25 Easy Ways to Improve your Budget and Save More (2024)

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Saving money may not be as hard as you think. Try the following25 tips to improve your budget and save more money:

1. Write down your financial goals. Setting short-term and long-term financial goals will help you plan what you need to do financially in the recent months, this year, and even the next 5 years.

2. Put saving an emergency fund as a high priority.If you do not have the fund to cover emergencies yet, make sure your monthly budget includes savings for unplanned events.

3. Track what you spend on and how much you spend.You need to know where your money goes in order to figure out where and how to cut certain expenses.

4. Make staycation as one of your options when you make a vacation plan.When you have a tight budget, consider having a staycation instead of an expensive vacation, such as going to a movie, taking a hike, or hosting a potluck.

5. Skip the drinks, and instead, ask for water in a restaurant.Drinks such as co*ke and wine are big money-makers for restaurants and are most over-priced items on their menus.

6. Bring your own lunch to work.Making your own lunch instead of dining out may save you from $100-$200 per month. That’s quite a lot of savings in the long run.

7. Use a shopping list for grocery shopping.Use a shopping list for grocery shopping. A shopping list helps you stick to the plan and avoid impulse spending.

8. Drink more home-made coffee instead of buying coffee.A survey shows on average, American works spend $1,092 on coffee each year. Making your own coffee may save you nearly a thousand dollars.

9. Check your local library before ordering a book.Make full use of your library card and borrow books instead of buying them. You can still be an avid reader without spending money on books. Once can also downloadAmazon’s free e-books,or readfree books from Google Play.

10. Use cloth napkins rather than paper napkins.Cloth napkins last longer, generate less trash, and save you money since they are reusable.

11. Never waste food.Each year, an American toss away an average of approximately $500 unwanted food. To avoid wasting food, one needs to shop smart, store food properly, and be willing to eat leftovers.

12. Make your own gifts and greeting cards instead of buying those from stores

13. Sell your unwanted stuff on eBay or a yard sale. Turn the items no longer needed into extra cash.

14. Unplug electronics when they are not in use.Unplugging household appliances (except for a few items such as arefrigerator) can effectively cut standby power.

15. Purchase store brand products.Store brands are often just as good as brand-name products and can be much cheaper.

16. Shop with coupons and/or when products are on sale.Coupon websites and apps, such as Flipp and RetailMeNot, offers hundreds of store ads, deals, and coupons.

17. Compare insurance options and shop for better deals.When purchasing car, home, or life insurance, compare the offers from different insurance companies to get the best price.

18. Hang your clothes dry instead of using the dryer.A clothes dryer may take 12% of your electricity bill. Air drying cloth can save you about $200 per year.

19. Cancel gym memberships if not frequently used.If you are a gym member that rarely use the facilities, it is simply a waste of money—it is time to cancel your membership.

20. Take public transportation or bike instead of driving.

21. Buy in bulk (and then split with friends and share costs if possible).Note–when you buy perishable items, be sure you have a plan on processing them immediately orsharing them with others.

22. Check free or low-cost local events (e.g., free museum admission, free concerts).

23. Use cash-back programs such as Ibotta and Ebates. You can earn money back when you go shopping online or in store.Sign up for Ibotta now(it’s FREE) and you will get$10 welcome bonus!Sign-up for Ebates now(it’s FREE) and you will get$10 cash back as your signup bonus!

24. Combine multiple errands into one trip.Reduce the number of trips can save you gas, time and money.

25. Take shorter showers—try 5-minute shower to save money and water.

Related articles on easy ways to save money:

  • 5 Best Apps for Finding Local Deals
  • 10 Ways to Increase your Savings When Shopping at Amazon
  • 60 Fantastic Online Resources that Help Saving Money

25 Easy Ways to Improve your Budget and Save More (2024)

FAQs

What is the 50 20 30 rule? ›

The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings.

