Everyone feels a little cash-stressed from time to time. If your budget is feeling strained, or if you would simply like to have a little extra cash to put away each month, follow these useful tips for saving money on day-to-day expenses.
1) USE CREDIT CARDS TO YOUR ADVANTAGE
Resorting to credit cards may seem like the last thing to do if you want to be financially prudent and frugal. However, credit cards can work to your advantage and save you money. If you have a decent credit score, apply for a cash back rewards card. In most cases, opting for cash back rather than store rewards amounts to a better deal. Charge most of your expenses to your card and save at least 1% on all purchases. It might not be a lot, but saving 1% on most of your living expenses can really add up over one year.
Warning: Be aware of rewards cards with annual fees. If the fee outweighs the amount of cash you are likely to get back, this option will not be worth it. Run the numbers before applying for any card. Needless to say, this will only work to your benefit if you are able to pay off your balance in full each month.
2) COOK FROM SCRATCH
Buying ingredients in bulk will always be cheaper than buying microwaveable food and take-out. You can save a lot of money on groceries if you shop and cook wisely. Homemade food also tends to be healthier. Once you have a few good recipes up your sleeves, you may even prefer cooking at home to eating out.
3) MEND AND ALTER CLOTHING
Buying new clothes is fun, but unless you have a real need, it’s an expense worth forgoing. Instead, learn how to sew and mend your existing wardrobe as needed. You can also alter clothes to make them fit better or look more fashionable.
4) BECOME AN EXPERT BARGAIN HUNTER
Just because you’re saving money doesn’t mean you can’t buy anything; you just have to but a little smarter about your purchases. This means going the extra mile with researching products beforehand and putting off a purchase until you find the best deal.
5) GROW FRESH VEGETABLES AT HOME
Growing fresh vegetables at home will give you plenty of fresh and tasty ingredients to cook with. It will also save you gas needed for trips to the grocery store because you won’t need to go as frequently to replace perishable goods.
6) LEARN HOW TO CUT YOUR OWN HAIR
Unless you are in a profession where you need a perfectly-groomed hairdo, you can probably get away with trimming your own hair at home. Learning how to cut hair is easy. All it takes is the initial investment of quality shears, plenty of patience, and a small amount of trial-and-error.
Another option is to go to a stylist a few times a year, but maintain your haircut at home in between visits.
7) FORGET THE NIGHT LIFE
It can be difficult to save money when everything you do for fun demands that you spend. The best way to save money in this regard is to do fun things for free. Recreational activities like running, cooking potlucks with friends, gardening and walking your dog are all free and enjoyable. This route is understandably not for everyone. However, cutting back on social and recreational expenses can amount to huge savings each month.
Most people go through periods of living on a tight budget. It’s important to recognize that this doesn’t necessarily mean a downgrade in quality of life. With a few adjustments and smart choices, you can live within your budget and even save a bit of money. SellMyMobile.com