Let’s face it, we’re all trying to look for a bargain and make our hard earned money go as far as possible. In almost every situation where we spend money, there’s probably some way to get more value out of our purchases. Whether it’s bargaining at a market stall or grabbing a multi-pack deal instead of a single item, here are some of the best ways to stretch every penny that you spend.
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Open a Savings Account
There’s no such thing as being too frugal. Opening a savings account with interest rates is a good way to get money passively and stretch your pennies. It’s an easy method to get the most out of your money, but it’s a very slow process. It’s kind of like investing, with the exception that you aren’t risking your money because it’s just a savings account. However, it is undoubtedly slow and if you aren’t actually saving large sums of money, then the interest you get will be rather low. Stashing your money in a savings account is a good way to practice frugality and you’ll have a nice sum of money in case you run into emergencies.
Enter Various Competitions
Most competitions are free to enter and can offer some very big cash prizes, such as Maria Casino’s Discomfort Zone. You simply register to the competition, vote or do whatever the competition asks of you, and then you’re entered in for a chance to win prizes or money. There are hundreds of competitions that you can enter online, in local stores, newspapers or magazines. Just remember to read the fine print and make sure it’s not going to cost you more to win or receive your prize than it does to just buy the item. Many people operate scam competitions so be sure to search for information online before you apply.
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Look for Deals
There are several websites on the internet that list the best bargains that people have found. They’re usually a mix of brick and mortar store sales and online bargains. You can find almost anything for sale on a megastore like Amazon or a marketplace such as eBay. Second-hand or refurbished electronics are a good place to start if you’re looking for a quality piece of equipment that’s backed by manufacturer guarantees and eBay’s buyer policy. Just make sure to read the fine print on eBay listings because some people will add sneak clauses such as “This item is damaged. You are buying a damaged item.” just to try and trick people.
Use Those Coupons
Some people find it embarrassing to walk into a store and hand the cashier coupons for money off—but there’s absolutely nothing embarrassing about being frugal and using “free” money. There are some sites on the internet that will give you coupon codes for cheap items, offers on restaurant bookings and activities such as waxing or even skydiving at discount prices. If you sign up for supermarket store cards, they usually reward your spending by sending you coupon codes. Make the most of these, and you’ll find yourself saving hundreds a year on groceries.
