We’re going to be honest from the off, this post isn’t going to be about making you rich or about boosting your savings account by thousands of pounds – but it is some easy and sensible ways to help you have a little bit of extra money left at the end of the month, and who doesn’t want that?
Take Control
Of course, if you want to save money then you need to spend less, but this isn’t always as easy as people make it out to be. After all, we only have a limited amount of money & if we need to spend it then there isn’t always an alternative. The first thing you need to do is take control of your spending and this means looking at the pattern of spending you have had before and then working out what you can change in this pattern to improve things moving forward. Don’t just assume you know where your spending is going, or how you have spent in the past. You need to take a look at past bank statements and be honest with what you have spent, so you can work out what you can change moving forward.
Round Up Challenges
Many banks now offer a round-up service, which means that any transaction you carry out they will round up to an even number and put the difference in savings pot for you. Often this is just a few pence at a time – so it is a small enough amount that you will barely notice the difference. However, with everything being put to one side it will add-up and give you a small emergency fund that you can dip in to if you need it.
Make Money
Okay, it isn’t as easy as simply logging into a few websites and making a solid income but with side hustles, there are some definite ways to make yourself some extra pocket money now and then. Apps that allow you to try products for free can be a great way to save a little money on your weekly shop too! It’s just about reading up, following the right accounts on Instagram and doing what you can to make a few pounds here and there – because it all adds up and makes a difference.
Cashback
Although cashback sites aren’t going to make you any extra money, they are a reliable way to save money on items you were going to buy anyway. TopCashBack and Quido give you a small percentage back on lots of purchases that you make through their app or website – you do things exactly the same as you would before and you pay the same amount but you earn a cashback amount that goes into your account with them that you can withdraw when the amount reaches a large enough sum.
If you have any easy ways to save money this year feel free to share your hints and tips in the comment section below.