If you want to improve your financial life and get ahead in the coming year, you need to take a proactive approach. Better finances will not just fall into your lap; if you want to do better, you need to make it happen.
Saving more and spending less can seem like a daunting task, but it may be easier than you think. You do not have to make huge changes to improve your financial condition. A combination of smaller changes can be just as effective and much easier to maintain. Here are 10 simple ways to save more and spend less in the coming year.
1. Ditch the bank fees. If you are still paying bank fees, switching accounts could save you hundreds of dollars a year. There are plenty of free options out there, and there is no need to pay for your banking services.
2. Raise your interest rate. When you go shopping for a new bank account, seek out the highest interest rate you can. Rates are on the rise, and now is the time to get a great deal.
3. Increase your deductible. Raising the deductible on your insurance policies could substantially lower your premiums and help you keep more cash in your pocket.
4. Tune up your car. A well-tuned engine will be more efficient, so you can increase your fuel economy and reduce your commuting costs.
5. Ask your boss for a raise. The strong job market gives you more negotiating power, so use it to ask for that much-deserved raise.
6. Seek out a side hustle. If a raise is not in the cards, you may be able to get some extra cash with a side hustle. The gig economy is going strong, so why not get your piece of the action?
7. Search your subscriptions. From streaming services you never watch to magazines you never read, those unnecessary subscriptions could be costing you hundreds of dollars a year. Review your subscriptions and cut out the ones you no longer need; your wallet will thank you.
8. Transfer your balances. If you are paying off your credit card debt, you could save money with a balance transfer. Review your offers and choose a transfer that lets you pay off your debt at a favorable interest rate.
9. Learn to cook. If you want to lower your grocery bills in the coming year, improving your cooking skills is a great place to start. When you know how to cook, you can feed your family in style, without the high cost of restaurant meals or takeout food.
10. Sign up for cash-back apps and money-saving offers. From the discount club at your local grocery store to cash back on your credit cards, these offers could save you hundreds of dollars a year.
If you want to keep more money in your pocket, you do not have to make huge changes or sacrifice your current lifestyle. In the end, it is the changes you can live with that will make the most difference. A few simple tweaks to your spending patterns could make a huge difference so that you can enjoy a better financial future.
