Budgeting. It’s one of those things that we all know is good for us. Yet committing to a budget can be a lot easier said than done.
One of the hardest things about budgeting is that you’ll have to make a handful of compromises. This means that you can’t just buy everything you want without thinking about it. Instead, you need to decide what you really need to buy, and what you can live without.
If you’re concerned about how difficult it can sometimes be to reduce your spending, don’t fret. We’ve got a handful of easy ways you can spend less, without feeling the pinch.
1. Only Buy Store Brands
Human beings are creatures of habit. We tell ourselves that we need to buy the same make of cheese and toilet paper time and time again. However, the truth is that most of the products you buy in the supermarket today are the same as the own-brand options you can get for a much cheaper price.
When you pay for more for fancy brands, usually, you’re paying for the cost of their advertising and packaging, not for a product that’s any better than you’d get elsewhere. Stick to store-brand only, and you’ll save a fortune.
2. Plan your Meals
Have you ever been searching through your kitchen cupboards and found a bunch of old, outdated sauce mixes and meal packets in there? You’re not the only one. It’s easy to get inspired and buy something at a shop, then forget all about it when you get home. To make sure that you’re not wasting your money on un-used food, make sure that you plan your meals.
Set aside an hour or two each week to think about the kind of recipes you’ll look forward to eating. This will make it less likely that you’ll be tempted to order in. If you can, try to make multiple meals using similar ingredients, as this will cut down the amount you need to spend too.
3. Always Keep Snacks Handy
Snacks might not be the best thing for your diet (depending on what you eat), but they’re great for your budget. When you’re out and about, it’s easy to spend a fortune on an expensive lunch when you’re starving and far away from home. However, if you’ve got some snacks in your glove compartment, or your bag, then you can save yourself some hard-earned cash.
To keep things healthy, carry a bottle of water with you at all times, as well as some non-perishable foods like nuts, or a granola bar. When you’re tempted to eat out, even a bottle of water can be enough to fill you up until you get home.
4. Use Things Up
Most consumers today are more wasteful than they realise. The chances are that you’ve thrown away plenty of “almost empty” bottles of cleaning substances in the past. However, the amount of cash you waste on not using those items until they’re empty is more significant than you may realise.
Whether it’s a bottle of makeup or something that you regularly use around the house, focus on trying to use everything before you buy something new. This will help to stop you from making frivolous purchases on items that you don’t necessarily need. It should also stop you from ending up with excess clutter in your home too.
5. Make it a Challenge
Budgeting can be boring – so why not have a little more fun with it? Every time you’re shopping for something new, challenge yourself to save money. This could mean going online and finding out how much cash you could save on a new loan if you go with a different provider. It could also mean downloading apps that automatically add discounts to your cart when you’re checking out with an online store.
If you focus on making sure that you’re always on the lookout for a bargain, you’ll be less likely to make passive purchases that take you over your limits in your budget.
6. Ask for Better Deals
Finally, don’t be afraid to haggle with your service providers. Whether it’s the company that provides your car insurance, or the brand you’re paying for utilities like gas and electric, make sure you’re always paying the lowest price. If you can’t find a better deal online, you can always call the company customer service desk and ask for a discount.
Many businesses will be happy to go above and beyond to keep you on their team. That means that you can find plenty of great deals.
