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Are you trying to save up for something big?
Or pay down your mortgage or pay off some debt. The best thing you can do is find ways to clear up more cash. The faster you pay down a debt the better.
I have heard this once or twice being called the seesaw effect. It’s the act of tightening up your budget in one place so you can spend more or pay more down in another.
If you have the opportunity to pay down a debt faster it’s a win-win. The debt gets paid off, you don’t owe anymore interest and now you have that extra money every payday to put toward something you really want or need.
Now you are probably thinking my budget is super tight
Where am I going to find some extra cash to move around to pay off some debt (or to save). I totally get the stress and the struggle. If your budget is super tight think a bit smaller.
Do what you can, with what you have. Here are five great ways to find money in a tight budget in case you need some inspiration.
Clearing up or creating more cash
For me the grocery list and the kitchen are the first places I think of when someone mentions saving cash. Or lattes, eating out and entertainment.
Think about where in your home you spend a lot of money or more money than you’d like to. Check your budget, your receipts. If you need to break it down where did you spend more last week or last month? Was it groceries? Banking fees? Cable? Coffee and lunch?
Where we used the seesaw effect
Last week I could have gone without two trips to the coffee shop, as a family we ate out twice (I could have made home cooked meals) and we did do some extra shopping that could have been put off.
I did also cancel some extra channels on our cable which was a $20 monthly savings and I did make $55 with Ratuken.
All in all this adds up to about $305 total in extra cash. Something so simple but it adds up fast.
10 Ways To Clear Up More Cash:
1. Change the way you shop
Did you know you can have your groceries delivered right to your door. All your favorite stuff: coffee, pasta, vegetables and more. Why go shopping when you can have all your favorites delivered right to your door and usually for way less than the grocery store price.
If you have an Amazon Prime Account (if not, get a free 30-Day trial right here), plus you can save even more money by using their Subscribe & Save Program. I use this program to save extra money on diapers, formula and so much more.
And the great thing with Amazon is you can shop online, in your pajamas, save all the items you want to your cart and order it with a click of a button. Plus you can save even more money when you use Ratuken while shopping with Amazon.
2. Look at what you are buying
Groceries can get expensive. What could you change to clear up some cash? Could you go generic for a week or two? What if you opted out of a few different more expensive dishes in favor of cheaper meal ideas. If you bought frozen vegetables instead of fresh would it save you some cash?
At the beginning of our budgeting journey I learned some great money saving tricks with The Grocery Budget Workshop. Like how to cut our grocery budget in half and still eat well. Sign up for their free workshop and start saving money right away.
3. Download these apps to receive free money
You have cut every coupon you can but have you downloaded these money saving apps. Have you hear about Ratuken? They offer you cash rebates on items you normally shop for like milk, shampoo, diapers and more. Cash rebates are like instant money.
You receive cash back on purchase you are already making. In fact I love Ratuken so much I want to give you a free gift. Try Rakuten and receive a $10 gift my treat.
4. Decrease the coffee runs and the eating out
The idea here is to change something in the short term so you have more in the long term. Making coffee at home and preparing some great home cooked meals are simple and easy short term things to do to clear up some cash. In fact need some inspiration? Try $5 Meal Plan for free for 14 days.
5. DIY your cleaning supplies
It’s common place to purchase your cleaning supplies when you go to the grocery store or the big box outlets but you can save a huge amount of cash by making your own. How much did your last bottle of cleaning supply cost you? Discover over 21 different DIY cleaning products you can make to save some cash.
6. Cutting out the expensive stuff
Cable is getting expensive when you can stream your favorite shows on Amazon Prime Video if you have an Amazon Prime Account (if not, get a free 30-Day trial right here). Cancel your cable and free up some cash and still watch all your favorite shows.
7. Do a no spend challenge
Have you heard about a no spend challenge? The general idea is you spend only enough to cover your bills and necessities. No extra shopping for toys, shoes or make up. No going out on expensive dates.
Your goal is to save money and live within your means. You make homemade meals, plan cheap family entertainment and don’t spend any extra money.
Money Saving Related Posts:
- 5 Ways To Find Money In A Tight Budget
- Best Dollar Store DIY Hacks
- Secret Must Haves Of A Money Saving Home
8. Change your entertainment style
Let’s face it going out for dinner and a movie can cost up to $150 if not more. Move this money towards your debt and plan a cheaper form of entertainment. Opt for movie night in with a homemade meal and popcorn or family game night.
9. Sell what you can
Are you looking for easy extra cash? Are you tire of the clutter and looking to downsize. Sell off what you are not using and don’t need. There are lots of different online market places where you can sell your items like Craigslist, Ebay and etc. You can go local if that works better and have a garage sale or rent a table at a flea market.
You can sell anything from jewelry, to big boy toys, to old clothes and books.
10. Take on a side gig
If you are looking to make some extra cash to put towards your mortgage or a debt taking on a side gig is a great way to generate more income.
Here are 11 jobs perfect for stay at home parents or those already working full time jobs. You could start earning more money working just a few hours a week.
Updated February 25, 2020
