4 Daily habits that save you money

4 DAILY HABITS THAT SAVE YOU MONEY

There’s no way around it; spending is inevitable for all. Whether it’s groceries, clothes, transport, entertainment or otherwise, daily life is expensive. The cost of living is on a constant rise, despite high levels of unemployment and low incomes. Add in the pandemic and it seems extra tough to keep money in the bank. Don’t despair, with these four little tweaks and a can-do attitude, you can save money daily.

1. REDUCE FREQUENCY | The simple act of reducing the frequency you consume or spend saves you small amounts that quickly add up. For instance,
   • Coffee | Don’t get me wrong, I’m a total coffee addict and love my Grande Eggnog Lattes, however…not only will reducing the frequency with which you purchase your coffee (versus making it at home) save you on average $6 a day ($30/week, $120/month, $1440/year) it will also make that latte so much more enjoyable when you do buy it. Savour the moment, enjoy every sip and make your weekly latte the highlight of your week.
   • Transport | Depending on the weather where you live and the distance of your commute to work, you can try forgoing the monthly bus, metro or train pass. Opt for walking or biking to work on nice days. This will save you money and improve your physical and mental health.
   • Restaurants | Eating out saves time, energy and clean up. It’s also crazy expensive in the long run, especially if you have a full house. Reducing the frequency of ordering in, even from 4 days to 2 days a week, will definitely save you money. Try making meals as a family instead, over Zoom with friends, or taking turns with your roommates to cook supper.

2. PLAN AHEAD | There is something to be said for the pleasure of spontaneity, but it often comes at a cost. Give these ideas a go,
   • Groceries | A meal plan might be old-school, but it hasn’t lost its charm. Unlike running out to the store every day, a meal plan helps save on groceries and help you eat healthier. You will be surprised how satisfying and easy it is to put a meal plan into effect.
   • Clothing| More than adults, some kids seem to grow out of their clothes overnight. Take advantage of seasonal sales, purchasing a few staple items in the next size up for less. You can also browse online community sales for lightly used second-hand goods.
   • Toys/Activities | Make a list of the things you and your family would like to do or buy. Then keep your eyes open for specials and sales, even checking online group deals. The only thing better than getting what you want is getting it on sale.

3. REUSE & RECYCLE | We consume and discard far too much at an alarming rate. Before you chuck something, give it some thought. Can it be repurposed? Can you give it a second life? Can you use it to do something fun and new?
   • Repurpose | When renovating or changing a room’s purpose, we tend to design and plan it from scratch. Try thinking the other way around, repurposing what you have. What furniture or fixtures are no longer being used around the house? Then try and incorporate those pieces into your design before dishing out your hard-earned money on new items.
   • Second Life | Rather than tossing your lightly used things into the trash, consider selling them online or to a consignment shop. While you might not make anywhere close to what you paid, you will bring in extra money with minimal effort, help the environment and someone in need.
   • Get Creative | You can also make an event out of your older things. Try hosting a virtual clothing & home goods swap with friends. Take odds and ends and challenge your family to an afternoon of inventions or crafts.

4. GO DIGITAL | In a world that is quickly becoming paperless, it can be less of a daily habit to review our personal finances. Incorporate these digital finance apps to save money with just the click of a button.
   • Banking App | If you aren’t banking on your phone, you should be. Not only is it convenient, but you can also better track your daily spending and monthly expenses.
   • Budget App | The budget app can change your world. It helps keep you accountable for your spending by highlighting trends and grouping your spending for an easy review.
   • Savings App | Some investment apps can help you save small amounts that add up over time. For example, Acorns rounds your purchases off to the nearest dollar, putting those extra cents into a low-risk investment

Medium highlights the importance of dedication in forming new habits, but after reviewing the above, we can safely say it’s worth it. “…recognize that forming a new habit is no easy undertaking. It won’t get formed on its own. And for that reason, you have to decide why and how important it is.” Why not give it a go and try incorporating these changes into your daily routine next month. Compare how much you save to how much you spend, and don’t forget to use your new-found freedom to reassess other areas in your daily life where you might trim spending.

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