Saving money can often seem like a constant battle. At times, your income can barely seem to cover your outgoings and the money just disappears as fast as it hits your bank account. This can leave a lot of people feeling very disheartened, especially in the run up to Christmas when faced with the social season and gifts to buy friends and family.
But don’t worry; if you are one of these people, then help is at hand. There are a few really simple tricks that can help you to cut your costs and following them is easy. Here are five methods that are guaranteed to have a substantial impact on your life.
Document your spending
First thing’s first: it’s very good to make a list of your entire weekly or monthly outgoings to be sure you have the fullest picture possible of your finances. You’ll have almost certainly considered the big things (such as rents, credit card bills and insurance) but what about the others? Sometimes we hardly realize how much we spend on things like coffees or lunch break snacks and it’s these little costs which add up over time and can throw our budgets off course.
Plan ahead
Living for the moment is fun, but it can have a really bad impact on your bank balance. If there are things you want or need, then plan for them. Look at your finances and set amounts aside for the things you really need in life. This will not only help you become more disciplined, but will also allow you to achieve the things you want to, faster.
Try some free activities
Having fun doesn’t always need to cost money. Instead of visiting bars and restaurants, why not try a walk in the country and a picnic instead? Or visit an art gallery? There are loads of free attractions in the UK suitable for individuals, couples and even families.
Use cash instead of your debit card
Using your debit card all week long can make you lose track of your outgoings. Taking a small amount of money out for the week is a much better way of staying on top of things and you’re also less likely to break notes on little luxuries, which can all to easily get chucked on a debit card.
Shop around for insurance
Many things in our lives need to be insured. Whilst it is an essential expenditure, you may not be getting the best deal on your car, contents or home insurance if you haven’t done the necessary research. A lot of places offer very competitive rates to new customers and switching to a provider such as The Co-operative Insurance may see your bills cut considerably.
7 Comments
I recommend starting small when it comes to savings. You can always add to it.
I have always wanted to try carrying cash instead of using the debit card. Your article has given me the motivation I needed to give it a try!
@Eliza – I have too, but I’m awful at keeping track of where every cent goes. I prefer cards, myself.
Documenting spending is really important – something I didn’t use to do but now I make this an everyday task! Doing this has shown me areas where I can save and areas where I’ve been spending far too much.
@Hayley – I’ve been doing this for years, it really helps me see where I too overspend and if I fall into certain cycles (which I do! – debt free for a few years, then Whamoo, in debt again.) I’m working on this one!
All of these are great tips. I am always trying to find free, fun things to do because our entertainment budget is not as big as it once was. I’ve also read a lot of studies that show that people spend less when using cash
@Tushar – I wish I could get on the cash band wagon, but I’m awful with cash. I misplace it, can’t figure out where it went, etc. It’s harder for me to track. Using a card is easier for me – I can track exactly how much I spent.