When you need extra cash, but don’t have any way to earn more money, it is frustrating. Fortunately, you don’t have to make more money.
You can save $100 or more each month by simply making a few small tweaks to your daily routine.
1. Pack a bag lunch every day
Eating lunch at a diner or restaurant each day can really add up. Even if you are paying just $5 a day, you will spend over $100 in a month.
Try packing your own lunch on a daily basis. It’s easy if you plan for leftovers the night before and can keep costs to a minimum.
2. Make your own coffee
Fancy coffee can end up costing more than your utility bills some months if you aren’t careful. It’s surprisingly easy to make coffee at home and you can buy mixes to create your own lattes, cappuccinos and the like.
Learn to make your favorite coffee drink and you’ll have money to spare for other fun activities.
3. Have a no-money weekend once a month
You might be surprised at how much fun can be had for free in your town. Plan ahead and designate a weekend each month when you will spend no money. Pack a picnic and head to the nearest park or beach, or catch a free show at the local theater. Make a game of finding fun things to do for free.
4. Pay off your credit card balance every month
Just the interest on your credit card balance can throw your entire budget off. If you aren’t paying the balance each month, you are getting dinged by the interest and other fees that come with having a credit card.
In fact, paying the minimum will probably barely cover those fees and you are not really paying your balance down much at all. Make a point of never spending more than you can immediately pay off on your credit card.
5. Make use of your local library
When was the last time you set foot inside a library? You can get free books to read, as well as movies. In addition, most libraries offer fun activities for children on weekends and during the summer, all at no cost to you.
6. Plan your menu to save on groceries
Menu planning may seem like a chore, but it can keep you from tossing food that you bought and never used. Plan your menu to save on groceries.
If you have a plan, you can use up each item that you purchase. You’ll also save time with this method.
7. Cancel your home phone
Do you really use your landline at all? Most people don’t, but keep their home phone out of habit.
Use your cell phone instead and cut the landline. You’ll save a surprising amount of money each month.
8. Host friends at your home
Weekends are often spent having fun with friends, but going to the movies or heading to a restaurant to eat can be costly.
Invite everyone over to your house for a potluck or host a movie night to keep costs down for everyone. You can have just as much fun without spending much at all.
9. Carpool
Gas is expensive. You can save a considerable amount of money each month if you carpool with others. If you don’t live near anyone heading to the same area, consider meeting others in a central location and carpooling from there.
10. Air dry your laundry
Dryers require quite a bit of electricity to produce the heat necessary to dry your clothing. Hang your clothes outdoors and enjoy the fresh scent that the sun will give them.
If you can’t handle the stiffness that comes with air drying, toss your clothes in the dryer on the air setting for ten minutes to soften them up.
You don’t have to drastically change your lifestyle to save a little money. With just a small tweak or two, it’s possible to save hundreds of dollars. If you’re looking for a ay to build an emergency fund or save up for something more important, just make a simple change or two.