Saving more money can be as simple as these 8 easy steps

There are many excellent reasons to start saving more money, such as buying something special like 
a one-time vacation, updating your home’s exterior, or sending a larger amount of money to family 
members. To save money is sometimes a difficult task to accomplish because you might have to give 
up certain things that you are currently attached to very much. But that doesn’t mean it's not a good 
step to make.

You can be happy without spending a ton of money. There are people who buy things, believing that 
they will bring happiness, so they’re always looking for the latest gadgets, the shiniest cars or new 
pairs of shoes of a famous designer. And yet, after they give a lot of money for these things, they are 
happy for a day or two, after which this feeling disappears and they have to look at another thing they 
can buy. It's better instead to learn to love life, to enjoy everything, however insignificant it may seem. 
Enjoy nature, meditate, walk and have fun with your loved ones. There are so many things that can 
make us happy that we really do not need to think about spending when we want to enjoy life.

One of the most important things is setting a clear objective. Seeing your savings as you approach the 
goal is a strong motivation. It's actually easy enough to save - start by making small changes every 
day and see how money is gathering.

1. Monitor your expenses.

The first step is to start keeping a daily record of each purchase you make. Make sure you record 
each purchase, however small. There are many excellent free apps on the market that allow you to 
register your purchases and report back to you. After about two weeks, it's easy to see ways to cut 
spending. Here is a list of great budgeting apps that can help you with this.

2. Set a budget.

Drafting a budget is mandatory for saving. A budget must not be complex, but discipline is also required. 
Just make a list of all your fixed expenses and other needs. Include the amount you'd like to save and 
optional spendings like clothes and entertainment, and then respect your budget carefully.

3. Pay only in cash if possible.

When using a credit or debit card, it's easy to lose track of the amount of money spent in a short period. 
In addition, paying interest on credit card purchases can greatly increase annual spending. With cash 
you can see how much money you spend and have a fixed budget - you only spend what you have in 
your wallet without withdrawing any more money from the ATM. It is also a mental matter: when you 
have to actually get the money out of your wallet, you'll get it harder, thinking twice about the purchase 
you want to make. When you pay with the card, you just pass the card through the device and get it 
done. You cannot sensually perceive the amount spent. This makes it easier for you to quit the 
respective amounts of money. So stick to cash.

4. Reduce utility bills.

Lowering the temperature of the thermostat by only one degree or two will reduce energy costs, just like 
other simple measures, such as turning off the light when leaving a room or switching off devices that 
you do not use. Here are some great examples of how to save money on household bills

5. Cook at home.

A very simple way to save money is to start cooking more at home. Instead of having dinner at the 
restaurant, ordering pizza or having a meal at the fast food before you go home, buy fresh ingredients 
and go for recipe testing. Also, when you travel by plane or on holiday, bring from home the food and 
drinks you eat at the airport or at the hotel, that way you can avoid to buy them at much higher prices at 
the airport.

6. Avoid impulsive shopping.

As today everything we want is just a click away, it's easy to let impulsive shopping spoil our budgets. 
Make sure you've reflected if you "need" an article and not just "want" it. Set a threshold for shopping. 
Wait 48 hours for any article that goes beyond the threshold before buying it with a click. If you want to 
buy something to dress and is not a real urgency, wait for the after seasonal promotions. For example, 
buy winter clothes immediately after Christmas.

Sometimes you can find some promotions on things you really need, so it's time to act. If you don’t 
have the necessary amount at the moment, you can ask someone close to you to make you a small 
loan in order to qualify for the discount. You can also use brands such as Cash Lady to help you with a 
loan in case you find a good promotion for an item you really need. If the commission on the loan is 
lower than the discount, then it is definitely worth it.

7. Be wise with children purchases

By the age of 12, buy baby clothes at discounts or second-hand, because you throw them anyway the 
next year. This also applies to toys. In addition, the money you put aside through this method can be 
used for your child in different better ways, when they will need other things that are much important in 
the future.

8. Sell from things you do not use anymore.

The fastest way to gather and save money is to sell from objects you have not touched for a long time 
and that you no longer use. We all have them - things we have some emotional attachment but we 
have not been able to use for a long time. Whether they are gifts (often not just to your liking) or items 
bought with the idea that you will use them sometime, and it becomes more and more obvious that this 
will not happen too soon. Surely you have gathered things you could easily separate from. Do not wait 
for the moment when maybe you will still need them, but turn them now into money and sell them on 
the internet.