May
7 Hacks to Help Save Money
You know you should save money, but that doesn’t make doing it any easier.
Some money experts recommend saving 10%, 20%, or more of you income each month. But if those amounts seem daunting, it’s OK to start small. We scoured the internet to find small, manageable tricks to help you save money every day.
1. Take 5. Every time you get a $5 bill, set it aside. Whether you put them in a jar or a savings account, if you dedicate at least six months to saving every $5 bill you receive, you’ll be amazed by how much it adds up!
2. Lunch Break. Before making any purchases, take an hour to think about it. If you have a tendency to impulse shop, this trick can help! When you are online shopping, add the item to your cart, then walk away from the computer for at least an hour. In-person shopping, take a note of the item, then go have lunch or coffee. When you come back, you may realize you don’t need that item. Bonus if you transfer the money you would have spent into your savings account instead!
3. Clear Your Browser History. Another online shopping hack is to clear your web browser’s history before buying anything. Companies follow your searches based on your cache and history and will raise prices based on that information. You can also use guest checkout options rather than signing up as new customers usually get lower prices.
4. Bring Your Lunch.
Eating out can eat up your budget more quickly than you realize. Keep track of how much you spend on lunch every day for a week. Start bringing a lunch from home and put the money you save away.
5. Cash Back. Use credit cards that offer cash back rewards. You don’t want to abuse your credit cards, but if you’re using them on something you’d already be buying, you can get money back. If you pay the balance off immediately, then you’ve earned free money!
6. Pay Yourself. The best way to save money is to never make it available to spend in the first place. Set up an automatic transfer from your chequing account to your savings account whenever you get paid. If you don’t see the money in your spending/chequing account, you’re less likely to think of it as available funds.
7. Keep the Change. Similar to the $5 bill trick, you can try setting aside all your loose coins.
You’ll be surprised at how quickly it can add up. Cash it in everyone month or two and it may even be enough for a week or 2 of groceries.