10. Read online!
Although reading is a really admirable habit, buying or subscribing to a number of magazines isn’t really the most practical hobby in the world. If you always pick up magazines at your favorite newsstand or supermarket, you might want to stop doing it to save a little money especially if you have a reliable Internet connection. You’ll be surprised that most of the articles printed in magazines can be found on the web. If you are used to buying three $3 magazines a month, you can save $108 a year if you just surf the web instead. You will also help the environment by going paperless.
9. Tips ahoy!
In some countries, tipping is compulsory. In others, it is optional. There’s nothing wrong with tipping. In fact, it is very admirable. Whether you’re at a restaurant or a car wash, giving a generous tip for excellent service is not something to be ashamed of. You must remember, however, that you have to tip wisely. You may be giving away too much money. A 10 to 15 percent tip is enough for a job well done.
8. Special offer!
One of the most practical things that many people refuse or fail to do is take advantage of the discounts and promos that establishments offer. For instance, if you like hanging out in a bar with your friends, always ask if they are offering any promos at the moment. Instead of buying six bottles of beer one at a time, you might want to buy a bucket for discounted rate. Promos are ubiquitous today and it is such a shame that many people do not take advantage of them.
7. Buy in bulk!
Most people buy things only when they feel the need to. For example, you might only buy a roll of toilet paper when you run out of it. What you don’t realize is that you could have saved much money had you purchased in bulk. Whenever you can, purchase items in bulk. It is an excellent way to save money. It is also a great strategy to survive emergencies. You must bear in mind, however, that the only things you should buy in bulk are those that do not spoil easily. You’ll be wasting money if you end up throwing your stuff away.
6. Cook!
We understand that you are tired after a whole day of work but you would really be doing yourself a favor if you stop eating out and cook your food yourself. Eating out sounds really appealing because it makes your life easier but it makes you poorer, too. Having no time is not an excuse. Reserving 30 minutes of your night for the preparation of your meal wouldn’t hurt, would it? How much do you spend on a cup of Starbucks coffee every morning? How much would you have been spending had you chosen to buy a pack of 3-in-1 coffee instead? Do the math and see the difference.
If you are not so gifted with culinary skills, go online and train yourself using the many recipes that can be found on the net.
5. Don’t baby yourself!
If you always find yourself rummaging through your apartment for misplaced coins because you always run short of money, you don’t have the right to treat yourself with excessive indulgences. For example, many people today get addicted to gadgets. If you are that type of person, you might find yourself spending much more than you intended to. Gadgets are incredibly addictive and they can own you in no time if you get hooked on them. The craze does not stop at purchasing. You will likely find yourself wanting to upgrade your “toys” and as they become outdated, you will be tempted to buy newer models. The bottom line is that you can’t become a tech junkie if your pockets are always empty.
4. Got generics?
Most of the time, the only difference between generic and brand name products is the price. The next time you go shopping, don’t be hypnotized by product labels. Oftentimes, branded products only have more colorful and attractive packaging but this doesn’t necessarily translate to quality. Instead of going to a grocery store with a specific brand in mind, check out all the products on display and compare their prices. It is very likely that although the packaging is ugly, store brands offer a much better deal than those manufactured by giant companies. Do you think your teeth care suffers if the toothbrush you are using is not made by a prominent company? Do you think the cockroaches in your house are more scared if the insect spray you use has a cute little jingle on TV? Do you think your paper cares if the pen you use is endorsed by Jessica Alba?
It also applies to pharmaceuticals. At the pharmacy, you’ll be surprised to know that medicine with brand names cost a lot more than their generic versions even though the dosage, ingredients and effectiveness are identical.
3. Scrap the plastic!
Oftentimes, owning so many credit cards does not show how wealthy you are but how stupid you are. Having a credit card is not bad – not at all. In fact, it can be very beneficial especially at times when you run out of cash and you really need to purchase something. However, if you have cash, why use your plastic? Ideally, you should use your credit card only during an emergency. Credit cards give you an illusion that you can buy anything in the world. You’ll only realize how messed up you are when the bills arrive and you see your debt pile up. Before you know it, the only thing you can pay is the interest. You should also limit yourself to just one credit card. Having several credit cards means more hassles in bill payments and more stress.
2. Quit bad habits!
If you’re a smoker, you might be coughing up loads of cash monthly. A pack of cigarettes may be relatively cheap but if you calculate all the money you spent for packs of cigarettes you purchased in a month, you’ll be surprised to find out that you are spending a lot on something that could kill you. Say that a pack costs $5 and you consume one pack a day. That works out to a total monthly investment of $160.
Drinking and getting drunk also leaves your pockets empty. How money bottles of beer and glasses of cocktails do you consume in one sitting? How much do they cost? How often do you drink within a month’s period? Answer these questions and do the math. Not to mention that some people tend to be more generous, treating their friends, when they are drunk.
1. List ’em down!
When it comes to saving money, nothing beats establishing a personal budget. It is important to know how much money comes in, how much goes out and where it goes. Monitoring your expenses will help you realize why you always end up as broke as ever even when you just received your pay check the day before. Once you have your incoming and outgoing money list prepared, you will identify what your problem areas are. It will make you see what things eat up most of your budget and what items you fail to prioritize. Without a budget, it is very difficult to save money.
Saving money is easy if you only have knowledge of how to do it and the discipline to achieve it. Some things in life are expensive but having a luxurious lifestyle doesn’t follow. You can save loads of cash if you know where to begin. The ten tips above will surely help you get started.