Some Ways to Save Money You May Not Have Thought About

Realistically, the vast majority of us are looking for ways to make our money work harder. Spending less on certain essential items is definitely one way to do this. However, in practice, this is often easier said than done and changing our spending habits can be quite difficult.
So if you are looking for some tips for how to save money, try starting with these suggestions.

Think about how you shop

Much of this is a mind-set change. With things like your weekly groceries, make sure you aren’t going to the shop feeling hungry, and avoid the tempting, end-of-aisle offerings that trick you into making impulse purchases. Get a rewards card with your regular supermarket which will often give you money-back vouchers on certain items that you regularly buy. Perhaps also consider a credit card which will pay you cashback for purchases made on it, though you should always ensure you can pay this balance back in full each month.

For things like shopping for electronic items or clothes, try comparing prices online, rather than buying the first item you see. You can also find good cashback deals on certain websites, meaning you are effectively ‘paid back’ some of the money you have spent. 

Reduce your travel spending

A surprisingly large amount of money can be saved if you change your driving habits. Becoming a more considerate driver will help you use less petrol, i.e. leaving a bigger gap between yourself and the car in front, accelerating and braking less aggressively, not speeding - especially on motorways, will all reduce your fuel costs, as well as help contribute positively towards a healthier environment.

When it comes to trains, use season tickets when it comes to regular journeys, such as the one you make to work each day. For longer trips try to book online as far in advance as possible. Also try to use advance tickets where possible, i.e. where you have to travel on a set train on a specific date.

Cut down on electric and gas prices

Energy prices are one of the quickest rising costs at the moment, seemingly going up a staggering amount far above inflation every year. So finding ways to cut back on your gas and electricity bills will save you a large amount of money across to course of the year, especially during the winter months. Firstly, consider the things you can do yourself such as ensuring that lights are turned off when not used, not leaving devices such as televisions and games consoles on stand-by, filling up the kettle with only as much water as you need etc.

After you have thought about your own usage, then it is time to do some research into other providers. If you haven’t already, it’s well worth using a comparison tool to see whether you could save money elsewhere and make the switch if necessary - something which is far easier than you may think!

5 Things You Can Do Each Week to Save Money

We would all like to have more money, but we generally think of it as the result of a raise or a new job. But there are many ways to increase your disposable income by saving it along the way. Then, earn even more by allowing interest to work for you.

1. Watch and Compare Sizes

You don't always get the best deal by purchasing the larger size package. If you look at the per-ounce amount on the things you buy, you might be surprised. True, in many cases buying the larger bag of something is more economical, but not always. The opposite is often true.

The 200-ounce bottle of Tide might be $3.25. But wait, the 100-ounce bottle costs only $1.50. It isn't always apparent when looking strictly at the price alone. Dig a little deeper. You could save a bit just by paying attention to the pricing. When combined with bigger savings, like you can find at Brian Ferdinand Liquid Holdings, you won't believe how much extra money you'll have in the bank.

2. Discounts

This is a great way to save money on things you need or regularly purchase. Many employers offer discounts on various items, such as fitness memberships, passes to community events, and cell phone programs. But be careful not to be duped into buying things you wouldn't normally buy just because it is discounted. Buying something you normally wouldn't because it is $20 instead of $30 just cost you $20.

3. Prescriptions and Glasses

You can save significantly by having you doctor write you a prescription for double your normal dosage. Take those pills and cut them in half. A prescription for 30 pills at 50 milligrams might cost $90. But the same prescription for 100-milligram pills will only cost around $10 more. You can see how quickly you will start saving.

Also, try purchasing your glasses online. These websites walk you through the measurements so the glasses will fit your face correctly. These glasses quite often cost a fraction of what you would pay locally for a similar pair. 

4. Coupons

Extreme couponers will buy groceries for a third the cost of their retail-shopping counterparts. But you don't have to go extreme to save money. Between mailers, coupon books, newspapers, and online options, there are many ways to save money at almost every restaurant, for almost every product, and for many services.

