We all have times when we need to reduce our spending.
There are things I’m prepared to cut back on and others I’m not (unless absolutely necessary). It’s all about what brings me joy. If you’re thinking you need to make some cuts, here’s 40 easy ways to get you started.
They don’t take a lot of effort and should put some money back into your wallet (or holiday fund).
- Pack your lunch
- Use your credit card points
- Book your next holiday with air miles (I used my air miles for our flights to India last year)
- Drink more water
- Visit your local library
- Ditch your gym membership (but don’t stop exercising!)
- Cancel any subscriptions you’re not using
- Turn your lights/heating off when not needed
- Eat less (or no) meat
- Use what you have before buying more (I’m currently doing this with the booze in the booze cupboard!)
- Pay your credit card off in full each month and avoid any interest charges
- Challenge the amount of your car insurance renewal
- Don’t go grocery shopping when you’re hungry
- Write a grocery shopping list before you go shopping and stick to it
- Plan your meals
- Make gifts rather than buy expensive ones
- Quit smoking
- Wait 30 days before purchasing – and avoid the need for instant gratification
- Buy quality appliances
- If you need/want to buy something, wait for it to be on sale
- Grow your own vegetables
- Carpool
- Don’t speed (and avoid speeding tickets)
- Holiday at home and explore the area where you live
- Meet friends for drinks instead of dinner and drinks
- Meet friends for walks
- Buy staples in bulk or when on sale
- Find free events in your town/city
- Make your own cleaning products
- Sell your clutter on e-bay
- Stop trying to keep up with the Joneses
- Cut down your drinking
- Have one ‘no spend’ day each week
- Food shop in the evenings (around 6pm) when many supermarkets mark down items they need to shift
- Use your freezer (for leftovers or products on sale)
- Switch to a bank with no (or lower) fees
- Repair clothes rather than throw them out
- Ditch takeaways
- Leave your credit card at home and avoid temptation
- Walk (or cycle) whenever you can