Changing your regular habits can have a major effect on your finances. Making small lifestyle changes can result in significant savings over the course of a year. The money saved can be used to progress on a number of financial goals, including paying down debt and saving for the future. Here are twelve easy lifestyle changes that will help you save more money as they are implemented.
Communicate by e-mail rather than by phone. If you’re on-line, e-mail communications are virtually free.
Cut down on the amount of television you watch. You will have less exposure to spending-inducing ads, a lower electric bill, a lower cable bill, and more time to focus on other things in life, like a side business.
Learn how to create homemade gifts. You can learn how to make food mixes, candles, fresh-baked bread or cookies, soap, and all kinds of other things at home easily and inexpensively from online tutorials.
Always shop with a list. When you shop without one, you are more likely to make impulse buys and unplanned purchases, spending more than you intended.
Invite friends over instead of going out. Have a pizza party or a movie night. Break out the cards and the board games. Schedule a pot luck dinner where everyone brings their favorite dish. The possibilities are endless.
Learn how to make minor repairs to your clothing to save more money. Knowing how to attach a button, expand or reduce a hemline, and patch holes will extend the life of your clothes and save you a considerable amount over the course of a year.
Cook more meals at home. Cooking your own meals is healthier and cheaper than eating out. If you are pressed for time to cook during weekdays, spend some time during the weekend preparing meals that you can pop into the oven when you get home. You can also invest in a crock pot that will cook your meals while you’re away.
Start comparing prices. There are a number of apps available that will compare prices for you so you can save more money by getting the best price on everything from groceries to clothing to home improvement items.
Cancel unused memberships. If you’re on the fence about any of your memberships or find that you’re not using them very often, get rid of them and use the money for something else. You can always renew the membership at a later date if necessary.
Try generic brands. You’ll save a few cents and are likely discover that the store brand is just as good as the name brand. Once you’ve switched to generics, you’ll find your regular grocery bill getting smaller and smaller.
Cancel magazine subscriptions if you have a pile of unread magazines sitting around your house. You might even be able to get the prorated amount back as a refund.
Take your own lunch to work instead of going out to eat. With some thoughtful preparation and just a few minutes of time, you can create something more enjoyable than a fast food burger.
Join our newsletter
Subscribe to get the latest "Engineer Your Finances" content via email.