One of the top resolutions each year is saving money. Maybe you are saving for a big purchase like a new home or car, or just hoping to be more financially responsible this year. With a few small changes to daily habits, you can really make a difference in your bank account. Here are easy to do tips and tricks that you can do to save more in 2017.
- Start by brewing your own coffee at home instead of racking up the Starbucks points. There are lots of tricks to creating the perfect brew at home like grinding your own whole beans or using a french press for cold brews. If you’re still in a hurry and a coffee stop is a must, Instead of ordering your favorite go-to tall, nonfat latte with caramel drizzle, try switching to tea or black coffee. Without all those extra add-ons, the price will go way down and will also help you kickstart a healthier habit.
- Pack that healthy lunch for work instead of dining out all the time will help to add a few extra dollars to your savings. Consider making a bigger dinner the night before so you can bring leftovers for lunch or make yourself a sandwich or a salad so you can just grab and go in the morning. A big trend right now is growing your own garden with fruit and vegetables. Even more reason to buy fewer groceries and also live a healthy lifestyle! If you dine out for lunch socially, set up designated days on your calendar for when you can go out for food or drinks so you can plan ahead for the expense.
- Find a carpool buddy and rotate days you drive to and from work. There are lots of easy ways to find a work carpool including apps like Scoop and Hitch A Ride. Or be adventurous and try UberPool, where you share a ride with others on your way to your destination. You can always try taking the bus, walking, or biking instead, too. Put the money you would have spent on gas each week into savings and watch your bank account grow!
- Sell any old clothes or furniture you don’t want anymore. There are so many apps like OfferUP or Poshmark that help you sell your unwanted items! You can make money easily and start saving all that extra cash on stuff you don’t want anymore. Most of these apps or websites even provide the shipping labels and priority mail boxes are free at USPS, so you don’t even have to spend money on shipping
- Commit to putting aside $5 or $10 for safe keeping. At the end of the month, deposit any loose bills or extra cash. Want something more hands off? Mutual funds or bonds can be pulled out automatically from your checking account just like a bill. You don’t even have to remember to put aside money!
- Write a list of everything you spend money on and see where you can cut back. A great app to monitor all your spending habits is LearnVest or Mint, where you can set goals, track your budget, and also get financial advice. It helps link all of your accounts together. That way you can easily see the big picture view and determine when you have extra funds for savings, a vacation or even a big ticket item.
- Don’t pay for cable that you don’t use. There are so many applications and products that are much more cost effective than cable where you pay for channels you never watch. Stream your favorite TV shows to your TV or devices, such as Firestick, HBONow, or PlayStation Vue.
- Switch to a more affordable car insurance. If you are a low-mileage driver, Metromile offers pay-per-mile insurance where the average customer is saving around $500 dollars a year. Customers are able to save money for extra things like paying off extra bills, saving for school, or spending a little extra something special on themselves! To see how much you can save, go to www.metromile.com/insurance and type your zip code into the “Get a Quote” field.
Resolve to save more this year and start dreaming about that vacation you could go on or the extra gifts you can buy during the holiday season. Metromile’s resolution this year is to help you save on car insurance so all these things could be possible. Cheers to a bright, money-saving 2017!