If you are looking for different ways to save money, then you are in luck.
There are several ways to save money, from not buying things you want to cutting back on other expenses.
Below we have a list of Tips and Tricks to Save money.
Create a Budget
Creating a budget is essential to start saving money and understanding where every penny is spent.
Having a spreadsheet of a budget is imperative for budgeting. A spreadsheet used for budgeting should separate fixed costs from flexible spending.
Fixed cost is commonly recurring bills that are due monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly. Recurring bills may include rent, electricity, phone bill, car payment, etc.
These are costs that will remain the same every month and not fluctuate.
Flexible spending is what is spent every day, week, and month, but it may change in price.
Example of flexible spending. Going to the grocery store may cost $150.00 one week and only $60.00 the next. Flexible spending allows each individual to customize a budget to fit their desired lifestyle.
Another example. Let’s say the budget for flexible spending under entertainment was $200.00 last month, but it was discovered from last month’s bank statement that $450.00 was spent on entertainment.
The two choices are to increase next month’s spending or determine ways to cut back on entertainment.
Every month, review the flexible spending section to determine if you need to increase or decrease the amount of money allocated for each particular area.
It is also a great way to understand where every dollar goes that is not a part of the fixed income column.
Budgeting is a great way to understand where every dollar is spent, especially within the flexible spending section.
When creating a budget, don’t forget to include irregular bills, such as the yearly eye exam, insurance, contacts, oil changes, the pet’s grooming, and annual shots.
Creating a budget allows for a complete understanding of where every penny goes!
Therefore, allowing analysis and determination of where to cut back without sacrificing the quality of life or happiness.
There are several different areas to cut back without even noticing a difference in the day-to-day lifestyle, which leads us to our next point.
Cut Back on Unnecessary Bills
Another Tip to Save Money is by cutting back on unnecessary bills which can save an average family thousands per year! Let’s start with the manageable bills to cut back on.
Cable TV is a big one. In fact, according to AllConnect.com, the average family pays $217.42 per month for a cable package. Cable packages typically include cable, internet, and home phone advertised at a discounted price.
However, it may be cheaper to get internet individually and stream movies through various apps to binge-watch your favorite shows at a more affordable monthly rate.
TV Apps include but are not limited to Netflix, Amazon Prime, Tubi TV, Crackle, Hulu, and so many more.
Some apps include free movies and TV shows with commercials, while others charge, although it is not that much.
Therefore, allowing anyone to purchase several streaming apps, thus, giving unlimited options for movie and television shows for less than $100.00 a month.
Most companies offer a low introductory price for the internet in the initial year and then raise rates within the following years.
According to HighSpeedInternet.com, the average rate of the internet is $60.00 a month after the promotional period ends.
Depending on the cost of the internet and the number of streaming apps purchased will determine the total amount saved.
For example, let’s say the internet costs $60.00 and the streaming apps cost around $80.00 a month. That is a total of $140.00 a month.
With the average family paying $217.42 per month for a cable package, switching creates a total savings of $77.00 a month and $924.00 a year.
Another monthly payment to cut back on is the cell phone bill.
Switching to prepaid wireless can save hundreds per year. Prepaid Wireless is offered by major cell phone carriers such as Verizon and AT&T.
The main difference between prepaid and contract is the long term commitment a contract wireless provider requires.
Providers entice customers into a contract by offering steep up-front discounts on the latest phones, allowing the customer to pay off the phone over time rather than a large payment for the phone up-front.
Popular prepaid wireless carriers include, but are not limited to, Cricket, T-Mobile, Boost Mobile, and MetroPCS.
Shop around online at different prepaid wireless carriers to determine the most affordable package that best suits the family.
Get Quotes for Lower Insurance
When was the last time you called around to get quotes for insurance?
I know it’s harsh, draining, and sucks the life right out of you. But, thankfully for the internet, getting quotes online is fast, seamless, and easy.
Even if the monthly savings are small, in over a year, it will add up.
