Saving money can be tough all on its own. Saving money while improving your lifestyle can feel impossible. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways you can do just that. Making both minor and major lifestyle changes can help you live healthier, happier and help you build up your savings.
Most of the changes in this article won’t require you to make too big of a shift in your life, though some may require some getting used to:
Explore Your Home State
One of the most significant leisure expenses for many Americans is traveling abroad. Exploring the world can have significant benefits, but balancing these against your available funds is vital. Taking a staycation can be an excellent way to feel all of the benefits of taking a vacation without as much of the expense. People often underestimate the incredible experiences, activities and landmarks their own home states have to offer.
Switch Energy Providers
Switching energy providers is a quick and simple change that can end up saving you good money. It is best to shop around to find the best rates in your area. You could also consider switching to green providers to do your part for the environment.
It may also help to look for welcome offers and deals that energy providers may have. This is a common practice to entice new customers and can be an excellent way to save money.
Ditch The Car
This one is a more significant life change for most Americans, but selling your car can help you save money and get fit. It won’t be an option for everyone, particularly those who live in rural areas, but if you have good public transport where you live you could save a lot by switching from cars to buses and trains. You could also consider getting a bike for commuting to save even more.
Keep Track of What You Spend
Small expenses like paying subscription fees every month for your entertainment is one expenditure that you can eliminate right away. Use the internet and download whatever you need from torrenting platforms. This will save you a lot of money, and also you don’t have to get irritated every time your network connectivity goes down. Staying offline comes with its own sets of merits. To know more in this regard, please visit proxybay.github.io.
Get Insulation Installed
Insulation can save you money on your household bills. In many homes, the energy we use to heat the home escapes through the roof. This is a sign of bad insulation and can mean that you’re paying more than necessary to heat your home.
An excellent way to figure out if your home has poor insulation is by looking at its roof on a frosty or snowy morning. If the frost or snow has completely melted while your neighbors’ remains in place, this could be a sign that it’s time to update your insulation.
Have Regular Medical Screening
While spending money to save money can seem counterintuitive, it can definitely work. In terms of our health, not only does spending money on screening make sense financially, but it can also massively benefit you medically. You could go for regular screening for all of the health concerns that may impact you in the future.
This could be things that run in your family or things like breast cancer screening. It can help to know the difference between the types of screening available and talk to your doctor to make the right choices. You can find out more about breast lump screening and choosing a mammogram vs. ultrasound from reliable, trustworthy sources like Ezra Scans.
Drink More Water
Another change that is simple to work into a busy schedule is drinking more water. A surprising number of Americans don’t drink the right amount of water each day, so upping your intake could help you feel more energized, less stressed and happier overall.
You could consider forgoing your regular cup of coffee in the morning in favor of water or juice. This can help save you money if you regularly stop off at the local coffee shop before work.
Never Go Grocery Shopping Hungry
Shopping for food while hungry almost always leads to unnecessary purchases. This could be junk food, snacks, or simply buying more food than you could eat before it expires. Ensuring that you have a filling meal before heading off to the grocery store can ensure you stick to your pre-planning shopping list.
You could also consider doing an online shop rather than going in person. This can prevent you from being tempted by items you see throughout the aisles.
Pick Up A Book
Many Americans wish they had more spare time to read. Most of us have an ever-growing pile of books on our nightstand waiting to be read. Taking the time to open a book can have more benefits for your mood and stress levels than you may think, so it is a good idea to make an effort to do so.
Starting a task that you keep putting off can be the most challenging part, so consider allotting 10 minutes to reading one afternoon when you don’t have much on. That is likely all you will need to get engrossed, and you will probably spend even more time reading than you thought.
Keep Track Of What You Spend
Keeping track of your spending habits can be the best way to help you save money. You could consider using a budgeting app to help you keep track or simply noting down your expenses in different categories. You will soon find that small expenses such as buying your lunch daily add up quickly. Once you have identified the areas of your life where you’re spending more than you’d like, you can take steps to reduce the expenditure.
Go Meat-Free
Going meat-free can have a great impact on your bank balance and your health. Meat is one of the most costly items for our weekly shops and can also be among the unhealthiest. Of course, you can cook perfectly healthy food with meat as well, but switching to even one or two meat-free days per week can have a considerable impact on your overall health – and your bank balance.
There are a lot of lifestyle changes you can make that will dramatically improve your quality of life. Balancing these with changes that will help you save can be a win-win. It is crucial to find the right balance to help you achieve the most with what you have.
*Photos by Elina Fairytale
