There are many ways to save money. But sometimes, we are so ingrained in our own routines/habits that we don’t realize how much certain habits are costing us. That’s what this article is for! Here you will 20 easy tips to save more money, even during a pandemic.
Table of Contents
1. Cooking/Socializing At Home
It can be quite expensive to take your friends out to dinner. Naturally, you can’t just take them to Mcdonalds (Although you sometimes might want to).
However, eating in a chic and dignified restaurant costs much more. The more people you invite, the higher the bill will be. It is advisable to cook and receive your guests yourself. You will save a lot of money by inviting your guests to your home. And in many ways, you can end up creating a much better atmosphere by hosting at home!
2. Create A Shopping List
Creating the shopping list ensures that you notice any missing items immediately. It is logical that you also keep a budget book in which you enter all your expenses. At the end of the month you will be surprised how much money you have spent on things that are really unnecessary.
The shopping list has priority, so buy necessary and missing household items first. Only then can you search for special offers or similar.
If you don’t have a list and think about what you are missing, you are likely to forget important things you will find at home. When you leave, you lose time, and when you drive, you also lose fuel. Special offers from major discount companies are usually delivered weekly. Use your list to find out where these items are cheaper and where you can save money.
3. Drink More Water Instead Of Soda
You might think these are small savings. However, if you calculate the costs for a month, you will find that e.g. $5 per day are spent on drinks, which is equivalent to $150 per month. Drinking more water instead of Coke is certainly recommended from a health point of view. But the savings will also make themselves noticeable. Saving $150 is a reason to reduce sugary drinks or not to buy them at all. Water is much cheaper.
4. Say Goodbye To Expensive Vices
Among other things, saving means avoiding cigarettes and alcohol. Smokers knows that cigarettes are very expensive. Alcohol can be tolerated in small quantities (depending on price), but drinking 2 cans of beer every evening does not save money.
5. Buy LEDs
LED lamps may be slightly more expensive to purchase but you will find that you can save money in the long run. The lifetime of LED lamps is much longer than that of conventional lamps. Additionally, they consume far less energy than traditional bulbs.
6. Take Advantage Of Special Offers
Household goods like toilet paper, detergents, dishwasher tablets, etc. can become quit expensive. However, you can buy these items in bulk or only during special offers. Sure, that haul will be pricey, but overall you’ll save a lot of money.
7. Compare Internet & Phone Prices
Go comparison shopping once a year for internet, phone, and cable packages. These prices are always changing, and many companies offer multiple great discounts throughout the year. So take advantage.
9. If Possible, Repair Instead Of Buying New
You can often carry out small repairs yourself. If the V-belt of your washing machine is broken or torn, you do not need to buy a new machine or use an expensive repair service. With a new V-belt you can use your washing machine for years and save money.
The same goes for car repairs. Yes, things like ac compressors can become expensive fixes, but if your older car is otherwise in good condition, you will save money on fixing that issue vs buying a new car.
10. Use vinegar Instead Of Expensive Detergents
For many applications table vinegar is sufficient. Vinegar dissolves limescale deposits and keeps clothes soft.So why not use vinegar instead of fabric softener. Don’t worry, your clothes won’t smell of vinegar. Thanks to vinegar, limescale deposits no longer form in the washing machine. The all-purpose cleaner simply consists of a mixture of vinegar with water and a few drops of essential oil. Apple vinegar with a little alcohol is a special glass cleaner. Save money by using vinegar, which is available in every household.
11. Compare Prices
Discounters produce food, cleaning or care products under private labels. They are produced where the branded products are also manufactured, the only difference being the packaging. There is no difference in quality, so make sure and remember that they do not always have to be branded products. When you buy online, it is a good idea to compare prices between different suppliers. Remember that some suppliers have different prices for the same product.
12. Think About Insurance
Believe it or not, many people are over-insured. If you check your insurance policies, you may find that you actually have so-called “package deals” where the individual policies are either covered by another company anyway or are completely unnecessary. You should compare your car insurance offers as well as all other products, preferably once a year.
13. Switch Off The Heating In Winter When Airing Out
It is a good idea to turn off the heaters at night and also when you are airing out. This advice is given to consumers by experts. Anyone who is negligent in this respect will end up spending a considerable amount of money.
14. Skip Additional Warranties
Many suppliers of expensive electronic products offer so-called five-year warranty extensions. This may sound good at first. For example, a new laptop costs $1000. The warranty extension is calculated at $250. Chances are that the laptop won’t even break during the covered warranty period. And if it does, it is likely cheaper to pay for the repair than the warranty.
15. Make Use Of Warm Weather
If the sun is shining outside or a strong wind is blowing, you can dry your clothes on the balcony or in the backyard. It is not necessary to use the dryer continuously throughout the year. In spring, summer and sometimes in autumn you can dry your clothes outside. This will save quite a bit of money as driers are one of the most inefficient appliances in your home.
16: Do You Really Use All Those Streaming Services?
If you are using Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ etc., check that the services are actually in constant use. If you go on Disney + once or twice a month, you don’t really need it. Sure, it’s always nice to have the option available, but it is also important to cut things out that you won’t really miss that much.
17. Sell Things You No Longer Need
Go through your basement and check what you no longer use Is it still in good condition and just standing collecting dust? If yes, then sell it!There are many ways to sell used items over the internet.
18. Do You Really Need The Latest Smartphone?
Products in this category are extremely expensive, especially if they are newly developed models. Ask yourself if you really need to buy the new cell phone that came on the market last month. Logically, you will save a lot of money if you buy the predecessor or the predecessor of the latest model. The features are usually slightly different. The camera may be better, but pictures taken with the current phone work just as well.
19. Gym Memberships
You are a member of a gym, which by the way is not exactly cheap, but you do not go there regularly? Think about how often you go there and ask yourself if you would rather cancel your expensive membership and save money. Especially if you can go for a run or use outdoor spaces as makeshift gyms.
Leave a Reply