We’re all looking to save money– and often, we might be willing to do so at the expense of our own enjoyment. But what if there were ways that you could make a little money last by budget cutting?
And how would you know when it was time to break your budget in order to have some fun?
Here are some great tips for figuring out how to save money while still living your best life. Living on a budget doesn’t have to be tedious or difficult.
With a bit of planning and effort, you can find ways to save money without sacrificing your lifestyle. Try out some of these tips and see how much you can save!
Make a List of Your Spending Triggers
What causes you to spend money? Is it boredom? Hunger? Impulse buying? Once you know what your triggers are, you can be better prepared to avoid them.
If you’re prone to boredom spending, for example, keep a list of activities that are both cheap or free to do (like taking a walk outside or reading a book) and make sure to do one of those things before reaching for your wallet.
Evaluate Where Your Money Goes
Take a close look at your spending habits. Track where you spend your money for a month, or even a week. This will help you to see where your money is going- and where you might be able to cut back.
Related: How to Stop Spending Money
For example, you may be surprised to find that you’re spending more than you realized on things like coffee, lunches out, or clothes.
Determine Needs vs. Wants
Once you know where your money is going, it’s time to start evaluating your needs versus your wants. Obviously, we all need food and shelter- but do we really need that extra daily coffee?
Or those new shoes when our old ones are still perfectly fine? If you can cut back on some of your non-essential spending, you’ll be surprised at how much money you can save.
Related: 100+ Simple Ways to Save
Cut Out Impulse Buys
This one can be tough- but it’s definitely doable. If you’re trying to save money, it’s important to avoid impulse buys.
That means no buying things on a whim and no succumbing to peer pressure to spend money just because everyone else is doing it. If you can stick to your budget, you’ll be glad you did in the long run.
Utilize Interest
If you’re struggling to stick to a budget, there are plenty of helpful tools out there that can make the process easier.
For example, utilizing interest-free payment plans can help you to avoid those dreaded credit card debts. And tons of great budgeting apps can help you track your spending and figure out where you can cut back.
Note: using an interest free payment plan is not code for spend what you want. It’s a strategic way to spend less on an item while being able to invest the rest. If you can’t afford it, don’t buy it.
Find Affordable Alternatives to Expensive Activities
Just because you’re trying to save money doesn’t mean you have to live a boring life. There are plenty of great ways to have fun without spending a lot of money. Instead of going out to eat, invite friends over for a potluck dinner.
Instead of going to the movies, have a movie night with popcorn and snacks at home. There are endless possibilities- you just have to get creative!
Related: How to Live on the Cheap and Feel Rich Doing It
Tips for Cutting Expenses
Cutting expenses may feel tricky or even impossible at first, but it doesn’t have to be a complicated process.
If you’re willing to put in a little effort, you can easily find ways to save money without sacrificing your lifestyle. Try out some of these tips and see how much you can save!
Freeze Credit Cards
One of the best ways to avoid overspending is to freeze your credit cards. This will prevent you from using them on impulse, and it will force you to think about whether or not you really need something before you buy it.
If you can’t bring yourself to cut up your cards completely, try hiding them in a hard-to-reach place, so you’re not as tempted to use them.
Update Subscriptions
If you have any subscriptions or memberships that you’re no longer using, be sure to cancel them. The same goes for any unused gym memberships or unneeded cable packages (how to get Netflix for free).
Getting rid of these expenses can free up a lot of money each month.
Save on Utility Costs
There are plenty of simple ways to save on your utility costs. For example, something as simple as turning off lights when you leave a room can make a big difference.
You can also save on your water bill by making small changes like fixing leaky faucets or switching to low-flow toilets.
Shop for Cheaper Phone and Internet Plans
Your phone and internet bills can really add up, but there are ways to save on these costs. If you’re willing to switch providers or negotiate your rates, you may be surprised at how much money you can save each month.
