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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I always meal plan and it saves me so much in the long run! Although im well over the 30 mark i love these tips!
Meal planning is a big one for me. It really surprised me when I worked out how much I was wasting, and that was when it was just myself – now I have a family it’s practically a necessity! I’ve also got a lot better at storing leftovers properly and using things that will be out of date soon.
While I am now 31 … I still love this post and can still utilize it to try and help me save for the future. But I do however have friends who aren’t 30 yet and I am sure they will find this post just as helpful as I think of it to be. We can never be too prepared and this is very informative.
Nice read. Thank you for sharing. Unbelievable how much it costs these days to go out.
Thanks for sharing easy ways to save money and your all posts are amazing so informative.
Planning everything including your meal plan helps a lot. No more eating outside, no more tipping, and no more paying high priced wine coz you can buy it cheaper in the supermarket.
Being past 30, I think one of the biggest is really know the difference between a want and a need. Usually wants are fleeting, it sounds good but it goes away. A need like a hot water heater, you cant do without (for long).
These are some great tips! Wish I had these before my 30s well it’s never to late to get started on saving.
Meal Planning is a great way to save money, highly recommended it, bulk freezing too x
This is great every little helps xx
Doh missed it ?
Lots of great tips
These are great! I’m always looking for genius ways to save money.
I think night’s out are such of money (not that I don’t enjoy them!). If you live in London I have to think about the price of drinks, the price of entry and mostly.. the taxi fare home! It all adds up..