6 Underappreciated Ways to Save Big Money

6 Underappreciated Ways to Save Big Money

Even if you’re already mindful about sticking to your budget and not overspending, we can all do better in saving money. While you may have already minimized impulse buying and bundled services to save on monthly entertainment costs, chances are that there are still more ways you can save even more money.

6 Underappreciated Ways to Save Big Money

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It never hurts to save more than you’re used to. There’s no better time than now than to save big money! Here are six ways that you can turn a good budget into a great budget.

1. Find a Financial Advisor

Want to save more money but unsure where else in your budget you can make cuts? A financial advisor is one of your best sources of information for improving your financial standing.

With the help of a financial advisor, you can not only improve your budget, but you can also take a close look at your savings and investment accounts. You can work with an advisor to create a plan to help you meet your short-term and long-term goals.

Are you unsure of where to find a financial advisor? You can use the Careful Cents site to compare the best financial advisors in Miami. There are also plenty of websites and mobile apps that you can use for professional financial advice.

2. Use Cash Back Apps

If you're like most people, you shop for all sorts of things throughout the week. Wouldn't it be nice if you could effortlessly save money on groceries, clothing, household goods, and more? These days there are dozens of mobile apps that make it easier than ever to save money. Gone are the days of clipping paper coupons!

Some of the best money-saving apps include:

● Ebates

● Dosh

● Ibotta

● Honey

● UPromise

These apps make saving as simple as a few clicks. Many of the apps not only offer coupon savings and discounts, but they also offer cashback incentives. There's nothing greater than earning money for simply buying the things you need!

3. Shop Sales & Used

Another way to save money on the products and services you buy is to shop around for sales. Holiday sales, tax-free weeks, and random pop-up sales are some of the best times to get great deals on items that you need. Join your favorite retailers' email lists so that you can be alerted when there's a sale.

Shopping used items is another great way to save money. Thrift stores, Goodwill, and consignment stores offer clothing, electronics, shoes, and even household goods at extremely low prices. Stop in - you may be surprised at the deals you find!

If you’re more of an online shopper, sites and apps such as eBay and OfferUp are great places to find huge deals on all sorts of items, including name brand products.

4. Meal Prep

We all lead busy lives but imagine the money you could save if you cooked at home more often. Since it can be tedious and time-consuming to cook meals for yourself each day, consider meal prepping one day a week. Set aside a few hours on a Sunday and cook meals that you can eat throughout the week. Online you’ll find all sorts of tips and recipes for make-ahead meals.

Meal prepping can save you hundreds of dollars a month and it doesn’t have to take up all of your free time! By spending money on groceries versus paying for meals each day, you’ll notice a huge difference in your bank account.

5. Live Energy Efficiently

How we live has a huge impact on our wallets. A great way to save money while also doing good for the environment is to live energy efficiently. There are all sorts of ways to live a greener life, including:

● Turning off the lights when not in use

● Unplugging appliances

● Using a smart thermostat

● Taking shorter showers

By using less energy at home, you’ll see a difference in your monthly electricity bill as well as your water bill. Making greener choices also benefits the Earth in the long-run, which is always a good thing.

6. Consider Carpooling

Owning a car can be expensive. If you live in or near a city, you may be able to save a ton of money by carpooling or using public transportation a few days a week. By driving less you’re able to save money on gas and car maintenance. You may also be able to reduce your insurance coverage, which also keeps more money in your pocket.

There are endless ways to save money. By using these six underappreciated ways to save big money, you can stretch your money even further each month while also increasing your savings account.