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Being money smart not only means you know how to earn money but also how to spend that money wisely, and earning a hefty income does not necessarily correlate to financial success. The most financially successful people often know how to budget and allocate their money efficiently, even if they make less than the person next door.
Key Takeaways
Snag these 9 money hacks below to help you spend more wisely and live the frugal life.
You might already have an arbitrary budget that lives in your head. This invisible budget might tell you generally how much you can reasonably spend on groceries this week or that new potted plant you have been eyeing for the entryway, but you need to take the time to put a budget down on paper. Better yet, whip out an Excel spreadsheet.
Creating a living and breathing budget is the easiest money hack. This old-fashioned P and L (profit and loss statement) will be your best friend when making smart decisions with your money.
Essentially, your budget will look like a subtraction of all expenses from all income. Easy right? It is relatively simple, but there are some nuances between types of expenses and timing that will be key in ensuring your budget is done right.
Your first step in building a budget is determining the timeline of your budget. Do you want to break it down by quarter, month, or week? Once you have set the timeline, you can consider income made during that timeline and expenses incurred.
Now, there is a major distinction between fixed and variable expenses. Fixed expenses are things that you cannot easily change just by altering your spending behavior. Think about your mortgage, car payments, insurance, etc. Because fixed expenses are often amounts determined by other parties, these expenses will not be the primary focus when it comes to spending less money. At least, they will not be the focus at first.
You can change variable expenses almost instantaneously just by altering your spending behavior. Some examples of variable expenses include groceries, gym memberships, and clothing.
After subtracting all fixed and variable expenses from your income for the timeframe, the money left over should be allocated to savings and investments. The goal of a good budget is not only to be practical and executable but to show a big fat $0 at the bottom of the column. This is called zero-based budgeting, and no, it will not mean that you are broke. It simply means that every dollar you earn has a pre-determined purpose. Aim for that $0, and you will be spending, saving, and investing with intention!
Now, even though savings and investments are noted here last, this does not mean saving and investing should be the last priority. On the contrary, building your budget should be at the forefront of your mind. We will touch on this more later.
This might seem like common sense; however, you would be surprised how many people build a budget and then let it sit in the corner, gathering dust. Some people disregard the budget because it does not suit their spending desires and are unwilling to change their behavior for financial stability and success. Do not be one of these people. Live by your budget.
It might be difficult at first, even painful, but the more you practice diligence and frugality, the more it will become like second nature.
Now, this also might seem like common sense, but again, you would be surprised how many people live beyond their means. Doing so is a recipe for disaster. Within your budget should be an amount that you can reasonably spend on variable and fixed expenses while still leaving money behind for savings and investments.
If you are finding that your expenses exceed your income or that all of your income is only going to cover expenses and nothing is left over for savings and investments, then begin considering how you can cut expenses, starting with variable expenses first.
If you have debt, such as credit card debt, do not let it sit and accumulate interest. Writing a debt management plan is a critical money hack.
One way to target debt is to first go after the debt with the highest interest rates. Then, as you pay off one form of debt, you move on to paying off debt with lower interest rates.
Another plan of attack is to pay off the smaller amounts owed first, moving on to larger amounts as you go.
As you pay off debt, the payoff amounts you plan to commit to should be built into your budget from the start and adhered to, just like the rest of your budget. You should also aim to save money while you are repaying debt. Planning and sticking to the plan is the only way you will find yourself debt-free; debt-free is a good place to be!
Why pay full price for a book when you can read the same one for half the price? Why spend $20 on that pair of boots that your toddler will outgrow in two months? Why buy that new car now when you can purchase the same car a year from now at a significant discount?
Here’s a secret that is not well known: a new book turns into a used one after one read, new boots turn into used ones after one wear, and a new car turns into a used one after one drive. Before purchasing a new item, ask yourself if you could find the same item gently used elsewhere. If you can, then ditch that new item for its less expensive counterpart. You won’t regret the money saved in the process!
How much money are you throwing away in the trash each week in the form of uneaten groceries? How much money are spending on takeout when you have perfectly good food at home?
It is surprisingly easy to spend way too much money on food. Food is most likely your greatest monthly expense, if not in the top three. And this large expense is only exacerbated when we waste food that we purchased at the grocery store for the convenience of eating out.
We get it, there are some nights when you do not want to cook. And that is completely okay. Estimate how many nights a week you can afford to eat out and purchase the food for home-cooked meals for the remaining nights that week. Determine those meals in advance and list the ingredients needed for those meals. When at the grocery, only buy what you have listed out and your other necessities. Then, eat what you buy. Do not get suckered into eating out one more night than you have budgeted for. Remember, you planned for this.
This tactic will prevent you from going overboard at the grocery store and overboard from eating out.
As mentioned above, savings and investments should be at the forefront of your mind when building your budget. Set goals for how much you want to save and invest weekly, monthly, or quarterly. Then modify your variable and fixed expenses to allow for these goals.
If you do the math and realize that you will not have enough money left for the $500 contribution to savings a month that you wanted, then scrutinize your expenses and determine what you can cut to reach your goal.
Many apps can help you track your spending, hunt for coupons and discounts, and set up automatic saving contributions. If you are new to the budgeting world or need a little bit of help, consider utilizing an app.
Be flexible with your budget and with yourself. There will be times when you spend too much or save too little. Do not beat yourself up. Instead, learn from it and keep trying. Remember, Rome was not built in a day, and financial success is not either.
In a world where time is a precious commodity, it's natural to question whether delving into the realm of money hacks is genuinely worthwhile. The answer? A resounding yes. Frugal money hacks are clever strategies, tips, and shortcuts that can help you manage your finances more effectively and make your hard-earned money work smarter for you. Here are some compelling reasons why money hacks are worth your time:
In essence, frugal budget hacks are a smart investment of your time. They empower you to take control of your finances, make informed choices, and ultimately enjoy a more financially secure and stress-free life. So, whether it's finding innovative ways to save or exploring investment opportunities, don't underestimate the value of incorporating money hacks into your financial strategy.
Browse through the Blog to read articles and tips on managing debt, improving your credit and saving more money!
