When your income is limited, but you want to save money for your traveling plans, then of course you have to cut your expenses somewhere else. However, saving money is easier than you think, you just need to know how!! These are the ways that I use —- no sweat at all!!
1) Examine Your Regular Expenses
What cost you the most are usually the regular expenses. There are many ways to cut your regular expenses to half or less. For example, check your rent, insurance plans, mobile plans, etc. if you can find better deals, ask your friends and relatives what companies/plans they are using. Or, reconsider if you really need a car. Perhaps you can take a bus or bike to work instead?
2) Bring Your Own Lunch
Buying lunch or eating out everyday can cost a lot in a month. Bring your own lunch not only can save money, it can save time and be more healthy. The easiest way is simply cook larger amount during dinner, keep some in a container in the fridge. Then next day you can just grab & go!!
If you don’t always cook dinner, you can also prepare or store some easy & easy-to-eat meals in your workplace. For example, I keep oatmeal, cereal, microwave meals, homemade scones (they can last one week, so you can make a bunch during weekend), fruits, bread, cheese & nuts. Just be creative & bring your comfort foods!!
3) Make Your Own Meal / Coffee / Drink
Home meals instead of eating out or ordering takeout can really save a lot in a long term. It can also help you get used to cooking when you camp outside. No need to say, home-cooked meals are healthier, cheaper if you know the tricks, such as shopping/cooking in bulk, choosing the seasonal foods or cheaper alternatives. There are also many ways to save time in cooking, such as using an electric slow cooker, microwave recipes…
Also, buying coffee / drink everyday can cost a lot if you add up. If you are buying soft drinks, that’s even worse for your body. How about making hot coffee to carry by a big thermo, or making fresh juice or milkshake to go, or ditch the soft drink to drink water instead? Let’s try and you may like it!!
4) Avoid Walking into a Shop
From my own experience, when I walk into a shop, I often see other things on the way, end up buying more than I needed or planned, spending more money and more time. So, I started to shopping mostly online (except foods & some necessities). Not only that you can often find better deals online, you can also save time shopping. Many online shops, such as Amazon, have excellent return policy & free shipping!!
5) Buying & Selling Used Items
I have a long experience of buying used items, such as 2nd hand shops, flea markets, or online exchange sites. Some items (such as toys, books and clothes for children, sports items) that you know you will only use for a short time or one season, it’s better to buy and sell!!
Also, you can often find very high quality or branded goods with lower than half prices. With the same money, you can buy either low-quality no-brand goods, or high-quality branded used goods. which one would you choose?
Surprisingly, you can actually find many items unused (still have a tag!!) or practically new, because many people buy things and never use. Also, I recommend always wash/dry-clean all the clothes and wipe all the used items with alcohol before use.
At last, you can find many unique, antique items in 2nd hand shops or sites. It feels like treasure-hunting and it is fun!! Occasionally, I even find something way better/cheaper than I imagine!!
6) Set a Cool Down Period to avoid “Impulse Shopping”
To be honest, we all do “Impulse Shopping”, even though we know it is bad for our wallet! There are always that we spend a lot on something we don’t need / we regret / we never use… But how to avoid that?
Set yourself a “Price Limit” and a “Cool Down Period”. If what you want to buy is above this price limit, force yourself to wait past the cool down period before buying it.
For example, the cool Down period I set for myself is one week. In one week, there should be plenty of time for me to think over if this item really worths the money, if I really need it, if I really use it…
You’ll be surprise how much this cool down period can avoid impulse shopping, and save your wallet!!
7) One Dollar Saved Is One Dollar Earned
Obviously, it is not easy to increase the income, especially when you are in a job, not a business. But it is much easier to save money, with all these ways that I have introduce you, so let’s try!!
8) Set a Target / Goal
This will take saving money much more fun, feel like a game. Although it may be tough to cut off your spending, when you go reach your target/goal, seeing a good amount in your account, the satisfaction is magnificent!!
9) Exercise Outdoor / At Home instead of Gym
No need to say, there are tons of sports can be done Outdoor, literally free-of-charge!! Not only that, you can choose to do them Anytime, no need to worry about Opening/Closing Hours or any other limitations set by the Gyms. Also, sunlight is good for skin and bone, can produce Vitamin E, can beat Depression…
Another choice is to exercise at Home. Even if you may not have enough space to build a gym at home, just a little investment in a Yoga Mat, or an Exercise DVD, etc. can go a long way. You can also find plenty of exercise videos in Utube that you can watch/follow for free!!
10) Home Party instead of Going Out / Eating Out
Going to restaurants can cost a lot (for everyone). How about try having a home party or barbecue at home? If you don’t have the space at home, or hate cleaning up after, having a picnic at the park or beach can be nice as well.
At last, I hope that my article will give you some insights how to save money, and may your traveling plan come true～～