Saving money can be a difficult task, especially if you’re living on a tight budget already. But there are a few simple steps you can take to save yourself a big chunk of change each month.
If you’re hoping to cut back on your expenses or put a little bit of money aside in a savings account each month, consider tackling one of these five easy ways to save up to $100 a month.
5 Ways to Save up to $100 a Month
How To Save Money On Groceries
Plan Your Meals. One of the biggest expenses for any family is groceries, so cutting back your spending at the grocery store is a simple way to save up to $100 a month. Starting with a plan is the first step to cutting your grocery expenses.
Make a meal plan each week that includes a menu for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Then, take inventory of your pantry and fridge to see what ingredients you already have to make those meals. Finally, create a list of everything else you’ll need for the week and stick to that list while shopping at the store.
Use Coupons. Another simple way to save money on grocery and household purchases is to use coupons when you shop. You can get coupons from your Sunday newspaper or print them from online suppliers.
And to top off the savings, be sure to sign up for rewards programs through the stores you shop at to save even more on everyday purchases.
Make Your Own Lunch (Or Coffee). If you have a habit of eating out at lunch or grabbing a coffee on your way to work, consider cutting out those extra expenses. Simply bringing your own lunch or coffee with you to work will save you $5 to $10 a day.
And while that may not seem like a lot, those small purchases can quickly add up – quit buying a $5 a day coffee to save up to $155 each month!
How to Save Money on Entertainment
Cut The Cable Cord. If you still have a cable or satellite subscription, canceling it will save you hundreds each year. Instead of playing for a selection of channels you don’t really watch, consider cutting out your cable plan and opting for a cheaper streaming service like Netflix or Hulu for family entertainment.
Have A Free Weekend. If you’re like most people, you probably spend the most money on the weekends. By simply implementing one “free weekend” a month, you can save up to $100 every month!
A free weekend means you enjoy the weekend without spending any money! Cook meals at home, enjoy free activities throughout your city, or have a staycation to relax in the comfort of your own home.
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Budgeting Tips
- Budget For Savings. After following our 5 ways to save money, you should have a nice chunk of change left over. It is important to know what to do with the leftover cash. Budget how much of the left over money you would like to put away and save and how much you would like to spend on other necessary expenses.
- Have Savings Goals. It is better to save for something specific (i.e. emergency fund, car, house, renovations) so that you can have a dollar amount to work towards. Having a purpose for the money also helps you to stay on track with a deadline. Make sure you are specific with the “by when” and “how much” of your saving plan.
- Use Savings Tools. Savings tools include a savings account, IRAs and stocks or bonds. Consider putting your money into accounts that accumulate interest such as a high interest savings account or an IRA.
- Try Budgeting with Excel. Spread sheets are great budgeting tools that help you to organize your income and expenses in a clear, visual manner. In an Excel spreadsheet, you can direct the program to do the math for you by inputting an equation. In this way, you can easily see new totals for extra expenses, savings, or income with the addition or subtraction of an item.
- Use The Envelope System. Save money with envelopes by only using the cash set aside in envelopes for expenses. Budget how much money you would like to spend on each category per week (i.e. groceries, clothes, entertainment). Then use the envelopes to stick to that budget- once the cash is gone, the spending is done in that category.
Saving money can be simpler than we think. It only requires commitment and a well laid out plan. Stick to these saving tools and you should be well on your way to extra money in the bank!
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Have you tried any of these budgeting tips and tricks? What has worked best for you and which are excited to try? Let us know in the comments below!
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