Saving Money

Easy Ways Save Money

Save on groceries

Here are some tips for saving money next time you're at the supermarket:

• Take a list so you don't forget anything. Only buy what's on the list. This makes it easier to stick to your budget.
• Put your grocery money in an envelope. Don't take any other cash or cards with you so you can only spend what you have.
• Buy in bulk and only go grocery shopping once a fortnight. Use all the food in your pantry before you buy more.
• Eat a meal or snack before you go to the supermarket. When you are not hungry, you tend to buy less food.

Save electricity and water

Here's how you can save money and do your bit for the environment.

Saving electricity:

• Switch off your heater, air-conditioner and lights in rooms you're not using
• Keep your curtains or blinds drawn at night to keep the heat in
• Use a door snake under the door
• Turn off the heater and put on jumper
• Turn off your electrical appliances at the powerpoint
• Turn off the TV and computer when no-one is using it
• Use energy efficient light bulbs
• Turn on the washing machine and the dishwasher only when they are full

Saving water:

• Have 2 minute showers
• Use grey water from your washing machine or shower to water your plants
• Install a water efficient shower head
• Wash clothes with cold water

live greener

Save money with a friend

The picture above might be a bit of a drastic step in terms of saving money. It can be harder to save money when the people around you are spending theirs, buying new shoes buying new cars looking rich and happy. Try not to think about all the material stuff think about your future, and find a friend who also wants to save money. You can share tips, enjoy cheap nights out and borrow from each other rather than buy new things. You could even have a competition to see who saves the most money over a set time.

Save on clothes

With fashion changing every season, you don't really need to buy new clothes all the time:

• If you're buying clothes, check if you can wash them to avoid dry cleaning bills
• If you buy something, make sure it goes with at least two other things in your wardrobe so you can get a few different outfits out of one item
• Check op-shops and local markets for bargain. If your thinking I wouldn't be caught dead in one of those shops don't you know who I am, well think about it this way you are effectively helping out a charity. If you donate or buy you are giving a charitable donation, doesn't that make you feel good? If not well stop being so proud humble yourself who knows you might find something you really like, and no one needs to know where you got it from if that bothers you.

Save on bank fees

Some financial institutions offer basic bank accounts with:

• No account keeping fees
• Free monthly statements
• No minimum deposit amounts
• No overdrawn fees
• If you have a mortgage you can negotiate for a lower rate or threatened to leave. The bank isn't going to call your bluff and say well go then leave. They will do as much as they can possibly do to keep you. Do your homework and see who their competitors are and what rates they are offering and say you want them to match it. Keep in mind some mortgage accounts might be fixed and this scenario may not be possible until your term ends.

Affordable bank data link

Change one habit and save

Small changes can make a big difference to your bank balance. Change one thing you do regularly and you could save money. Some examples are:

• Give up drinking coffee or cut down on alcohol - it may sound scary but it will save you money and can have health benefits
• Cancel your gym membership and walk to work instead
• Make your lunch at home
• Have people over for dinner rather than going out and ask everyone to bring a plate of food
• Borrow books and DVDs from the library
• Lock up your credit card for a month and only pay for things with cash
• Set a limit for birthday and Christmas presents or give homemade gifts.

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