In which ways can I save funds without having to give in my joy?

Question

Does anybody have good tips for saving money but at the same time doesn’t feel like they are denying themselves what makes them happy?

Answer 1

One approach is to adhere to the so-called “Goldilocks rule” when buying. It relates to looking for the middle option, meaning neither the most expensive nor the cheapest, in order to meet the required demand while not overpaying or doing not have to buy the things so often because they wear out. Furthermore, making an effort to cut down these areas of spending, like housing, transport, and food should help you save money. Making a cut in expenses on your savings through automatic transfers to extra accounts, ensuring that there are definite objectives, doing it yourself, and evading charges for needless services at the bank all help to reduce costs and enhance separate dispending habits.

Comments

Boredom is a huge reason for overspending.  Stay active on cheaper or free hobbies.  Keep your mind and body active so that urge to fill that hole in your life with stuff.

---

I cut my food spending to an average of $10/day and only drank water for the last 5 months. Helped me to pay off all debt. Now, every morning, I have a celebratory coffee.

---

Thank you Nicole! I am a single dad and have lost touch with saving since we never have, reading your content has and is helping us so much.

---

I let myself "shop" online filling the cart up with whatever strikes my fancy. Then I sign out with a full cart and not having bought a thing. A few days or week later I empty the cart and go again.

---

I now try - and have been so far successful - ask myself...how much pleasure will I get out of this purchase. A sweater, a new mug, my goodness I even thought of a camper. I had to be real on that one...I could spend thousands of dollars on a camper, register it, pay insurance but only get to use maybe a total of two weeks max a year. So now I look at things different. I hate the tv bill, I never had that growing up. We just plugged in the tv and got the basic channels. I called up to literally cancel the tv altogether, but they actually came up with a WAY WAY WAY lower and cheap tv bill that includes a few of my fav channels. I don't even miss what I cut out. I went into the Dollar Store today to just buy paint brushes, and I came out of the Dollar Store with just paint brushes. I didn't think that would be possible

---

Good tips there.
On the starbucks-save some bucks, make your own coffee-argument, I do think that habits can go a long way... if you have a superior coffeemaker and you can honestly say that your own brew costs only a quarter of the price and tastes a lot better, than you really have a win to the power of five there... then you lose nothing.

---

I have no problem saving, and most of it is my upbringing, but also my appreciation of money and the knowledge that it isn't easy to come by.  However, after retiring a year and three quarters ago, I found myself saving money (not that I spent a lot anyhow) if I didn't leave the house for unnecessary stuff.  I do enjoy meeting up with some friends for happy hour and I'd find myself bringing fast food home or whatever afterwards, so I've cut that down to one or two times a week.  My wife is the same as me, but when she does shop, she's an excellent shopper and doesn't just buy what's in front of me, like I do.  I just buy something if I'm at the store and need it, so I'm not worrying about driving all over to save a dollar or three.  I don't NEED anything so I really don't spend much.

---

I would add to utilize any benefits your job offers. I recently learned that my company pays half of any exercise classes, gym memberships and fitness equipment.