With the holidays coming, saving money can certainly be hard. The Blaze Mastercard team has come up with some simple ways to help you cut back on daily spending and start saving!
- Stop hoarding and start selling – We are all guilty of this! Gained a few extra pounds but are convinced you’ll fit into that old pair of jeans? Is last year’s must have appliance still in the box it came in? How about those holiday decorations tucked away in storage? You may have heard the saying: one person’s junk is another one’s treasure! Pack those items up, locate a place to advertise these “treasures” and get to selling.
- Write a list and stick to it – Before going to the grocery store consider what meals you will be making for the week. Stick to buying only what you need for those meals and write it down. If it’s not on the list you don’t need it. While in the checkout line, beware of giving into the temptation of grabbing a few extra sugary snacks. The world of online aisles continues to grow; the number of grocers goes up and the delivery costs keep going down. This option will definitely help you resist any last minute temptations that you would find at the store.
- Make your own cleaning and beauty products –Have you ever thought of making your own cleaning and beauty/wellness supplies? It is possible and cost-effective to make “Do It Yourself” products like disinfectant wipes, all-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, bath bombs, facial masks, hair treatments--even your own laundry detergent.
- Open a savings account and set up Automatic Payments – This is an easy way to help in the savings arena! Talk to your Human Resources rep about setting a small percentage of your paycheck to go into this new account. Give it time and stay disciplined to watch that account balance grow.
- Unsubscribe from retail emails – Delete the temptation to spend. You may just think you are spending a little here and there, but it really adds up! Let’s say you get an email from a store and you impulsively spend $100 on a must-have pair of shoes. But then you find out that your favorite store is having a big sale and you end up spending even more money. It can all add up fast!
- Swap movies, board games, or video games– Sharing is caring, right? If there’s a new movie, board game or video game that you know someone has already purchased, ask if you can borrow it for the night. Make it a night in and enjoy some quality time while keeping your spending to a minimum.
- Dine out fewer times– Dining out frequently can add up. Although it’s convenient it’s not always the best choice for your health and wallet. Try meal prepping on a day off and you’ll have meals ready on the go.
- Cut down on your indulgence purchases – Caffeine, nicotine and alcohol might be crave-worthy, but most likely not necessary. This is easier said than done, but could be a big money saver. Hold yourself accountable, evaluate your wants vs. needs, and begin the challenge.
- Buy in bulk – Get a membership at a wholesale store like Costco or Sam’s Club and start raking in the deals.
- Check your credit report and make a list of your debts –Keep track of what you owe and your credit report. There are numerous platforms that allow you to access this for free like Credit Karma. Be sure you read the fine print and that it is indeed a credible source.
Your success starts with you. If you’re willing to start then you’re half way there!
This is a sponsored post. This content was created and paid for by Blaze Mastercard.