For example, Saving $20.00 a month on car insurance equals $240.00 a year. Saving $15.00 a month on home insurance is another $180.00 saved throughout the entire year.
Saving $25.00 a month on medical insurance adds to $300.00 a year. In total, it comes to $720.00 a year in savings.
Although, savings are only a few hundred, it is still enough for a short weekend trip with the family.
The day-to-day activities stay the same; the insurance provider is the only change. [Read also: Signs Someone is Not Frugal Just a Cheap Person]
Do it Yourself
Have a cleaning lady? Possibly someone to mow the lawn. Maybe even pay to have the trees trimmed, gutters cleaned, or the dog walked.
All these things cost money and are things most people can do themselves to save money.
For example, let’s say the cleaning lady cleans the house twice a month and charges $75.00 each time; that equals $150.00 monthly and $1,800.00 yearly.
Therefore, opting out of hiring a cleaning lady can save you $1,800.00 a year (per the example above).
Another example, opting for lawn maintenance from a professional company can cost $40.00 or higher. It is common to get the grass mowed twice a month, equalling $80.00 per month.
Let’s say mowing services are only needed for half a year; the total cost is $480.00 a year. Therefore, mowing the grass yourself can save you $480.00 per year!
Every mowing company charges are different, and depending on the city and state will also determine the cost of services. Therefore, the total saved from mowing the grass yourself will vary depending on the above factors.
Doing a few tasks around the house allows massive savings of up to over $2,000.00 a year. Estimates are from the above example. The total amount saved will depend on the services hired and the monthly cost.
Some other home services that can cost significantly are having someone paint the house, power washing, or window cleaning.
These are only a few of the many different services that are provided that can become costly.
Skip the Coffee Line in the Morning
Are you accustomed to expensive coffee?
If you are accustomed to expensive coffee, it may be draining your bank account.
Although it may not be noticeable since it’s a few dollars spent at a time, getting coffee daily at $6.00 a cup will cost over $2,000.00 yearly.
That’s $2,000.00 a year to save just by drinking coffee at home!
It is for this reason that skipping the local coffee shop made our list of Tips and Tricks to Save Money.
Ask Yourself: Do I WANT This or Do I NEED This
USA Today says, “Average American spends almost $18,000 a year on nonessentials.” That is a lot of money that can go towards savings.
Nonessentials include memberships to monthly subscriptions such as magazines, make-boxes, shave clubs, etc.
Nonessentials can also include excessively buying clothing, home decor, jewelry (including watches), and fishing or hunting equipment.
Depending on each person, spending habits on nonessentials may be different.
Spending on nonessentials such as electronics, sporting gear, or camping equipment is the norm for some guys.
In contrast, some women spend money on make-up, clothing, and fitness equipment. The list can go on and on.
One way to stop unnecessary spending is constantly asking, Do I WANT this or do I NEED this?
Doing this will help minimize impulse purchases.
Therefore, it’s a great way to analyze spending habits while determining what is necessary.
Initially, it may be challenging, but the long-term reward is well worth it.
Plan Your Weekly Meal Schedule Ahead
Planning what to eat for the week will prevent the urge to spend money eating out for lunch or dinner.
Eating out can cost hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars per month. The total cost of eating out determines whether it’s fast food, dining at a restaurant, or eating alone or with others.
Although eating out every once in a while is a great treat, doing it every day is expensive, especially with a family.
Therefore, if eating out is a common habit, it may be a great way to cut back and save money. It is for this reason that weekly meal planning made our list of Tips and Tricks to Save Money.
Buy Generic
Oftentimes generic brands are significantly cheaper than buying brand names. Major savings can come from opting out of high-end clothing and retail brands.
However, buying generic in other areas of life can also help save money each week, month or year.
Off-brands are available for almost every product, from food and medicine to cleaning supplies and beauty products.
For example, Let’s say buying generic saves, on average, $0.30 per product. Sally purchases 50 items at the grocery for the week, and each item is generic rather than the brand name.