Online stores offer discounts using secret coupon codes found at several different sites. There are many deals and reductions available if you're willing to search a little.

5. Set Aside Money

Yes, save money by saving. This is actually a way to earn money by using the power of compounding interest. For example, if you were to take and put $20 a week (the money you save by using the tips above) into an interest bearing account at 5%, at the end of 10 years you would have $13,735. That's thousands of dollars earned by simply setting it aside and not touching it. Not a bad day's work.

There are so many ways you can save money, the secret is acting on a few and saving a little here and a little there. It adds up quickly.

5 Easy Steps for Saving This Year

saving and spending (Photo credit: 401(K) 2013)

If you’ve made the decision to finally cut back on your expenses and save some money for a change, you’ve come to the right place. This article is going to outline five easy ways in which you can save money for the rest of the year, to ensure that your Christmas won’t be as sparse as last year’s.

Sell all the stuff you don’t need

By selling off all the unnecessary junk that’s piling up everywhere in your home - in your attic, under your bed and in the storage cupboards - you can give your year of saving a sharp kick start. Go through all the CDs, video games, old gadgets and clothes you don’t want, and try and pawn them off for some cash on a website such as www.musicmagpie.com.

Kill your debt

After the boost from selling some of your stuff, it’ll be slightly easier to go about slaying the debt that’s been mounting over you. If you’re in a lot of debt, you should make it your first priority to eradicate it completely.

By eradicating your debt, it’ll be easier to start saving money for yourself. The faster you do it, the faster you can kill the interest rate, too.

Set yourself goals

Setting yourself manageable goals is a good way of sticking to your new money-saving regime. It depends on what you’re saving for, though. Building a holiday fund for a trip at the end of the year is different from saving up to buy your first home, for instance.

If you set yourself a number of goals to meet, you’ll be more motivated to actually meet them.

Set yourself amounts to save

Once you’ve got your goals in mind, the next thing you need to do is figure out how much exactly you’re going to be setting aside from your income each month towards your goals.

So, if it’s a new video game console you’re saving up for, calculate how much you can afford to set aside each month without impacting on your required expenses. This kind of organisation will add to your new regime of saving and will make you more committed to save.

Get a personal financing app

If practicing this level of saving is hard for you to commit to, you might want to invest in one of the many personal financing apps that are available to smartphone or tablet users. These nifty programs analyse your earnings and expenses, and can even link up to your bank account to show you up-to-date information on how much money you’re spending and saving.

The Best Ways to Get the Things You Want for Less Money

While many of us know how important it is to save our money and to keep some packed away for a rainy day, that doesn't stop us from wanting things and from feeling the need to make the occasional purchase. Of course if we stuck rigidly to a budget that let no room for whimsy then we could quickly save up quite a sum of money, but what would be the point? If you don't enjoy your money at all, then what is the point of having it? And wouldn't it make life rather miserable? (Which is not to say there aren't ways you can have fun for free...). 

This is a fine line to walk, and for many it can be tricky deciding how much of their income they are going to spend on things they don't need and how much they are going to put away. One of the best ways to compromise though is to get the things you want for less. That doesn't mean buying alternatives that you don't want as much either - I mean actually buying the very same things for less money. This way you can still enjoy your money and the things you love, but you won't be spending excessive amounts or more than necessary. Here I will share with you some of the best ways you can get the things you want right now without spending as much money. 

Shop Around

This is the most obvious and straight forward way to get things for less, and even if you're buying something brand new that's only been out a few days you will normally find variation in the price if you shop around. The best place to look of course is online, and if you browse the web you'll find lots of great online stores that offer the same things for less money. Of course if you can find a deal then that's even better. 

Wait

The other 'obvious' way to get your items for less is to simply wait a while until they come down in price. You may struggle to do this if you really want the item - but try just making a pact with yourself to make the purchase on X date. This way you know it's coming so you'll find it easier to wait.

