Living frugally doesn’t mean denying yourself of luxuries, it’s a lifestyle change which has actually become quite trendy. Living frugally means sourcing products at a good price and not living beyond your means. Watching pennies on a daily basis can have a huge effect on the health of your bank balance, it also can help your general health and mental health as money strains are lessened. Money saved means you will have more to spend on the luxuries in life!
Here are some easy ways to live a little more frugally.
Finances
Do you know exactly what you spend your money on every month? Most people don’t, so it’s a good idea to take stock of your incomings and outgoings so that you know exactly where you can make savings. That coffee you grab on the way to work every morning can add up! Do you really need a gym membership when you never find the time to go?
We tend to bury our heads in the sand when it comes to finance, it is better to face any issues head on, as financial strain has a habit of getting worse unless action is taken. Look at all the necessary payments you make each month nand see if there are savings to be made. Check to see if you are on the best mortgage deal for your circumstances by consulting Mortgage Brokers for expert guidance. Savings can often be made on utility bills by switching providers. Use a comparison website to check out the best deals, switching is not as hard work as you think as most of the work is completed for you.
Live within your means
Living within your means basically means not spending more than you earn. It sounds an easy concept, but to do this effectively you need to be completely aware of what you are spending. It’s easy and tempting to rack up your balance on a credit card thinking it’s not “real” money. Try to get in the habit of checking your bank account daily, this should be easy now thith banking apps available on your smartphone. As cash isn’t handled much anymore, it’s tempting to imagine that you have limitless funds. Remember card payments and contactless still involves money being exchanged!
Cook from scratch
How much do you spend every month on takeaways and ready meals? Not only are they expensive, they are also unhealthy. Cooking from scratch is a much cheaper way of eating. There are many websites focused on the skill of eating frugally – use them for inspiration. Try to eat seasonally and source your ingredients from local markets. It is useful to write a weekly meal plan, so that you stay on track.
Switch supermarkets
Most family budgets are mainly spent on food. By switching supermarkets you could potentially save lots of money. Premium supermarkets charge more money than supermarkets with a more budget feel, for exactly the same products. You are paying for the ambience and shopping experience. Savvy shopping can save so much!
Hopefully these tips will help you on the way to adopting a more frugal lifestyle.