Whether you’re looking to increase your disposable income, save for the holiday of a lifetime or put money away for a house deposit, there are lots of ways to save on everyday things.
By making savvy purchasing decisions, you can make your pay packet go that bit further.
Here are our top money saving tips:
1. Forget Brand Loyalty
Brand loyalty sometimes blinds us to other, cheaper options on offer.
We equate big brands with quality but this isn’t always the case.
Swap your favorite washing powder for a cheaper one and see if it does the job. Try out supermarket own brand products and see if your family notice the difference.
You should also question if that designer bag or famous brand trainers are any better than an unbranded alternative. It could be that your brand loyalty is costing you hundreds.
2. Change Energy Providers
You would think that having a long term relationship with your energy provider would warrant some kind of reward. However, often the opposite is true.
Energy companies rarely offer long standing customers their best deals.
Each time your contract with your energy provider is up, shop around for a better deal. It may be that your current provider will match the deal you have been offered. If not, it’s time to switch.
3. Cook from Scratch
Ready meals and takeaways are an expensive way to eat.
Planning your meals in advance, only buying the ingredients you need and cooking from scratch can save lots of money. This way of doing things is more time-consuming but batch cooking and freezing meals as well as finding some speedy recipes for when you’re short of time will help you to fit cooking into a busy schedule.
And if you really want to make a difference, make your lunches at home too to avoid buying expensive (and often unhealthy) sandwiches from high street cafés.
4. Make Coffee At Home
Grabbing coffee from a high street coffee shop is another big expense we often forget about.
If you’re buying a cup every day, the accumulative cost could be staggering.
Invest in a reusable coffee mug for when you’re on-the-go and get some good quality coffee so you can make your own at home or at the office.
5. Consider Your Standing Orders
In the quest to save money, you need to look at the outgoings that leave your account automatically each month.
We are prone to forget about these expenditures and often fail to question whether they’re completely necessary.
- Do you really need that expensive cable television subscription?
- When was the last time you used your gym membership?
- Is your mobile phone contract offering you the best deal?
You can replace cable television with a cheaper Netflix subscription and find a pay-as-you-go gym. You could also consider keeping your old phone and paying just for the basics when it comes to renewing your phone contract.
6. Buy Quality Products That Are Built to Last
Buying the cheapest option available isn’t always the best use of your hard-earned cash.
With some products, it’s best to buy quality items that are built to last. Good quality furniture or appliances will save you money in the long-run as they will need to be replaced less often.
There are lots of easy ways to save money on everyday things if you put your mind to it. And if restricting your purchases feels like you’re depriving yourself, try to think of the bigger picture.
Doing without your Saturday night takeaway or those designer shoes could set you on the way to saving money for something much more important.
About the Author:
With a background in Marketing, Jane Bolto currently works as a Content Specialist at Nybizdb.com. Always willing to share her passion for new marketing strategies.