What are 4 steps to better budgeting? ›

The following steps can help you create a budget.
  • Calculate your earnings.
  • Pay your bills on time and track your expenses.
  • Set financial goals.
  • Review your progress.
May 2, 2024

How can I improve my budget? ›

6 Ways to Improve Your Budget
  1. Get an accountability partner. Living that budgeting life isn't always easy. ...
  2. Review your spending habits (especially on the extras). ...
  3. Find ways to save on your bills. ...
  4. Check on your insurance policies. ...
  5. Get rid of debt. ...
  6. Use a budgeting app.
Nov 1, 2023

What is the 30 day rule? ›

The premise of the 30-day savings rule is straightforward: When faced with the temptation of an impulse purchase, wait 30 days before committing to the buy. During this time, take the opportunity to evaluate the necessity and impact of the purchase on your overall financial goals.

What is the 20 savings rule? ›

Budget 20% for savings

In the 50/30/20 rule, the remaining 20% of your after-tax income should go toward your savings, which is used for heftier long-term goals. You can save for things you want or need, and you might use more than one savings account. Examples of savings goals include: Vacation.

How to budget $4000 a month? ›

making $4,000 a month using the 75 10 15 method. 75% goes towards your needs, so use $3,000 towards housing bills, transport, and groceries. 10% goes towards want. So $400 to spend on dining out, entertainment, and hobbies.

What are the four C's of budgeting? ›

As owners of FP&A processes, today's accounting teams must be well-versed in the four C's of financial planning: context, collaboration, continuity, and communication. Today, financial planning and budgeting are more important than ever.

What are the 3 most important parts of budgeting? ›

For any organization, a budget, whether done annually or conducted throughout the year in the form of rolling forecasts, is a critical component for success. Any successful budget must connect three major elements – people, data and process.

What are the 5 basics to any budget? ›

What Are the 5 Basic Elements of a Budget?
  • Income. The first place that you should start when thinking about your budget is your income. ...
  • Fixed Expenses. ...
  • Debt. ...
  • Flexible and Unplanned Expenses. ...
  • Savings.

How to start saving money? ›

5 simple steps to start saving
  1. Set one specific goal. Rather than socking away money into a savings account, set specific goals for your savings. ...
  2. Budget for savings. Just because you decide to save doesn't mean it's going to happen. ...
  3. Make saving automatic. ...
  4. Keep separate accounts. ...
  5. Monitor & watch it grow.

What is the best advice for budgeting? ›

In the 50/20/30 budget, 50% of your net income should go to your needs, 20% should go to savings, and 30% should go to your wants. If you've read the Essentials of Budgeting, you're already familiar with the idea of wants and needs. This budget recommends a specific balance for your spending on wants and needs.

What is the 30 day rule for budgeting? ›

Here's how it works: When you have the urge to make an impulse purchase, wait for 30 days and give yourself time to think about it. While considering the purchase, deposit the money you need for it into a savings account. If you still want to buy that item after the 30-day period is up, go for it.

How to save with little income? ›

SHARE:
  1. Focus on small changes in various budget categories.
  2. Automate your savings into a high-yield savings account.
  3. Earn interest on your checking account.
  4. Use those three-payday months to save more.
  5. Keep a budget.
  6. Shop around for insurance rates.
  7. Refinance your mortgage.
  8. Find a way to save on rent.
Oct 19, 2023

What is the 9o day rule? ›

According to the 90-day rule, a foreign national who engages in conduct inconsistent with their nonimmigrant status within a 90 day period of entering the U.S. may become inadmissible for the green card or even permanently barred from entering the US.

Is the 50 30 20 rule outdated? ›

But amid ongoing inflation, the 50/30/20 method no longer feels feasible for families who say they're struggling to make ends meet. Financial experts agree — and some say it may be time to adjust the percentages accordingly, to 60/30/10.

What is the disadvantage of the 50 30 20 rule? ›

It may not work for everyone. Depending on your income and expenses, the 50/30/20 rule may not be realistic for your individual financial situation. You may need to allocate a higher percentage to necessities or a lower percentage to wants in order to make ends meet. It doesn't account for irregular expenses.

How would the 50 20 30 rule break down your take-home pay? ›

The 50/30/20 rule is a budgeting technique that involves dividing your money into three primary categories based on your after-tax income (i.e., your take-home pay): 50% to needs, 30% to wants and 20% to savings and debt payments.

What is the 50 30 20 rule for 401k? ›

Key Takeaways

The 50/30/20 budget rule states that you should spend up to 50% of your after-tax income on needs and obligations that you must have or must do. The remaining half should be split between savings and debt repayment (20%) and everything else that you might want (30%).

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