5 Lifestyle Changes to Really Save Money – Ready to change your life and save money? These 5 easy changes will help you to see that you CAN make a budget!
Guest Post by Misty at simpleorganizedlifestyle.com
You’ve probably heard the quote from Albert Einstein that “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.”
Who didn’t listen to Einstein? Me!
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I complained about having little or no savings. I griped about having a paycheck that was gone before I cashed it. Then one day I made up my mind to change my habits because doing the same old, same old was not working out.
Turns out there may be good reason Einstein was a genius. As soon as I changed my lifestyle habits when it came to saving money, I quickly got different results.
Change is always hard but these results were so worth it. Having a healthy savings account has a positive impact not only on finances but relationships, health and attitude too.
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Here are 5 lifestyle changes to save money:
1. Shop around
It’s incredible how much money you can save by seeking a better deal with all aspects of your finances. Compare insurance rates, cell phone packages and don’t be afraid to contact your credit card or cable company to ask for a better deal.
It doesn’t hurt to ask and the outcome is more money in your pocket! Shop around every time you get the chance and save the difference when you pay less.
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2. Eat at home
Food is almost always a category where there are huge potential savings. If you skip the dining out for a while and make simple meals, you’ll be surprised at how quickly your savings will grow.
Make coffee at home in the morning and take sandwiches for lunch. It’s amazing how much a daily latte or drive-thru lunch adds up to over time. Eat at home and give up a little now to gain so much more as your savings begin to grow.
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3. Avoid shiny object syndrome
Shiny object syndrome happens when we chase after the latest and greatest new gadget or tool without really having a great reason. If your smartphone works fine, do you need another one just because it’s bigger?
Think about the bigger price tag that comes with it and what impact that will have on your savings goals. Avoid shiny object syndrome and focus instead on what healthy savings will mean for your family.
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4. DIY
We live in an incredible time when a wealth of knowledge is just a few clicks away. Google and Youtube can often give us step by step instructions to repair just about anything. Before you buy a new vacuum cleaner or call a plumber, do a simple search of the problem to make sure there’s not a simple (free) solution.
Whenever you can DIY, your savings not only improve but so will your skills!
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5. Budget
If you really want to see your savings grow, you have to take a hard look at where your money goes. Figure out where your money goes so you can trim the fat. Things like a cheaper cable TV package or a streaming service instead. Things like having a movie night at home or going to the local park instead of an amusement park. Start a budget, trim the fat, and watch your savings grow.
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There are some lifestyle changes to really save money that aren’t too difficult to start doing. As with everything in budgeting, you need to commit to doing the work and sticking it out through the hard stuff to get to the other side.
More related posts:
- The Ultimate Guide to Changing Your Spending Habits
- How to Get Out of Credit Card Debt Fast
- How to Make Saving Money Easy
- 7 Ways to Still Date Your Spouse When Money is Tight
- 4 Tips for Getting Out of Debt on a Limited Budget
- Fixing a Budget that Spends More Than We Make
- How to Start a Budget the Easy Painless Way
- How to Save Money When You Don’t Feel Like It
- What To Do When You’ve Racked Up More Debt
- Money Saving Hacks from an Extreme Cheapskate
- Top 10 Things I Did to Pay Off Debt in 2 Years
- How to Talk With Your Husband About Money
What have you done to save money?
About the Author
Misty writes about simplifying + organizing home and finances at simpleorganizedlifestyle.com
I’m making a big purchase this month and shopping around for it as much as I can. I’ve contacted 10 different places to give me a quote. Whoever gives me the cheapest price wins! Haha.
One thing i did that really helped me was rarely paying full price for books! I LOVE reading, its one of my main sources of entertainment. I now either buy them from thrift shops or borrow from the library where possible. saved me so much money! instead of $16 – $30 on one book i pay $2-$5 at thrift shops, or nothing to borrow from the library. I also try to find second hand books online in good condition. Serious budget saver!!