If you're someone who doesn't need to get everything brand new then you can also wait until you find the items second hand - often there will be no noticeable difference. Ex-Display items are also another very good way to get your items for less as are refurbished models and ones with light imperfections. 

Use Cashback Sites

Cashback sites are sites that pays you for shopping. Basically you buy online, but you do so by following a link on the cashback site which means that the site then gets some commission for referring you as a customer - commission which they share with you. It takes a while to pay out, but you can often get 5-10% back on your larger purchases which is worthwhile. 

Upgrade Regularly

You might think that getting the latest iPhone every time it comes out would be an expensive idea - but it's not really if you keep each model in the best condition possible (use a good case and screen protector) and then sell it in order to buy the new one. This way you'll be spending about $150 every 18 months or so and you'll constantly have the latest gadgets. Likewise you can also get money off by trading in your cars, films, games and pretty much anything else where hygiene isn't an issue.

And speaking of trading you can also get new things by trading with your friends. Two of you want to play two new games? Then why not just buy one each then swap?

Rent

In some cases you don't even necessarily have to buy the item you want. For instance, if you want to drive a brand new car that you can't afford you can do so by just renting the vehicle. This way you may be able to afford something you otherwise couldn't and you'll also find that things like MOTs are taken care of for you. Find out if car hire is right for you here: http://financialplan.about.com/od/personalfinance/a/Should-You-Lease-Or-Buy-Your-Next-Car.htm 

Buy in Bulk

Buying in bulk is always a great way to save money because it means more guaranteed profit for the dealers. If you only want one item then, consider doing a 'group buy' and then splitting the cost among friends to take advantage of the savings. You can even find people online willing to go in with you if the item you want is a little more 'niche'. For things that you actually use in bulk though - just stock up!

Author Bio: Nick Dunin likes to blog about finance related issues. He provides help on acquiring the loan that is most correct for you and your requirements through http://www.debtconsolidation.com.au.

4 Things You Might Be Saving Up For This Year

Save Money (Photo credit: 401(K) 2013)

There are some things in life that - unfortunately - are just more expensive than we would like. These types of things can take a lot longer for us to save up for than we would like too, but most people would agree that it is worth it in the long run when you meet your goals and expectations. 

Here, we will look at a number of common products, services and experiences that people save up for - maybe you will find something on this list that rings home for you, and if so you might be inspired to find a new way to save for it.

Car

In order to get out and about, many of us rely on our cars. They come in a whole host of specifications and budgets, and cater for us in different ways such as accessibility, speed and size. You might be saving up for your very first car, or you might be looking to upgrade your existing car for a newer model. Regardless of which type of car you want, there’s a good chance that you’re looking for the best price for it. Look out for sales, use your negotiation skills, and see if you can get a good finance agreement from the seller. 

House

A house is probably the most expensive purchase you will ever make in your life, so naturally it is the thing that can take the longest to save for. Of course, not many of us will be cash buyers so we rely on a mortgage in order to secure our new house. But in order to get a mortgage we need a deposit, which can still mean needing to find tens of thousands of pounds. Look for the best savings accounts that will give you a higher rate of interest for the money that you’ve put aside. 

Education

If you have a family with young children, you might be looking ahead to their schooling and university education. Whilst it is possible to get student loans in the UK, you might want to pay for education fees up front to save your children from paying them back at a later date - this can mean the cost of the loan ends up being much more than the education itself. If you aren’t going to need the money in the next few years, look for a high interest account where you can safely save for the future. 

Holiday

In the scheme of things, a holiday can be a slightly more affordable thing you might be saving for. There are still a couple of ways you can reach your holiday fund more easily though, such as putting your savings into a reserve account so it’s not simply sitting in your main bank account. You can also keep watch on the currency exchange rates in order to get the maximum holiday spending money. 


About the author Stephanie Craft is a blogger in the UK who keeps track of the best savings accounts and discount websites.

