Trying to save money can still feel elusive, even with all the tools at our disposal.
But the truth is that it often isn’t sweeping decisions that save you the most: it’s the work you put in every day. Here are six simple but impactful habits that can add up to thousands in savings over time.
Be Strategic With Your Groceries
If you keep rolling up to the grocery store with zero plan, you’re basically tossing money out the window.
Meal planning is your secret weapon.
And even if you’re not a five-star chef, learning a handful of easy go-to recipes will make meal planning way less stressful. Plus, you can experiment with swapping ingredients based on weekly sales.
Use Your Hands To Create
Most people shy away from DIY, thinking that it’s too much work or they’ll mess it up.
But with enough information and the right YouTube tutorial, you can fix or make just about anything you put your mind to. Every project adds a new skill to your toolkit, and that pays off over time, even if it’s just making homemade cards or fixing a small plumbing issue.
Stop Paying for Cable
Cable is a redundant expense for most people at this point.
Streaming services have taken over for good reason, but don’t forget to check in with those, too, so you don’t overdo it. Pick one or two you can’t do without and cancel everything else. Don’t forget to use free options like YouTube or your public library’s streaming services and save even more cash while still getting your content fix.
Shop Smarter
Too many people go shopping without doing their homework first. Check flyers and websites for deals. Stack coupons and use rewards apps.
Buy generic, especially where you can’t even tell the difference between the products. And most importantly, don’t let sales trick you into buying things you don’t need. If it’s not on your list (which you definitely made, right?), then it’s not going in the cart.
Set Up Automatic Savings Transfers
If you’re struggling to remember to save or you think you just don’t have enough to put away (which you likely do, by the way), automate it. Schedule transfers directly from your checking account whenever it’s most convenient.
Even if you aren’t saving for anything specific, tucking away cash for an emergency fund is a financial godsend and something that way too many people still don’t have.
Dine Out Less
Eating out or ordering in are both fun, and no one’s suggesting you should stop. But it’s also extremely pricey, especially if you aren’t paying attention to your spending. Don’t cut it from your budget: incorporate dining out into your meal plans and set a monthly limit that feels realistic.
One of the best ways to do this is to pack more snacks when you leave home. This limits how often you’ll pop in somewhere for a $12 sandwich when all you really needed was something to tide you over until you got home.
