One of the hardest things about saving money is staying determined and keeping savings at the front of your mind. For many people, this quickly becomes frustrating and they abandon their efforts to save. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to save money effortlessly with just a few tweaks to your regular habits. While none of these tactics will be life-changing on their own, they can make quite a difference over time if you implement a few of them. Here are some great ways to save money effortlessly in just a few minutes of your time.
Save your change throughout the day and put it in a piggy bank or other collection point when you get home each night. Saving as little as 50 cents a day adds up to nearly $200 over the course of a year. At the end of the year, deposit the amount in your savings account to boost your balance.
Sign up for savings programs, incentive programs, and discounts through your employer. You may be able to find discounted rates for computers, fitness center memberships, movie tickets and even passes to summer festivals. These discounts are typically listed on the corporate intranet or you can find them through your human resources representative.
Take the set it and forget it approach to saving. Set up a small recurring automatic deposit for your savings account and have the amount transferred from your checking account weekly or when you receive your paycheck. You won’t miss the small amount of money diverted and the regular deposits ensure that you have something saved in the event of an emergency.
Switch to generics and store brands. Ask your physician to prescribe generic drugs and purchase store brand over-the-counter medications. At the grocery store, try some of the store branded items instead of the costlier brand name equivalents. Because the quality standards of both types are the same, you’ll save money effortlessly by picking one over the other.
Stick to your own ATM. Using the ATM of another financial institution once a week will cost you more than $3 a withdrawal, or over $150 during the course of a year. Find an ATM branded by your bank close to home or work and use that one whenever you need to make a withdrawal. Planning ahead will save you a lot of money.
Look for sales at discount outlets. There is a huge price difference between clothing on sale at discount stores and those that are sold at many department and specialty stores. Assess clothing in terms of quality as well as price. An inexpensive shirt or coat is not a bargain ifyou have to replace it in less than a year. Consider fabric, stitching, washability, and other quality related factors before making your purchase.
Drink more water. Drinking water has great health benefits and can help you save money effortlessly too. Drink a big glass of water before a meal in order to eat less and stay properly hydrated. Tap water is just as clean as bottled water, and it’s free.