Looking to put a leash on your budget? Here are some unwanted expenses to cut down or replace.
Being financially constrained is not an uncommon phenomenon. Being constantly under financial strain not only affects one’s lifestyle, but it can have a rather horrifying impact on one’s mental health also. This is why we recommend that you start dealing with your financial problems as soon as you notice them.
Once you get things under control, you can use the money you save to pay off your Credit Card bill or even invest in a Fixed Deposit or a Mutual Fund.
Now, you must be wondering how to deal with your financial problems, right? Well, for starters, you can take a look at your budget and understand your expenses. Cutting down on the unwanted expenses from your budget paves the way for more savings and hence, more money at your disposal.
Additional Reading: How To Balance Your Income And Expenditure
Then why aren’t people doing it? Where lies the problem? The problem lies in the way most people think – they think that cutting down on their budget leads to sacrificing a lot of things that they really enjoy! We cannot disagree completely. But you do need to give up on a few of your expenses to save better.
So, if you are looking to put a leash on your budget (no matter how hard and terrifying it may seem), we have identified some of the unwanted household expenses that you could cut out or replace with more economical options. Here’s the list:
Takeaways
If you frequently order food, even if it is your morning cup of coffee, you’re never going to have any savings. Period.
Takeaways take away a big chunk of your income, especially if you do it on a daily basis. Besides, with online food ordering apps, most of us get all the more motivated to order in.
While it is okay to order your favourite cuisine once in a while, it doesn’t make sense to do it on a daily basis. So, what should you do instead?
Try cooking your meals at home. It may seem like a daunting task, but it isn’t. Although you may have to spend some extra time in the evening, you will end up saving a lot of money at the end of the month. Awesome much!
Bulk Cooking
Too lazy to cook every day? If you have a refrigerator with a freezer compartment, you can take some time on Sundays (or any other non-working day) and cook different dishes for the week. Cooked food, if kept in the freezer, stays fresh for long periods. No more takeaways and lots of savings.
Bulk Buying
Do you always end up buying an entire month’s or three months’ supply in one supermarket visit? That might not be such a bad thing to do.
Products such as detergent, toothpaste, toothbrush, soaps, toilet paper, etc. can be bought in bulk and stocked up. Do a comparison of buying a 1 kg pack of something versus a 5 kg pack. Products that are bought in larger quantities are generally less expensive. Something to think about.
Cheap Stuff
Buying cheap stuff does not necessarily make for a smart choice. You aren’t necessarily saving money either. Of course, some cheap products do last longer than their expensive counterparts, but it takes quite a few trials to find these.
When it comes to clothes and utensils, we say that it might be wise to invest in some good-quality stuff. If not, you’ll probably find yourself spending on the same things again a few months down the line. And that would be bad for your budget.
Additional Reading: The secrets of thrifty shopping revealed!
Deals
There are a number of online portals such as Nearbuy which can get you the best deals on a variety of services like food and drinks, salons and spas, movies, gyms, fashion, hotels, clubs, adventure sports, etc. This is the best way to enjoy your favourite activities at discounted prices. And it lets you save heaps of money too.
For example, imagine getting a hair spa which usually costs Rs. 2,000 for just Rs. 500. You get to save Rs. 1,500 for the same service.
How do these sites work? Simple! Choose your preferred service, explore different options, buy the voucher online, and present the voucher when you go for the service.
Happy saving!
Electricity
The good old rule applies here – switch off all electrical appliances (lights, fan, etc.) when you leave the room. Remember how our parents and grandparents keep telling us this. Well, they were trying to save on the electricity bill. And you ought to do so too.
Another way to cut down on your electricity bills is by replacing all the lights in your house with energy-saving LEDs. These not only consume less electricity than ordinary bulbs, they’re also environment friendly. Now, that’s killing two birds with one stone!
Commute To Work
If you live within a 5 km radius of your workplace, then walking or riding a cycle is a better option than taking a rickshaw or cab every day if you want to save money. Not only is walking or cycling a great workout, it is environment-friendly and lets you save a lot of money too. You can also do this when going to the nearby supermarket or mall. If you own a car, you could try sharing the journey (and cost) with people who are headed in your direction.
For those who stay far away from their offices, carpooling is a great option. It is less expensive than taking a cab or rickshaw by yourself. Other options include taking a public bus or the metro.
Additional Reading: 10 Bad Financial Habits That Could Affect Your Future
Cleaning Products
Did you know that you can make your own cleaning solutions using natural products? Lemons, baking soda and vinegar are efficient floor and bathroom cleaners. Bye-bye, Lizol and Harpic!
Sounds like a good idea to save some money every month, doesn’t it?
Beauty Products
Ditch the expensive stuff!
Though they may promise you a clear, acne-free, oil-free, glowing skin, they aren’t really necessary. All your skin needs is proper care – cleansing, a good diet and lots of water (drink!).
For the little extra care, you can use coconut oil or almond oil to nourish your skin. These products are natural and cheaper alternatives.
Gym Membership
If you are the type who takes a gym membership but ends up going only two or three days in a month, then you are clearly wasting money. Instead, you can just go to a nearby park and walk or jog. Or if you don’t like people much, you could just play some songs and dance to them at home.
If you still want to hit the gym, you could opt for a cheaper one rather than spending half your monthly income on membership fees at a more expensive one. At least, you won’t be wasting much money this way even if you go only twice or thrice in a month.
Internet
Have you ever looked at your internet bill? Are you paying too much?
There are many internet service providers out there. Some of them are cheaper compared to others. If you think you are spending a little too much every month on internet, then maybe it is time you considered other viable options depending upon your usage.
If you are staying with someone, it is wiser to share an internet connection rather than having individual connections.
Laundry
Spending too much on laundry and ironing? You could invest in a washing machine and iron (it’s a one-time investment). Though this may increase your electricity bill a little, it won’t be as much as what you pay for to a laundry service outside.
Aren’t these hacks simple enough to follow? Do you know of any other hacks that could help others cut down on their household expenses? If you do, then let us know in the comments section below.