With the whole world needing to find out how to make the most of every paycheck, the urge to save money will be very strong. At the same time, though, you might not want to become a virtual hermit by staying in all of the time and existing purely by watching Netflix. Finding the right balance is never easy, but by saving money in some key areas, you can make the most of what you have coming in, meaning you can still go out.
Cook at home instead of buying takeout
After a hard day at work, probably the last thing you will want to do is cook a meal. However, if you add up how much you spend on picking up takeout on the way home, you’ll see there is a saving to be made. You don’t need to cut out everyone (unless you want to), but just replacing some with home-cooked meals can make a huge difference to your bank balance and health.
Pretty much every cook or chef on YouTube has videos detailing quick and easy meals, and if you are a novice in the kitchen, you can start there. You might even find that you can put something together in the same amount of time you were waiting for your takeout to be cooked or the door dash driver to arrive.
Use coupons to get bargains on clothes and shoes
Food is essential, and so are clothes and shoes, especially if you like to go out often. Again, a look at how much you spend on these items, and you’ll see you can save here too. Of course, unlike food, you shouldn’t try to make your own clothes, as chances are you will get attention for all the wrong reasons.
You can, however, shop smart by using something like a keenfootwear.com promo code when you are buying sandals, shoes, or boots. Different codes can get you different deals, and where you get your codes from can matter too – as getting them from the right place can mean that you will also be helping out a charity if you make a purchase, so it’s a win/win situation.
Movie nights at home
This can be a double win on the savings front. First up, you are not paying out to go to the theater to watch a movie or paying out half your paycheck for a tub of popcorn and a soft drink. Secondly, by hosting a movie night at home, you are spending time with your friends without the costs of going out. You will have to put together some snacks (or, better still, get guests to bring them), but you can see how much cheaper this will be all around.
You could even make the movie the centerpiece of an evening where you also show off your newfound culinary skills, and the positive feedback you undoubtedly get will inspire you to carry on. Switch around who hosts, and you should save plenty of money and make some great memories.