By: Sarah Titus |
QUICK JUMP
Sometimes all you want to do is make a few simple changes and see instant results. Realistic things that you can literally do without thinking about them. If that’s you, this post, 10 No-Brainer Ways to Save Money is right up your alley!
There is a mass amount of information about how to save money out there. Some of it requires a change in habits that is more of a long-term goal and you may be asking yourself, “Yes, but how can I save money NOW without really doing much? I don’t have time for all the ideas out there and need immediate results. I’m on a tight budget.” If this is you, here are 10 practical and easy ways to save money without even thinking!
Brew your own coffee and bring your own lunch
Break up with the drive-thru habit. You may enjoy it and it may seem simple, but have you ever waited in line for 10 minutes? You could have brewed a cup at home in less time than that and it would have only cost you pennies. Drive-thrus of all kinds, like the ones at fast food restaurants, are just a bad idea. They seem to save you time, but in the long run, they cost you so much in your budget and really don t save that much time. Likewise, they are worse for your health, which ultimately gives you less time…here on Earth!
Make a grocery list
This is pretty simple to do and will save you so much time and money when you go shopping. Also, if you can, shop alone. Bringing extra people usually means extra things end up in your cart.
Follow your favorite brands on social media
You will often get coupons and special deals just for doing so and you won’t have to do much but wait for them to pop up and snag them when they do. So easy!
Borrow and get things free
Borrowing saves you money by not having to purchase things that you may only need one time and it also keeps the clutter down at home. Likewise, stop paying for things you want. Here are 15 things I don’t spend money on.
Stay organized
Being organized in many aspects of your life saves you money by allowing you to not buy duplicates of things you already own and staying on top of your important events. Miss a birthday? Chances are you’ll spend much more being late than having things all ready to go before hand.
Pay your bills on time
By paying your bills on time, you will avoid late fees which can up to hundreds of dollars wasted over the course of a year. Likewise, paying your bills late will affect your credit score, which makes for higher interest rates in the future. Set reminders on your phone or computer if you need to be reminded.
Set your thermostat lower in the winter and higher in the summer
Just a few degrees can save you lots of money in your electricity or natural gas bill. Hesitate to turn on the heat or air conditioner as long as you can. Bundle up in sweaters if you are cold or drinking a cool beverage if you are hot can help.
Sign up for rewards programs
These usually only take a minute to sign up for and can save you many dollars down the road and even earn you free items.If shopping online, look for coupon codes for free shipping or percentages off before you click pay.
Skip out of network ATMs
Those little fees can add up to big money lost very quickly. If you have trouble remembering where your in-network ATMs are, ask your bank if there is an app that you can download on your phone that helps you locate one with GPS based on your location. Many banks provide these now. And as a second tip, do NOT go overdraft. This is a biggie.
In my banking career, I’ve personally seen people go in the negative over a $12 charge and overdraft due to overdraft fees by $500 and the bank refused to waive all those fees!The list goes on and on and on….you can walk instead of taking your car. Go to the library instead of buying a book. Rent a movie instead of buying the movie or going to the theater.
Sometimes it’s the simplest things that lead to the most savings for you. I remember when I first started saving money, the first thing I cut out was fast food. I didn’t realize that our family spent $300/month on fastfood alone! Crazy, right. That’s an insane amount of money going down the tubes. Just start wherever you are at and don’t get overwhelmed.
Anyone can save money by changing up a few things. Things so easy that require barely any commitment or change at all.What are the things you do to save money without even thinking about them?
Do you have any creative money saving tips you’d like to share?