Related: 15+ Ways to Get Free Internet
Cut Out Cable
Cable TV can be a considerable expense- but you may not need it. If you’re willing to cut the cord, there are plenty of cheaper alternatives out there like Netflix, Hulu, or even just regular old antennae.
In addition, you’d be surprised at how much entertainment you can get without cable!
Related: How to Get Netflix for Free
Drive a Cheaper Car
If you have a car that’s costing you more money than it’s worth, it may be time to get rid of it. Trading in your gas-guzzler for a more fuel-efficient model can save you money each month, and it will be better for the environment too.
OR…if you live close to your place of work, ride a bike.
Utilize Public Transportation
If you live in a city, take advantage of the public transportation options that are available to you. This can save you a lot of money on gas, and it’s often faster than driving anyway.
Cheaper Housing Options
If you’re looking to save even more money, you may want to consider finding cheaper housing. This could mean downsizing to a smaller apartment or house or even moving to a less expensive area.
Of course, this isn’t always possible- but it’s definitely worth considering if you’re serious about saving money. And many companies are offering remote work possibilities now, so it may be easier than you think!
Consolidate Debts
If you have multiple debts, it may be helpful to consolidate them into one loan. This can help you to save money on interest and make it easier to keep track of your payments.
There are plenty of great options out there for consolidating debt, so be sure to do your research before making a decision.
Shop for Cheaper Insurance
Insurance is a necessary expense- but that doesn’t mean it has to be expensive. If you’re looking to save on your insurance costs, it’s worth shopping around for cheaper options.
There are plenty of great ways to get affordable insurance without sacrificing coverage. Note: do not purchase a whole life insurance policy as it’s not worth it, no matter what the sales agent might tell you.
Eat at Home
Eating out can be expensive, so it’s no surprise that this is one of the easiest ways to save money. If you’re trying to cut back on your spending, aim to eat at home more often.
This doesn’t mean you have to give up your favorite restaurants entirely- but cooking at home can help you to save a lot of money (and time) in the long run.
Try meal planning as an alternative to eating out. It saves time, money, and allows you to prepare healthier meals!
Shop with a List
If you’re trying to save money at the grocery store, it’s important to make a list before you go. This will help you to stick to the items you need and avoid impulse buys.
It’s also a good idea to compare prices between different stores before you shop- this can help you to find the best deals.
Switch to Cash Only
If you tend to overspend when you use a credit or debit card, it may be helpful to switch to cash only. This can help you to stick to your budget and avoid overspending.
Of course, this isn’t always possible- but it’s definitely worth considering if you’re trying to save money. Using the cash envelope method of budgeting has been found to be very effective when trying to stick to a budget!
Pay off Your Debts
If you have any debts, it’s important to focus on paying them off as soon as possible. The sooner you can get rid of your debts, the more money you’ll save in the long run.
There are plenty of great ways to pay off debt– so be sure to do your research and find the best option for you.
The Key to Budget Cutting is Creativity
The key to budget-cutting is creativity. So whether you’re looking for ways to save money on your utility costs, finding cheaper housing options, or trying out these different tips- there are plenty of simple steps you can take today in order to save some serious cash.
If all this sounds overwhelming and you want help getting started with a plan that will work for you, check out You Need a Budget. It’s helped people save millions of dollars, and it can help you too!
You Need a Budget (YNAB) is the award-winning budgeting software that gives you complete control of your money. With YNAB, you can save money on your monthly expenses, pay off debt, and build up your savings.
It’s is easy to use and helps you stay on track with your finances. So get started today and see how much money you can save!
What do you do to try and stay within your budget? Have you been able to successfully cut your budget? Comment below!
I am very prone to boredom spending. To fix it, before i make a purchase over $100, i ask myself, “Can i spend this money on something else that will benefit my life more?” Using this approach i don’t buy things that don’t make sense, or that bring instant gratification. Instead, I reuse the money to buy things that will continue to help me now and into the future.
That’s a great way to do it! Controlling impulse spending can be difficult, but it feels so much better to spend on something that has meaning or purpose in your life.