25 tricks to save money easily
Money is hard to come by, but instead goes fast if we don’t control our expenses . Everything in this life costs money: if we want to go to the gym, a dinner with our friends, a weekend at the beach with our partner… it is easy to make ends meet and realize that this month we have spent more than we should have. Many times, because of unnecessary things.
Money Saving Tips and Tricks
If you have been thinking for a long time that you want to have a savings reserve but you never get it, in the following lines you can find a list of tricks to save money and tips for you to achieve it.
1. Be careful where you keep your money
You may have been at your bank for many years and find it comfortable to stay there, but there are many banks that charge very expensive and sometimes abusive fees and interest. Research and analyse other banks to find out if there are better options for saving money.
2. Set a goal to save money
The first step in saving money is to propose. It is true that many times we can propose things to ourselves and then halfway through we can throw in the towel. But there’s a reason why you have to start: you have to set goals .
3. Keep a fixed amount each month (even if it is a small amount)
Once you decide you want to save money, you need to move from thought to action, that is, start saving. You may be able to save if you save some money each month, even if it’s only a little, and if you schedule your expenses in advance on a regular weekly basis.
4. Do not use card
The card can be a useful tool when shopping, but it can also make us have an unrealistic perception of the money we have and spend. It’s better to leave home with just enough money than to overspend with the card.
5. Think about what you spend
Don’t buy for the sake of buying, but buy things that are useful. It’s okay to buy shoes, but use them and don’t buy them on a whim. You can spend a lot of money on unnecessary things. By the way, if you can, avoid going out hungry.
6. Wait for the decision
A good strategy to avoid buying unnecessary things is to wait to make a decision, i.e. think with a cool head . Analyse the pros and cons of your purchase, don’t get carried away by the aesthetic packaging of the products (television commercials, marketing campaigns, street maps, etc.)
7. Put the money in an envelope
It’s always good for you to calculate more or less what to spend per month. Although I have already mentioned that it is better not to use the card, it is also good to have the money you think you will spend in a month stuffed in an envelope .
8. Compare
Don’t spend for the sake of spending, but it is better to compare offers . For example, if you are going on a trip, there are many websites that compare prices for you.
9. Use the client card
Many establishments offer small discounts and gifts for their customers. It is always good to have this type of card, even more so if you go there often. But be careful, it could happen that this card will lead you to buy more than you need.
10. Think about old age
You may find it hard to save if you think short term, but it will be easier if you think long term , to get to that age without financial problems.Old age is a stage in life when we no longer work, and anything we can save throughout our lives will be of great use to us.
11. Read a book to save money
There are different literary works that offer a lot of money-saving tips. One of them is the book Save or Never: How to save and get the most out of your money by Borja Pascual Iribarren.
12. Have fun while you save
Saving is not something fun, but rather necessary . But there are some applications on the market that allow you to entertain yourself while you save. Some of these tools are SaveUp or SmartyPig, which help to make saving an exciting challenge.
13. Make use of psychology
Psychology is a science that provides knowledge about many issues that affect our daily lives. That’s why it’s always good to know more about these topics and read articles like this one: “The 12 psychological tricks supermarkets use to make you spend more money”. I’m sure you can draw some conclusions so that you can save money.
14. Eat gum and listen to music
For example, since many places use music or smells to appeal to our senses, you can chew gum and wear headphones when you go shopping for what will help you consume less impulsively .
15. Think about what it has cost you to earn that money
It’s hard to make money these days. That’s why, next time you go shopping, think about what you’ve sweated and the hours you’ve spent to earn that money you’re going to spend in an afternoon.
16. Watch out for light and water
Light and water are very expensive, so if it can be avoided, it is always better to turn off the light when it is not necessary and not waste the water. In the latter case, you could put a reminder next to the tap , for example.
17. Prepare food at home
You may find it more comfortable to go to a restaurant when you have a break at the office, but if you want to save money, it is better to bring your food from home. You can make your favorite dishes and store them in a tupperware.
18. Use the 24-hour rule
In one of the previous points I spoke about thinking about the consequences of spending money. It is good to apply the 24-hour technique if we want to save money. This technique consists of delaying the decision to buy something for up to 24 hours .
19. Put a reminder on your card
If you don’t want to give up your credit card, at least put a reminder next to it so you don’t forget you’re saving. You can put a sticker on your wallet to remind you.
20. Stop smoking
Some vices are expensive. Especially some like tobacco, which are also harmful and do you no good. If you stop smoking , not only will your health benefit, but also your wallet. One of the most effective, but also most sacrificial, money-saving tricks.
21. Imagine your purchase as money
Instead of looking at those new shoes you bought as a new fashion, look at them for the price they cost . Maybe that way the values more.
22. Write down the money you are spending
A good strategy for saving is to write down the money you have spent, as it can give you feedback on what you have spent this month.
23. Make a budget
Knowing how much money you’ve spent each month helps you plan for the next month. So, whatever you think you need, put it in an envelope. The rest you can keep in your checking account.
24. Install LED lights
LED lights (Light Emitting Diode) are not only energy saving, but are also energy saving on the electricity bill . That’s why they have become so popular in recent years.
25. Take advantage of offers
Many times stores and supermarkets have discount products . For example, when you buy a big can of tuna, they deduct 50% from the next unit. If you buy smartly, you can save a lot of money every month.