Saving money can be a tough proposition – trust me, I’ve tried all kinds of personal finance strategies. After lots of trial and error I found a few ways to save money that cut some of my most problematic expenses.
Get a Shield and Case for That Smartphone
I do just about everything on my smartphone and you probably do, too. I had to learn the hard way that spending a few dollars for a hard shell and screen shield is actually pretty smart. If nothing else, the trade-in value of my phone is a lot better when it is not covered with scuffs and scratches.
Download a Savings App
Apps are my favorite secret weapon for saving money. My new change jar is an app called Digit and my new piggy bank is an app called Qapital. It’s an easy way to save money. They do all the saving for you with out you lifting a finger. The best part of these apps is that they silently take money from your account and stash it away for that vacation or car you’re trying to save for. I managed to save $600 in less than 3 months.
Look at Warranties for Personal Electronics
Warranties are sometimes offered as an additional feature that you can buy at the time you purchase a new smartphone, tablet, or laptop. Warranties from the manufacturer are usually pretty sound but second-hand dealers and even big box retailers do not always offer very good protection in their warranty programs. An independent company can give you the freedom to choose the warranties that are most meaningful to you; SquareTrade offers good value on many different devices, not just smartphones.
Get a Big Box of Snacks Just for Work
I admit it – I eat out more than I probably should. This costs a lot of money each month so I decided to make a change. Rather than vowing to simply stop eating out – which never works anyway – I chose to look at the reasons I get food on the go. I discovered that I eat out at work more than anywhere else, so I decided to get a big box of different snacks to keep at my desk, including:
- Trail mix
- Pretzels
- Crackers
- Dried fruit
- Barkthins
These help get me through the long afternoon stretch.
Stick to Your Plan
Saving money is a long-term process. The choices you make every day will add up quickly, so track your progress on your laptop to see the effect your new habits make.
