There’s a misconception out there that savers are very tight with their money. While some people build up their savings by being frugal, there are others who are simply smart with their money.
Being able to save money doesn’t always mean cutting your budget. There are ways you can become a saver by making some small changes that won’t see you cutting out the fun parts of your budget.
Learn to become a saver without cutting your budget thanks to these useful tips.
Ditch your dead spending
While you don’t have to cut your budget to build up some savings, it does pay to cut your ‘dead’ spending. This is spending on things that are unnecessary, such as a gym membership you don’t use or a magazine subscription for something you rarely read.
Have a look through your transactions to identify the spending you could cut. Whatever savings you make, put them aside so that you don’t miss them, helping you build up a healthy pot without having to cut your spending on the things you actually use and enjoy.
Use cashback websites to earn money on your spending
Did you know you can earn money, just by shopping online? For an extra couple of clicks to get to your chosen website, cashback websites can give you a certain percentage back of your shopping. This is a good way to save for treats and some rainy day money, and all it takes is a little change to your habits. Cashback websites are great, but so many people don’t use them! Start making money on your shopping for a little bit of extra cash.
Shop online and save money
Shopping online can be a great way to save money. A quick search for a product will help you find the best deals and potentially make a great saving. There are a lot of things you might not have considered buying online before, but it could be worth a shot. Glasses are a great example. Take a look here at some styles that are available to help you find a great deal. If you can, try putting the difference aside to help you build up some extra savings.
Stop wasting food
Food waste is a great example of somewhere you can easily save money. Think about your weekly grocery shop, how much of it ends up in the trash? By planning your meals better, you can easily reduce your food spending without having to change what you eat. Cutting back on food waste will make you rethink your habits, and will help you play your part in helping the environment too.
As another way to save money on food, why not eat in more instead of eating out? You can invite your friends over and take it in turns to host, cutting down your spending without having to cut down on social events.
Use a budget tracker app to make some sneaky savings
Budget trackers are a fantastic way of saving money without realizing you’re doing it. There are some amazing budget tracking apps that will save your extra pennies and put them into a special fund to help you get some savings behind you. It’s done slyly so that you won’t even notice it’s gone!
Another great way to do this is by using a card that rounds up your spending to the nearest whole dollar. The difference is put aside into an account or fund so that it’s there for a rainy day. If you tend to carry cash, you can do this yourself by saving all of your change!
Leave your purse at home, sometimes
‘No-spend’ days are a great wat to save money, without really feeling like you’re missing out on anything. If you don’t take your purse, you won’t be tempted to buy an impromptu coffee or an expensive lunch! You can prepare by bringing food from home or your own coffee, giving yourself some kind of treat during the day. Saving money this way will help you have more left towards the end of the month when things tend to be more difficult.
If you find ‘no-spend’ days an effective way of saving, why not progress to no-spend weeks or months too? There could be all kinds of challenges you could set yourself that will slash your everyday spending, without having to completely cut back.
Find a side hustle to grow your income
If you’ve done everything possible to make cuts without compromising on the things you enjoy, it could be time to try a different tactic. A side hustle can be an excellent way to grow your income, allowing you to make money in your free time. There are some things you can do, including online surveys, that will be easy to complete while you’re doing other things, such as watching TV.
There could be some incredible ways to make money from a side hustle. If you love writing, you could give blogging a try! Finding your passion or an area where you’re skilled can give you a great basis to market your services and start making a great second income. With the money you make, you could have enough to put aside for savings, and to treat yourself with too!
There are various ways to save money, and while some people are good at resisting the temptation to spend, for others, it can be really difficult. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t save if you fall into the second category. Finding other clever ways to build up your savings will feel less like a chore, making it easier for you to save what you need.
Setting goals is a great way to help you stay on track with your saving. With some goals in mind, you’ll be able to save your hard-earned money and plan for your future too. Saving doesn’t have to mean you can’t have fun, you just need to find a way to save that works for you.
