Aiming to save more money is a New Year’s resolution that many people make, and break, each year. Saving money takes effort and it is hard to remain committed to the cause with all of the temptations to spend money around us. Fortunately, there are many different approaches you can take to try and save more money each month. Here are some crazy ways to save money this year that you may not have thought of.
Consider increasing the deductibles on your health insurance, auto insurance, and homeowner’s insurance policies. Insurers reward this willingness to shoulder more of the financial responsibility by lowering the premiums paid to keep the policy in effect. This reduction can save you hundreds of dollars in policy premiums over the course of a year.
Instead of purchasing pricey concert and amusement park tickets, commit to exploring the free or inexpensive entertainment available in your community this year. You can review local newspapers and websites to learn about free or low-cost parks, museums, film showings, sports events, and music concerts. You can also take advantage of free art and media classes provided by local libraries, community centers, and learning institutions in the area.
Sign up for every free customer rewards program you can. Plenty of retailers are willing to reward you for shopping at their store by providing coupons, discount codes, and rewards points for your purchases. Be careful that you don’t let the prospect of rewards cause you to spend more than you originally intended, because the rewards will never surpass the amount that you spent to earn them.
Move your bank accounts to take advantage of perks and earn more interest. Some banks offer sign-up bonuses simply for opening an account and setting up direct deposit. Others offer attractive interest rates to new customers. Some of the best free checking accounts and best savings accounts can be found online. If you’re paying a monthly fee for your checking or savings account, it would be worth it to take a look at some of newest banking offers out there.
Sell your collections. If you want to recoup some of the money you’ve already spent on collectible items, you can start selling them now and use those funds to help you reach your financial goals. These items can be sold through Amazon, eBay, or Craigslist online or through resale stores and yard sales in your neighborhood.
Plan your meals around the local grocery store’s weekly ad. Look at the biggest sales, then plan recipes based on those ingredients and what you have on hand. Following this practice for a few months will result in a smaller food bill. Over time, it will become a regular habit that saves you money effortlessly.
Avoid spending money when you are stressed out. While stress-spending provides a temporary boost in mood, it can cause even more stress down the road if you view the purchases as wasted money or they lead to the accumulation of debt. Find other ways to de-stress, like taking a bubble bath, exercising, meditating, working in the yard, watching a funny movie, or even taking a nap.