Are you spending too much money each month? Making cutbacks to your personal spending can be the solution, but many of us find it hard to motivate ourselves to do this. This is because we create budgets that aren’t rewarding. We may avoid going out and seeing friends or we may eat less food or we may quit expensive passions when really we should cutting out the expensive unhealthy stuff. Here are just a few ways to spend less that are more positive.
Break expensive bad habits
Rather than cutting your food bill, think about those expensive habits like smoking and drinking that are chipping into your finances. Taking measures to cut down on these bad habits could be far more rewarding. Sites like How To Stop Drinking can help you to cut down on these types of habits by highlighting the negative effects. Even if you’re not prepared to go cold turkey, you should at least consider cutting down your intake and seeing what you can save.
Drive less, walk more
Car ownership is a big expense for many of us. Whilst many of us need a car to get around, a lot of us use our cars to do journeys that we could have easily walked or cycled. Not only could you save money on fuel by cutting out local car journeys and walking more, you’ll stay fitter in the process and cut down your carbon footprint. It’s an expense with lots of positive benefits.
Go green
You can also save a lot of money by living a more eco-friendly lifestyle. As already discussed, cutting down driving can save you fuel costs, but there could be other ways you can reduce your carbon footprint whilst reducing costs. Reducing your energy usage could be one way of saving money. This could be something as small as unplugging devices that aren’t in use or switching your lightbulbs for LEDs. Alternatively, it could be a bigger investment such as installing solar panels on your home’s roof or buying a new energy efficient boiler. There are many other green practices that can save you money such as growing some of your own vegetables and getting paid to recycle old electronics – post such as this one 10 Ways To Go Green and Save Green could serve as inspiration.
Stop borrowing money
One of the reasons you may be eager to cut spending could be due to having debts. Whilst taking out loans or using your credit card might temporarily allow you to afford things you wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford, it can result in you paying more in the future as your debts accumulate and build interest. By making a vow to stop borrowing, you can focus on paying off your current debts and free yourself of these expenses. Cut up your credit card if you have to and say no to loans.
For more money saving tips, you might enjoy my other blog: mummysavermoneymaker.co.uk