9 Ways to Make and Save Money Quickly and Easily

 9 Ways to Make and Save Money Quickly and Easily

The cost of living has risen dramatically over the past few years, and it’s getting harder and harder to make ends meet. But there are a few easy and cheap ways you can cut back on your spending to get more money in your pocket each month. In addition to helping you save, these nine money-saving tips will also help you live happier and healthier by avoiding wasteful habits that actually end up costing more than they’re worth. Here are 9 easy ways to make and save money quickly and easily.

1) Use cash rather than plastic

It's easy to spend more money when you're using a credit or debit card because you don't physically see the money leaving your hands. Therefore, it can be helpful to use cash instead. This way, you'll be more mindful of your spending and less likely to make impulsive purchases. Plus, you'll save money on interest and fees by using cash instead of plastic.

Here are a few other tips for saving money: 

1. Create a budget and stick to it. 2. Live below your means, which means buying only what you need. 3. Take advantage of any discounts that come your way-most stores offer special deals to first-time customers as well as senior citizens and military personnel. 4. Remember that not everything is worth buying new-it's often better to buy something used so that you don't have to worry about high prices or hassles with returns/exchanges.

2) Challenge yourself on shopping

One of the best ways to save money is by challenging yourself when you go shopping. Instead of buying things impulsively, take a step back and think about whether or not you really need the item. If you can live without it, put it back on the shelf and walk away. You'll be surprised how much money you can save by doing this. It might sound like an inconvenience, but I find that by actually being present in my decision-making process I get better results. For example, last week I walked out of Best Buy with two expensive televisions that were selling for $499 each because I didn't want them both but my budget said yes to one TV so I bought just one for myself!

3) Meal plan

Planning your meals ahead of time can save you both money and time. Not only will you save money by not eating out as often, but you'll also save time by not having to think about what to make for dinner every night. Plus, you can batch cook or make extra portions to freeze for future meals. You can save even more by making substitutions to your recipes. For example, ground turkey is a much cheaper alternative to ground beef in many recipes. Or you could use less expensive cuts of meat like pork shoulder instead of a pricier cut like pork loin or tenderloin. You could also try using whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour in some recipes (though it's best used in moderation). For other meal ideas, search through Pinterest for easy recipes that are inexpensive and tasty!

4) Try Not Shopping For One Week

If you’re like most people, you love to shop. But what if we told you that there was a way to save money and make money by not shopping? It may sound impossible, but it’s not! Here are 9 easy ways to make and save money by not shopping for one week -Do your laundry only when necessary: When clothes pile up, you’ll be tempted to go out and buy new ones. Laundry gets expensive, so do your laundry only when necessary or wait until the clothes are so dirty they need to be replaced. 

-Cook more: We all know how expensive eating out can be, so cook more at home instead of going out. Plus cooking is healthier than eating processed food from the grocery store or ordering in every night.

5) Track your spending on paper.

Before you can save money, you need to know where your money is going. For one week, track every penny you spend on a piece of paper or in a spreadsheet. At the end of the week, look at your spending and see where you can cut back. You may be surprised how much money you're wasting on unnecessary things. I was shocked when I tracked my spending for an entire year! There were months where I spent more than $500 on eating out alone! That's why I started cooking dinner myself more often and buying lunch at work instead of going out. I also stopped ordering coffee from my favorite cafe every day and made it at home with this simple iced coffee recipe ! If you want to start saving now, try these easy ways to make and save money

6) Cut subscriptions you no longer use

If you have any subscriptions that you no longer use, cut them! This will save you money every month, and it's easy to do. Just go through your monthly expenses and see where you can cut back. You may be surprised how much money you can save by doing this. For example, I found out that I was paying for Netflix when I never even used it. It was only costing me $8 a month, but because of my decision to cancel the subscription I saved $96 a year! 

As another example, my husband is saving $12 a month by cancelling his phone insurance policy.

7) Stop impulse buys online

It can be easy to get caught up in the moment and make an impulse buy that we later regret. To avoid this, take a step back and ask yourself a few questions before hitting the buy button. Do you really need this? Can you find it cheaper somewhere else? Is it worth the money? If you can answer no to any of these questions, put the item back and walk away. You’ll be glad you did! As long as your needs are met and there is still some cash left over at the end of each month, set aside some funds for savings. And don't forget about retirement - saving for your future self will help keep things in perspective when spending on today's wants. A small change like packing lunch for work instead of buying one each day can add up over time, so do what you can to save every little bit possible!

8) Replace everyday items with generic products that save you money

1. One easy way to save money is by replacing expensive, name brand items with their generic counterparts. Generic products are often just as good as the name brand version, but cost a fraction of the price.

2. Another way to save money is by making your own products instead of buying them premade. For example, you can cook meals at home instead of eating out, or make your own cleaning supplies instead of purchasing them from the store.

9) Swap Products or Services for Free or at Cost Value

A great way to get started making extra money is to simply trade goods or services with others. You can do this by finding people who have items or skills that you need and vice versa. Not only is this a great way to get what you need without spending any money, but it's also a great way to network and build relationships with others in your community.