Budgeting may have gotten a bad rap for all the hype surrounding it, but it doesn’t necessarily mean having to cut off all your luxuries and living a simple life. It simply means planning to use your money in the right way, and that’s exactly what we’re here to help you with. Keep reading to discover the 10 super easy budgeting ideas to save you money that you may not have heard of.
- Give every dollar a name even before your month begins- yes that’s right. Planning in advance can help you make the right decisions and can keep you from spending right when you get your salary check.
- Do it together- when planning a budget, it is a good idea to have someone who can help you- it can be your spouse, a sibling or a friend- anyone who you feel will guide you and whom you can be accountable with.
- Consider your travel expenses- whether it is your daily commute or weekend outing, fuel prices can take up a bit of a chunk of your cash. Consider alternative means to travel such as riding a bicycle, carpooling, or using a public transportation.
- Consider a side hustle- most of us never dare to do it, because we’re afraid of being too caught up in it, but working on the side for some extra cash can help too. Check for local gigs or look up ways to make money online using your skills.
- Cut the cord- you may be a bit skeptical when it comes to letting go of your television subscription, but you can easily use a range of less- expensive streaming services to keep yourself entertained.
- Downgrade your vacation- hey, that doesn’t mean you won’t have fun. If you are finding it troublesome to handle your monthly expenses, it doesn’t hurt to stick to the basics when you’re planning your next vacation. Try local day trips or camping to save a bit of money.
- Prioritize- right down to the basics. Keep a checklist of things you absolutely have to include in your monthly budget, and the ones you can live without.
- Choose something you want to save for- it can be anything- a new car, a home, a big vacation or for your kid’s college fund- pick that one big goal you need to save for to keep you motivated.
- Use the right tools- savings accounts, CDs and more. Weigh your options carefully before making the choice with your savings plan.
- Make it automatic- instead of manually heading to the bank every month to make a deposit, set up an automated transfer to make it easier and reduce your temptation to spend it.