How can I become a saver? 

I’ve always wanted to write this because I myself am a spender, not a saver, and I used to go out on shopping sprees all the time, especially if my favorite places had clearance sales. Being an American is pretty cool because having stores like Target, Costco, and Walmart makes it impossible to miss some amazing sales and clearance items.

If you’re trying to become a bit more frugal, but you’re still wondering where all your money has disappeared, then you’re on the wrong path. We are all familiar with the fact that it is important to save money in order to prepare for a better future.

Continue reading because we have some amazing tips for you to increase your savings and become more economical.

1. Track your progress 

The easiest way to save money is by tracking your progress every time you put some money aside. You can either write down your advancement on paper and stick it somewhere visible (e.g. fridge), or you can also find an online chart (Budget Life Planner might be one of the best). It’s going to be both fun and effective because you will see the progress you’ve made over time and how close you are to the main goal.

Are you ready to become a saver?

2. Save your spending on transport

Since most of us aren’t fortunate enough to have our workplace closer to home, we’re stuck using public transportation, unless of course, you own a car. That won’t be the end of your worries, though, especially with gas prices being as high as they are lately and not to mention repairs and maintenance costs. But what if you decide to cut costs by opting for carpooling with a friend?

Besides the benefit of becoming a saver, this is also a more eco-friendly option, not to mention that having a friend with you will make that boring ride to work much more pleasant. If you do opt for public transportation, however, the bus, the subway, or trains are your go-to, budget-friendly options, if you don’t mind the occasional crowds, that is.

With that being said, if none of these options appeal to your lifestyle, you could always go for a more exercise-oriented approach like buying a bicycle. I have to admit that this was definitely a game changer for me since it wasn’t only a blessing for my wallet, but it also ended up being great for my health as well.

3. Avoid eating out

Going out for a relaxing dinner. Now that sounds like a great way to unwind after a long day at work, doesn’t it? But this particular activity may also put a dent in your budget because, let’s face it, we already know how easy it can be to get carried away when it comes to that yummy food you’ve been craving, especially when you’re keen on trying out new dishes. If you’re also planning on going to a fancier restaurant, that could spell doom for your wallet.

Although going out every now and then is perfectly fine for your finances, if you don’t overdo it, why not go for the healthier option, and learn how to cook your own meals right at home? While it might take you more time to get that meal you are hankering for, getting the ingredients and cooking up the dish yourself will mean that you control exactly what you put in your body in terms of quality and quantity, which is great if you want to avoid junk food and if you want to have an overall better diet.

Since all manner of delicious recipes are found online, you’ll learn how to cook your favorites in no time at all. All this and a lower cost to boot! Speaking of which, you can also start preparing and bringing your own food to work as well and resist that temptation to order takeaway at lunch with your coworkers. You’re just a few steps away from becoming a saver, and trust me, you’ll be grateful for it!

4. Get in touch with other savers

There’s that old and famous saying that goes, “birds of a feather flock together,” and it may be very appropriate in this context. If your friends are used to spending money like crazy every time you go out, then you’ll probably do the same. I’m not saying that you should go ahead and change your circle of friends right away, but at least try to limit your own spending and also avoid going out as often. If your plan is to save a set amount of money each month for an emergency fund or even for retirement, you should try to connect with others who share your interests.

There is no doubt that we spend a lot of time on social media, but believe it or not, that could end up hurting your wallet. There is no shame if you were to stop following the public opinion that tells you:  “buy the newest iPhone RIGHT NOW!”. Try instead to follow the crowds that teach you how to be more of a saver rather than a spender.

Good advice when it comes to putting money aside for any unfortunate event that may appear is always welcome, and it should come to no surprise that a large number of people share your goals, which means that you’re bound to find a lot of helpful tips and tricks everywhere online. Take this article for example, haha!

5. Make a list every time you go shopping

A little bit of planning before shopping is more than mandatory if you want to become a saver. Double-check your fridge and maybe plan your meals for the following week. That will help you determine what ingredients you’ll need to get and what you’re running out of.

You’ll also spend less time in the supermarket trying to decide what to get but I also mean that you’ll be less distracted while avoiding impulse buying. Because let’s be honest, that’s a big no-no if you are actively trying to save money.

Did you know that you can also get coupons for even more discounts? A lot of local stores offer this to their loyal customers. And this hack is extremely useful! Don’t forget to get the phone app from your favorite local store to stay updated with any additional discounts that they may have.

6. Try to be more patient 

At the risk of sounding like a cliché, Rome wasn’t built in a day. The same goes for saving money. If you are planning on becoming a saver and paying even more attention to your monthly budget, you should know that everything starts with patience.

You definitely need to have loads of it while comparing prices in a store to decide what to buy or while researching for better products at a more budget-friendly price. But most importantly, you must learn how to use the coupons that may help you keep extra money in your wallet. Have you checked out the latest flier from Costco?

They offer a lot of discounts for bulk purchases like ketchup, cleaning products, and also canned foods. That sounds amazing, right? Because buying large quantities of a particular item in bulk can save you a lot of money, and it might not seem like such a big deal at times. But in fact, seeing as you’re using those products on a daily basis you will be saving some money in the long run.

7. Make it a competition

Truth be told, I never liked competitions, except for those in which I am my own opponent. I love to challenge myself to do my best, and be a better version of myself than I was yesterday. So why not try to change your mindset regarding becoming a saver? It may not be a pleasant activity, but it can easily be turned into something nice if you really want to. Have you tried saving more than the previous month?

Change the past and choose a different path that gives you extra motivation. And by motivation, I mean comparing yourself to the person you were yesterday. Are you any different? Has your attitude changed for the better? If this sounds too difficult, you can always try to beat last year’s record.

If you’re doing better now, try to remember how different you were when you first started and see how much you evolved over time. Set your goals and start saving money!

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