When you think about saving money, what types of things come to mind? Cutting current contracts to bare minimums? Living on beans and rice? While both of these things will certainly reduce your expenses, they’ll also likely make life less appealing.
It’s hard enough to stay happy and positive in a world that thrives on the opposite, but to do it without the things that bring you a bit of joy (like premium movie channels for chic flick weekends and enjoying an occasional meal out) just adds insult to injury. It makes you think that there just has to be a better way to save and, luckily, there is.
Here are seven ways to save some real cash without trying to deprive yourself of the things that bring you some happiness:
Saving Tip #1: Don’t Spend Your Coins
It may not seem like much, but if you keep all of your coins in a jar instead of spending them, they will add up over time. Some people take yearly vacations solely on the change that they’ve accumulated over the previous twelve months, meaning that it is totally possible to save hundreds or thousands of dollars doing this one simple act.
Every day when you get home, make it a habit to put all of your loose change in a jar or can. That way you’ll be able save some serious cash without having to give up a thing.
Saving Tip #2: Ask for Money Gifts
Some may say it is tacky to ask for money for your birthday, Christmas and any other present offering holiday, but it’s no different than requesting that your friends and family go out and purchase you a gift, right? In fact, you’re actually saving them time and energy by having cash as the only item on your list because then they don’t have to go out and buy a thing.
Put your money gifts in your bank account and it is like your loved ones gave you peace of mind, which is far more valuable than any material thing they could ever bless you with.
Saving Tip #3: Sell Things You No Longer Want or Need
If you look at all of the things you own, you likely see quite a few things that you no longer use. At this point, they are just taking up space in your home, attic, or garage and doing nothing other than collecting dust.
Get rid of items that fit into this category by having a garage sale or, if they’re larger things, listing them in the paper. Not only will this allow you to build up your bank account, but it will also reduce your clutter and make you feel better about life.
Saving Tip #4: Sell Your Services
No, this isn’t suggesting that you become a call girl or anything like that, but rather that you create a part-time business doing something that you enjoy and that you’re good at. For example, if you like doing taxes, offer to help your friends and family with theirs for a nominal fee. Or, if you have a knack for cleaning houses and find that it relaxes you, see if any neighbors would be willing to pay you to clean theirs.
If there is something that you can do for money (legally, please), then market your talent and earn some cash to throw in your rainy day fund.
Saving Tip #5: Get Crafty
A lot of people have started very lucrative businesses by crafting a product that is new and different. It’s no different than selling your services but, in this case, you’re actually selling something tangible instead. So, if you have the ability to create something, then do it and sell it.
Start by marketing your product to people close to you and, if it goes over well, consider buying a table at a craft show and turning it into a bigger venture. You’ll never know if you don’t try, so step into your entrepreneurial shoes and see what happens.
Saving Tip #6: Pick Up Overtime
One of the easiest ways to earn some extra dough is to put in a few more hours at the job you currently have. Not only does it save you from having to find something new for additional income, but you also get a higher hourly rate.
Agree to work one or two overtime shifts per month with the intention of banking the money. You don’t have to do it forever, just until you get your savings built up to where you are more comfortable financially.
Saving Tip #7: Recycle
This final tip involves something that, hopefully, you’re already doing. Not only is recycling good for the environment, but it can also be good for your pocketbook. The one catch is that you can’t just set your things out to the road to let the recycling company come pick them up. You actually have to deliver them yourself in order to get money back.
It may not be much but every little bit helps. And if you have metal to scrap (like old appliances), you can even make a few hundred dollars or more.
Saving money using these methods certainly won’t get you rich quick, but you’ll definitely end up with more money than you have right now. That counts for something, right?
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