Money-Saving Tips for the Year
Towards the beginning of a new year, it’s common for people to rethink their budget and review their spending practices. The effort to try and save money can be never-ending, but there’s always places to trim from your budget, especially this year, given that inflation rose more throughout 2021 than it had in nearly 40 years.
Centers Health Care has ten things that you can trim or remove from your budget entirely as you look to save money or try to save up for a vacation or new expenditure.
- Paper Towels
Paper products were one of many that were affected by supply chain shortages over the past two years, and now, paper towels can be well over $1 per roll. Reach for dishtowels, rags, or sponges to clean up that mess or wipe down the counters, that way you can wash and reuse them.
- Alarm Clocks
While alarm clocks have added features like built-in lights and smartphone functions, the alarm clock on your smartphone is a more-than-suitable replacement for the real thing.
- Cable TV
Paying over $100 for watching just a few games, shows, or channels? There are nearly unlimited options to get your entertainment now. A digital antenna can get local channels for free, and many people are turning to cheaper subscriptions like Netflix or Disney+ for their entertainment options.
- Bottled Water
The tap-water systems in most areas are more than adequate, and bottled water can be awfully expensive, not to mention bad for the environment due to all of the plastic waste. And if you’re worried about drinking straight from the tap, use a filter in your refrigerator, have one attached to your tap, or buy pitchers for filtration.
- Yard Work
If you’re looking for reasons to get more exercise, taking over the yard work duties can not only add some functional fitness and get you outside more, it can definitely trim the budget of a lawncare expense.
- Switch to Generic Products
This isn’t a new idea, but just a reminder that generic (or store-brand) products are not only essentially the same as their name-brand counterpart, but it can sometimes be the same product but just with a different label.
- Membership Plans
Now is a great time to take inventory of your membership plans to see if you’re getting your money’s worth. One popular one that people end up not using very often is a gym membership. And you may be able to use free cardio like walking, using some home weights, and free streaming workouts to be able to satisfy your fitness needs at home.
- Security System
If you have a security system that’s more than 10 years old, chances are you’re overpaying. Those old, wired systems have been replaced by wireless options that are much more budget-friendly. Solid, basic monitoring can be had for as little as $15 per month, or you can scrap the monitoring entirely by installing doorbell cameras and other smart cameras around your home.
- Books and Magazines
Online services and devices like Kindle surged during the pandemic, as people purchased digital books, but did you know that your local library likely offers electronic versions of their books to checkout? If you prefer the physical copy, most libraries can also have books checked out online and then be picked up curbside at your local branch.
- Bags
From grocery bags (which many states and cities are charging people for now) to storage bags, replace your one-time bags with reusable bags for the store and plastic storage containers for leftovers and items in the pantry that you may have previously used Ziploc bags for.
