How to save money without saving money

Go on, get the bank account statement for February, print it out or ask someone to do it for you if you’re not too good with technology and have a look!

Two pounds for coffee, seven for baked goods, some on a cute ribbon you found for “some kind of celebration”, a twenty for flowers, some more on the gas, Spotify subscription, cable TV, new bedsheets and two more for a cup of takeaway tea.

If you are feeling the Spring Cleaning big time this year, create categories (e.g. Groceries, Eating out, Medicine & Appointments, Takeaway Coffee, Regular Bills, Animals, Mortgage, Transport, etc.) and calculate all the expenses that fill each of the categories.

X amount for groceries, X amount for Eating out, X amount for the cat and X amount for spontaneous purchases.

Only you will know if a Vogue magazine each month is needed or you can read the blogs online. If that croissant on the go to the park is essential or you can bake some yourself or perhaps one every two weeks is ok but 4 a week might be a little too much both for your gut health and the one of your bank account.

There are many ways you can cut down your expenses and save money without actually needing to save or limit yourself. Although, cutting down sugar and gluten (yes, I’m talking about those mouth-watering butter cookies and exceptional local cinnamon buns) might even work in your own favour as well.

Cancel subscriptions and memberships

Chances are, you’re paying for at least one of those or perhaps even a dozen. Cancel any of those that you do not actively use on a regular basis.

Maybe you have a yoga membership but you actually get to go only once or twice a month, so paying for an individual class would be much more wallet-friendly. 

Have a good look at all of these! And perhaps you still want to keep your Netflix subscription or Amazon Prime and that’s totally fine! 

With the ones you choose to keep paying for – consider sharing them with your friends or family!

Netflix and Hulu have the option to do that and you can even watch your favorite show on two or more screens. Winner, winner, chicken dinner! Literally, you’ll have more money to buy good quality meat.

Everything extra – Goes to Savings

You sold a pair of shoes you never wore? Put all the money away!

Same with inheritance or tax refunds, any bonuses or unexpected birthday presents, putting those away or to good use will ease your mind.

Yes, we have to talk about this as well

If you have debt, you’ll be better off using all the extra money or “saved” money to pay it off month by month. 

Perhaps you thought there isn’t much you can add to the current amount you dedicate to that or even had forgotten about such a thing as owing, this is the moment you start working on paying everything off. 

You’ll be surprised how much lighter and better you feel. Even if it’s not a lot or you’ll still have to do it for a couple of years – consistency leads to progress and that leads to feeling good.

If you’re debt-free, consider creating an emergency fund or one for all your Spring wishes and beautiful things. It’s ok to enjoy material things that bring you joy unless you don’t depend on them for making you happy.

Reduce energy costs & lower your cell phone bill

A few simple habits will let you save on your bills and you will be surprised how easy it is!

Stop running water while you brush your teeth, turn off the lights once you leave a room, don’t have any electrical appliances burning energy while you’re not using them etc., etc.. You can check out specific tips for this by looking it up in Google.

Call your cell phone service or visit them in person and have a look at your monthly plan – get rid of all the costly data plans you’re not using or even completely switch your provider if a cheaper one with matched quality is available. A little more persistence and time researching, but the money you’ll save will be worth it!

If you’re a tech guru – use Whatsapp or Messenger to call someone, that way you could also save a bit depending on your current cell phone plan.

Lunch time!

So looking at how much you spend on eating out or grabbing something on the go might be quite shocking actually.

I remember doing it for the first time and was shocked to see that my everyday takeaway coffee that doesn’t cost too much, turned out to have the third largest amount of money spent from all the categories I had created.

It doesn’t mean you have to always avoid it, just make sure you’re aware of how much goes into it as it really tends to add up.

Cooking at home has been probably the most effective way for me to cut down monthly expenses. Also planning out the meals and buying products that you will actually use is another super helpful tip which I’m still working on implementing in my own life.