Creative Saving Tips

Creative Saving Tips

1. The Envelope Method - make a budget and divide it among common expenses such as food, travel, healthcare...etc. Then withdraw and keep this cash separate (in envelopes or anything else really) and make sure you stick to it. Sometimes seeing the physical money makes it easier for you to plan your spending because you realize that your money is limited.
(You can even do this virtually by using Goodbudget - an app that allows you to do this. You can get it on the Play Store or the Apple Store)

2. Take a limited amount of money with you when you go out. This works in the same way that the tip above does. Having a very limited amount of money forces you to make better decisions financially, and ensure that you are not left regretting your overspending later. 

3. Make some days no-spend days. Maybe every Friday you can make sure that you do not spend on anything. Just a day of not spending is pretty easy, and it can help you build the habit of spending less over time when you realize how many pointless things you had been buying.

4. Cook at home instead of eating out. We get it. You are busy working and the thought of cooking when you are home sounds dreadful. But you would be surprised at how much you save when you cook for yourself at least a few days here and there. If you make dinner at home, sometimes you can just make a little more and take leftovers to work. This could even help you eat a little healthier as you would know exactly what goes into your food.

5. Keep all the coins you get in a piggy bank. Some people do not like carrying coins so maybe you could put all your coins aside. It is an easy way to save without even realizing. But it can be quite a nice surprise when you empty it and find out how much you have saved. One of my roommates used to do this, and the day after she had spent a little too much going out, the trusty jar was there with money to use on food. 

6. Cure your boredom in free ways. You can spend the day at home with family or invite friends over instead of going out for that coffee or movie. Maybe you can play board games, read, or take your kids to the park.This will force you to come up with more creative activities as well and you could discover some fun new pastimes with this little trick.

7. Hide your money from yourself! Yes, hide it. I actually did this when I was saving because it tricked me into thinking that I had less than I did, and so I spent less. Sometimes I knew I hid it but I forgot where and of course I did not try to find it hard enough unless I really needed it. Because laziness beats the need to spend, right? Then when you actually really need it you can look for it and find it.

8. Simply keep your money in the bank, and set it to make automatic deductions into your savings account.