10 Ways to Save Money in the New Year

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It’s the start to a New Year!  The possibilities are endless on ways to embrace all the changes you want to make.  What better time than to look at your finances and make a plan on ways to save money in the upcoming new year!  Give yourself a new motto this year:  Save money, spend less!  Is it possible?  Absolutely.  Anything is possible with a plan!

Many find it hard to think of ways to save money in the new year and just need a jump-start to help them get started.  So,  let’s get this think-tank party started. 

What are ways to save money in the new year?  The options are open-ended and endless, but here is a nice list to help you get started!

1.  Set goals.  Trust me, you need to set boundaries in your head before the year starts.  What money goals are you trying to reach for the year?  Are you wanting to add to your savings for an emergency fund or just have enough to take a fancy vacation at some point in time in the near future?  Say your goal and write it down.  Put that goal out in the open to reference and keep you on track.
2. Always price-check.  EVERYTHING.  Did you know that many stores have a price match guarantee?  Have a purchase coming up?  Look up the stores in your area to see who has the lowest price.  Why spend more when you don’t need to?
3. Bye-bye coffee shops.  Stop spending money daily at a coffee shop and start brewing at home.  Think of the savings you can rack up when you aren’t spending $2/day on a cup of joe…that adds up to $10/week, $40/month and over $500/year in savings.  Instant gratification and game changer!
4. Stop signing contracts!  Seriously.  With the competition that is available now with companies, why obligate yourself to just one for a 2 year contract?  Cell phones, cable, internet….do your research.. a ton of companies don’t even require contracts anymore which allows you to change plans and carriers for cheaper rates at any point in time.
5. Cook more at home.  Eating out is fun, I get it.  Trust me.  It’s fun to be served and not have to worry sometimes.  BUT, it is so expensive.  For one meal you buy at a restaurant, you can purchase ingredients to make 3-4 meals at home.  Limit your food outings and stay in and eat instead.
6. Combat impulse purchases.  Just say no to surfing the web and shopping at night.  It is so easy to impulse buy when there is access to stores 24/7.  Try a month of not buying or shopping for anything online.  Your wallet will thank you.
7. Re-purpose.  Don’t be so quick to throw things out in your home if you don’t see an immediate need for it.  If you have a perfectly good item that you feel you no longer need, then take a look at it and see if there is another way you can use it.  That old purse you feel you no longer have a use for?  Save it for later in case your style changes over the year.  You may be surprised that you find you miss it and by saving it, you won’t be searching for a new one to buy.
8. Get your walk on. Give your car a rest, save on some gas money and get some exercise in.  Do you find yourself hopping in your car to drive everywhere?  Take a break from the pump and save some gas money by trying to walk or bike to more places.  Many places are within walking distance without an issue, plus it is good for your health, too!
9. Just say no to a gym membership.  Let’s face it, the world is our gym.  Why pay $50/month for a gym membership when the outdoors holds all the equipment you need?  Give it a try.  Get your workout game started by using the great outdoors and things you have at home.  
10. Use the local library.  Books are wonderful, but expensive.  The library has an abundance of amazing resources at your fingertips…for FREE.  Expand your brain, your vocabulary and your wallet as well.

Saving money isn’t hard, but it does take time and commitment.  While this list only gave 10 ways to save money, there are a ton of different avenues that one could cut find to costs.  The beautiful thing about saving money?  You can change course at any point in time.  Give yourself that latitude and understand your needs, your wants and your happiness then see how that can be best applied to your life and your wallet.  Once you understand that, the ways to save money that work best for you will seem effortless!