Managing money can be tough. It’s so easy to lose track of spending, and when everything is so expensive, you can find yourself with far too much month left at the end of your money. Are you looking to reduce overspending, or cut back so you can get out of debt? Luckily there are plenty of things you can do to go about it.
Set a Budget and Stick To It
Knowing exactly how much money you have coming in, and what needs to go out is vital for working out your budget. This gives you total control over your money and means you’re never caught short. Once you know how much you have left over after essential bills, you can work out how much you’re spending elsewhere as well as work on ways to get that down. A budgeting app or tool could be useful to get you started.
Cook From Scratch
Buying pre-packaged food, ready meals, and fast food will always cost a whole lot more. To save money, get in the habit of cooking yourself. Not only is it healthier as you know exactly what has gone into your dishes but it’s way cheaper too. Having a well-stocked store cupboard can help your money go further. When times are lean, all you need is one or two extra ingredients, and you’re able to prepare meals from what you already have. If you can get large packs of meat or vegetables on offer, it’s worth cooking up batches of food and putting it into freezer bags or Tupperware to go in the freezer. You then have plenty of meals on hand that are quick to reheat, and cost next to nothing compared to buying ready made.
Save What You Can
Whether you transfer money into a savings account each week, or just save up your loose change- just save what you can. A rainy day fund can be incredibly useful; even a small amount can come in handy when times are hard. If you’re able to get some real savings behind you, when unexpected expenses crops up you’re able to take care of them there and then. Rather than having to take out credit, and pay back large amounts of interest.
Use Coupons
When it comes to online shopping, there’s plenty you can do to reduce costs. When you need to make a purchase only pay full price if you absolutely have to, shop around to find the best deals. Comparison sites can be useful, and always use a cashback site to gain a little back too. It takes seconds and costs you nothing, after the transaction clears a few weeks later you have a bit of extra cash you can spend or save as you need it. Make a habit of searching for sales and coupons, sites including Manycoupons have a range to choose from. Checking local newspapers and flyers and clipping coupons to use in the grocery store can save you some serious cash from your bill too.
Re-Use and Repurpose
Luckily upcycling is all the rage right now, which is handy for those of us on a budget or trying to live more frugally! You could either reuse and upcycle pieces of furniture you already own, or buy inexpensive pieces from Craigslist and thrift stores and give them a makeover. You get a fun craft to complete, and save a massive amount of money compared with buying new.
