Easy Ways to Save Money

With the cost of living ever rising and a future to save for, it can be tough to cut costs and have room for savings. I have always wanted to save a bit every month but don't want money to stop me doing nice things. So, here's some super simple, practical advice on things you can start doing now to save up your hard earned cash. 

Learn About Beauty Products

Skincare and makeup can be expensive! Experimenting with new products and finding out they do not work for you can leak money quickly since you cannot sell used products for hygiene reasons. Luckily, there are a few ways you can cut excess costs in this department. 

First, find what ingredients suit your skin. This can be easier than experimenting with lots of different types - simply stop when you find something decent. You probably already have a feeling of what works for you. For instance, I have sensitive skin so gentle ingredients like cucumber work really well. I am no skincare guru but lucky for you there is a wealth of advice online. Once you know your skin type, stick to the ingredients people recommend. 

Then, figure out a brand in your price range that you like using. Personally, I prefer makeup from The Body Shop because it is made from vegan, natural ingredients. I can purchase from my local high street which cuts delivery costs and when there's a sale on I can buy multiples since I know I am going to use them. There's a lot of choice for every budget and if you're really unsure it's best to visit a department store or a shop such as Sephora which stocks lots of different brands you can try out samples of. 

Finally, stick to the plan! With new products being constantly churned out, it can be tempting to jump on the latest trend or buy things for special occasions. Resist the urge! You will most likely end up with a bag full of products you did not like or do not use worth at least £50 of your money. That's £50 you could have saved or put towards something more useful and rewarding like a dinner date or a tank of fuel. 

Remember, being minimal with your makeup and skincare routines certainly helps, but if you use it every day - it's worth the money!

Limit Your Coffee Intake

I disagree that you can never buy coffee out if you want to save. While the cost of coffee or tea from cafés adds up if you're not careful, going to a café can be an important social interaction for many of us - and certainly cheaper than dinner! 

However, being conscious of your liquid luxuries is a good way to cut back without even trying. Set yourself a coffee budget - an example might be no more than 2 a week. You can invest in a lovely thermos flask to bring your home brewed hot drink in which will save you money in the long term. Not only is this good for the environment but some coffee shops actually give you a discount for bringing your own container! Don't forget to bring your loyalty card when you do buy coffee as this is a simple way to get a freebie, especially if you are passionate about caffeine. 

Brand loyalty can be amazingly beneficial when trying to save money, as you will notice throughout this article. 

Be Mindful of Food

This is a tricky topic to cover as food is a significant cultural aspect, central to socialising and keeps us fit and healthy. 

Having said this, many of us have less than healthy spending habits involving purchasing unnecessary or expensive food items, or cheap snacks at a high frequency. If you know you get sweet cravings at work and the bakery on the corner beckons you every Friday, take notice of this behavioural pattern and bring in some homemade cupcakes to snack on instead. These will be cheaper, you can bake them healthier and if you bring extras to share will boost your popularity ratings in the workplace. 

If you are more of a savoury snacker, consider buying in bulk. Carrots are a cheap, nutritious and satisfying option. Paired with some protein such as nuts or cheese it will also keep you satisfied longer than a packet of crisps from the corner shop. Convenience stores often inflate their prices as a sort of convenience tax. Warehouses like Costco sell in bulk at a discounted rate but be wary of buying more than you need there. 

For groceries, consider planning ahead. Meal prep to reduce food waste, make use of leftovers and use a biweekly rota of meals you enjoy so you know exactly what ingredients you need to purchase. While minimalist eating habits can save you money, nutritionists recommend eating a varied diet for optimum health so try stay away from eating the same meal every day. There are so many amazing recipe books out there for cheap and thrifty meals and they make a great gift to ask for at Christmas.

Gifting Culture 

In the UK, there is a long tradition of gift giving customary at special occasions such as Christmas, Birthdays, Valentine's, Mother's and Father's Day and even Easter. It feels like the list of giftable occasions is ever growing in our Capitalist frenzy. All this gift giving can feel rewarding and increases the bond between friends and family. But it also feels like a lot of financial pressure for those who are less comfortable. 

Crafting gifts is a beautiful way of showing someone they mean a lot to you without breaking the bank. It can be as simple as a homemade birthday card or as time-consuming as knitting a sweater! A lot of people forget that cooking a meal or baking a cake is another fantastic gift which is sure to be appreciated wholeheartedly.  

Experiences also benefit both the giver and receiver, combining the love languages of gift giving and quality time. Take your loved one to a show, event or create a special experience with them. Theatre tickets and live music are popular gifting choices. If you're looking for inspiration, there are many guides online and videos on YouTube and TikTok from setting up a painting picnic to curating the perfect Harry Potter movie night complete with butterbeer and chocolate frogs! 

Never underestimate the power of flowers. They're pretty, smell nice and do not take up too much space. What do you give someone who has everything? Flowers! They come in many price points to suit your budget too. 

Figure out your kryptonite

Everyone has one. Clothes? Steak dinners? Fishing Equipment? That one thing you are prepared to spend a lot of money on. Make a spreadsheet and track your spending in this area. Make a wish list to save up for the things you want to buy and keep and inventory of the things you already have. That way, you will avoid wasting money on duplicates or things that you don't really need.  

Saving money is great and worthwhile, but at the end of the day it shouldn't come at the cost of enjoying your life right now. After all, while we want to invest in the future remember that each day could also be your last. So be sensible with your money saving choices and good luck finding a balance that's right for you!