If we want to have better control over our money, you have to exercise the habit of saving. Almost everyone understands the importance of not wasting money and finding ways to reduce expenses in order to save.
However, saving seems to be very difficult and when we aim to do so, we don’t find a way to start. What can we do? We show you 15 effective tricks to save and not waste.
Follow these 15 tips to save and have more money
To save and make better use of our money, we require perseverance and discipline. But everything is easier if you have a plan or a guide, this way you can organize better and achieve your goal of saving.
Just a few simple ideas to apply to your day-to-day life and you realize that it is always possible to spend less, allowing you to invest the money that is left over in making your savings grow. That’s why we give you 15 tips to save money.
1. Search for offers
An effective way to save is to be in the habit of looking for offers. This requires a little energy and attention to keep an eye on nearby stores and malls. If you have a purchase planned, wait a little until you “hunt” for an offer.
But with offers, you have to be careful. It’s not about buying everything at a reduced price.It is not so much a question of which things are useful for the moment or later. It is also necessary to be careful that the offer is real and not just an advertising strategy.
2. Use free services
At present we have within our reach many free services. Either because companies launch promotions to publicize products or services, or because currently on the Internet there are many free alternatives to paid products.
For example, you can use free software, request free consultations at a web portal, or sign up for a new product testing program. While it’s about putting effort into looking for these alternatives, the reward is being able to save a little more money.
3. Shopping list
When you go to the grocery store, make a shopping list.. The products you need for the home, as well as the food for the week, fortnight or month, should be reflected somewhere before going out to buy…
In this way you will have very clear what you are going to buy and you will not be distracted by other things. Same thing when you buy clothes, school supplies or preparations for a party. Plan and write down what you need and stick to it.
4. Discount Coupons
In many countries companies or establishments offer discount coupons. It’s best if you take advantage of them without a shred of shame. This way you can get free or discounted products, as well as go out to eat with your family and save with coupons in establishments that accept them.
That’s right, don’t forget to save the money you have saved with the coupons. Even if they are very small amounts, it’s a good habit to keep a piggy bank in your home, where you can keep the extra money you didn’t spend safe thanks to the coupons.
5. Compare prices
If you want to save, you should take the time to compare prices. If you are going to buy some furniture, a vehicle, a property, or simpler things like a computer, a telephone or even the purchases of the month, it is always useful to take the necessary time to compare prices.
This is one of the best tricks to save. You will notice that stores offer different prices for the same product, even in some cases give you some extra gift that can also be useful. So take it easy and compare.
6. Repair before you buy again
Usually repairing something is cheaper than buying something new. It seems that today’s society is a society based around consumption and waste. Faced with the apparent ease of buying something we need to replace, we have lost the habit of repairing what we already have.
Repairing your belongings will help you a lot to save and not waste. Furniture, appliances and clothing are objects that can usually be repaired, thus giving them the opportunity to be used again, without having to spend extra money. Besides, it’s better for the environment.
7. Recycle before disposal
Recycling is a habit that if we cultivate, benefits us a lot.. The objects that we throw to the garbage, well we can use them for another purpose and with this to save a lot of money when not having to go out to buy.
Glass bottles of coffee or water can serve as spice bowls or vases. With lids and pet bottles, as well as from cardboard, lots of toys are made for all ages. It is surprising the number of uses that can be given to something that was initially garbage, thanks to recycling.
8. Exchange
Exchange or bartering is a great way to save. We all have objects at home that we no longer use, but surely someone else might need or give it proper use. In this case making an exchange, it’s a great idea.
Before throwing things away or giving them away, ask among your acquaintances, friends, neighbors, family and contacts of your social networks, if someone needs it and if they have something in exchange that may interest you. You’ll be surprised how many things they can offer you. and they’ll save you a lot of money.
9. Selling to buy
Before I buy something new, sell something you don’t use anymore. Even if at first glance it seems like you don’t have anything you don’t use, you’ll probably find that there are objects, clothes or utensils that you don’t use anymore.
A great trick to saving and not wasting is that every time you go to buy or acquire something, you have the purpose of selling something, even if it is small. In this way you avoid unnecessary accumulation and get some money to cushion the cost of the purchase.
10. Don’t buy out of emotion
This is one of the most complicated tricks to perform. But if you do, you’ll have total control over your finances, and the savings will be even greater. If you go out to the grocery store hungry, you’ll end up buying too much. If you’re going to buy clothes when you’re depressed, you’ll buy more. Our emotions guide our economic habits.
The goal is to have the awareness of not making shopping an escape or palliative of your problems or emotions. Find healthier ways to manage your emotions, and don’t shop compulsively when angry, depressed, hungry, frustrated, or euphoric. It’s easy to regret it.
11. Eating at home
Eating away from home greatly increases monthly spending. Of course it’s nice to go out and have a relaxing time, without having to worry about preparing everything and then washing the dishes, but these occasions should be infrequent if you want to save.
The cost of preparing something at home is immensely lower than the cost of going out to eat, either in the case of a single person or a family. It’s not about you not eating out again.but you have to reduce it as much as possible and you will soon realise how your expenses are considerably reduced.
12. Package Services
Currently companies offer their services in packages. Y normally these packages do offer a real discount. Analyze if in your home you could optimize your spending by hiring several things with a single company.
In the same way, when purchasing services or a product, it analyzes if there is a better price in the package. For example, vacations, car services, some household products, and telephone services typically offer discounted packages.
13. Shared transport
Organising the use of transport will help you to optimise and reduce costs. A great theme that concerns us all is that of ecology and care for the environment.. The excessive and in many cases unnecessary use of private transport has a great responsibility in the damage to our planet.
In addition to this, it generates an expense that could be eliminated. If there are more than two cars in your family, it is better to plan routes and coordinate among all of them to reduce fuel consumption to a single car. Another great option is to share a car with a neighbor or co-worker.
14. Extra money
When for some reason we get extra money, we have to save it.. If you got a raise, if you did any extra work and got paid for it. Maybe you won a raffle or a prize, sold something unexpectedly: save that money.
We tend to use the extra money to celebrateto buy something we wanted (but could postpone) or just “get rid of it”. Don’t do it, any extra or leftover money, save it, you’ll be surprised how much money you can collect.
15. Plan purchases of special events
A common situation is that in special events we spend more than necessary. Y This is for lack of planning.. For example, throughout the year you can shop for Christmas gifts, because at the height of the holiday season the products tend to be more expensive.
If at the beginning of the year you plan birthdays and end-of-year giftsyou’ll have 365 days to take advantage of offers, compare prices, or simply buy things at a fair price. This planning doesn’t take too long, although it does require discipline and perseverance.