17 Ways to Save Money.

Recently I read this book, The Millionaire Next Door, courtesy of one of my cousins who dropped it at my home many months ago.

Here are some ways we can live, if we want to start saving on those dollars and cents.

1. Don't bring your credit card out if you know you are a impulse buyer/shopaholic. 
I don't. It really saves me in a lot of situations where I could have made senseless purchases. A lot of show owners and managers use the line "you can pay on a monthly instalment basis" to trap you to buy. You may end up buying something you don't actually need.

The next best alternative is to bring only CASH, and a Debit Card with limited money, enough to get you through the day, travel and probably some meals. 

2. Bring your own meal from home every so often. 
It's healthy. You know what you put into it. And you won't be spending a bomb on meals.
Or just fast every so often to detoxify your body.

3. Keep from socialising with people who spend money. 
People who spend money like water! Hmm..... you just have to learn to say NO to a lot of things that your so-called friends do.

They aren't your friends if they don't care about your financial situation. However, if they offer to pay for you to join them, that is a different situation altogether.... ^^

4. Wait for SALE time to do your shopping. 
When it comes to clothing, yes. Who really cares what brand of underwear you wear to work?

You might be wearing Victoria's Secret, but were you going to go around telling people everyone? Just wear that pair of tightie-whities for all people care...

5. Impulse Buy. 
Yes, this happens a lot to me when I see skin care.. *sigh*.Walk about a bit, and wait about two to three days.

6. Take a serious look at what  you spend each month, and write out what  you have spent for it so far.

7. Start a blogshop, and get buyers.
Hah! Just did that.. am wondering how many people will actually buy from the shop. Not that good either, but hopefully trying to drum up the response to it.

8. Start an Investment Portfolio. 
Use and Invest your money on objects/items which appreciate, not depreciate in value.
Buying a Brand New Branded Car? Are you sure that is worth your money? The re-sale value of the car depreciates rather quickly, so you may want to rethink it.

If not using your money, at least keep it away somewhere you know you can't have access to it! Hopefully in a Term Deposit with a high interest returns. Perhaps some stocks or shares from a company which is doing well?

Sometimes these companies send out magazines, vouchers, etc which will offer a good deal, or savings on the services they provide.

9. Chill Out at Home and Stay AWAY from the Mall.
Get your news from the websites. But KEEP AWAY from the malls. You'll definitely not spend any money at all. LOL

Read a book. Feed the fish. Play with the dog. Take a jog. 

10. Take care of your health.
Take responsibility of taking care of your own health. When you are sick, it is a burden on others, as well as yourself. Have enough sleep, and drink enough water, and exercise at that too!

You'll cut down on the doctor's bills & meds.

11. Find ways to share, or give without having to spend money.
They say time is money. What more valuable is your time?

12. Never Ever Pay Retail. 
There is something called Internet Shopping, as well as SALEs for this very reason. If you are willing to wait it out, you will save the money that you could use for other more important things.

13. Don't Be Greedy.
I learnt it the hard way. If you don't need it, don't buy it.There is no such thing as a promotion that is too good to be true.

If it is TOO GOOD to be true, it probably IS. There is always a catch behind it. 

14. Why Buy when you can BORROW?
Sharing is Caring. Borrow it from a friend.
Want to watch a movie? Borrow it, watch it at home. You'll save on the petrol, parking and time that went with it.

But make sure you do look after it when you do. 

15. Car Pool. 
Why waste petrol each driving your own car? Though, each person must contribute to the petrol, or take turns driving to be fair to each other.

16. Take time to Shop Around.
As above, don't pay retail. There is no such thing as one fixed price. If its a huge ticket price item, its worth it.

17. Pay By Cash. 
As above (no.16), using cash actually allows you to negotiate for a discount.  Even if there was no discount, at least you can bargain for other freebies which you may have to pay out of your own pocket instead.

Related Links: 
The Simple Dollar: The Millionaire