If you haven’t given much thought to saving money for the big things in life – it is never too late! Things like education, a new roof, painting the interior or exterior of your home, buying a reliable car or even a family vacation are some of the things that you will want to be prepared for when the time comes to address them. And believe me, they come up faster than you think!
LET’S START EASY
Automatic savings – This is one of the easiest ways to save. It doesn’t have to be a large amount, but DO try to save as much as you can. Nerd Wallet recommends 3 top apps for making saving easy – Acorns, Qapital and Digit. Acorns is a really popular favorite and it is easy to use!
If you don’t want to bother with an app, your bank probably has a program that will send money to a special account every time you debit and at the same time will let you specify an amount to come out of your checking and into savings once or twice a month – whatever works for you. Sure, you’ve heard of these, but now is the time to do it!
24 Hour Rule – Stop making “impulse buys” or purchasing large items without giving it any thought. If you see something in a store, wait 24 hours and think about if you really NEED that item or you just WANT the item. If you are shopping online, just put the item in your cart and wait a day or two before you purchase. (NOTE: Extra perk – sometimes on-line merchants will send you deals to get you to purchase your cart items, so if you really do need the items at least you get a perk for ordering them).
Grocery Store – Always take a list. If you’re just wandering down aisles putting items in your cart – WHOA. You’re spending way too much! Couponing isn’t what it used to be, especially since the impact of Covid has caused prices to rise – so you have to be more careful about your selections. If you haven’t already – try out Aldi or Lidl. You will spend WAY less on your staple items such as sugar, flour and dairy. You may have to fill in with any specialty items from another store, but it is worth it.
GOT GAS?
The price of gas always seems to go up, but you’ve got to have it. So how can you save a little on this commodity?
**If you are brand loyal or you have a credit card for a certain type of gas, check into their rewards program and get an account.
**Organizations like AAA and AARP offers discounts to gas stations they are associated with.
**Apps like GetUpside show you the gas stations near you that offer cash back for using their gas app – no matter where you are in your travels. Just sign up, find an offer, fill up and get paid directly in the app. You also get bonuses if your friends sign up with your link and when they fill up you earn money from their purchase!
**Grocery stores, like Kroger (which offers 3 cents off a gallon if you have a card) or buying clubs like Costco and Sam’s give members the opportunity to buy gas at lower prices.
RETAIL IDEAS
Rakuten – Almost everyone has heard of Rakuten, but have you signed up? If not, you are really missing out, especially if you do most of your shopping and buying online. Merchants pay Rakuten a commission for sending you their way, and Rakuten shares the commission with you as Cash Back. Get paid every three months, plus earn a cash bonus when you join, shop or invite friends. The great part is that whenever you go to a site that uses Rakuten the deal automatically pops up. They keep you updated on how much you’ve earned and let you know when your check is on the way. It’s a no-brainer! There are others out there, but this seems to be the most popular and user friendly.
Coupon Codes – Every time you shop online always Google coupon codes for whatever website/store/company you are purchasing from. You’d be surprised at what you find. The only warning is that it can be a little frustrating. Sometimes you have to try a lot of codes and you still may not find one that works, but once you get the hang of it – save tons.
FINAL WORDS
There are a lot of opportunities out there for saving money – these are just a few suggestions to get you thinking. Wherever you do business or most of your shopping you can probably find an app or opportunity for rewards. And don’t forget, its not just about price, it is about value. There is a lot of truth to the old adage, You get what you pay for! It may take a little extra effort, but just think of all the things you want to save for!
Call Britt now 803-603-6486 for a free, no-obligation estimate or e-mail us at ellisb@colatownpainting.com
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