Saving is simple, or so they say. It’s something as easy as spending less. oh! If it were that easy another rooster would crow… Cutting costs doesn’t mean you have to be a hermit or live on microwave instant noodles. Every day we make many purchasing decisions that determine our spending habits, and therefore, what we will save (or not) at the end of the month. Here are some tips to incorporate into your daily routine that will make a difference. And also, it will help you to contribute your grain of sand to care for the environment, two for the price of one.
With a few small changes in your habits, you will be able to reduce your expenses and save almost without realizing it, to buy a new mobile or to hit a good trip.
1. The golden rule to spend less
Before you buy something, repeat with us: “Do I really need this? I need it?” If the answer is no, leave it where it was. If you have doubts, try to delay the decision for a couple of days. Maybe putting a little time in between, you realize that what you thought was essential, is not so much.
2. With everything prepared from home: eat and drink when you are around
We all love the convenience of “get it to go”, bottled water and not having to plan all our meals in advance. But it also comes at a price. To save money, try to get used to carrying a snack with you, bringing the lunch box with food from home and a bottle of water always at hand. The same for the days of uni or work, take the coffee in a thermos to avoid having to ask for it there.
3. Cooking at home can be fun
Start with small recipes, on the blog or on YouTube, so that even if you come home with little desire to cook, learning to create new dishes motivates you to cook at home instead of ordering at home. Freezing leftovers from other days can be a very good option for those lazy nights when you don’t feel like preparing anything.
When organizing meetups with friends, suggest potlucks or outdoor picnics instead of always eating out. If each guest brings something prepared, you will have a wide variety of homemade products and save a few eurillos . And the typical competition of who is the most cooky.
4. Transportation: try the 2km-7km rule
Do you have to go somewhere? Choose to walk if it is less than 2 km, take the bike if it is 7 or less and only if it is more than this distance, go by public transport or by car. It’s a great way to get fit, save money, and reduce your carbon footprint.
5. Consciously choose the shopping list
To save on your day to day, choose supermarkets at cheaper prices. If you need a specific product, then go look for it specifically where they have it. Organize meals and make a shopping list before leaving home. This way you make sure that you only buy what you need. And remember to go shopping with a full stomach so as not to be tempted to buy whims.
6. Postpone the satisfaction of shopping online
After having filled the cart with everything you want to buy… for the car. Never better said.
Do not click “Buy” immediately. If you wait a couple of days, you might realize that you don’t want it as much as you thought, or that you don’t need it after all. Most of the fun of shopping online is browsing, comparing and adding to your wish list. To save money, think that shopping online is like looking at Pinterest: a place to get inspiration, enjoy the views but without having to immediately shell out money from your wallet.
Let’s not go crazy either, a whim from time to time does no harm to anyone. But of course, it does not become routine.
7. Manage your subscriptions
Make a list of all the services you’ve subscribed to, and get rid of the ones you’re not taking advantage of. Surely there is more than one. Think of online magazines, streaming music or movie platforms, as well as gym memberships or any other premium service charge that has crept into your online bank account because you missed the free trial period.
8. Personal care: DIY and private labels
Home waxing, manicures and if you dare, DIY haircuts. And if not, there will always be a friend willing to help. Even after the haircut you stop being friends. As for personal hygiene products, you can opt for white brands or make them on your own at home. On Youtube there are many tutorials on how to make 100% natural beauty products at home. Do you really need 5 types of moisturizer? It’s up to you.
9. Second-hand products: clothing, furniture, electronics…
Second-hand clothes are always a good option, as they last longer and also ensure that no one else will wear them. Enter the world of used goods, like Wallapop, Chicfy or Marketplace on Facebook and discover thousands of “new” products for you.
10. Fix things instead of throwing them away
Yes, repairing broken things takes more time than going to the store and buying a new one. Even hiring someone to fix it can be cheaper than buying something new, when it comes to high-quality products. In the long run, you save a good amount and prevent products with small defects from ending up in the middle of a landfill.
11. Do your shopping during sales or out of season
If shopping is your thing , wait a bit for the sales to arrive instead of spontaneously going shopping on the way home from work. And even better, buy things out of season. Although it may seem a bit complicated to look at ski coats in the height of summer, it is worth it for the price you get.
12. Reduce your consumption, and bills
Using resources wisely can make all the difference and therefore save money in the long run. Change your light bulbs to LED ones, turn off the lights when you leave each room, and take 5-minute showers instead of spending hours rambling about the fate of humanity under the stream. oh! Make sure that you only run the dishwasher or washing machine when they are completely full.
13. Get your neighborhood library card
Borrowing books (and e-books) from the library will help you save money and avoid making purchases when you finish the book you’re reading. You can even borrow one free ebook a month for your Kindle if you have Amazon Prime.
14. Free events and entertainment
Follow galleries, museums and festivals on social media to find the best free events in the area. You can also subscribe to their newsletter to keep up to date with what is happening and not miss any sarao.
15. Take a look at your bills: internet, mobile, insurance and the bank
Get in the habit of reviewing from time to time all the options you have contracted and make sure you have the best (and cheapest). If you are paying commissions that you do not know where they come from in your lifelong bank, perhaps you could consider switching to a 100% mobile bank that does not charge anything for a standard account. Another way to save money and make your day to day easier.
