Recently, I met up with my friends on a Saturday evening, drank tea, and had conversations. First about the garden, then about summer vacation, and then how to find money for this vacation.
And with our small team, we came to the following conclusions — or, as it's fashionable to say now, life hacks.
1. Be careful with credit cards. Without financial discipline, they can easily turn into a trap due to high interest rates, becoming real “thieves” of money. It is important to spend less than you can repay on time. The same applies to other loans – they should be taken only in case of urgent need. Such as, for example, for an operation or something that does not require postponement.
But in this case there is the following point.
2. Save up for an airbag so that you can use it in case of need. Even from a small salary or pension, you can save at least a minimum amount. And not touch it until a special occasion. This requires discipline and is not always easy, but it is possible if you optimize your expenses. And you need to start with the products section.
3. Groceries are usually one of the biggest expenses. It's simple here – buy less and cook more simple dishes yourself from simple products. The simpler, my friends, the better.
Cutlets instead of sausages, compote instead of sweet soda, pancakes instead of cookies, etc. But it requires more physical effort than buying ready-made products at the store.
But having a stock of home-made semi-finished products in the refrigerator is important and will save you from unnecessary expenses. I know from myself, sometimes you never cook or you are tired and don't feel like it and think: “Oh, I'll buy some sausages, have a snack. And then I'll cook them.” No, friends, and once again no. Not only is there no benefit, but there is enough harm, but the price per kilogram of sausages is much higher than per kilogram of chicken breast.
Most of all, dry and freeze in season. The closer to winter, the higher the prices.
And our team also came to the conclusion: — For buying groceries, it is useful to have a separate card with a limit that is set for a month. And buy only from it, without going beyond the amount. — You constantly see how much is left and try to spend less or more at the end of the month. As a result of such limiting, expenses on food change very noticeably.
4. Don't rule out second-hand stores for shopping. You can also buy quite decent things there, and sometimes you can find things whose quality is even higher than in the modern mass market. Which means they will last longer.
5. Share common travel expenses if you are traveling with friends or another family. At least the cost of gas when traveling in the same car can be divided between two families. We often do this.
6. Recycle old things. This is great for creative people.
7. Borrow or rent something that you only need once. For example, I have a cooler bag, but sometimes I need a second one. Then I just borrow it from my sister.
8. Organize weeks of decluttering your refrigerator and cupboards. I have to say that this is a good way to save money and I like it. Go through your pantry and cook from what you find there.
9. Go to the store once a week, having a mandatory list of products that you will need for the week.
10. Save on the obvious. A friend once told me that her family of two uses four bottles of vegetable oil per month, and I was surprised that our grandmother only needs one bottle of vegetable oil per month.
I'll say more, even one bottle a month is enough for two of us. Because I cook on a non-stick frying pan without using oil – scrambled eggs, pancakes, and cutlets. And I often bake in the oven.
11. Save money by buying goods in bulk. But this method only works if you are sure that you will have time to use everything before the expiration date and have somewhere to store it.
12. Live within your means, aligning your desires with your capabilities. This is the most important financial habit. And it is one that you should start from. And financial discipline is a very important and necessary thing.
