As soon as our
monthly salary gets credited, we tend to make some impulsive purchases. We
think of updating our home decor or closet, planning trips, and spoiling ourselves
and our loved ones. We all know the importance of saving money but fail to
incorporate saving habits in our lifestyle.

It seems easier
said than done. However, it genuinely takes very minimal lifestyle changes to
bring about a massive difference in your monthly savings. 

Do you think you
have the will to reduce those exorbitant daily morning coffees, and taking cab
rides instead of something else? 

If you’re looking
to save more money in 2021, this article is for you!

1. Use of public
transport 

Using public
transport sounds like a task to some, yet you can save a fortune in the long
run. Owning your means of conveyance has perks but not when it comes to saving
money.

Travelling by
public transport helps you save money on gas, parking and daily maintenance of
your car. Rideshare cab services like Uber, Ola, Zip Car, Lyft, and some bike
services like Rapido, uber moto, etc. have made life so much easier. Leaving
home earlier than usual and opting for local city transport or share cabs can
save you on more than 60% of your transport expenses monthly.

2. Sell Unused Items 

Declutter your
closet and cupboards. Chances are you’ll find a lot of unused items you don’t
even remember buying and end up using them. Or, if they are of no use to you
anymore, you can sell them off and get value for it. eBay and other online
platforms help you sell pre-owned items at a good deal. It is one of the best
ways to get rid of petty debts/ loans and clear out extra unwanted stuff. 

3. Follow the 30- Day rule

Have you ever
bought a product you randomly saw on sale and never ended up using it? Let’s
admit it, we’ve all been there and done that. 

We tend to get
multiple sale alerts on our phones every single day for different apps. These
make us impulsively buy things which we don’t necessarily need. Next time you
see a non-essential item you’re tempted to buy, add it to your wishlist and
give yourself 30 days. Beyond that, if you still feel that the product will add
value to your life- buy it!

As insignificant as
it may sound right now, this technique helps to cut down on impetuous
expenses. 

4. Avoid ordering
food  

It is good to cook
more often at home. Cooking as well as packing food at home will help you save
a lot of money. You can cook once for a single meal course and refrigerate the
leftovers from that meal and use it for lunch or dinner. All you need to do is
to heat the refrigerated food in an oven, and it is as tasty and delicious as
it was the first time.

5. Shift to a cheaper and less
expensive neighbourhood 

This alternative is
ignored by many when cutting short their expenses. Buying a house in the city
area is comparatively economical. Consider the prospect of your employment,
taxes and loans while choosing a home for yourself. The cost of living is the
most important factor one must think through.

It has an influence
on your financial success based on where we choose to live. In a less expensive
or small area, the crime rate is comparatively low, along with less pollution
and traffic. 

6. Stop spending on
clothes 

Investing in a few
good quality staples is better than splurging on items you wouldn’t wear more
than twice. For fancier clothing, try checking out clothes when they are on the
sale price or even explore local markets. Having a budget before you shop is
essential to avoid overspending. 

7. Cut short your grooming
expenses 

To save money, we
need to cut our luxurious demands. If you are used to getting hair spas every
month at a parlour, get yourself a box of the supplies, and you’ll be able to
do the hair spa for at least five times at the same price. For women, spending
a fortune on waxing every month is not required when shaving can give you the
same results for a quarter.

Cut down the
expenses on your expensive shampoos and conditioners. Natural beauty brands
like Biotique, Khadi Naturals etc. offer great products at cheaper rates.

8. Cut down your insurance
bills 

Health insurance is
one that every household must-have. If you have aged members or patients at
home, then you must have a plan to cut down your health insurance to a feasible
amount. It is more likely to be helpful for the ones who need regular medicines
or health emergencies. Hence, it is always safer to have a good laid out plan
for the same.  

9. Lessen your expenses on
entertainment 

The best way to
reduce your expenses on entertainment is to start by the cancelling some of
your club memberships. If you have gym memberships or country club memberships,
you are not making use of during this pandemic. It is ideal to cancel them
rather than wasting your hard-earned money.  

Try to get rid of
your cable bills. If you watch only specific channels, then you can downgrade
the premium and save a lot on that. You can easily plan and lessen your daily
paid services. If you watch Netflix, Hulu, or Prime Video, then take
subscriptions one month at a time. You do not need subscriptions of all three
together in a single month.

10.Plan your groceries before
shopping

It is essential to
make a list of the groceries you need, so you don’t end up buying things that
are already in your pantry. You can save over INR 2000 every month doing this.
You can also stock up groceries for six months together if you are a working
couple. This way, you can get a better discount on your heavy bill and be
sorted for a long time.