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Are you struggling to save money?
Are you drowning in “stuff”? Do you find your kitchen counters and closets full of clutter and the bank account is close to zero?
You are not alone!
Over half of the country is living paycheck to paycheck.
But there is a solution! And it is relatively easy. No I’m not going to tell you to sell the house, downsize and start living off your garden. Which could work for some.
I am going to ask you to….
Assess where your money is being spent. How much did you spend on groceries last month and what did you buy? The answer is in the what you bought part.
We live in a convenience generation which is made more popular by our busy family schedules. We are more inclined to go buy or order a pizza than make one from scratch.
Or a better example might be coffee. At 5 am it is way easier to drive thru your favorite coffee shop pick up window than make your own. But it is costing you!
You can save hundreds of dollars by cutting out the convenience and making more items at home and I am not talking complicated stuff.
7 things you need to stop buying to save money:
1. Coffee
Sure having a latte out with friends is great but a latte a day can get expensive. Get yourself a great brew at home coffee maker and skip the costly Keurig pods and get the refillable kind.
With the refillable k cups you are saving a ton and you can brew which ever flavor of coffee you wish. It is a win-win.
If you are still craving that latte invest in a milk frother they are great and will froth both warm and cool milk.
2. Premade Pastries
You know the ones I am talking about muffins, donuts, cookies and granola bars. All the bakery bought items you use for breakfast and snacks.
They are great time savers and great for tossing in to the lunch last minute.
But if you price them out dollar for dollar you can save so much money by whipping up a batch of muffins at home in under an hour.
Cookies, granola bars, squares and more get the kids involved and make them from scratch. You save money and you know exactly what is in your sweet treat.
3. Paper Products
Have you seen the cost of a package of paper towels? Add in napkins, paper plates, facial tissues and all other single use items you have in the house. Do you see the cost tally rising?
Swap out the paper products for reusable cloth napkins. I know the savings looks minimal but think about it.
You will be saving the cost of the paper product, the space it takes up in your cupboard and the waste. We swapped out paper for cloth napkins years ago and we have never looked back.
4. Prepackaged Mixes
Cake mixes, taco seasoning, soup mixes and etc. These items are available in mass supply in your local grocery store and they make life more convenient.
The homemade version is real easy to make and tastes better. Toss out the mixes and start from scratch. Stock your pantry with spices, dry goods, beans and soup stock.
5. Subscriptions
Do you have a magazine subscription or a monthly wine box or a continual service you pay for? Do you use the item every month? If you do, great.
If you aren’t reading the magazine or the box service is piling up in the corner, hit pause and cancel the service. Save yourself the monthly fee and put it toward something you will really enjoy.
6. Services
This falls in the convenience and too busy category. I am all for employing someone to help mow the lawn and clean the house. This provides someone a job and gives you a few extra minutes to rest or spend time with your family.
It is when the services you pay for run your life and you begin to rely on them too much.
For example maybe you pay for the following on a monthly basis:
- house cleaning
- landscaping
- nail salon
- hair salon
- laser/waxing
- babysitting
- grocery deliver
- fitness coach
- dog walker
- car maintenance
- handyman
The list can go on and on. We pay for services that make our life easier. And I am not knocking them I am say if you can limit them you will be saving money.
7. Glitter & Glass
Stop buying stuff to impress people. As the saying goes “stop buying stuff to impress people, you don’t even like.” You don’t need the glitter and the glass to show your worth.
You are unique and well gifted and you should be proud of what you have. People, quality people, people you want to be around will be there no matter the name brand of your jeans.
Saving money
This list of seven things above is just the tip of the ice berg. Once you truly look at where you are spending your money you will formulate a list of your own.
Things you can stop buying to save $10, $100 or $1000. You can learn what we stopped buying to save over $1000.
Related Posts:
- 275 Frugal Living, Money Saving Tips
- Stop Living Paycheck To Paycheck
- Secret Must Haves Of A Frugal Home
Vacation time
Holidays are another place you can spend a lot of money. Money that can be saved simply by making smarter money choices.
Hotel expenses is at the top of my list when it comes ways to save money. My preferred way to travel is to stay in short term rental homes.
I have family that travel all around the world using Airbnb. Apartments, cottages, homes, seaside villas, you name the location and Airbnb has a rental for you.
Airbnb vacation rentals are usually comparable or cheaper than a hotel, plus a you get more room and usually a kitchen (which means more savings on meals).
Flights and actual travel it all depends on your departure location and your destination. Travel points are a great way to save money.
Searching for sales and talking to a travel professional are great as well.
Have an amazing day,
Cynthia
Saving & Simplicity
