Saving money is not always easy… Or is it? Sometimes that monthly paycheque feels like a distant memory as you begin to pay your bills and other expenses. It can often feel like you have no money left to enjoy or treat yourself to something new.
However, this doesn’t always have to be the case, and with these money-saving hacks, you will be well on your way to maximising your monthly budget. It’s time to say goodbye to money woes and hello to savvy savings.
Meal Plan
Your food shop can end up costing you a lot of money each month. The average weekly food shop for one person in the UK is £26.50. So, for a family, you can imagine this cost significantly rises. However, to keep the cost of your food shop down, there are a few things you can do. Firstly, make a meal plan. Write a list of the meals you intend to have for the following week, and this will help you compile a list of what you need. It will also help you make use of the food that you already have, as you may have most of the ingredients that you need to hand.
Writing your list is essential. Without it, your trolley can quickly end up with a lot of extra items inside it that you don’t need. Finally, one golden rule for food shopping is to not go whilst you are hungry. You will find that extra snacks end up in your trolley because you feel hungry, and it is easy to be tempted by sweet treats.
Shop The Sales
If you want to become a money-saving mogul, it is time to become one with the sales. Shopping in the sales can save you a tonne of money, and it can also make the prospect of gift buying a lot easier. After significant events like Christmas, shops will hold huge sales, with most stock priced at a whopping 50% off. It is important that you make the most of these deals and shop them early. You can always put away the gifts you buy for next Christmas or any upcoming birthdays that you have that year. It is a sure-fire way to save money so you can better your budget moving forward.
Track Your Spending
Tracking your spending is an essential part of the money-saving process. It would help if you took the time to work out your monthly budget by writing down your monthly income alongside your bills that need to be paid. This will give you a clear idea of what you have left each month. Once you have this figure in mind, you can refer to it whilst you are spending. Use a budgeting app, that you can find with the help of the internet, as this will help you stay on top of your finances.
Tracking your spending can also help you identify any bad habits that you may have fallen into. For instance, that take out coffee you get from your local café each month might not be too expensive. However, a small expense like this can certainly add up over time.
Switch To A SIM-Only Plans
Most of us cannot live without our mobile phones. However, there is no denying that they can cost us a lot of money. Now, the average price of a smartphone can take you into the hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds. Monthly phone bills can also add up on top of that. So, what’s the solution? Introducing SIM only plans. A SIM only plan is hugely cost-effective because it takes the handsets cost out of the price. You are simply paying for the SIM card that will go into the phone. This will include your texts, minutes and data.
Often, these plans are 30 days rolling, so you can cancel or amend them at any given time. You can also tailor your plan to suit your needs. There is no need to pay for extra minutes, texts and data if you do not need them. If you are looking for a SIM only plan that can start as little as £5 per month, check out Lebara.com.
Search For Coupon Codes
If you tend to buy most of your essential items online, it is important that you always look for coupon codes. If you are shopping on a particular site, then type the site’s name into your search engine, followed by the words “coupon codes”. You may be surprised at just how many codes come up for you to try. Some will offer money off whilst others may offer perks like free delivery.
The best bit about this hack is it is totally free. You just have to put effort into finding them. Twitter is a social media platform that is great for this as users will often share the codes they find with others. You can also use this platform to ask people if they have codes by using the relevant hashtags. This is a hack that could transform the way that you shop online for the foreseeable.
Use Price Comparison Sites
Price comparison sites can be a helpful resource. You can use them to save money on expenses like your energy bills, car insurance and home insurance. Although you might feel like you have a good deal with your provider, you could be getting a better deal elsewhere. Never settle for the provider that you have. Don’t be afraid to call them up to see if there is any way they can help you lower your monthly costs. If not, use price comparison sites to find a better deal.
When it comes to these sites, you are spoilt for choice as there are a lot of them out there. Use the internet to conduct a quick search of your own and spend a few minutes looking for better deals on your bills. The great thing about these sites is they are also free to use. You really have nothing to lose by giving it a go.
Sell Unwanted Items
Most of us are guilty of keeping items in our homes that we no longer use or need. If you want to save yourself some money, then turn your cash into clutter with the help of selling websites and apps. This is a particularly nifty hack if you need money to buy something new. For example, you may have an event which you need a new outfit for. Selling some of your old clothing will help you to fund it. Take a look at some selling apps by conducting a quick search online. Selling your old items has never been easier, and you can do it all from your mobile phone.
Car boot sales are also an excellent way to get rid of your old items to make an extra bit of cash. These are particularly useful for those months when money is tight. They can also be a lifesaver when it comes to events like Christmas or holidays, as the money you make can help fund the items you need. Look online to identify local car boot sales in your area.