You work hard and save as much as you can, and of course you deserve to indulge every now and then. Here are a few thrifty tips to help you avoid overspending on necessities and, in turn, maximize your savings for things that are more worthwhile.
- Map out your meals. It can become a bad habit to order takeout or grab lunch instead of brown bagging it. Map out your entire household’s meals at the beginning of each week, allowing for the occasional lunch out or dinner in, in order to maximize your grocery trips and make a restaurant visit all the more worthwhile.
- Stay aware of your utilities. Utilities like your cell phone or electricity are essential, but that doesn’t mean that you should pay for them blindly. Instead of using an automatic withdrawal system for each month’s bill, analyze how much you’re spending on each utility and barter with the service for a better deal if you feel that you’re being billed unfairly.
- Buy off-brand or discounted. Sure, things like your favorite yogurt or those new designer shoes require a bit of brand loyalty, but there are a number of areas in your home or pantry where you can be thrifty without much notice. Opt for store brand groceries where you can, use generic household cleaners, and buy clothing when discounted.
Beware These 9 Common Overspending Triggers [Daily Worth]
Our House: Common Overspending Traps to Avoid [Well Heeled Blog]
Overspending On Sale Items – How To Avoid The Traps [Miss January]
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