The internet may not be the first place you go when you’re looking for inspiration to save money, but believe it or not, there is a ton of free content online to offer you creative ways to save money that may not have crossed your mind before.
Hacks To Save Money
And while the internet can offer a treasure trove of tips on anything you could possibly want to know, it does, of course, take time to research them all. But look no further; here you’ll find 13 mind-blowing life hacks you’ve probably never thought of that can actually save you a bunch of money over time!
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5 DAYS TO A BETTER BUDGET
1. Pretend You’re Broke
Unconventional? Sure. But convincing yourself that you’re broke can go a long way in helping you avoid impulse purchases and forcing you to change your mindset on spending.
Pretending you have no money for unnecessary “wants” will allow you to stretch your dollar further and funnel more to your savings account.
2. Swap Out Your Containers
It may seem like a pointless change, but tossing your plastic chemical-laden meal prep containers will help your bank account and your health! Consider investing in some high-quality glass food storage containers that are safer to microwave and run through the dishwasher and will last much, much longer.
3. Take a Pause
When shopping online, put the desired item in your virtual cart, then force yourself to walk away and forget about it. More often than not, when you finally come back to the website, you’ll realize you no longer have the desire to make the purchase.
When shopping for higher-priced items, try giving yourself a time limit before pulling the trigger. Whether it’s 24 hours or a week, if you still want the item after the time has passed, go ahead and purchase it…guilt-free! This will prevent you from spending sizeable amounts of money on a whim.
4. Buy Kids’ Sizes
If your size allows, try shopping in the kid’s section. This tip is even more helpful when shoe shopping. The exact same shoes in children’s sizes can be substantially less expensive, especially in sneakers.
5. Pay Attention
People tend to shrug off budgeting their money for a variety of reasons and often have a misconception about how a budget works. Creating a budget for your money is simply creating a plan for how you will spend and save the money you earn. And more importantly, it forces you to pay attention to where and how you are spending your money, which ultimately can help you increase your savings.
6. Shop Discount Grocers
There are two types of discount grocers, and shopping at either (or both) can lead to thousands of dollars in savings over the course of the year. Try stores like Aldi and Lidl, which mostly sell their own store brands. Or, check out grocery outlets that sell items that have dented packaging or may be nearing their expiration dates.
7. Calculate Your Time
It’s easy to overspend when you’re not really thinking about how much it takes you to earn the money you’ve spent. Next time you consider making a purchase, do a quick calculation to determine how much time you would need to work to pay for the purchase.
Once you see the answer, you may realize it’s not worth your time, or you may decide it’s worth every minute you’ll spend making back your money.
8. Sell Everything
Sell it all. Take the time and declutter your house and sell everything you no longer want or need. If you don’t have the time it takes to list the items online, plan a yard sale for a weekend morning and donate everything that doesn’t sell. Not only will you make some extra cash, but you’ll free up a lot of space in your home.
9. There’s a Video for That
Many people don’t realize how much free information you can find on YouTube. Millions of videos teach you how to create, clean, and fix anything you can fathom. Before hiring help, head to YouTube and see if you can teach yourself how to make the repair, learn a new skill, and save a bunch of money in the process.
10. Not Your Typical Yardsale
Seek out yard sales, and Goodwill shops in wealthy neighborhoods can often yield better quality, higher-end items at rock-bottom prices!
11. Get a Library Card
It’s amazing how many people overlook the use of a free library membership. Simply visit your local library to sign up for access to endless streams of free knowledge, copy and fax machines, free movie and audiobook rentals, and more!
12. Save on Drinks
It’s easy to waste money when you purchase an expensive coffee each morning on your way to work. Will skipping your coffee make you a billionaire? Obviously, no. But searching some copycat recipes online and perfecting your favorite brew at home will save you money, time, and gas.
13. Head to a Different Aisle
Believe it or not, the same items can be sold at different prices in different areas of the store. Check out the ethnic section for cheaper spices and the regular stationary section instead of the Back-to-School promotional area to find lower-priced items.
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