It’s time for a chat about money… ugh I know guys, I know. But today I’m super excited to dive into something that’s impacting all of us: the rising cost of living and saving money without sacrificing joy!
I know firsthand how managing finances can seem overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to balance enjoying the present and preparing for your future. That’s why I’ve put together my top 11 daily changes that have genuinely helped me save money without feeling like I’m missing out on life.
From brewing my own coffee to learning to hem my own jeans, these tweaks to my daily routine have not only boosted my bank account but also genuinely enriched my lifestyle. Let’s be real, who doesn’t want that extra cash for a dream vacation or more realistically- a down payment?
Stick with me, and I’ll show you how easy changes can lead to big savings. Trust me, it’s totally possible to live fabulously on a budget, and I am going to get to sharing these helpful budget saving tips:
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11 Daily Changes That Will Actually Help You Save Money
How to easily start saving money:
1. Get really good at making drinks
Starting your day with a homemade cup of coffee instead of stopping at a coffee shop can save you quite a bit amount of money if you are used to grabbing coffee in the morning! But I don’t mean suck it up and drink nasty drip coffee. I am saying to learn how to get good at making coffee that you enjoy drinking! Personally, I prefer ice coffee with cold foam so I got good at making it like good enough I don’t even order it out because mine is better.
I also mean making cocktails or other drinks that you enjoy getting made by others. Pregaming doesn’t have to be left in college- but you can elevate it also. Learn how to make the classic cocktails and experiment with local ingredients!
2. Pack Lunches for WorkÂ
Eating out during work days can add up insanely quick.
If you spend, let’s say on average, $10 per day on lunch, that adds up to $50 a week or more. Packing a lunch could reduce this cost to around $2 to $4 per meal. Start with simple, relatively healthy ingredients like salads, sandwiches, or just bring leftovers from dinner. This not only cuts down on expenses but also tends to be healthier. By consistently packing your lunch, you could save over $1,200 a year and if you have a partner who could also switch that’s about 2,500 a year aka flights to somewhere cool?!
3. Use Public Transportation or CarpoolÂ
If feasible (which guys I get it if it’s not), switching to public transportation or organizing a carpool can drastically cut down your commuting costs. The average cost of owning and operating a car can be upwards of $9,000 per year, considering gas, maintenance and, of course, insurance.
And public transit costs only a few dollars a day in most cases. It’s also generally safer for your commute as well!
4. Shop with a ListÂ
Going shopping without a list can lead to impulse buys and unnecessary purchases. Also, same goes for not going to the grocery store hungry!
Anyways, always make a shopping list based on your actual needs and weekly meal planning. (here’s an article with tips for meal planning!) Stick to this list rigorously to avoid buying items that look tempting but aren’t actually essential, and therefore are the most likely to be wasted. This discipline can help you save 10-20% on your grocery bills, which translates to hundreds of dollars annually.
It’s also better for the planet too by reducing food waste 🙂
5. Vet your streaming/ subscriptions
Alright guys this task sucks but it’s something that’s a simple change that can save money QUICK!
Go through your monthly credit card/bank statements and see what streaming services (TV, music, apps, etc) and see where your money is going. Are you actually watching things on 6 different streaming services? Are you still using that random app you’re paying 5.99 a month for?
The amounts are usually small but they add up quickly across the board so each day pay attention to minimizing subscriptions and make an effort not to sign up for anything with a reoccurring charge whenever possible!
6. Adjust Your Thermostat
Adjusting your thermostat by a few degrees when you’re not home or when you’re sleeping can lead to significant savings on your heating and cooling bills. A programmable thermostat can make this easy, automatically adjusting the temperature based on the time of day or week. This small adjustment could save you up to 10% a year on your energy bills.
7. Combine errands
Gas isn’t cheap and that is the obvious part of this tip- combining errands usually means that you end up actually driving less and therefore spending less on gas and putting less wear and tear on your vehicle as well.
But also, when you have a busy errand day you are going to be less tempted and have less time to aimlessly wander through stores. And that aimless wandering quickly adds up to a lot of money! So stay on track and do your shopping on intentional errand days where you won’t have time to get distracted and spend money.
8. Learn useful skills/hobbies
The vast majority of “grandma” hobbies are actually skills that can help you save money. They come from woman (and men!) that provided significantly for their homes by simply not outsourcing things that we can learn to do ourselves.
Let’s chat about some examples I have personally taken up-
- Sewing- I’m not saying to learn how to fully create and sew clothing. But learning to fix simple holes and more importantly hem and tailor clothes has resulted in less clothing spending and saved serious money.
- Gardening- so if you’re new around here I also have another site- talkplanttome.com – where I share all about gardening and growing food. But guys, seeds are CHEAP and you can grow so much of your own food for soooo cheap with a few containers outside!
- Cooking- learning to cook food instead of going out to eat is huge for saving money. Same goes for baking especially if you find yourself needing to bring baked goods a lot (school, church, etc.)
9. Practice Preventative Healthcare
Welcome to America lol but seriously maintaining your health can prevent costly medical bills down the road. This includes regular check-ups, vaccinations, exercising, and eating well. By focusing on preventative care, you can avoid some visits to the doctor or expensive medical treatments, and therefore my friends, saving on potential thousands in healthcare costs.
10. Buy in Bulk
For non-perishable items and products you use regularly, buying in bulk can offer significant savings. Items like toilet paper, detergent, and canned goods are often cheaper per unit when bought in larger quantities. Make sure you have adequate storage and only buy items you know you’ll use to maximize these savings.
11. Do Regular Maintenance on Your Home and Car
Regular maintenance can prevent costly repairs and extend the life of your possessions. For your car, this means regular oil changes, tire rotations, and check-ups. For your home, it includes cleaning gutters, servicing your HVAC system, and checking for leaks. These practices can help you avoid major repairs that can be far more expensive than routine maintenance.
Implementing these daily changes requires a bit of discipline and planning but guys it seriously can lead to substantial savings over time!!
Korra-Shay
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