When I say Pounds, I mean British Pounds. A fair amount people have resorted to <a href=”https://www.fatcatloans.co.uk”>payday loans in the UK</a> the past year to cover their expenses, and that’s okay. But it would be best to really learn how to save money for a rainy day. The secret in saving money is really discipline and continuity, so here are some money saving tips apropos for 2018
IF YOU HAVEN’T YET, OPEN A BANK ACCOUNT
Look for banks that pay more interest and don’t charge for the use of the account. You can search for banks online and even open an account online. To finish the application, it usually only takes one visit to the bank. There would normally be a certain amount needed to open the account and to maintain it, so you can consider that savings right there.
TURN OFF THE TV AND HAVE SOME “ME” TIME
There are a lot of advantages in turning off the TV: you are less exposed to tempting advertisements, you have more time for other things in life, and you consume less power. It is nice to relax in the evening with some quiet time reading or just really resting.
IF YOU COLLECT ITEMS, CONSIDER SELLING THEM AND SAVE YOUR PROFIT
Most people do collect something. Are you still passionate about your collections? Is it something you continuously enjoy? Do your collections have value? It could be time to let go of your collection and sell them for profit.
SUBSCRIBE TO MEMBERSHIP-BASED REWARDS SYSTEMS
Even if you only occasionally get your stuff in certain stores, having customer cards is useful because you often receive coupons and discounts. You can create a separate email address for receiving such advertisements and offers and check these emails if you are ready to use them.
MAKE YOURSELF GIFTS INSTEAD OF BUYING IT IN THE SHOP
You can make a lot yourself. Think of candles, bread, cake, biscuits, soap and other things that you can quickly make yourself at home. They are very lovely gifts because there is a personal twist and because they are often to eat, they are not with junk where they were not waiting for. Even better: add a personal note. This makes it even more successful than something that you would otherwise get out of a store. You also save money.
MAKE A MESSAGE LIST BEFORE YOU GO THE STORE
Never go to a store without knowing exactly what you want to buy. Make a plan and keep exactly what you have written beforehand. Do not put anything in your shopping cart that is not on your list, however tempting it may be, and you will notice that you spend a lot less than before.
DO NOT SPEND A LOT OF MONEY ON TOYS FOR YOUR CHILDREN
Most children, especially young children, can be entertained with little money. Build a hut in the woods, throw coins in a jar, collect old clothes for the clothes box. Realize that children are primarily interested in your time, not your things, and as a result, the money remains in your pocket and you’ll leave happiness in their hearts.
CALL YOUR CREDIT CARD COMPANY AND ASK FOR AN INTEREST RATE REDUCTION
Take the credit card (if you have one) out of your wallet, turn it over and call the number on the back. Tell them that you want a rate cut and that you change to another company differently. If the first person you are speaking does not want to do, ask the manager. If you have a credit card debt of 5,000, even a rate cut of 3% can save as much as 150 per year.
CLEAN UP YOUR CLOTHING CABINET
Go through all your clothes and sell some clothing that you do not wear anymore in an online marketplace. In addition to the financial profit you make on these clothes that you do not use anyway, it is also fantastic to have a tidy closet.
DRINK MORE WATER
Apart from the fact that water is incredibly healthy, it also has financial advantages. If you drink a glass of water for each meal, this is better for your digestion, you will eat less, and you will also save on the meal costs (rather than buying juice or bottles of cola). And you probably drink too little, so it keeps you hydrated.
EAT FEWER FAST FOOD MEALS
Think fast food, microwave meals, pizzas and so on. Instead of eating fast food or a pre-packaged snack when you get home, try preparing some simple and healthy meals, like burritos or pasta, and salads that you can warm up later if you have less time to cook. This saves you money.
BUY GREAT PACKAGES OF MEAT
Buying meat in bulk saves you a lot of money. Put the meat in the freezer, and if you are to eat meat next time, you can defrost and prepare it. Large packs are (usually) cheaper and that way you always have something.
TURN THE LIGHTS OFF WHEN YOU LEAVE THE ROOM
If you invest one minute in turning off lights, this is equivalent to an hourly wage of 50. These are interesting savings, right? Especially if you are away from the room for long periods of time. Turn the electricity off, especially if you are not are not in the room.
SALE BOOKS, MUSIC, AND DVD’S ON THE INTERNET VIA MARKETPLACE
Through these sites, you can also find cheaper books, music, and DVDs for much less than you would pay in the store.
SWITCH TO LED LIGHTS
These lamps may initially cost a bit more money, but they last longer than ordinary lamps and also consume 25% less energy. We recommend that you use energy saving lamps in rooms where you stay for a more extended period and only use ‘ordinary’ lamps in rooms where the light is only on occasion (WC or storage). This adjustment will save a lot in the electricity bill.
INSTALL A PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT
These devices automatically regulate the temperature in the house by a schedule that you can set yourself. So, if you are not at home, it ensures that the heating is off for a few hours, which in turn saves your energy bill.
COMPARE PRICES AND FIND A CHEAPER SUPERMARKET
Most of us are so accustomed to the routine of shopping at the same supermarket, while that supermarket often does not have the best prices for the products that you buy the most. Fortunately, it is easy to find the cheapest supermarket. Make sure you look up the prices of the 20 things you buy most often and check the prices at other supermarkets of these 20 products. Eventually, a supermarket will come out as the cheapest for these products and make that supermarket your standard supermarket and save money automatically.
Follow most or all of these tips and you’ll be able to pack in the Pounds this 2018.