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If you’re struggling with your finances and want to start saving real money, you need to learn to be a little more savvy with your spending.
Chances are, if you take a close look at what you spend each week, there are a lot of things that you don’t actually need and that you could even make yourself for absolutely free!
Of course, life is for living and It’s not a good idea to cut out all the things you lovebut moderation is key here. There are many spendy items that we are guilty of buying without really thinking. By being more informed, you can cut costs, keep cash in your pocket, and in some ways, do your bit for the environment!
you can start with create a budgetbut if you just want to jump straight to work, you can cut some expenses right away to save money starting today.
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If you need a quick motivation to save money, here are 12 things I managed to save money on when I stopped buying them regularly.
Less Coffee
A delicious coffee from Starbucks every morning may be your treat before work, but have you ever thought about how much it all costs in a week?
As a remedy, reduce your consumption to once a week – perfect on friday – in the rest of the time, make your own coffee at home and take it in a reusable cup. Instant money saving!
Potential savings – $70 per month
Save on Bottled Water
Plastic bottles are toxic to our planet – have you seen how much plastic litters our oceans now? Also, a bottle of water is collected every day during the week.
Instead, use water from home and carry it with you in a reusable cup. Just buy a filter for your home’s water supply and you’re good to go. If you need motivation to save money for this, just think about the oceans.
You can find it too cheap filtered water bottles bring to work.
Potential savings – up to $105 per month (for a family of 4)
Stop Subscriptions to Magazines
It often seems like subscribing to magazines will save you money, but do you really need all of those subscriptions? Do you have time to read them all?
Instead, download them individually and when, and it will surely make you stop and think twice before spending the money. Subscriptions often leave your bank account without you realizing it, and over time it can add up to a large amount.
Potential savings – depends on the number of subscriptions
Shaving creams
Sure, it’s nice to have smooth and silky skin after shaving, but did you know you can get the same results just by using soap? That’s right!
Shaving creams cost a small fortune and are marketed to sound like you’ll be a god or goddess after using them – the truth is, you’ll be no different! Stick to soap and save some money.
Potential savings – $8 per month
Makeup Remover Wipes
Did you know that baby wipes do exactly the same thing as makeup wipes that are specifically marketed? You know the ones – the expensive ones loaded with all sorts of additives.
Basic baby wipes do the same thing but even better, why not skip the wipes altogether and use a little coconut oil on a cotton wool pad? Same results, money saved!
My wife even prefers baby wipes + coconut oil because it makes her skin smooth. I can attest to that!
Potential savings – $12 per month
Packaged Foods
When you get home after a long day at work, it’s hard to think about starting to cook, but microwaved prepackaged meals are so unhealthy and so expensive. If you want motivation to save your money and your health, check out the ingredients list, it doesn’t make for great reading!
You can try to prepare Sunday dinner. At home, we do it as a family affair and we love it. We always know that we will have healthy tasty food at a cheap price.
It’s cheaper to buy fresh meat and ingredients and make your own meals, and you can even freeze leftovers for another day.
Potential savings – 180 dollars per month (per person)
Paperback and hardcover books
Reading is great and a fantastic way to spend your time, but even if you download e-books, books are very expensive these days. Instead, visit your local library and borrow books instead.
It’s free, you can read the book, and honestly, a book in your hand feels so much better than an e-reader! If you prefer digital books, you can often borrow e-books from libraries.
Potential savings – depends on the number of books
TV Subscriptions
Cable TV channels are so expensive to subscribe to these days, and we seem to think we need a million and one channels to consume in order to feel complete. You don’t need a million channels and why not subscribe to Netflix every month instead? It’s cheap, has a lot on it, and is always updated.
Potential savings – 50-160 dollars
Order takeout and eat out
I’ve developed a love for cooking at home, especially when I’m motivated to save money! Buying fresh ingredients and making your own meals is cheaper than buying and expensive (and usually unhealthy) food or going out to eat at a restaurant.
When you eat out, you’re more likely to order more courses and probably more wine than you really need.
I’ve also started making my own lunch at home and taking it to work with me – an instant money saver on expensive (and usually pretty dry) sandwiches from the local deli.
Potential savings – 60 dollars
Cards for special occasions
A few years ago, if you didn’t send greeting cards for birthdays, Christmas, and other events, you could be ostracized from your social circle, but I’ve stopped doing that now.
I’m sending ecards instead – they’re free, easier, and they’re animated too! What’s the point of spending money on a card that will probably end up in the trash anyway?
Nail Treatments
I know it’s nice to get your nails done, but have you ever stopped to add up the cost of those regular appointments? I did and it’s amazing!
My husband recently started doing this – he bought himself a set of gel nails and now I do them myself. He learned a new skill and I saved a lot of money.
Potential savings – $80/month (2 sessions per month)
Landline phone
Who uses a landline anymore? Maybe it’s out of habit, but you never use it. Cancel and stick to your cell phone.
Most people only use their mobile phones these days, and if you choose the right provider, you’ll get free calls to the same network. Shop around and find the best deal, but say goodbye to that landline!
Potential savings $60 per month
As you can see, finding the motivation to save money isn’t about making massive, radical changes to your lifestyle, it’s about just being smart and cutting out or reducing unnecessary things in life.
By adding all the above ingredients, you can save about $625 every month.
Trying to save more? What items are you planning to stop buying to save more?
