Old School Ways to Save Money

Saving money is tough. Most of us have large outgoings, such as housing and utilities. You might also have mounting debt that needs paying off, and unfortunately, most of us live paycheck to paycheck, never managing to save, or put aside any extra money to cover unexpected expenses or price hikes. Living like this can mean that one bad month is all it takes to see you slip into financial uncertainty. That’s why money-saving tools are so popular. There are countless apps out there offering to help you to save, to manage your money, to balance your books or to clear your debts faster. There are advisers that you can go to, and plenty of modern methods to help you with your finances.

But, that doesn’t mean that the old school ways to save money can’t still be effective. In fact, most of them are so easy that you really shouldn’t be without them. Use new tools, but don’t neglect old school ways to save. Here’s a look at some of the best. 

Walking

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Walking is one of the best ways that you can save money, and it’ll give you a nice free workout too. You might have wondered if public transport would be cheaper than the associated costs that come with a car, but walking would be even better. Even if you just walked distances less than 30 minutes, and drove the rest of the time, you could save a fortune in fuel and parking. 

Couponing

Couponing is a great way to save cash on everything from your weekly grocery shop to big family days out. If you are guilty of picking up or cutting out coupons but then forgetting about them until after they have expired, learn how to organize your coupons to make sure you get the most out of them. Be sure to check magazines, newspapers and online sites for the best coupons, but try not to buy anything that you wouldn’t usually. 

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Staying In

Days out with the family are expensive. Even if you take a packed lunch, you might pay for admission, parking, fuel, souvenirs and other extras. Nights out and meals out can be even worse. So, start staying in. Find ways to have fun at home with your kids, and look for great date night recipes that you can make at home. 

Putting a Jumper On

Over the winter months, heating can be one of our greatest expenses, but it’s essential. However, by finding alternative ways to heat your home, and taking simple steps like putting a jumper on and closing doors, you could save a fortune. 

With a Piggy Bank

Piggy banks are great. Every time you’ve got less than a dollar in your wallet or purse, put the coins in your piggy bank. It soon adds up when you don’t spend them. 

Live a Cash-Only Life

There are two ways to live a cash-only life, and you should consider both. The first is to withdraw a set amount of cash from the bank at the start of every week. That’s what you have to spend outside of your bills. Don’t allow yourself to use cards. If you don’t have the cash, you can’t afford it. 

The other is to avoid buying with credit. Again, if you can’t afford it there and then, you can’t afford it at all. Get into the habit of saving for what you want, instead of taking credit.