It’s never too late to learn something new! With the current pace of change, the human race is being forced to become better adapted to change – and that means that we are constantly learning new things. Whether it’s the software on your phone, the new car, a new job, a new relationship… we’re constantly learning something new.
The same should apply to your approach to saving and spending your money. Here are five, level-headed, fresh saving tips to work into your daily habits.
1. CARPOOL Is there anyone that lives near you who works at the same place (or near the same place) that you do? Why not ride together, alternating drivers each day? You can halve the wear and tear and fuel costs for your car – and for your fellow carpoolers!
2. DESIGN YOUR DEBT SNOWBALL Everyone needs a plan to help them get out of debt, so sit down and plot out what debts you’re going to pay off and in what order. As soon as your first debt is paid off, plough that premium into another loan account, and keep doing it as each account gets cleared. Simply having a plan to clearing your debt goes a long way towards bringing that plan into action, and paying off debts early is one of the surest ways to put money back in your pocket over the long run.
3. GET A SLOW COOKER A slow cooker (or crock pot) is perhaps the best deal on earth for reducing cooking costs in a busy family. You can just dump in your ingredients before work, put it on simmer, and dinner is done when you get home. There are countless recipes out there for all variety of foods, and every time you cook this way, you’re saving money as compared to eating out. Also – the volume of food in a standard slow cooker can normally feed four people for two meals!
4. KEEP THINGS WELL MAINTAINED Instead of just waiting until something breaks to deal with it, develop a monthly maintenance schedule where you go around your home (and your car) and perform a bit of maintenance where it’s needed. This little activity, taking you just an hour or two a month, will keep things from breaking down and help you see problems before they become disasters.
5. PACK FOOD BEFORE GOING ON A LONG DRIVE Have everyone bring a lunch pack for long trips. That way, instead of stopping in the middle of the trip, driving around looking for a place to eat, spending a bunch of time there, and then paying a hefty bill, you can just eat on the road or, better yet, stop at a nice park and stretch for a bit. Plus, you’ll save a lot of money and a fair amount of time this way.