Whether you’re hoping to save some money for a holiday, start saving for your retirement, or pay off your credit cards, you may be wondering where to start. After all, saving money usually means making a few different kinds of sacrifices, right?
It turns out that there are plenty of ways you can save money without feeling miserable. Here are some top ways you can save money this year:
Quit smoking
Whether you smoke a pack a day or a pack a week, there’s no doubt that smoking is quite literally like setting money on fire. Not only is it bad for your pocket, but we all know it’s terrible for your health as well. These days, there are a range of atomizers, and more for you to switch to if you’ve been smoking cigarettes. Sure, quitting can be difficult. But you’ll soon feel like a brand new person, and you’ll be protecting both your wallet and your health.
Set a budget
Ugh a budget sounds like a bad time right? But it doesn’t have to mean complete deprivation. Spend a month writing down every cent you spend. Sure, it may sound like a hassle, but it’s guaranteed to be illuminating. Once you’ve done this, go over the things you’ve spent your money on. Where could you make cuts without negatively impacting your life?
Set a goal
Saving for the sake of saving is boring. Why would you put money away for some mythical reason, when you could be actively saving for something you want to do? Whether you want to finally pay off your credit card, save a downpayment for your future house, or take a round-the-world trip, now’s the time to get serious about your goal. Make a list of all the reasons why you’re setting this goal. Plan out how much you’d need to save each month to achieve it, and then look at where you can trim your budget to make it happen.
Do more free things
This doesn’t mean you’ll have to turn into an antisocial shadow of your former self. But let your friends and family members know that you’re actively saving and you need their help. Tell them you’d still love to see them, but you’d like to do some free activities like cooking at home, watching a Netflix special, or going on a hike. You may be surprised at how many of your friends are also hoping to save and would be more than happy to socialize for cheap.