With an average savings of $0.30 per item, the total savings is $15.00. If this process is implemented weekly for a whole year, the total savings is $78.00 yearly just by purchasing off-brand products. Within ten years, it is a $780.00 savings.
Although the savings may not be huge, it adds up over time.
Avoid Fees
Another tip to save money is by that paying bills on time prevents late fees. Late fees are OK every once in a while, but if it’s recurring, then it is costly.
Let’s say the late payment fee for the internet is $7.00, water is $12.00, electricity is $5.00, and car payments are $5.00.
If every bill is late each month, that is a total of $29.00 wasted per month. In a year, that costs $348.00.
In addition to late fees, other fees banks charge is overdrafts, ATM fees, and some banks even has a fee just to have a checking account.
Overdraft fees occur when spending exceeds what is in the checking account. Overdraft fees can cost $5.00, $27.00 or even higher depending on the banking establishment.
Once again, depending on the banking establishment, an additional fee may be added to every purchase thereafter.
For example, there is $10.00 remaining in the checking account. Joe Bo goes to the grocery store and gets groceries for $12.00, then heads to the drug store and spends another $3.00 on toothpaste, then visits a car wash and runs his card for $5.00.
In this example, let’s say worst-case scenario Joe Bo is charged $30.00 with every purchase he makes after his account is overdrawn.
Therefore, Joe Bo gets hit with an overdraft fee at the grocery store on the extra $2.00 he spent that he does not have.
That makes his grocery store purchase a total of $42.00 instead of $12.00 since he is charged a $30.00 overdraft fee.
Then he went to the drug store to get toothpaste, which cost him another $30.00 in overdraft fees making his toothpaste $33.00.
Then he got hit with another $30.00 overdraft fee when he went to the car wash, costing him a total of $35.00.
Joe Bo doesn’t realize he is over-drafting his account since his bank card is still working. He thinks he has money in his account to cover the cost.
However, in total, Joe Bo paid $90.00 in overdraft fees.
It may not cost that much for just a one-time fee, but if it becomes a recurring issue, then Joe Bo will be paying the bank a lot of money that he could use to pay bills or save.
Another way banks charge is through ATMs. Using ATMs not allocated by the bank can cost around $3.00 and, in some cases, even higher to withdraw money.
Checking a balance at an ATM not provided by the bank could also cost you. Over time, like everything else, the small fees can add up to cost a lot of money!
Please note that each bank fees are different. Check the current banking terms and services to learn more about fees, limitations, and rights.
Reduce Energy Spending
Everyone, at some point, is guilty of leaving the light on in the house when leaving. However, making this a habit leads to unneeded costs throughout the year that add up over time.
A few ways to reduce energy costs are using LED light bulbs throughout the house and unplugging unused power sources, such as mini-fridges, lamps, and kitchen appliances.
Lastly, turning off desktop computers helps lower the electric bill.
When running constantly, desktop computers are a massive waste of electricity—[Read also: Ways to Lower Your Electric Bill].
Bonus: Don't Opt into the Latest Trends
Staying up to date with the latest trends can cost a lot of money over time.
Keeping up with the latest trends includes home decoration, home renovations, electronics, and fashion.
• Home Decor:
Home decoration and design include replacing furniture, curtains, or throw pillows.
Home Decor items are things you bring into the house to customize your home to add your personal style.
• Home Improvement:
Home improvement is changing out flooring, painting the walls or adding a deck.
Home improvements can help keep the house up-to-date and is essential to maintain your home’s value.
Therefore, it is wise to determine which renovations will increase the value of the home long-term and which renovations are wasteful.
Furthermore, home improvements are one area that it could cost you even more if you decide to do it yourself (DIY) or go for cheaper options.
For example, buying the cheapest flooring may only last a few years, while opting for a more expensive quality flooring can last 10+ years.
Additionally, hiring a professional is better than doing it yourself, especially if it’s your first time and you are relying on YouTube.
