10 Money Saving Tips for Fall
Fall is in the air; the kids are back in school and holidays will be here in the blink of an eye. This September is a great time to begin implementing money saving tips so you’ll be on a budget and have a little nest egg in time for the December holidays.
The Best Money Saving Tips
If you’re looking for money saving tips but don’t know where to start, we’ve compiled a list of the best ways to save money now. These money saving tips are easy to implement and can improve your financial situation.
1. Plan Grocery Shopping
Avoid going to the grocery store without a list or shopping while you're hungry. Try to make weekly meal plans and inventory what ingredients you need. Download store apps and clip any online coupons before going into the store.
2. Automate Transfers and Bill Pay
Automate your transfers and bill pay to avoid late fees, penalties or interest on outstanding invoices. Some companies may offer discounts for automated payments, so it’s always a good idea to inquire when setting up automatic payments.
3. Delay Purchases and Plan Major Purchases
If you want to make a significant purchase, albeit online or in person, use the 30-day rule to delay it. If you still need the item after 30 days, you can purchase it, but if you’ve already forgotten about it, it probably wasn’t necessary. If you are purchasing online, consider putting items in your cart but waiting 30 days before checking out. If you need to make a major purchase, price items and figure out when they might go on sale so you can save up and plan to make your purchase.
4. Count Spare Coins
You might be shocked to find how many coins you have lurking around your car, home and possibly in the cushions of your couch. Consider taking the coins to the bank and immediately depositing the money into your savings account.
5. Boost Your Savings Account
Interest rates are higher now than they were a few years ago, which is unfortunate when purchasing a home, but it could be used to your advantage when opening a savings account. Research which banks are offering high-yield savings accounts, even if they’re introductory rates. You may be surprised how much interest you can earn on your growing nest egg!
6. Cancel Unnecessary Subscriptions
Analyze your monthly credit card statements and bank accounts to see if you have any unnecessary subscriptions you can cancel. You might be surprised at how much you can save by cutting out recurring app charges, magazines or services you don’t use. Also, remember that if you sign up for a free trial and don’t want to keep the service, always cancel during the free trial period to avoid any fees.
7. Shop Second Hand Stores
Shopping at secondhand stores is not only a great way to save money, but it's also environmentally friendly! Instead of barely used items going to a landfill, you can easily give them the gift of a second life, reducing waste and your carbon footprint.
8. Cell Phone Plans
Analyze your cell phone plan and see if a better plan is available. If you have a limited plan, ensure you aren’t exceeding your data or usage, which can result in hefty monthly fees. Also, ask to see if your cell phone provider will offer a discount for autopay or paperless statements.
9. Track Spending
Track your spending using an app or a spreadsheet to better understand how much you spend monthly on entertainment, shopping and other luxuries.
10. Bundle Streaming Services
When you bundle streaming services, you can save money! Did you know the average Live TV streaming bundle package is up to 50 percent less than traditional cable TV? So, instead of being charged for channels you don’t watch, create a customized streaming package that fits your needs. Home Telecom offers a wide variety of channels that are easy to bundle.