black Fridays to enjoy price drops.
With the influx of e-retailers, you can access offers and deals virtually any time of the year. Before purchasing, take a few extra minutes to find a discount code. You can also use trusted Chrome extensions like Honey to track price drops and find coupons. Be careful at entering your credit cards information on such website or online services, though.
15. Learn simple repairs
There's always a leaky tap or something that needs to be mounted on the wall. Hiring a handyman seems like the obvious solution, by why pay someone when you can do it yourself? You can easily learn simple repairs from YouTube tutorials and blogs. In addition to household repairs, you can also teach yourself how to change your car's oil. It's actually not that hard!
16. Follow a monthly budget planner
Do you know exactly where you're spending your money?
If you haven't been tracking your expenses, it's time to start. Come up with a reasonable budget plan that you can "actually" follow without making too many compromises. Having all your expenses in front of you will help you recognize and eliminate wasteful expenditure.
17. Workout at home
Have you barely used your gym membership?
Instead of throwing so much money down the drain, cancel your membership and instead start working out at home. There are many YouTube channels and apps offering a wide range of workout routines for free!
You also have the option to go for a run, which doesn't cost a thing.
18. Quit bad habits
Do you smoke or drink regularly?
Such habits are not only injurious to your health but to your wallet as well. It would be unrealistic to expect anyone to quit overnight. But try your best to slowly give up smoking and drinking for better health and finances.
19. Get a roommate!
"Seriously?"
Yes.
Only if you have a spare bedroom or living space and are comfortable with this. Eventually, you'll realize why it's worthwhile to consider renting that out.
First of all, having a roommate (or part-time tenant) will allow you to split essential expenses. However, if you are not comfortable with this, you may consider putting your spare room on Airbnb or any other temporary rental platform for the weekends. That's not a great solution but hey, you'll get some extra bucks.
In the end...
You don't have to alter your current lifestyle drastically to increase your savings. Being mindful of your everyday spending, tracking your expenses and following a strict budget can bring a noticeable change in your finances. Hopefully, the tips above will help you adopt better spending habits and save money on a daily basis.
If you have more tips from your experiences, please share in the comment section below and spread the word.
Photo by Micheile Henderson on Unsplash
