How to live cheaply: 10 tips to help you save money

When you’re trying to make ends meet, every dollar counts. But it can be hard to know where to begin when you’re living on a limited budget. There are so many little things that add up, and they can be almost impossible to find if you don’t know where to look.

Living on a tight budget is challenging but not impossible. These tips will help you save money and cut costs wherever possible. Read on for useful pointers that will keep your expenses in check.

Make a budget and stick to it

You can’t save money if you don’t know how much of it you have. When you’re living on a budget, you have to know how much you have to spend on everything. Make a budget and stick to it. If you know how much is coming in and how much is going out, you’ll be able to save more money and make your money stretch further.

There are tons of budgeting apps and online tools that you can use to keep track of your money. You can also use old-fashioned pen and paper. No matter which method you use, be sure to track your expenses and income on a regular basis.

Be smart with your food dollars

Food is one of the biggest costs for most households. However, a good percentage of those costs could be avoided if we were a little more careful about the way we shop for food.
Avoid buying groceries when you are hungry. Hunger can make you spend more than you usually would.

Keep a shopping list and stick to it. You’ll be less likely to buy things that aren’t on the list. Try to buy in season produce. It will be cheaper and tastier. Also, buy in bulk when possible. It’s cheaper and lasts longer too.

Budgeting for food is trickier if you’re living on a vegan diet. But it’s not impossible, and it doesn’t have to be expensive either. There are lots of cheap vegan recipes that you can make.

Commute efficiently

How you get to and from work can have a big impact on your budget. If you drive to work, you’ll obviously have transportation expenses. If you take public transportation, you’ll have to factor that into your budget as well. You might even want to consider carpooling or using a bus pass to save money.

To save money on transportation, avoid driving at peak hours. This will help you avoid traffic, which can save you on gas. Plus, you won’t have to spend as much on car maintenance because you won’t be driving as much. If you’re using public transportation, look for deals or discounts that can save you money.

If you walk or ride a bike to work whenever possible, you’ll save money on gas and car maintenance. Plus, you’ll be getting some exercise and saving money at the same time.

Get free stuff

There are lots of things you can get for free if you know where to look. There are many ways to get free stuff, from discounted items to free samples you can find online. There are also lots of free services out there that you can take advantage of.

If you have a smartphone, you can use free apps to listen to music, watch videos, and even make free phone calls. You can also get free food samples delivered to your home by joining a free sample website.

For clothes, you can check out thrift shops or visit second-hand stores. If there are any community centers in your area, they might offer clothing exchange events.

Repair what you have

Buying things new can be expensive. Instead of buying new, consider fixing what you already have. If your car breaks down and you can’t afford to replace it, consider getting it fixed. Fixing things yourself instead of hiring someone to do it for you can save you money. If you have a home that needs repairs, consider doing them yourself.

If the problem with your home is something that you can’t do yourself, you can hire someone to do it for less. Lots of people are willing to do odd jobs or small repairs around the house for a cheaper price.

Try out free services

Try out free services like music and video streaming services. You can try out a free trial of services like Amazon Prime, which gives you free two-day shipping and other benefits. You can also use one or two free services each month such as free public WiFi or a trial subscription to a magazine or newspaper.

There are lots of free events in your town that you can attend. And if you have kids, there are lots of free or cheap events for them to go to, too.

Bundle your services

If you have a cell phone or internet service, you can talk to your provider about bundling your services. They can often reduce the price of one of your services if you sign up for the other one. But you have to ask about it.

There are lots of other services you can bundle as well. You can bundle your car insurance with your auto mechanic. Or you can bundle your insurance and your home repair service. There are lots of services you can bundle to save money.

Check your service providers’ prices

Before you sign up for a service, be sure to check its price. Is it really worth the cost? If it isn’t, you might be able to negotiate a lower price or find a similar service that is cheaper. If you’re paying too much for your cell phone service, it’s time to switch providers. You can also consider dropping your land line service if you don’t use it very often.

You can also look into your internet service provider. You can often find cheaper deals with other providers.

Living on a budget can be challenging, but it can be done. The key to managing your money on a limited budget is to prioritize and make sacrifices where necessary.

You can make your dollars stretch further with these 10 tips to help you save money. Be smart about your food choices, optimize your commute, repair what you have, and try out free services. When all is said and done, you’ll be happier and more financially stable.