One thing’s for sure, day-to-day life certainly isn’t getting any cheaper. So, without a regular pay rise, and let’s be honest, most of us don’t get those, you’re going to need to make a few little savings here and there to maintain your quality of life. The good news is that there are lots of simple things you can do every day to save money, and while you might not save a fortune in the short-term, stick to our tips and it will soon add up.
1. Write a list before you go grocery shopping and stick to it
The last thing you want to do is go grocery shopping when you’re hungry, thirsty or without a list. Taking just a few minutes to scribble a quick list and not deviating from it will help you make big savings come the end of the month.
2. Delay impulse purchases
Impulse purchases are more of a problem for some shoppers than others. In society, we put a big value on being spontaneous, but being spontaneous when you’re out shopping is rarely a good thing. If you’re considering making a purchase you hadn’t planned on, always wait a week before parting with your money. You’ll often find that the urge to buy the item has passed and you can put your cash to better use.
3. Drink more water
Drinking more water – tap water that is – will help you save money on juice and fizzy drinks that are invariably bad for you anyway. Drinking a big glass of water before a meal is also an effective way of reducing your appetite and making you feel fuller for longer, helping to reduce your food bill when you eat out. As well as saving money, there are also countless other benefits of drinking more water.
4. Always compare insurance and utility prices
It seems like the oldest money-saving trick in the book, but there are still people out there who routinely accept their renewal quote without a second glance. Spending just 20 minutes doing a comparison online could help you save hundreds of pounds by the end of the year. If you would prefer to stay with your current provider, give them a call and ask them to match the price you have found online. If they won’t, then it’s time to go elsewhere.
5. Prepare your work lunches at home
Eating out every day or even just a few days during the working week can easily cost you £100 by the end of the month. It might not always be as exciting, but preparing your lunches at home will save you a small fortune. You can get your excitement by thinking about how all that money you’re saving will help you achieve your financial goals. Here are a few more money saving tips from Wonga, have a good look specifically on the section about how to save money at work.
6. Don’t be a slave to the brands
Many of the generic products you see in the supermarkets are just as good quality as the brand names that are twice the price. Being loyal to a more expensive brand will not win you any prizes, so say not to the marketing campaigns and yes to good financial sense.
Do you have any tried and tested money-saving tips that you can share with our readers? Please leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
