Often at the end of the month, I realize that these small goals aren’t as out of reach as I originally planned, and I continue the habits beyond the set time frame.
Mikaila.
“I have lots of little rules that I use to save money where I can, and I don’t know if they actually work, but I’m sure they help to some degree. They include:
1. I won’t order an Uber over $20. If there’s another way to get home, I understand.
2. Lunch must be brought to work unless I have absolutely nothing in my refrigerator.
3. No Uber Eats. Take-out meals are allowed, all I have to do is pick them up.
4. My cafe does this super fancy oatmeal cold brew, but it’s $7. I’m only allowed to get it two days a week and one day at the weekend.”
Horrible
“I follow a few money saving tips. They include:
1. Using old makeup instead of shopping in Mecca.
2. No takeout is allowed. We do toast on CBF nights.
3. We try to do an “eat from the pantry” once a quarter to prevent food wastage.
4. I started researching op stores more than buying new.
5. I recycle all our bottles and the money goes into a jar that we count and put in our savings at the end of the year.
6. Random months, we only use cash for everything. This is probably the easiest way to stop unnecessary purchases.
7. I sleep on any purchase over $100. If I keep thinking about it, I’ll come back for it, but most of the time I can’t be bothered or I forget.”
Maddie.
“I automate all my money to different accounts! On my payday, it automatically transfers pre-determined amounts to my spending account, savings account, spending account, and investing account. It stays the same each month.
“I use two different cards (one for expenses and one for necessary expenses) so that I can monitor how much money is spent on “fun expenses” without worrying about incurring expenses that I can’t afford (because it’s on another map).
“I also have an emergency fund account for unforeseen disasters, like parking tickets and vet bills.”
Katie.
“I just downloaded pocketbook (which is a free money organization app) which allows you to categorize your expenses.
“Let me tell you, it WAS MY EYES OPENED. I spent colossal sums on ‘gifts’ for other people between January and April, and I hadn’t even realized it. Now, I have a gift budget that I’m strict with!”
Jenn.
“I have extra tax withheld from my salary every week, which comes back as a nice payment at the end of each fiscal year.
“I also have an automatic deduction from my salary before it lands in my regular account. I send it to a separate account held in a separate bank for which I don’t keep an EFTPOS card. It’s my vacation each year sorted.”