We hear you – making a budget can be so boring. However, they are necessary if you want to get a better handle on your cash flow management while also monitoring and reducing your spending.
But if you’re really averse to making a budget, how can you cut down on your spending? Here are five ways you can save without tracking every transaction:
- Review your subscriptions – Your fixed outgoings are the easiest way to cut back: big outgoings like your insurance, power, phone and entertainment subscriptions. It pays to make sure you’re on the right plans that aren’t overcharging you. Small outgoings such as morning coffees, lunches, little purchases here and there can all add up!
If you can reduce or eliminate even a few of these, you’ll make an immediate difference to your spending.
- Embrace low-cost social activities – A night of drinking and dining out is fantastic fun, but it’s also costly, so try to make it an occasional treat. Instead, check out the free and cheap activities in your area and swap an expensive night out for a more cost-effective option.
- Have a zero spend day – Pick one day a week, or one day each fortnight, and try not to spend anything. Make your own food and coffee at home, stay away from the shops and don’t add anything to your cart.
- Plan your meals – Groceries have shot up in price over recent years. Planning your meals for the week and shopping accordingly means you can spend less and buy fewer takeaways. Cooking your meals in bulk with meal prep at the start of the week can also help reduce your gas and electricity costs too.
- Pay yourself first, then live off what’s left – Pay a realistic amount into your investments, savings or debt reduction first, advises the author of Automatic Millionaire. Then pay your commitments, like the utilities. Whatever is left over, live off that. If you’re not sure how much to pay yourself, we can help.
Confession time: we love budgets!
We actually love budgets, even though they may not have the most exciting reputation. They’re part of the spreadsheet family, and you know that spreadsheets are close to our hearts.
While you can save money without a budget, if you embrace one, it can turbocharge your success. There are apps to make it easier and support your saving goals.
So whether you want help with saving, a budget for your personal life or increased cash flow for your business, we can definitely give you a hand. Get in touch, we’d love to hear from you.
