Some of the biggest and most important decisions we make in life revolve around money. And even if we don’t know much about personal finance, one thing is sure: savings are always crucial. This means you should always prioritize keeping money aside, even if it means passing on a fancy vacation or getting a new car.
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It may be hard, but you should note that your little saving habits add up over time. So, let’s take a look at some of the ways you can save your money to ensure that it amounts to something significant in the long term.
1. Make Your Own Coffee
Dropping by the coffee shop when you’re on your way to work is often convenient. But, setting up your coffee maker the night before and switching it on in the morning is definitely cheaper.
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When you brew your coffee yourself, you’ll spend far less than what you’d have spent in the coffee shop. So, make your own coffee.
2. Buy Neutral Versatile Clothing
Having clothes in neutral colors will save you a lot of money, while also limiting the stress of combining clothes, and saving the time it’ll take to figure out what to wear.
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You can pair neutral-colored clothing with almost anything. Not only does this maximize the value of your wardrobe, but it’ll also give off the illusion of multiple clothes with just a few pieces.
3. Drink Tap Water
Your love for bottled water may be costing more than you think. So, if you’re truly committed to saving extra bucks, ditching the bottles for tap water is a great idea. Don’t worry about impurities—cleansers and filters are always there to the rescue.
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When next you visit a restaurant, airport, or anywhere else, be sure to take your reusable water bottles with you. Your wallet will thank you for it.
4. Eat Home-Cooked Meals
You should know this already but we’ve got to say it anyway—preparing your meals at home can help you save lots of money. So, make a quick breakfast, pack your lunch, and eat dinner when you get home. Hanging out with friends over home-cooked meals would be fun too.
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So, instead of spending so much money at pricey restaurants, you get to save more while enjoying the sumptuousness of your own meals. What could be better?
5. Use The Library
Do you love to read? If yes, did you know that you can save money on buying books by visiting the library instead?
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That’s right—the library is a rich resource full of books and materials that cut across a wide range of subjects. So, using the library is a great way to continue with your reading habit while saving.
6. Plant Trees Around Your House
When you move to a new place and there aren’t any trees around, the first thing you should do is plant some. It will provide shade and remove the cost of using air conditioners in the summer.
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Trees also add aesthetic value to your house, and you can choose to make it a public space where people can hang out.
7. Have You Tried the Thrift Store?
You shouldn’t always buy things at pricey places when there are other alternatives. You can save a lot of money when you use the thrift store instead.
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There are a variety of products ranging from household items, to personal care items, beverages, and so much more. Only go to a normal store when you can’t find what you need in the thrift store.
8. Carpool
When you share a ride with your co-workers or friends, you will save a lot of transport money. You don’t even have to do it every day, just once or twice a week can make a lot of difference.
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You’ll have some great conversations, bond more, and connect more. It can also help you save money on repairing or maintaining your vehicle.
9. Simplify Your Hair Routine
Hair care is a big deal, but it can consume a large chunk of your monthly budget. So, look for ways to groom your hair while saving extra bucks like changing your style into something simple.
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If you can, replace your overpriced shampoos with cheaper options like baking soda and apple cider vinegar. You can also cut down on your expensive routines like dying your hair.
10. Shred Your Food Yourself
It’s much cheaper to buy whole foods and ingredients than to purchase pre-shredded or pre-cut ones. It’s also a healthier option because cutting and shredding them yourself removes the chances of preservatives being added.
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If you can do it yourself, you won’t have to pay so much for the processing and packaging.
11. Carry $100 Notes Around
This looks like a weird suggestion, but you’ll save better when you go around with large notes. The trick is that you’ll think twice before you spend it.
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But holding back is not something you may be able to do with your credit and debit cards, because it’s easier to spend when you have those.