Want to start saving money so you can pay off debt, buy your dream home or plan a trip to a bucket list destination? Here’s a list of things to stop buying to save money starting today.
When you’re on a tight budget, you can still save money by making a few changes in your spending habits. Before you splurge, consider your long-term goals. Start by creating a budget and reviewing where you can cut costs.
In this post, we’ll cover:
- Things to stop buying to save money
- Side Hustle Ideas to make extra money
- And, creative ways to save money while traveling.
things to stop buying to save money
Stuff You Don’t Need
The next time you get the urge to buy something, ask yourself, “Do I need that?” Think about how many times you’ll use it, and if it’s something you absolutely must have right now. It’s easy to be tempted by sales and offers that feel like they’re too good to pass up.
Splurging on Drinks
Everybody likes a fun night out, but if you focus on your hobbies and look for free things to do, you can save money fast. Try limiting social events that revolve around drinking. Instead, wake up early to watch the sunrise, have a picnic in the park, go hiking or visit a museum.
Eating out
Ordering takeaway and going out to eat can add up, especially if you start adding drinks to the tab. Deep dive into your food expenses and look to see where you can cut costs. Prep meals at the start of the week, so you’re not tempted to spend money.
New Stuff
Visit your local thrift stores/op shops to find deals on things you might need. You’ll be saving money and giving that item a second life. Check the shop’s website before you shop, to check for extra discount days to shop. Some thrift stores will offer 50% off deals on certain days.
Beauty Treatments
Skip the salon and pamper yourself at home. While you may need to get creative, there are many great DIY beauty treatments you can do at home to save money. Give yourself a manicure, facial, or try a leave-in conditioner for your hair. Get creative!
Streaming Services + Subscriptions
Make a list of needs and wants and decide whether paying for streaming services or cable is worth it.Review your bills and check to make sure you’re not being charged any extra fees.
Expensive phone bills
If you’re paying too much for your phone, look for offers to see if it’s worth it to make the switch. Add the money you save to your savings account.
Take Away Coffee
Buying coffee every day can be really expensive. If you’re not convinced, make a note of how much you spend on a cup of jo each month. We recently invested in an espresso machine. While it’s a bit of a splurge, for us it’s been worth the investment.
Easy Ways to Start Saving Money
Create a budget with actionable goals for saving. Give yourself a date and an amount of how much money you want to save. That way, you’ll be able to track your progress.
Savings Accounts
Open up a high-yield savings account that is dedicated specifically for travel, your future dream home, or paying off debt. Pay yourself first and set aside money from your paycheck to deposit into your savings account.
Meal Prep
Plan your meals and only buy what you need from the grocery store. Avoid ordering out if you can.
Ask to lower your bills or interest rates
Reach out to your credit card company and ask if you can lower your interest rates. Be polite and try to negotiate a better deal, and if they say no, call back in a few weeks and try again.
Eliminate Bank Fees
If you’re paying a few bucks here and there to withdraw money, open up a bank account that won’t charge you ATM fees. I save money with Charles Schwab and get reimbursed for those fees.
Ways to Make Money From Home
If you’re on a tight budget and want to save money, start a side hustle that you can do from home or in your spare time.
Online Teaching
Do you like teaching and helping others? Sign up to teach classes online.
VIPKid – Teachers in the USA (except California) and Canada can apply.
iTutorGroup – Teachers worldwide accepted.
Freelance Writing
Are you a good writer? If you enjoy writing, proofreading, and editing, you can start a blog to create passive income or work with clients to write content for their sites. Working as a virtual assistant is also a popular side gig. Visit my Work With Me page if you need inspiration for your website.
Create a product
Are you creative? Design a product that you can sell. I used to pick up driftwood from the beach and make necklace organizers that I would sell online.
Start a website/blog
You’ll want to self-host your blog if you’re serious about taking it to the next level. I use Siteground. Once you host your website or blog, you can build and customize your site, create SEO-optimized blog posts and landing pages, and get tech support when you need it.
Check out these blogging resources to help you get started.
Affiliate Marketing – Working with Brands
You don’t need to have a lot of followers to work with brands. If you love a product and love telling your friends about it, reach out to your favorite brands and make a connection. Ask if they have an affiliate program you can join.
Related: How to Work with Brands
Sell stuff you No longer use
Apps like Poshmark and Depop make it easy to sell clothes, shoes, accessories, and home decor online. Clear out your closet and set aside anything you haven’t worn in months or years. Take photos in a well-lit area and post your items using keywords that describe the item you’re selling.
Travel: Ways to Save MoneyWhen You’re Traveling
Here are tips you can use to cut costs and expenses when you travel.
Embrace slow travel
If you want to save money while traveling, choose a few places to discover, instead of rushing to check cities off your bucket list. Spend time in one place, getting to know the area. Explore local hangouts while getting a taste of the culture. Ask your hotel/hostel for a discount for extended stays.
Shop local
Visit local markets to try the local food. Avoid eating at restaurants in tourist areas and look for specials to save money on drinks and meals. Bring your own water bottle with you on the plane and your trip and refill it for free instead of spending money on plastic water bottles.
Transportation
Ride-Sharing apps and private shuttles are convenient, but if you want to stretch your dollar when you’re on a tight budget, you have to know when to save and when to splurge. Take public transportation or walk if it’s convenient. Most big cities have free walking tours hosted by a local guide who can share local history, tips on things to do, and places to eat in the area.
Be flexible with your plans
If you don’t have fixed dates, you can change your destinations at the last minute and save money by booking last-minute deals.
Learn to negotiate
While not everyone loves to haggle, you can save money by negotiating a better deal. Have a price that you want to pay in mind, and be prepared to walk away. If the price is marked- that usually means there is no room for offers. Some places will make an exception.
travel credit cards
The United Explorer Card is one of my favorite credit cards for travel because I don’t get charged extra when I use it abroad. Look for cards with no foreign transaction fees
Volunteer
Sign-up to volunteer a few hours during the event so you can still attend. Search for volunteer opportunities around the world on WorkAway. Once you connect with a host, discuss how long you would like to stay and what your responsibilities will be. Typically, you would work five days a week for 4-5 hours a day with meals included, but every situation is different and should be arranged before your arrival.
Conclusion: Things to Stop Buying to Save Money
If you make small changes to your lifestyle, you’ll be able to see results and start paying off debt. When you set a timeframe for how much you want to save, it’s easier to reach your goal. Commit to your plan. Create a vision board, or post a picture on your fridge of your dream trip to keep your eyes on the price. Saving money on a tight budget is possible if you commit to putting in the work.
Related:
- Travel Checklist: Things To Do Before Traveling Abroad
- Moving Abroad Checklist: How To Pack Up and Move to Another Country
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