Saving, rational consumption and financial planning is part of a comfortable position and confidence in the future. You can learn to save money quickly, but it's better to change the approach to your expenses gradually.
How to learn to save money? let's go to the topic
1. Take control of your income and expenses
To do this, plan your weekly or monthly budget and regularly check how well you are following it. Divide it into mandatory and optional costs. Try to shorten the latter. Do it manually on paper, computer, or mobile apps. Online home bookkeeping will optimize personal finances and show problems.
Calculate how much you earn in a month. This should include any of your income: salary, bonuses, cash gifts, part-time work. This will give you an understanding of how much money you have.
2. Save some money
To make saving easier, use strategies that are clear and workable. one option is to pay yourself first, where you regularly save 10% on any income.
This will gradually build up a "safety cushion". It will help to cope with unforeseen expenses: breakdown of equipment, medical needs and other difficult life situations.
Determine and prepare for irregular expenses (insurance, taxes, or tire changes on the car) in advance.
3. Set a goal
It is difficult to save without a specific dream: you succumb to momentary desires. When there are a goal and terms (for a trip in six months or a car in a year), it is psychologically easier to save money. You know why you give up some things.
4. Open a bank deposit
Don't put your money under the mattress, inflation will "eat" it there. Finance should work. There are many ways to do this, but the safest is to open a deposit in a bank.
5. Don't go shopping on payday
When you receive your salary, there is a risk of spending it right away to reward yourself. However, you need to spend only after the money has been allocated.
Set aside 10% of your income (if that's a lot, then at least 5% or even 1%). Pay your mandatory monthly expenses (utilities, phone bills, internet, groceries), and then try to spend on useful things that will last you a long time. Give up everything cheap and disposable.
6. Close credit cards
High-interest rates on debt prevent you from saving, and you will be tempted to spend more than you earned. Find out how much you owe to the bank each month and budget so that paying off the debt is a priority.
7. Give up bad habits
The regular purchase of alcohol and cigarettes wastes not only health but also the budget. Go to bars less often. Relax actively, spend time in parks and sports grounds.
8. Trust sales less
All kinds of "Black Fridays" and "Cyber Mondays" are more often marketing gimmicks than real benefits. Also, people are led by daily offers in the spirit of "1 + 1" and take unnecessary goods out of greed.
Don't buy everything and don't pay attention to the advertising hype. Take what you really need.
9. Plan big purchases
This will help you to ask the price of the product (find out its price in different stores) and accumulate the required amount on time. Set a purchase date and determine how much you should save per month.
The same approach can be applied to gifts for the New Year to loved ones or to preparing a child for September 1st. If there are 6 months left before the New Year, and you plan to spend 10,000 $ on gifts for your relatives, it will be easier to save 1,500 $ a month than to pay the entire amount at once on the eve of the holiday.
10. Skip the fast food and business lunches in a cafe
Instead, look for canteens near work - it's cheaper and healthier. To make it easier to search. A more budget option is to cook food at home and carry it with you.
11. Apply for transport passes
If you buy a ticket for the metro or train every time, it will be much more expensive per month. Just compare the price of a season ticket and a one-time trip to your city.
12. Use cashback
Cashback is a return of a percentage (usually from 1 to 10%) of the money spent on purchases. Therefore, before buying any product or going to a restaurant, check if there is any cashback on it.
13. Go to coupon sites
Coupon sites are the best choice for more saving your money.
14. Track cheap flights
In the high season, catch the "last minute" tickets for charter flights. They are cheaper because travel agencies could not completely sell them. You can find such tickets on the sites.
15. Don't go shopping hungry
On an empty stomach, any food seems more attractive, so the basket will be filled with unnecessary items.
16. Arrange scheduled trips to the supermarket
Before this, make up a sample menu for the week and a list of products. This will make it easier to follow the plan and not deviate from the budget.
17. Download discounted apps
Many mobile services help monitor promotions in grocery stores.
18. Find out the addresses of wholesale stores
For example, METRO Cash and Carry. Go there for the goods you cannot do without in the kitchen (cereals, flour, sugar). For meat, vegetables, fruits, go to the market - where you can bargain and bring down the price.
19. Buy groceries online
In order not to go to several points when comparing product prices, use the online stores of these retail chains. It's easier to learn about promotions there.
20. Buy analogues
Famous brands make you pay more. The products that the store makes itself will be cheaper.
21. Plan your wardrobe correctly
When you go to the mall for clothes, write a list too. It will help you not to be distracted by cute sneakers if you only need jeans and a T-shirt. Basic things must be of high quality and durable. Check clothes for defects, look at seams and pellets.
Try it on, even if you are sure that the size is yours. If you are thinking of taking or not taking, don't buy.
Consider your lifestyle: when you work in a bank, you can't do without a pair of business shirts, and one sports kit is enough for fitness.
22. Get discounts at gas stations
Gas stations reward their customers. Bonus, discount, fuel cards are available for Lukoil, Tatneft, Gazpromneft, Rosneft, Shell and others. Check if there is cash back at the gas station where you refuel in your banking application.
Do not buy food or coffee at gas stations yet: prices there are much higher than store prices.
23. Plan a route
By combining several activities in one trip, you will reduce fuel consumption, wear less your car and save time.
Assess the traffic situation through the navigator. Sometimes it is better to go by public transport, take a car-sharing or taxi so as not to burn gasoline in traffic jams. If you have a dacha, then leave there earlier than everyone else does.
24. Monitor her condition
By performing maintenance on time, you save on major repairs. Study the car manual or service book to change parts according to the plan, for example, the timing belt.
25. Reduce fuel consumption
This will help to check the air filter and tire pressure frequently. Avoid idling and use cruise control to avoid harsh acceleration and braking.
