Life-Changing Tips to Save Money

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Who doesn’t love to save money? I definitely do, and I will take whatever advice I can get. That is why I was delighted by Sophia’s guest post and wanted to share with you all some of Sophia’s life-changing tips to get you started if you are strapped for cash like many families are!

*Guest Post*

There is no such thing as enough money, but lack of it is a common enough. While financial needs of every individual are different, everyone could use some extra cash. The best way to achieve this is by managing your spending.

There are many ways to spare some cash, but the most important thing is organization. For example, you can divide your money by categories like “rent”, “bills”, “food”, “leisure”, etc. That way, you’ll have better control over how much you’re spending on different items. This makes it less likely you’ll find yourself in a position of where you lack funds at some point in the month.

Saving money is always a good idea, and here are some tips on how you can do it.

Plan your meals

If you want to cut your spending, you should eat less at restaurants and avoid using take out services. Instead, you can prepare the meals yourself. By doing this, you’ll save money for the check, tips and taxi. Take a few hours every week and make a daily plan of meals and a shopping list which accommodates it. Cook a larger amount of food so you can freeze portions of it for some other day – you’ll save both energy and time.

life changing money saving ideas — Image Source

Why spend money in a canteen when you can have your homemade lunch? Prepare your meals in advance and make a lunch packet for your next workday. Also, along with the lunch-box, fill a thermos with coffee and you can enjoy it throughout the workday, saving a few bucks.

Instead of meeting with friends at some fancy restaurant, invite them to your place and host a potluck dinner. This kind of an event, where everyone brings their favorite dish will not only save you money and energy, it’s also a great way to spend an evening and have a good time.

Shop smart

We have already mentioned shopping-lists for purchasing groceries. Once you’re in a supermarket, you should stay focused and stick to the list, otherwise, you could end up buying more than you need or something that you don’t need at all. This can happen if you’re using coupons – they will lower your bill but also lure you into buying something you really don’t want to.

Studies show that the best time to visit the supermarket is after you’ve eaten. That way you won’t be tempted to overbuy. It’s recommended to buy in bulk. When you buy a whole package of some item it will cost you less per single unit. Of course, this makes sense only if you really use that item.

For a significant spending reduction, you should purchase second-hand wardrobe. This has become very popular in the last couple of years. Not only you can find quality clothes at reasonable prices, you can also buy some out-dated models which you can’t find in regular shops. Vintage clothes are very much in fashion these days. Online second-hand shops can save not only your money, but also your time since you don’t have to walk for miles to find something you like. These shops will allow you to have a fashionable style at an affordable price.

*For parents, you should also check out this guide to buying cheap baby clothes online!*

Why would you pay for something you don’t use?

While you’re washing the dishes, turn off the water while you’re scrubbing, and turn it back on when it’s time to rinse. This way you can save 200 to 500 gallons of water per month, which is good for the environment and for your wallet.

So called phantom loads can suck your energy and your money. Any standby device – coffee maker, charger, laptop, lamps, etc. – utilize a small amount of electricity constantly, which can be prevented by unplugging those appliances or by using a switch on the power cord. Turning off the lights in unused rooms can significantly lower your electricity bill. Energy-saving light bulbs are more expensive than the usual ones, but they’re worth it in the long term.

Take care of yourself – and your money

Instead of paying monthly membership in a gym or a studio, you can train yoga, Pilates, dance or fitness on your own. Online you can find many guides on how to exercise alone or with a friend. Instead of taking a taxi – walk or cycle. This way you’ll be exercising and saving money at the same time.

It’s nice to indulge yourself from time to time, but you don’t always need expensive beauty treatments. Make a cosmetic salon at your place, call your girlfriends over and have a party. Using the most common kitchen products, you can easily make cosmetics goodies for all purposes, like facial masks or body scrubs.

Be reasonable about your purchases. Define what you need and stick to your goal. Don’t stray from the shopping list unless you absolutely have to, don’t pay for things you don’t use and always be on the lookout for a cheaper option. Stick to these rules and you will take control of your budget in no time.

A bit about Sophia:

Sophia Smith is Australian based beauty, fashion and lifestyle blogger. She is very passionate about latest fashion trends, DIY projects and organic beauty products. Sophia writes mostly in lifestyle related topics, mainly through blogs and articles. She is regular contributor at High Style Life.