If you have a shopping problem, or just wish to be a little more responsible with those finances, than check out these 18 life hacks that will let you survive between those paychecks.
1. It’s safe to say that online shopping has made our ability to spend a lot easier.Purchases with a click of a button? Of course we’re going to take advantage of that. Here’s a tip, however. Next time you’re online shopping, make sure you clear your cache and browsing history. Online companies actually follow your searches based on your cache and browsing history and increase prices of products based on that information.
2. Tone down the brightness on your TV and computers. You may not realize it, but you don’t need all that brightness. Not only will it help your eye health, but it will also reduce your power consumption by nearly 40. Save money and your health all at once!
3. Yes to cash, no to cards. Studies have actually found that people who pay with cash spend less than those who pay with cards. That’s because when you pay with the green paper, you can actually visualize the money that you’re losing, allowing for some subconscious regulation.
4. When making large purchases, wait until the end of the month. Salespeople have a job, and they need to meet their quotas by the end of the month. If they haven’t, chances are they’re going to try really hard to make their cut by giving you a cut in prices.
5. Keep your roof white, if you can. Science has proven that dark colors absorb more heat. If that’s the case with your roof, you’ll be spending a lot more on air-conditioning than you would if you just maintained a white colored roof.
6. Brew your own coffee. You make think that your local coffee shop is doing you a favor (and it is… if you’re in a hurry), but you tend to end up spending a lot of money on a beverage that could just be made at home. Try it out and see the savings for yourself.
7. Don’t fall into the trap of brands. Check the ingredients, because that’s what counts. If the generic brand has the same ingredients, why not resort to that one and save yourself some money?
8. Dine out… at culinary schools. Everyone loves a night out for dinner. If you resort to culinary schools, you can end up getting a five course meal at a much cheaper price.
9. Save the snacking, and drink some water. A lot of people resort to buying all sorts of snacks because their mind mistakes their thirst for hunger. Drink plenty of water each day so you avoid falling victim to this misunderstanding.
10. Place a heavy object in your toilet water tank. A lot of toilets end up flushing a lot more water than necessary. if you place aware bottle filled with water or a brick in toilet, it’ll help you lose less water with each flush.
11. If you’re not using it, don’t leave it plugged in.
12. Have a few “spend free” days. This can be a challenge but you never know, you might get used to it. Just set a day of the week or month that you will not spend any money, and see where it takes your spending habits.
13. Make sure those car tires stay inflated. Inflation of vehicle tires can actually help your gas mileage improve by 0.6 to 4 percent. Plus, it’ll extend the lifetime of your tire.
14. Scan grocery receipts for cash back. With the apps we have at our disposal, you have plenty that will allow you rebates on your grocery store purchases. Trust me, it adds up.
15. Delay the “I don’t need but I want” purchase by three days. Don’t shop impulsively and buy things that you want, yet don’t need. Give yourself a grace period to see if you’ll still want the product as badly as you did when you first saw it. If you do, then go for it.
16. Bye-bye to ice packs. Why spend money on something that you can just improvise at home. Empty out some of the water in the bottle, freeze it, use it as an ice pack, and then as a beverage when it melts.
17. Don’t buy pre-grated foods. Do the grating yourself. Get that motivation, put aside the laziness, and slice up the carrots or cheese. It will give you an arm workout and save you some money!
18. There’s a way to revive those fraying bristles of your toothbrush. Boil some water, pour it in a bowl and whisk your toothbrush through it a few times. You’ll put off buying a new toothbrush because your original one will look brand new!
