15 Hacks that will save you money

It’s no surprise that money can cause a lot of stress in peoples lives. Research is showing that the number of Aussies with money worries is continuing to rise, with financial worries being one of the leading causes of stress. Improving my savings and reducing the stress of money is one of my greatest goals simply because I have seen and experienced what life can be like on the other side. Now these hacks aren’t going to buy you a house straight up but that doesn’t mean that these little savings don’t add up. Buying a coffee a day for 1 year could be costing you over $1,200 and that’s the bare minimum. If you’re a double shot, large, almond milk cap with sugar free vanilla syrup kinda drinker then I’m afraid that figure with be MUCH higher. Ahhh… the life of a coffee snob.

I’ve compiled a list of 15 super simple hacks that you can start implementing today! You’ll barely notice a difference in your life, but I can assure you you’ll notice a difference in your bank account. I’ve also done you all the favour of providing you with a downloadable list that you can refer to whenever you need – you’re welcome. Without further ado, here’s 15 hacks that will save you money:

1. Make your coffee at home, OR if you have to get it out, bring your own mug. Not only are you helping the environment, but a lot of places offer discounts
2. Make your own lunches. Whether that be setting aside time to meal prep, or simply making extra at dinner time.
3. Buy yourself a quality water bottle; something like a VOSS water bottle, instead of wasting your money on buying water. Water out of the tap is free so why are you buying it?
4. Take a portion of your pay out as soon as it comes into your account; that way you don’t have time to become attached. Be strict with this, if you have varying pay each week then make sure the same percentage comes out each week. Alternatively, if you have the same pay each week then make sure the same monetary amount comes out!
5. Keep an eye out for ‘reduced’ items at the supermarket, often you can get huge discounts on foods that will still last a couple of days.
6. If you can, buy your groceries online. Shopping online allows your to plan out how much you’ll be spending, and you can put thought into each item that goes into your cart. It also means you can re-evaluate once you get to the checkout.
7. Buy frozen fruit and veggies. There’s no huge difference between buying fresh or frozen, it’s mainly up to preference. While I prefer fresh berries for instance, sometimes I simply can’t afford it. Head to the freezer isle pals!
8. Don’t shop when you’re hungry. This is usually a tip given for people just starting out their health and fitness lifestyle, but it’s also a great money saving tip. You’ll find yourself buying SO many unnecessary things when you shop while hungry.
9. Set yourself savings goals. Be specific when it comes to these goals. Set yourself a specific number and time frame e.g. $1000 in 3 weeks. You’re more likely to stay motivated and say no to extra expenses when you’re working towards something. Plus there’s nothing more satisfying than reaching a certain number!
10. If you have fruit or vegetables that are probably not going to be used by the time they go off, peel, cut and put them into freezer bags. That way you won’t be wasting all that produce you just spent money on.
11. Try to buy things second hand. As much as it’s nice to have that ‘new’ feeling, you can often get things for SO much cheaper when they’re second hand. Think cars, clothing, university books.
12. If you’re strapped for cash opt for a low maintenance hair colour. Your natural hair colour obviously, or something like balayage. That way you won’t be heading back to the hair salon every 4-6 weeks.
13. Become a DIY expert. Make your own gifts, decor and pamper products. There are so many youtube tutorials out there just get creative!
14. Have date nights in! Instead of heading out on your date, cook dinner with each other, light a candle, set the table and have a date… worry about the dishes in the morning.
15. Finally – limit alcohol. Not only will you benefit health wise but you’ll also save a lot of money. Alcohol, in my opinion, is the biggest waste of money. You’ve got nothing to show for it… except a hangover.

printable list pdf here