You don’t necessarily have to make significant sacrifices to save money on your spending. There are plenty of painless cost-cutters that should see you saving more than you think. Here are a few tips how.
1. Switch From Name Brands to Store Brands
Nothing much separates store brand products from name brand products. Unwrapped, these products will be almost identical and just as good. The only difference is that name brand products are usually 20 – 50% more expensive than store brands. You could, therefore, realize huge savings (up to 50% savings) if you switched to store brand products instead. More and more food/grocery chains are launching their lines of premium products that you can take advantage of, and at a lower price.
2. Have a Shopping List Ready
Shopping with a written list can help keep you from impulse buying, hence save you some money in the process. You might have already noticed this if you went shopping without a list ready. Nevertheless, jotting down all you need while still in the house/office, then taking the list with you should make the process easier and more manageable. If tempted to pick something extra from the shelves, pick the ones already on the list first, go home, then think about the extra item while at home. If the item was essential, you should add it to the shopping list next time.
3. Plan Your Meals
Take some time to plan your meals. Have a timetable of what to have for dinner for the next one week. You could also try consulting free meal planners, and then buy all the ingredients needed. This way, you can prepare your meals at home.
4. Carry Snacks
Whether you have a quick snack at a convenience store, a fast-food restaurant, or a vending machine, eating out will cost you more money than if you ate at home. You could avoid all the extra spending by bringing a snack from home. Simply carrying a bottle of water and a granola bar to work could save you the urge to go to the vending machine.
5. Use Everything Up Before Replacing It
You probably have loads of partly-used or unused items in the house. These may be beauty care products, food, or hobby supplies. Whatever they are, be sure to use them up before going for a replacement. This can save you from tossing away items that would have saved you a week or more of supplies. Clearing all the clutter in the house before getting fresh supplies is one of the best ways to save money in the long term.
6. Shop to Save
Always challenge yourself to buy items at a bargain. If you have been paying a regular price for an item, then choose to buy it during a sale, or better still on clearance. Bargain if possible, to save a few coins in the process.
7. Bargain
Call phone, cable, internet, and other utility providers to ask if they can offer you a better deal. According to Tristate energy company Josco, some of these companies might be willing to offer a price cut to keep you as their customer.
