Feel like you’re burning through cash like wildfire? You’re not alone. Recent financial surveys show the average American spends around $1,500 per month on non-essential items—that’s about $18,000 per year! The good news is that this makes it easy to cut back if you need to get out of debt or focus on saving, all of which are key elements of financial literacy. So check out these ten small changes to start saving money.
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Take Advantage of Happy Hour
Okay, sure, the night will be very young. So we get that it might not be the party experience you’re used to. However, your tab will be significantly lower if you take advantage of happy hour deals.
Skip the Pre-prepped Food
Yes, it saves you time; sometimes, this is a good thing. However, doing it too much is costly. Pre-prepped food generally costs two to four times as much as the same thing that’s not prepped. So, if you’ve got a few seconds to chop lettuce, grate cheese, or cut up fruit, do it. Your budget will thank you.
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Focus on Quality Purchases
Need a new toaster or appliance? On the surface, buying the $20 toaster seems like the cheaper path. But if it breaks in six months, you’re throwing money away. So, instead, do the research and find a quality item, even if it costs a little more. Long-term, you’ll be saving money.
Ditch Subscriptions You’re Not Using
When did you last use that membership, streaming service, or app? It’s easy to sign up for all these things, and the recurring monthly charges seem small, but they add up. Check out apps like Simplifi or Trim to help you figure out what subscriptions you’re paying for and not using, and then unsubscribe.
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Stop Paying for Unlimited Data
We know you spend a lot of time on your smartphone. We do, too! But unless you’re spending a lot of time away from accessible WiFi, unlimited data likely isn’t necessary. Look at your past usage history and adjust your plan accordingly. Dropping from unlimited to a limited data plan can save you $20-$40 per month on some carriers, depending on your usage.
Get Things Done Early
Procrastination leads to a lot of rushing and last-minute stress. It also costs you money. For example, you may end up paying significant expedited shipping charges. Plus, you miss out on any deals that may have happened between the time you knew you needed something and the time you finally got around to buying it.
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Avoid ATM Fees
Most banks charge about $5 for using an out-of-network ATM. This adds up quickly if you do it often enough. Would you rip up a $1 or a $5 bill? If the answer is no, then don’t waste your money on bank fees because that is precisely what you’re doing. If your bank doesn’t have an ATM in the area, you can opt for cash back at checkout to avoid a fee. Keeping small amounts of money in your wallet is a good idea.
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Review Your Statements
If you’re like most people, you swipe your card for just about everything. This is fine, but errors happen. For example, merchants may accidentally charge you twice or return something incorrectly. By reviewing your statements, you’ll catch these errors early and correct them.
Use a Grocery List
Heading to the store without a list means you rely on your memory – and your urges. As a result, you may buy items you already have in stock at home or purchase unnecessary items on a whim. So take a few minutes to review what you need and make a list before you head to the store.
Save on Parking
Most urban areas charge for parking. It feels unavoidable, but that doesn’t mean you can’t look for the best deal. Apps like Best Parking, ParkMobile, and Parkopedia help you find free/cheap parking. You may also be able to park farther away and walk to your destination for much less money. If public transit is an option, price-compare it with driving and parking.
Which of these money-saving tips will you try? Let us know in the comments!
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