Nowadays, with everything being a one-click purchase, saving money has become the very least of our priorities.
Especially when you’re living paycheck to paycheck and with all the bills and monthly expenses piling up, saving money is just not doable.
Back when I was still working, I had this strong and sudden urge to get my finances in order and really start saving money.
And so I did, I was doing really well.
I was sticking with the budget and I made savings a priority.
But unfortunately, that strong urge only lasted for a couple of months and before I knew it, I was back to my old spending habits.
And that is where one of the problems lies, we all get this strong urge to start saving money but it doesn’t last.
We have a hard time sticking to it.
And one of the main reasons why that happened to me, why I stopped, is because I felt like I was sacrificing too much.
And when you’re working a very stressful 9-5 job, the feeling of having to sacrifice your paycheck too much to save money can become a very daunting task – making it harder for you to really stick to it.
That’s why today, I have decided to gather 6 Easy and Effective Tricks to help you save money without the feeling of sacrificing too much.
Some of these tips have seriously helped me take control of my finances and save money.
So, check them out!
Set a Reasonable Restaurant Budget
Back then, probably, one of the most difficult things for me to give up was eating out.
I’m not a good cook and I loved the convenience and comfort of buying takeout food.
So, giving it up entirely was just too difficult for me at first.
If we are on the same boat, I’m here to tell you that you don’t have to give it up right away.
You can do it slowly until you finally get the hang of it.
After getting your paycheck set up a specific amount for your restaurant budget for the whole month.
This budget will include takeout food, coffee, and dinner with your friends.
Be sure to set a reasonable amount and remember, once you spend it then it’s gone for good.
And if you’re comfortable, you can reduce that amount every month until you finally get the hang of it.
Doing it slowly won’t make you feel like your sacrificing too much – making it easier for you to really commit to it.
Cut off stuff that you’re paying but not really using
Oftentimes, we are just so used in paying those monthly subscriptions or memberships that we don’t even think twice.
We don’t even stop to recognize the fact if we are even using these things in the first place.
Like my friend, she’s paying for a gym membership. Every month this bill gets automatically deducted from her card.
But was she really using it?
No.
She even told me that she was only going to the gym at about 5-7 times a month.
She just never realized how much this was costing her because she was just so used into paying it.
In my case, it was the cable TV. I was paying for it but I wasn’t even really watching cable TV. Silly, right?
So, maybe it’s time to reevaluate your bills and monthly expenses.
Recognize the things that you’re paying for but not really using.
And start saving yourself some money by canceling those things.
Learn to DIY
I was never a DIY girl. I loved the comfort of just buying them instead of creating them on my own.
But I’ve realized that there is just so much stuff that we can actually easily whack one at home to save more money.
From DIY skincare to cleaning supplies and of course good old greeting cards.
Imagine how much money you’ll be saving by creating those things on your own instead of buying them.
I’m most especially fond of doing DIY skincare.
I have created body scrubs, lip scrubs and they are simply the best!
Now, I even create my own cleaning supplies and home air fresheners! It saves me money plus its chemical free.
So, that’s definitely a win-win for me!
Go ahead and give it a try!
Pay Yourself First
Like bills and other monthly expenses, we also have to make savings as a priority.
Most of the time, we just choose to wait and save what’s left over.
Making it easier for us to just blow it off.
That’s why we really need to incorporate it into our monthly budget.
So, set a specific amount or percentage of your income that goes directly to your savings.
Doing this will help you make saving a priority and not just an afterthought.
Just make sure to set up a reasonable amount, something that you and you’re family are comfortable with.
This will make it easier for you to stick to it!
If you’d like, you can even start small and just slowly increase it every month.
After learning to pay ourselves first, I have definitely seen a huge change in how we handle our savings.
We used to really struggle to save money but with this strategy, saving money just becomes a habit.
Put any extra money directly into your savings
You get an unexpected bonus, instead of using that money to buy the latest gadgets put it directly into your savings instead.
Think about it, would you rather have the latest gadget now or travel to your dream destination later?
Got a raise? Instead of adjusting or changing your lifestyle, put all that money into your savings.
Pretend as if you’ve never received it.
And since you are already used to living off your old income, the impact that this will have on you will be minimal to none.
Start doing this and you’ll definitely be surprised with the results!
Learn Delayed Gratification
I used to blow off my paycheck on a lot of unnecessary things.
I had always justified my spending habits with the words “I deserve this”
I deserve this and that since I’m working a very stressful job.
I deserve this because I worked hard for this money.
Yes, we all deserve amazing things!
But the thing is, we have to recognize the things that we truly deserve.
Think about it, do you deserve to eat dinner at that fancy restaurant down the corner?
Or do you deserve to go to your dream destination?
Do you deserve to have all the latest trends in gadgets and in fashion?
Or do you deserve to live in your dream house?
Don’t settle for instant gratification because you deserve so much more!
Keep reminding yourself that all the sacrifices that you do now will reward you tenfold in the future!
You don’t have to be a financial expert to be able to save money. Regardless of what the situation is, saving money is definitely possible.
You just have to be open to other options, be smart with your choices and make wise decisions.
And remember, saving money doesn’t have to be painful! Try these tips today and let me know what you think!
Do you have any tips of your own? Let me know in the comment section below or send me an email, I would love to hear from you!