Saving is something “everyone” says “you should do”, but many people find it tricky to get started. So, we give you some tips to help you kickstart your savings! And if you haven’t yet read the first part of this article, check it out now for more clever ways to save money!
Economy
- Credit Cards and Debit Cards – Credit cards often have fees that, in some cases, can be negotiated away with the bank. There are effective comparison services to use to find the card with the lowest interest rates and fees. Of course, it is best to use a regular debit card in everyday life, as they rarely have any fees.
- Insurance – Do you have the same home insurance that you obtained when you moved away from home? Look through so you are not over insured. Then you only pay unnecessarily much per month for things you still can not or will not benefit from.
- Start Saving Money in Your Savings Account – If you follow the tips for small savings, you get those extra pennies to save every month. Compare the banks’ savings accounts to find the one that gives the highest interest rate; keep in mind that ordinary salary accounts often do not earn interest on the money at all.
- Save in Funds and Stocks – Funds and shares are also suitable forms of savings to invest in. It’s never too late to start saving! Make sure you make a plan for your savings and put it in your household budget.
- Collect Loans at a Lower Interest Rate – Small loans and credits have high-interest rates and hidden costs such as newspaper and invoice fees. You can probably save a lot of money by collecting loans at a low-interest rate.
- Do Not Borrow for Too Long – Avoid tying up on loans for too long as a longer repayment period results in a more expensive loan. Take the loan and try to pay it off as quickly as possible. You should still be able to live, so choose a pace that suits your finances.
Home and Household
- Make Lunch Box – This will probably not come as a shock, but making a lunch box instead of buying lunch outside will be able to save you around $25 per month.
- Invite at home Instead of Going Out – A restaurant visit for dinner with food and drink costs on average about $200 for two people. Instead, invite your friends over and cook at home.
- Quit Smoking – This is will definitely help you get more money in your wallet while extending your life.
- Take a White Month – A white month usually means that you avoid alcohol for a month. It will depend on how much you typically consume to reduce costs. A white month can also mean that you avoid shopping for new things, such as clothes, electronics, and other associated pleasures.
Fixed Small Monthly Expenses
It is easy to forget these small expenses that are deducted regularly at the end of each month. And just like with everything else, many streams eventually become a river filled with wasted money. Below is a checklist you should check out:
- Mobile Subscription – All mobile operators offer the same services, but prices can vary quite a bit. Therefore, make a quick comparison to be sure that you are paying a reasonable price every month. This is one of the best tips for saving money fast.
- Broadband – Do you really need such a fast connection at home? Do not pay unnecessarily much for the amount of data or speed that you do not use.
- Streaming Services – Of course, it’s great to be able to click through hundreds of movies and series via the major streaming services. But ask yourself if you really need HBO, Netflix, Viaplay and C MORE at the same time or if it is enough to subscribe to one at a time. Many of these services also have multiple users – can you perhaps swap a user location on your Netflix account with someone who has HBO?
Keep Track of Your Goal and Reward Yourself When You Reach It
It is important to keep track of savings every month – are you ahead, exactly or after the goal? Go through it at least once a month and see what and if you need to improve it. Once you reach the goal, celebrate and reward yourself with something – it is essential to save, but it is not about completely overlooking pleasures. Good luck!