7 Ways to Stay on Top of Your Savings

As the economic climate continues to look bleak it is important to stay on top of your finances. As well as staying on top of your savings, you also need to cut down your outgoings and identify ways in which you could do so. From looking at your receipts to the latest apps, we look at ways you can stay on top of your finances in 2013. 

1 – Simplify Your Finances 

It is a good idea to consolidate all your debt onto one credit card and also try to shop around for the best rates you can get on your savings and current account. The less organizations you have to deal with, the easier it will seem to focus on your finances. 

2 – Use Apps 

With a huge range available on smartphones, tablets and computers, finance apps are a great way of tracking your expenses and allow you to work out budgets efficiently. Many of these apps also let you sync up different account. 

3 – Online Banking 

With online banking at your fingertips  it provides a great way for you to stay on top of your finances. It also allows you to set up direct debits that can be a great way to ensure you meet financial deadlines in the future. 

4 – Analyse Your Budget 

As many finance guest posts state - Separate your budget down into sub sections such as bills, food and luxuries. Doing so will allow you to see where you could be spending less, ultimately helping save you money for the future. 

5 – Keep Receipts 

Keep all your receipts together in manageable folders or even scan them onto your computer. In doing so, you can ensure you are not wasting money and it allows you to break down your finances further. 

6 – Direct Debits 

Setting up direct debits via online banking couldn't be much easier and it is a great way of ensuring you meet payment deadlines on time and avoid penalties. 

7 – Loans 

Look out for loans that may be suitable to your situation, whether it is payday loans, loans for bad credit or guarantor loans. It is important to ensure you shop around for the best deals to ensure you don't get ripped off. 

Author Bio: Luke writes about finance, from extreme money saving to the latest news in the industry. In his spare time he enjoys helping others, you can find him on Google +.

Simple steps to save £500 and more in one year

With household bills seeming to rise every month, more and more of us are looking for ways to spend less and save more. Thankfully, there are a few quick steps that anyone can take to make some easy savings. Here are our recommendations for some small changes that can make a big difference.

Change where you shop
For most people, one of the biggest outgoings is food. The easiest way to save money here is to look at where you shop - could you do some or all of your shopping at one of the budget supermarkets? You may not get the same range of brands or goods, but even just switching to buying everyday staples such as bread, milk, cereals and fruit and vegetables at the budget supermarkets will save you several pounds a week. As little as £2 a week saved adds up to over £100 per year.

Change how you shop
Another easy way to save money on food shopping is to create a menu plan and take a shopping list. Menu planning simply means working out what you will eat for each meal during the week and then write a list to include everything you need for the plan - and nothing else! This will help you be more disciplined while shopping and less likely to pop extra treats into the trolley.

Review your insurance policies
Great savings can be made for relatively little effort if you review your car insurance policy and any other household insurance policies online before you renew them. There are many different insurance comparison websites available, but all are easy to use and generally produce significant savings. Spend half an hour filling in your details online and you can usually find a great deal to save you money on your existing renewal price.

Voucher deals
These days, it’s easy to avoid paying full price for many things simply by going online and finding a discount voucher. Discounts are either available as codes for online stores or, alternatively, as a printable voucher to be handed over at the till. Discounts can be found for almost any kind of purchase, from theme park tickets to meals out. Serious money savers always check for a discount code or voucher before any significant purchase.

Cash back sites
Cash back websites are a relatively new phenomenon but they are an excellent way of making some extra cash without much effort. Put simply, these sites offer a cash back amounts (generally a set percentage of the cost of the item) on purchases you make via their websites. Get into the habit of checking for cash back on all your online purchases, from clothes to electrical to insurance policies, and it’s easy to build up a nice sum over the course of a year.

By following these five easy suggestions you should be able to save at least £500 a year, if not more. Simply changing a few habits can really benefit your bank balance in a big way.

Author Bio: Diyana Lobo is a freelance content writer by profession. She finds immense pleasure in writing Finance related article.