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Saving money is easier said than done. While we all want to be financially stable with an ever-increasing savings account, the fact is that bills and emergency expenses can sometimes leave us cash strapped. The good news is that no matter your financial situation, there are plenty of ways to save money.
Here are 7 saving money tips that will help you get back to solid financial grounding.
1. Use A Budgeting App
In the world of instant swipes and automated deductions, it’s hard to know exactly where your money is going. If you want to save money each month, it helps to know how much income you have coming in and where it’s going. Being able to visualize your bills makes it much easier to determine how much you can comfortably afford to set aside.
Budgeting apps are also great for setting financial goals. Maybe you want to save $1,000 in the next three months or maybe you want to pay off a high interest credit card ASAP, or you have a title loan that needs paid off. Using an app you can come up with a business budget, plan it out and stick to it.
2. Choose The Right Bank
These days there are dozens of banks to choose from. One of the simplest ways to save money is to pick a bank that makes sense. While you want one that’s conveniently located, you’ll also want to scope out any perks or rewards programs that the bank offers. Things like high interest savings accounts, no ATM fees, and no overdraft fees will all save you money in the long run.
While it’s tempting to go to a big name bank, it’s often the smaller online banks and credit unions that offer better perks and interest rates. This way you can grow interest on the money you save and make money without trying.
3. Use Coupons
Using coupons doesn’t have to entail spending time sifting through the newspaper and clipping a bunch of paper coupons. These days there are e-coupons that are accepted by thousands of stores. By using coupons, you never have to pay full price for any items you need. From clothing to groceries to a meal at a restaurant, chance are you’ll find a coupon available that will keep money in your pocket.
While you could search online for coupons, it’s much easier to use a mobile coupon app such as:
- RetailMeNot
- Grocery Smart
- Saving Star
With a mobile app you can quickly search a store or product and find a related coupon in just a few swipes.
4. Price Compare
Along with coupons, price comparing can save you hundreds of dollars on some of your purchases. If you know you’re in the market for a new lawn mower or tires for your car, don’t settle for the first place that you come across that sells what you need. Instead, do some price comparison and shop around. By taking the time to look at prices in other stores, you’ll likely be able to save plenty of money. What’s even better is that some retailers price-match, allowing you to save money while still purchasing from a convenient location.
5. Say Goodbye To Cable
In late 2017, more than half a million customers cut the cord. Ever since the creation of Netflix, Hulu, and other digital streaming services, a growing number of people have stopped paying the high cost of cable services. If you want to save some money effortlessly, cutting cable is the answer.
By using a streaming service, you’ll not only pay less each month for at-home entertainment, you’ll still have access to your favorite channels and entrepreneur TV shows. In fact, with digital streaming, you can watch original movies and series that you won’t find on a cable network. Who could say no to saving money while getting more for their money?
6. Be More Energy Efficient
If you’re like most people, a good percentage of your monthly costs are home expenses. From your mortgage to the water bill and electricity bills, your home is a money sucker. While you can’t do much about your mortgage payment, there are ways you can save money by taking a conscious effort to be more energy efficient.
On cool days, open your windows and turn off the AC. Get a nice breeze flowing through your home to keep it at a comfortable temperature. Turn off unused lights and unplug appliances. Taking short showers and minimizing use of other water-appliances, like the dishwasher and clothes washer, will also cut your energy costs.
7. Sell Things
We’re all guilty of holding onto items that we don’t need anymore. While in the past you had to hold a yardsale to get rid of unwanted items, thanks to the online world, you can sell anything at any time. Using eBay top selling products, Craigslist posts or even Facebook’s Marketplace, you can list your items online and interested parties will bid on them. This takes very little effort but could land you some serious cash.
8. Live Below Your Means
Of course, living below your means is a great way to boost financial security and stability. Ultimately, living below your means is a key strategy for long-term financial success. In fact, living below your actual means is known to work in tandem with traditional budgeting and common financial planner questions. In order to do so, simply create a plan for your money, prioritize savings, and eliminate meaningless expenses. At the same time, you should try to minimize interest and taxes where ever possible. Surely, these innovative financial techniques can help you streamline security and stability for long-term success.
Conclusion
While it takes some work and dedication, it is possible to save money. Using these tactics, you can grow your savings account and have more money on hand to pay for planned and unforeseen expenses.
