Little Ways to Save Money Before you’re 30
Turning 30 is a momentous moment in your life and, by most people’s standards, the official marker of proper adulthood. You’re no longer a ‘young adult’, and as such you need to start thinking about the future – especially when it comes to finances. Before that big birthday comes around, here are a few life hacks for saving money. You’ll be glad you started early!
Meal plan.
A great way to save some extra cash is to make sure you budget for your weekly food shop and plan your meals in advance. Meal prepping can save you money on your shop every week, while those pounds and pence will add up quickly once in your savings pot. Make a list of what to buy so you’re not wandering the aisles picking up unnecessary items.
Cut back on nights out.
You don’t want to end all the fun – it is your twenties after all – but being sensible with how much you spend out will benefit you in the long run. You don’t need to go out for a meal every Friday or go clubbing every weekend to enjoy yourself. Instead, make a nice meal at home and buy your own wine to drink in. A freshly-prepared meal and a bottle of wine at home can cost less than half the price of going out for dinner and drinks.
Be bill-savvy.
Don’t settle for an estimated bill on your gas and electricity, save money with a smart meter and know exactly how much you are spending per day. Small changes like using the hairdryer less often and unplugging appliances when they’re not in use can make a significant difference to your bill and don’t cause you to sacrifice any of life’s little luxuries in the process.
Don’t pay for pricey car parks.
If you travel to work or need long-term parking, don’t spend all your spare cash on parking fees. The JustPark app allows you to book driveways and car parking spots at 70% cheaper than your standard city car parks, so over the course of a year, the savings could be vast.
Compare the market.
Don’t just go along with the first utility company you find. By using price comparison websites you can search through several providers and get the best bang for your buck. There are plenty out there to choose from, while sites such as uSwitch can also compare car, home and life insurance policies too.
Watch your wallet.
Small things can add up, including little expenses here and there. If you’re constantly buying lunch out or grabbing a morning coffee before work, you’ll find it harder and harder to save each month. The best way to keep track of your finances is to make a monthly budget and stick to it. There are several online budget planners out there that will help you stay within your means and save money.
Whether you’re saving for a house deposit, your dream holiday, or that new car you’ve had your eye on for a while, these tips show that saving doesn’t have to mean changing your whole lifestyle. Take small steps and you’ll soon see the pennies piling up.
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These are great tips! I def feel these are great no matter the age ty for sharing!
I have to agree I think that anyone can take something from them, or so I hope.
In my twenties I was hired by an investment firm. My dad impressed upon me the importance of saving for my future early. Thank goodness he did. You’ve given some great tips here.
Oh wow that’s awesome, I think we definitely learn from our parents.
Great tips, esp with cost of living these days!
It is crazy how much it can cost these days isn’t it.
These are really good ideas. I’ll need to keep an eye on the little travel expenses that end up building up.
Things can build up so quickly can’t they if you don’t keep an eye on them.
What amazing tips. I think it’s important that we learn to save money, young enough so that it becomes literally a part of our lifestyle.
It really does help if you learn to do things younger, as you get older it just gets harder.
These are such great tips, no matter your age. Clipping coupons might make you feel old but it is such a game changer and can really help you build your savings!
Most definitely soup or sandwiches are a great way to save money and not going out for lunch daily if you work and take your own instead.
The best way to save money is to invest in a few Suze Orman books and follow her guidelines.
Small gestures are smart but staying on the straight and narrow is the hard part. Learning good habits early will pay off in the long run.
I have to admit I’ve not heard of Suze Orman, I’ll have to look into her now thank you.
I am a big fan of meal planning. It really helps cut down on impulse purchases and food waste.
I think if you can do it and stick to it, it is such a great way to save some pennies.
I always make a meal plan – I just struggle to stick to it when getting home from work late and feeling exhausted. I’ve started batch cooking on weekends and putting the items in the freezer so as cheat microwave meals for those nights I’m just too tired to cook!
C x
I have to admit I don’t do so well with keeping to a meal plan, my other half makes it really hard as he is forever changing his mind on what he wants to eat haha!
I recall in my 20’s that all my friends and I had just graduated and they were all going out buying new huge TV, DVD players, NICE cars and were all sorts of broke. I bought a very conservative car, NO tv, NO stereo etc. I put away tons of money and paid off my school loans first!!
Well done you! What an awesome thing to have done!
These are all good tips. I didn’t understand the money saving joy of meal planning until I had kids.
Haha I bet it makes a lot of different once you have kids not just with money saving.
These are awesome tips, though I am already 30 there are still some tips here I could start using.
Exactly I think they can help people no matter their age really 🙂
I have been able to save a lot meal planning. I used to grab takeout at least a few times a week before I started. It really adds up when you do that. Now I plan my meals around what is on sale for that week.
It seems to be a way a lot of people manage to save money, definitely having less takeout can make a huge difference.
These are tips anyone at anyone could accomplish and save money. It is always great to save money.
I think whatever your age you can always strive to put a little away,
Meal planning not only saves money, it saves a ton of time. If i know what I’m making I don’t stress about it.
Definitely it is nice to have it all in hand and know what you are doing as well.
These are all tips I’ve done, and still never managed to keep the savings in savings long. There has always been things that come up and wipe it out so quickly. I wished the one thing I would have started doing is investing.
There is always something that comes up isn’t there, it’s a complete nightmare sometimes.
This is definitely something that is extremely important. I wish I knew some of these tips back before I was 30. I think I would’ve had a lot more money now. I do a lot of the stuff now and I am starting to get a nice savings account.
I think the younger you are when you so start the easier it is in the long run as it becomes second nature.
Ugh. My husband and I fail when it comes to EATING OUT —- because we eat out or get TAKE OUT all the friggin’ time!!!!! It actually is starting to drive me a little mad because I just love cooking at home.
I have to admit that is our downfall as well, especially when we both feel unwell which is the time we should be eating better! URGH!
So I’m actually already 30 🙂 but these are good tips. I will admit I spend a lot of money on eating out and traveling, but I also make a lot of meals at home and freeze the extra portions for work lunches, too.
I don’t think they have an age on them really no matter how old you are take them and use them 😉
These are such smart tips! I got married young, so in my twenties I tried to save as much as I could. My husband and I rarely went out because we wanted to build up our funds and I made cheap dinners.
It sounds like you did well, I have to admit I wish I had looked to have saved more.
When the kids were growing up, I would plan my meals for the week before going grocery shopping. Now that my husband and I are empty nesters, I have fallen out of the habit of meal planning. It does save a lot of money and I need to start meal planning again.
I think it is probably something that is perhaps easier when you have kids at home, with just Ash and I we normally decide on the day which is bad.
I have been wanting to try my hand at meal planning. It seems like a good way to save money in the long run.
Good luck if you do give it a try – I’ve heard so many success stories with it.
I agree that creating a meal plan or buying food for the month and cutting down on nights out can really help you save money in the long run. Well stated x
It really can I think sometimes when you are out with friends you can really forget how much you are spending.
Great tips
Learnt to be savvy over the years
Car parking fees are ridiculous especially in larger towns and cities
Oh gosh it is scary how much it can cost in some places, when we go to Birmingham we end up paying sometimes up to £10 just for a couple of hours.