If you have never renovated a home before, too many things can go wrong that will cost you more in the long haul.
• Electronics:
Another way to save is by not always opting into the latest electronics.
The latest electronics include TVs, gaming systems, and cell phones. Not always opting into the latest electronics trends will save hundreds and even thousands per year.
• Fast Fashion:
Fashion is another trend that can cost hundreds and even thousands per year.
In fact, according to CreditDonkey, those from 25-34 spend $161.00 per month, while individuals 35-44 spend around $209.00 per month.
That is a total of $1,932.00 – $2,508.00 each year on clothes.
Yikes! That’s a lot of money.
Spending a few dollars less each month will allow you to save, which you put aside to pay bills or invest.
To sum up, there are numerous methods to save money, ranging from crafting a budget to trimming down on avoidable expenses.
It’s crucial to scrutinize every penny spent and identify areas to reduce spending without compromising the quality of life or overall happiness.
A few tips and tricks to save money:
- One effective ways to save money is by devising meal plans. By planning out your meals ahead of time, you can buy only what you need and avoid overspending on unnecessary items.
- Another great tip is to purchase generic products instead of name-brand items. This can save you a significant amount of money over time without sacrificing quality.
- Additionally, avoiding unnecessary charges such as coffee shop lattes or late fees and overdraft charges is critical to stay on top of your finances.
- Furthermore, abstaining from the latest home decor, electronics, and fashion trends can help save significantly. Asking yourself if you need this or want this can help reduce the amount spent each month.
Anyone should have the ability to save money by adopting the practical tips listed in the pointers above.
Full List of 10 Tips and Tricks to Save Money
- Create a Budget
- Cut Back on Unnecessary Spending
- Get Quotes for Lower Insurance
- Do it Yourself
- Skip the Coffee Line in the Morning
- Ask Yourself: Do I WANT This or Do I NEED This
- Plan Your Weekly Meal Schedule Ahead
- Buy Generic
- Avoid Fees
- Reduce Energy Spending
- Bonus: Don’t Opt into the Latest Trends
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About Author, Sara Elizabeth
Writer, Amora V Lifestyle
Co-Owner of Elizabeth Besich Boutique
Sara is a writer for Amora V Lifestyle and is Co-Owner of Elizabeth Besich. Sara previously worked as a Marketing Manager and has her Master’s from Lindenwood University.
Sara studies everything of interest, from psychology, recipes, finances, mental health, and travel, thriving to find happiness and to live a good life.
When not learning, Sara loves all things outdoors, food, and hanging around great company. Furthermore, Sara loves spending time with family, who she is blessed to have in her life.
Note from the author: Through my articles, I hope to bring you joy and peace and that you enjoy it!
Disclaimer: The information provided in this opinion article is for entertainment purposes only. It should not be construed as financial advice and does not constitute an offer or solicitation for investment. We cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information presented, and readers should always conduct their own research and seek professional advice before making any investment decisions. The content of this blog is the opinion of the author and should not be attributed to any organization or entity. Any reliance on the information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk. Any reviews or comments written are the subjective opinion of an Amora V Lifestyle member and not Amora V Lifestyle. Amora V Lifestyle performs occasional checks on commentary left by users. It’s worth mentioning that we may also use comments in our articles. By posting a comment, you are giving us permission to use it in our content. Please check out Privacy Policy and Terms of Use for full disclosure. Sources: https://decisiondata.org/news/report-the-average-cable-bill-now-exceeds-all-other-household-utility-bills-combined/#:~:text=Fast%20facts%3A,increase%20year%2Dover%2Dyear.
https://www.highspeedinternet.com/resources/how-much-should-i-be-paying-for-high-speed-internet-resource#:~:text=The%20average%20advertised%20package%20for,after%20the%20promotional%20period%20ends.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/05/07/americans-spend-thousands-on-nonessentials/39450207/ and https://www.creditdonkey.com/average-cost-clothing-per-month.html
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