Here are some great tips how to easily save a little here and there. Give it a try and pick your favorite!
Home care
- Buy toilet paper and hand towels in bigger bulk packages and preferably on sale.
- Don't waste money on plastic bags, use reusable fabric bags
- Use the bottom of washing soaps by adding warm water to them.
- Only wash full loads of laundry.
- Plug electronic appliances off when not using them. You may also want to attach them on an extension cord which has an off-switch.
- Maintain your shoes, sewing machine, bicycle and other on a regular basis to extent their mileage.
- If you need furniture or clothes, don't buy them new from a store, but rather ask around. Your friends might have some extra stuff they don't need or you might do some great finds at flea markets.
Beauty
- Don't color your hair. Instead get some highlights, they don't require as much maintaining and are cheaper.
- Have a friend or find a friend of a friend to cut your hair.
- Enjoy your natural beauty and don't spend too much on make up. Only use some key items.
- Think outside the box when using beauty products. For example coconut oil gives great taste to your food but is also extremely good for your skin and hair.
- Never turn down a free sample!
Clothing
- Invest in quality clothing that is timeless and rather set up a collection than buy separate items.
- Mend your clothing whenever possible.
- Buy online.
- Recycle children's clothing in your community.
- Take advantage on season sales or other sales and buy shoes and clothes well in advance for next summer/ winter.
Food and drink
- Prepare your own meals
- Pack your lunch for work
- Cultivate your backyard with edible salads, herbs and potatoes.
- Make a trip to the forest and gather berries and mushrooms.
- Enjoy drinking water and stop wasting your money on alcohol
- Buy meat on sale and put it in the freezer
- Buy also other freezable products on sale or bulk.
- Make your own bread, it's easy and much more tastier.
- Concentrate your grocery shopping on one day in the week. Plan for the entire next week and make a list. Don't buy anything that's not on the list.
- Don't waste food. This can also be prevented by planning ahead.
- Reduce your visits to coffee shops and minimize eating out.
Moving around
- Don't own a car. It will save you a lot
- Use public transportation or walk and bicycle shorter distances.
- Borrow or rent a car for longer distances. Occasional use of taxis is cheaper on a yearly basis than owning your own car.
Entertainment and hobbies
- Go to bars only twice a year. Optionally, don't get wasted but enjoy fewer drinks with more pleasure.
- Instead of talking on the phone, use cheaper options like Skype or online messages.
- There are plenty of free activities like reading or free events.
- Why bother buying newspapers when you can read them at your local library. Libraries also have plenty of movies and even might carry games or tools to borrow.
- Exercise at home and get your instructor online. YouTube carries various videos for every need.
- Take a walk or start jogging.
Economic thinking
- Don't buy anything on an impulse, it won't give you happiness.
- When buying, buy quality.
- Create a simple budget on Excel, write your savings and spendings down to follow your money usage.
- Set up a separate account (or two!) and transfer money immediately on payday. Only leave enough for groceries and a small sum for spending.
- Find pleasure in saving rather than spending.