{"id":25074,"date":"2020-09-29T17:57:28","date_gmt":"2020-09-29T17:57:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/transfergo.wpengine.com\/how-to-save-money-without-going-without\/"},"modified":"2024-10-29T20:47:03","modified_gmt":"2024-10-29T20:47:03","slug":"how-to-save-money-without-going-without","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.transfergo.com\/gb\/how-to-save-money-without-going-without","title":{"rendered":"How to save money without going without"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Running a house, supporting a family and the general demands of everyday life<\/span>\u2014let\u2019s be honest, many aspects of life can be expensive. Throw in the economic uncertainty and job redundancies caused by Covid-19 and it\u2019s becoming increasingly clear that we’re living in challenging times. As a result, more of us are now wondering how to save money.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But how can we make the most out of our finances without going without? Here are 5 ways to save money without drastically affecting the quality of your lifestyle. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be a conscious consumer<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many of us that are wondering how to save money often assume that buying the cheapest products is the way forward. But more often than not, it’s not the best way to do it. Many cheaper items are often poorly made and aren\u2019t built to last, requiring you to purchase replacement products further down the line. (Which, let\u2019s be honest, kind of defeats the point.)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, abandon the bargain mindset and do your research. If you\u2019re buying online, shop around and read the reviews. Is the item you\u2019re buying decent quality? Will you be able to reuse it? And more importantly, do you really need it? One of the best ways to stop yourself spending impulsively is to try the 48-hour trick. If you\u2019ve spotted something you\u2019d like to buy, make a mental note and don’t dive in. If, after the two days have passed, you\u2019ve either forgotten about the item or realised it\u2019s probably an unnecessary purchase, you have your answer. And you\u2019ll have saved money. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recycle and upcycle<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We live in the age of consumerism. And believe it or not, we\u2019re programmed to want to buy new things. But more often than not, we don\u2019t actually need what we want. Think about it. How many times have you purchased a replacement for something that didn’t need replacing? How many times have you been satisfied with X (car, kitchen, shoes, dog collar\u2014you name it) only to instantly want a new one after spotting your neighbour with the latest version? Don\u2019t succumb to high-pressure advertising or compare yourself with your fellow man or woman. Instead, look at what you\u2019ve already got and try to make the most of it.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By forcing yourself to be a little creative, you can instantly transform certain bits and pieces. For example, take those battered dining chairs you so desperately want to replace. Can you repaint or upholster them? How about that ‘tatty’ living room rug that you\u2019re eager to throw out. If it\u2019s saveable (be honest), why not get it professionally cleaned? When you think outside the box, there are many ways to refresh things without breaking the bank.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Review your direct debits and subscriptions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

How many times have you checked your online banking and shuddered at the sight of a direct debit for something that you don\u2019t need or use? Well, we\u2019re certainly guilty. Often it\u2019s easier just to shut down the app and hope you remember to cancel it before you\u2019re charged again next month. But let\u2019s be honest, we often forget to do this. That\u2019s why it\u2019s important to get on top of your monthly direct debits and subscriptions sooner rather than later.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re paying for something like a gym membership that you hardly use, reassess whether you need it or not. Be realistic with yourself: will you ever truly get your money’s worth? Or can you join a cheaper gym until you get into the swing of an exercise routine or better yet, take up running? What about that audiobook subscription you signed up for in January 2016 and have hardly used? Unsubscribe and delete the app. It\u2019s incredible how quickly these things can add up. Be mindful of what you do and don\u2019t need and tailor your outgoings accordingly.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make a shopping list and stick to it<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re harking back to an old-school tip here, but planning your meals is truly one of the best ways to save money and reduce waste. Astonishingly, the average UK family throws away \u00a3700<\/a> worth of uneaten food a year. Across the board, this adds up to 4.5m tonnes of food worth \u00a314bn. Hardly small fry, huh. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, get into the habit of planning your meals ahead and buy only the ingredients you need. And if you find yourself buying food that you won\u2019t realistically eat before its use-by date, freeze it. From milk and cheese to meat, fruit and vegetables, many foods are suitable for the freezer. Better yet, try out batch cooking. If you\u2019re cooking for just you and your partner, why not up the portions and freeze any leftovers? Then, not only will you reduce waste, you\u2019ll be stretching out your cooking efforts, saving yourself time and money in the process.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reinvent your Saturday night out<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even when you\u2019re trying hard to save money, it\u2019s still important to enjoy yourself (in a Covid-secure way, of course). So, consider rethinking your usual Saturday night plans. If you and a friend are used to getting together at the weekend, take it in turns to host each other at home instead. Call off the pricey restaurant and post-dinner pub session and crack open a bottle of wine at home with a takeaway. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or if you\u2019re still intent on getting out of the house (we get you), keep a lookout for venues offering discounts or the option to bring your own bottle. The night can be as pricey or as cheap as you want it to be. Sometimes all it takes is a little forward-planning.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

______________<\/section>\n\n\n\n
And while you’re at it, you can save money on transfers by using TransferGo. Sign up<\/a> now for easy and affordable online money transfers<\/a>.<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Running a house, supporting a family and the general demands of everyday life\u2014let\u2019s be honest, many aspects of life can be expensive. Throw in the economic uncertainty and job redundancies caused by Covid-19 and it\u2019s becoming increasingly clear that we’re living in challenging times. As a result, more of us are now wondering how to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":25075,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1490,1493],"tags":[],"business_case_studies_tags":[],"class_list":["post-25074","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-personal-finance","category-personal-finance-tips"],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/transfergo.com\/gb\/how-to-save-money-without-going-without","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"How to save money without going without","url":"http:\/\/www.transfergo.com\/gb\/how-to-save-money-without-going-without","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/www.transfergo.com\/gb\/how-to-save-money-without-going-without"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.transfergo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/savemoney1.jpg?resize=150,150","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.transfergo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/savemoney1.jpg"},"articleSection":"Personal finance tips","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Jennifer Tate"}],"creator":["Jennifer Tate"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"TransferGo","logo":""},"keywords":[],"dateCreated":"2020-09-29T17:57:28Z","datePublished":"2020-09-29T17:57:28Z","dateModified":"2024-10-29T20:47:03Z"},"rendered":"