We all want to save money, but with bills to pay, and socializing becoming more expensive by the day, it can feel like you’re simply not left with any money to spare at the end of the month. Believe me, I know how that feels. As someone who recently moved countries, I’m currently looking at ways to save more each month so I can reach my money goals and stop worrying about money.
Luckily, there are a few things I’ve been doing to keep my money in my bank account. Here are some tips if you’re also hoping to do the same:
Check for the best deals
It sounds simple, but we often get so used to paying for things like utilities and subscriptions that we forget to compare different companies. This is an easy way to get a much better deal, and you’ll often find that your current company will offer you a better deal if you tell them that you’re thinking about switching.
For example, if you look for the best mobile phone deals, you can compare the best offers and deals from all of the leading providers in the UK- all in one place. For example, you could get a sim-only deal for less than four pounds a month- complete with free EU roaming and 500MB of data. If you’re currently paying more than 20 pounds a month for your phone, you’re paying too much. Don’t be surprised if you find that you’re paying much more than you need to be paying with other utilities as well, and be sure to check your ongoing subscriptions.
Create a budget
Let’s face it: Creating a budget doesn’t sound like a fun way to spend an afternoon. But there are some excellent tools and apps on the market to make it a breeze. These days, many of the apps actually connect to your bank account, which means once you’ve set your budget, you can forget about it until you get a reminder that you’re getting close to the end of your budget for something.
For example, I use Mint, which connects to my bank account and allows me to set dollar amounts each month for savings, entertainment, shopping, eating out, and more. I can also load all of my bills and connect my credit cards. This allows me to keep an eye on my money and be more mindful.
Set a goal
If you’re anything like me, you probably find it difficult to save money simply for the sake of it. That’s why it’s a good idea to make a list of what you’d like to achieve with your money. Remember: Money is just a tool, and we shouldn’t let it dictate how we feel on a day to day basis. But we can use that tool to create the type of future we’d like to have. So make a list of all the things you’d like to achieve in the future. This includes the next few months, the next few years, and long-term goals as well.
Then, be realistic about how much you can commit to saving each month. It’s okay to start small- simply make an automatic payment and slowly increase it as you get better at sticking to your budget.