Saving money is ideal if you are in the hole or you have recently lost your job. It’s also ideal for installing some discipline in your spending habits.
In this guide, I’m going to target the main areas of expenditure and help you to cut down. You will find that you can save thousands of dollars every year by following these financial principles.
Buy in Bulk, Learn to Freeze, or Grow Your Own
Food is immensely expensive. If you prefer to buy convenience foods, you will find your costs accelerating even further. There are three options here.
- Buy in bulk. Food is always more expensive when you buy small amounts of it.
- Cook foods in bulk and freeze large batches. This will also stop you from having to cook a meal from scratch every time you are hungry.
- Grow your own food. Use your garden to grow some food for yourself. In addition, it’s good for the environment.
Get Rid of the Car
In the US, it’s common knowledge that everyone needs a car, right?
Not the case at all. If you live in the middle of nowhere, a car is necessary, but if you live in the middle of the city, you have perfectly good public transportation to take advantage of.
Furthermore, if you only drive a few times per year, there is no reason why you can’t borrow a family member’s car. Also, forget about owning more than one car. Two-car families are rarely necessary. Organize your routine so you can survive on one car.
Think of all the gas and insurance money you could save.
Learn to Sew
Clothes are another major expense we have to live with. Of course, you can’t live without clothes, but you can make clothes last for longer by simply learning to sew. Look into local sewing and tailoring classes at a community center.
By patching up holes and being able to alter clothes to pass them down to someone else, you can save a ton of money.
In addition, if you keep them in good condition, you can make your tailored clothes look new.
Always Buy Second-Hand
It is understood that anyone looking to save money should shop second-hand. There is a certain stigma about it when there shouldn’t be. You can buy anything second-hand.
Unbelievably, everything you buy second-hand isn’t trash. You can find perfectly good items that you would never suspect were second-hand if you had not bought them. Most second-hand stores won’t sell items that aren’t in near perfect condition.
Yet you’ll find these same items for 80% less than you would in a brand store.
Use Space Right
The most expensive thing we have is space. Look at where you live and consider whether you really need all that space to function. If the answer is no, get rid of it. Don’t feel as if you have to exist with a huge amount of space.
Downsizing can cut your rent by hundreds of dollars per month. Don’t want to move? You can always take in a lodger and turn your large house into an income.
What other money saving ideas do you have?
The hubs and I did one car for two years and we lived in the country part of Atlanta. It was tough but we made it work because we had no other choice. Groceries are pricey I travel to 3 different stores to maximize my budget for the week.
ReplyDeleteMr. M and I did 1 car too when we first moved to Georgia. It was tough, but we made it work until we saved enough money for a 2nd car.
DeleteI buy most of my groceries in bulk so I don't have to go grocery shopping all the time. Also, I'm starting to use coupons more.
We're doing most of these things. We're going to start gardening this year and I'd really like to learn how to sew. We're getting there though. I'm so thrilled with the things we're doing to save money and enjoy telling others about them too!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to see you're on a lifestyle changing journey. You'll start to realize you don't need all those material things, that's why a lot of people are staring to become minimalist.
DeleteHi Lou
ReplyDeleteClipping coupons can help save on some grocery items too. Shopping at Aldi for certain items is another saver for me.
It has been awhile since I last shopped at Aldi. I heard they're getting better with their products, so I need to check them out again.
DeleteHi Lou,
ReplyDeleteGreat post!!
Thanks girl!
DeleteAwesome Tips!
ReplyDeleteThanks girl!
Delete