Saving money doesn’t have to be complicated. Regardless of where you are at with your personal finances, saving money is doable. You may be surprised how much you can save over time by following a few simple tips.
Save Automatically
Setting up an automatic transfer for your savings is the best way to save because you aren’t as tempted to spend money that is automatically set aside. This will help keep your savings on track and make it a priority to pay yourself first. You can also set up automatic transfers to pay bills, which eliminates the chance of forgetting to pay and getting charged late fees, which means saving even more! At Idaho Central, you can set up transfer services from anywhere.
Make a Shopping List and Plan Ahead
We’ve all been there. You get home from the grocery store with ten things you don’t need and are missing the one item you went there to get. Are you tired of food going to waste? Sit down once a week and make a list of ingredients for meals you’ll prepare for the following week. When you shop with a list, you’ll be less tempted to buy impulse items. You don’t have to stick exactly to your planned meals, but if you at least know the ingredients you have on hand, you’ll be less likely to waste food and make repeat trips to the store.
Use Generic Brands
Aside from the marketing, generic brands are generally just as good, if not exactly the same, as name brands. Whether it is a box of cereal or some cold medication, you can save big if you go generic.
Look for Tips
Keep your eyes peeled for saving tips online, in magazines, seminars or books. There are a ton of personal finance resources out there. Find a blogger you love, or money saving boards on Pinterest. Idaho Central has a ton of tips on our Pinterest page!
Review Your Budget Weekly
Making adjustments to your budget as you go along is totally normal. Your budget will fluctuate every month. That’s why it’s important to revisit your budget weekly. Look for where changes should be made and modify your budget accordingly.