Is it me, or does it seem like everything goes on sale the moment we all decide to save a little money? If you thought for a split second “Oh my God, yes!” then you, my friend, are not alone. That “Oh my God” moment happens to more of us than you know. It happens to me at least once a month, usually after I get my first string of bills. So how can you save money and not completely change your lifestyle? Keep reading for some good-sense tips.
Automatic Savings
We live in a world that’s becoming more and more tech savvy each day, and yet we underestimate the ease and reliability of electronic transfers. If your bank has a downloadable app, odds are there’s a function to make a scheduled transfer. Use it! Pick a date and time that works for you and send your money right along into savings. One of the biggest and easiest ways to save money is to have your money automatically withdrawn from your account and deposited into some sort or savings account. Also, most employers offer more than one direct deposit option. Some places allow you to split your check between accounts, and some even offer you an opportunity to deposit your earnings by percentage. Either way, if you safely deposit your earnings into your savings before you get a chance to spend it or see it, you’ll be well off. Out of sight, out of mind. Check with your bank and your human resources department to be sure of your options.
Budget Your Savings
Cliché right? It’s easy to just say, “I’ll just budget better,” which is always easier said than done. Where most people go wrong is thinking about budgeting as only what we’re making. We never really think about what we’re saving. Having a goal in mind when budgeting your savings makes the saving process easier and purposeful. Big, small or ongoing—give yourself a goal and stay on it. One trick that works for me is thinking of a “rainy day.” When it rains it pours, right? My golden number is $500. If anything small in life goes wrong, it usually costs a couple hundred dollars to fix. If my goal is $500, and I save more than that and continue to save, I can budget my savings for any rainy day and a sunny one. Giving yourself a deadline to hit your savings goal is another amazing tactic.
Don’t Cheat Yourself, Treat Yourself!
I know this may sound a little weird when talking about saving money, but buy the things you need! The absolute worst thing you can do when trying to save money is deprive yourself of the things you like, want or need most. Conditioning yourself to believe you just don’t need it is a bad idea! You work hard; it’s okay to treat yourself. Now, I’m not suggesting everyone go on a shopping spree. I’m simply suggesting a more creative approach. If you’re concerned about overspending, try (if you can) to wait for the sale. Stretch out the periods between shopping sprees. If you shop once every two weeks, try to go once every month. Most retailers receive stock each week. Every month, they almost always have some sort of sale. That’s the perfect time to have a little fun. Do yourself the favor and wait for the sale before you buy it. Another great tip: Don’t be afraid to ask for a discount. They exist everywhere! It’s also helpful to have a friend or close relative nearby to make sure you don’t overspend. You can hold each other accountable.
Fun Things Come in Free Packages
If you’re looking to save money when it comes to entertainment, find some free fun. Believe it or not, this city offers all sorts of entertainment options that are free. Check the local listings! KC Going Places (KCGoingPlaces.com) is a great place to start. VisitKC.com is another great resource for fun free things to do around the city.
Do It Yourself
Another great way to save money, especially on those pesky projects around the house, is to do them yourself. DYI projects can save you hundreds of dollars, and they can make fun and easy family collaborations. If you can afford to pay someone to clean your house, opt out for a few months and do the cleaning yourself. If you pay for prepped meals, try cooking a few days out of the week to pocket a little of what you’ve been shelling out. You can even lighten the load with how you eat. We all know eating out less is a great way to cut food costs, but we don’t always consider how to cut costs when shopping for groceries. First and foremost, do the grocery shopping yourself, instead of farming out the task. If you shop yourself, you can locate the deals and map out your purchases. This will help you avoid overspending or buying things you never intended to make in the first place.
So, there you have it, a few simple ways to save a few nickels to rub together! If you stick to it, these tips are sure to help you build up a nice little savings stash.
Jessica Samuel lives in Kansas City and is a freelance writer and photographer.
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