Today, I will share tricks to save money that will help build your nest egg. Do you want to know the secret sauce to save money? It’s simple, start making it your priority.
I remember when I felt that my paycheck was not enough for me to start saving money. Here is the truth. I wanted to spoil myself with my little wants and pleasures instead of saving money.
Once you make “saving money” a big enough priority you will find out how easy it is to save. Here are some of the smaller changes we made that made a big difference in our finances over time. Check out how these 10 tricks can save you money starting today.
1. Generic Brand Products
While cruising down the food aisle at my local grocery store I noticed a difference in pricing between generic and brand name products. This prompted my curiosity and I decided to try a few items to see if my family could taste the change. To my surprise, no one mentions anything about the new products I had purchased.
I became excited to make my next grocery run. I selected more and more generic products every time I went to the store. Now, do I buy everything generic? No. However, my pantry is comprised of approximately eighty-five percent of generic products.
Do you buy generic food products?
Another tip: When you go to the doctor and you are prescribed medication ask for the generic form. I promise there is a nice price difference between generic and brand name drugs.
2. Meal Prep
On Sunday I meal prep for my husband. I make sure to have at least four to five days of meals prepared for my husband to take with him to work the following week. I work from home so I normally take a break during the day to prepare my meals.
From our list of tricks to save money, this has to be my top pick. My husband uses to stop for breakfast and lunch which could cost him anywhere from fifteen to twenty dollars a day. Let’s not forget the occasionally vending machine snacks.
3. Say Good-Bye to Cable
I could literally run outside and scream when I think about how much we were paying in the cable. We were paying close to $200.00 just for cable. My friend from work shared her story with me regarding how she saved money by purchasing the Amazon fire stick.
I had my husband look more into this option and we decided to give it a try. The rest is history. The best part about the Amazon fire stick was that I received them for free.
We have a reward program at work and I had saved up enough points to get enough for all the rooms in our house. We also have Netflix as another option for our family to watch. Our bill went from $200.00 to 32.00 a month!
Do you have a cable bill? If so, think how much you can save by getting rid of this bill.
4. Pantry Shopping
Do you have a pantry full of food but continue to shop for items at the store? Have you ever purchased a product then realize you already have that item in your pantry. Sometimes we forget to check the items in our pantry before dashing off to the store.
To eliminate this issue, I make my weekly meals around what I currently have in the pantry. This helps you to get rid of food before it expires, plus it saves you money at the grocery store. I have learned if only one ingredient is missing I can find a substitute without spending unnecessary money.
Challenge yourself to make your nightly meals from only the items in your pantry.
5. DIY Beauty Services
Did I tell you that I love Pinterest and Youtube because of DIY tutorials! I save so much money and time by doing my own hair. I might go to the salon once every three to four months for relaxer but for normal maintenance, I do it myself.
I can handle my own pedicure and manicure. I will go to the spa for these types of services on special occasions. My eyebrows are done by my husband.
He will pluck them for me. I started this years ago because the wax would always break my skin out. I would have so many small bumps everywhere on my face.
I only go for a massage if I receive a gift card for my birthday or Christmas.
Do you DIY any of your beauty services? If not, check out Pinterest or Youtube to get inspiration.
6. Shop Out of Season Clothing
You can find the best deals when the seasons are changing. You will find bargains that are almost unreal. I love to buy winter boots when spring shoes are starting to hit the shelves.
I can find boots for fifteen dollars or less that were normally over one hundred dollars. You have to really hunt for those types of deals. For kids, I would suggest that you purchase a size larger to account for their growing phases.
My mother-in-law works at a retail store. She will purchase my son shirts for two or three dollars when clothing hit rock bottom prices. She loves a good sale and she is always on top of bargains for us.
Tip: Only buy what you know you will need. Do not spend money because there is a sale.
7. Free or Discounted Entertainment
I love to attend free events at local venues. Check your local listing for free family outings at places like your local library, parks and recreation centers and museums. I have seen discounted tickets on Groupon and Event Brite.
Another option is to check out your local Facebook page. I have seen a weekly list of events happening in my local area.
Tip: Be sure to pack snacks from your house. This will help eliminate spending money while attending these free events.
8. Thrift or Consignment Shopping
My closet is full of nice fines from my local thrift stores. Most of my business attire comes from these types of stores. I love to take a whole day that I need some “me” time to check out my surrounding shops.
You really have to be willing to treasure hunt for the good items but it’s worth the cost-savings.
If you have an eye for unique furniture fines that can be repurposed, you might want to check out your local stores. You can also fix them up and resell them to make some extra money.
9. Store Emails
I have hit the unsubscribe button a few times. Before I was on my journey to better finances I would spend my mornings with a cup of coffee and my email.
I would spend at least an hour looking at the latest sales. I didn’t really need anything but because the sale was “so incredible” I would be tempted to purchase unnecessary stuff.
If you know this is one of your weaknesses, hit the unsubscribe button quickly. It will be one of your best decisions to help you achieve financial freedom.
10. Convenience Buying
I have been guilty of doing this myself. I use to love going to the store to get pre-made salads or sandwiches.
I was buying it because it was less work I had to do. Have you noticed that head of lettuce lasts a lot longer than pre-washed salad mix? I was even guilty of buying pre-sliced fruit and prepackage mixed fresh vegetables. Let me be honest, this is my least favorite out of all the tricks to save money.
It would cost me more but I figured the time I spent preparing it myself would justify the cost.
FINAL WORD
As a recap, here are 10 Tricks to Save Money.
- Buy generic products instead of name brand
- Meal Prep
- Find an alternative method and ditch your cable bill.
- Use what you already have in your pantry
- Try DIY for your normal beauty services
- Shop for adult and children clothes when the season’s changes
- Check out local events for free or discounted entertainment
- Start shopping at your local thrift or consignment boutique
- Unsubscribe from store email
- Stay away from convenience buying.
More Posts You Might Like:
Leave a Reply