Another big goal this year could be saving money. It could be creating a nest egg for retirement. Saving for a new car or a house. Or just saving, so you don't have to live paycheck to paycheck. Whatever your reason is to make sure it is evident to you and the people you live with because if everyone knows your goals, it helps you make it real, and it helps them realize what you are making a priority in your life. So you don't need to be ashamed. You deserve to think about you for a change. So, I give you permission to hell to the highest rooftops and share your goals with the world.
Ways to save money fast
Cut online services you may not be using.
Comb through your credit card and bank statements and find unused services you can cancel. Remember it doesn't have to be forever. You can set it up again later after you reach your goal.
Find challenges to help you save money.
There are many "Saving Money Challenges" you can choose from online. Here are just a few I found from other bloggers. Look for challenges with printables, so you can determine what you need to do each week.
52 Week Money Challenge 2017: How I Plan to Save $6800 This Year!
Tip: Set up auto-transfer for the amount you want to transfer and add it to your "Bills" in your money management software. Even though it is not a bill, think of it that way, so you get into the habit of paying it every month.
Sell stuff in your home that you are not using and that people want.
This task may not be the easiest thing to do, but it will help you in two ways: It will help you save money quicker, and it will reduce clutter in your home. It's a win-win. Don't you agree? Start by finding an item in your home and then search online to see what people have been buying. Try eBay or Craigslist. Be sure you are safe and never let anyone come to your home to buy something. Meet at a location that is familiar to you and bring someone with you just in case. You can even have a yard sale. This task will take some planning, however.
Use reward cards, online coupons, and app coupons to save you money.
There are many apps out there that will help you save money. Some I like are my local grocery stores, Target's Cartwheel, Walmart coupon website. Some years ago, I created a list of sites I would visit before going shopping to make sure I had all the coupons I could use. Did you know that some stores allow you to use two coupons on one purchase? Yes, it's true. You can use a manufacturer coupon and a store coupon on the same items. Check your store's policies or ask the cashier.
Organize your pantry and plan your meals will help you save on groceries each week.
We forget what we have when we can't see it. So make sure your pantry is organized with all the like items together. This task will help you quickly figure out what you need and not buy duplicates unnecessarily. Feel free to visit my organizing your pantry posts to help you when you take on this task.
Share Entertaining Costs.
If you are a social eater, consider inviting friends and family over for a potluck luncheon. Everyone brings one dish and you each person can enjoy the other people's meals. If you like to each out at lunch time, try bagging a fun lunch for two and sharing it with a friend, so you help them also save money.
Look for FREE Entertaining Activities.
Kids entertain easily. Check your local paper for activities to take the kids. Or better yet, get your kids into nature. Find a hiking trail to take your them when they just need to get out.
Quit habits that cost money.
Yes, I know you may not think drinking a wine glass a day isn't hitting your pocket. But, it is. What about the cigarettes that you buy? How much do you spend on them? How often do you buy them? Even if you cut back on this habit a little at first, that will automatically help you save money. Do the math; you will see a difference in your savings right away.
And, lastly, Reduce energy usage.
Start by walking instead of driving. Try lowering your thermostat when you are not at home. Take shorter showers. Turn lights off and unplug appliances when they are not in use. All these little tasks will add to significant savings.
Well, there you have it. Hopefully, this gives you easy ways to save money. If you want, feel free to share the reason you want to save money this year below. I would love to hear about it. I hope you achieve your goals with little sacrifice.
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Kathy McEwan
Great tips. The hardest one for me is the entertaining costs. I love to go out to eat and am getting tired of making dinners. I would love to have a good healthy meals delivered to me but that would cost a lot of money too. lol
Diane
These are great tips, Sabrina. I forget that unplugging appliances helps to save on electricity. I always turn them off when not in use but forget the extra step.
Liana George
We have cut our electric bill by going with a plan that offers us free electricity from 7 am- 10 am and 7 pm - 10 pm. That's when I run all my major appliances (washer, dryer, dishwasher, pool) and the savings has been incredible! Love this list and definitely sharing it with others!
Seana Turner
As with so many aspects of life, I find it is the little things that have the greatest impact. A cup of coffee purchased at a retail establishment every day costs so much more than making it yourself. It doesn't seem like a lot of money on any given day, but run the math and it is easy to see.
Jamie Steele
Meal planning has saved me a ton of money. I use an automated service called Real Plans and it automagically creates a meal plan for me. It has saved me so much time and money. I also love your point of canceling the automatic subscriptions. I really need to audit my account and see what I have signed up for that I may have forgotten about. In this day and age of the subscription service it can be hard to remember.
Sabrina Quairoli
That's really cool, Jamie. I will have to check out Real Plans. We started meals delivery so I can get out of meal planning altogether. I will be writing our experience with two different meal delivery companies soon and how much we saved doing it this way. =) Thanks for sharing.
Daria
Great practical tips Sabrina! I used to be really good about coupons when I received the newspaper each Sunday. But we weren't reading the paper and I hated just recycling it. Now I am terrible about coupons. I need to find online ones for groceries. If you have any you use, I'd love to know. Thanks!
Sabrina Quairoli
Try Coupons.com, they have an app. Hope it helps.