Photo by Josh Appel on Unsplash
Biggie Smalls wasn’t lying when he said “mo’ money mo’ problems.” However, with the unstable economy due to the COVID-19 pandemic a lot of us are singing “NO’ money mo’ problems.”
With unemployment numbers increasing daily and the economy in recession, we all are looking for ways to creatively cushion the bank accounts by saving money.
Most of us have probably heard of saving money by adjusting your insurance rates, refinancing auto or home loans, deferring loan payments or applying for Medicaid, blah blah blah (hope I didn’t trigger any annoying repetitive commercial jingles); and we should all look into each of these methods. But we should also seek more unconventional ways to save money or “stretch that hard earned dollar.”
Photo by Alexander Mils on Unsplash
So. Yup. You guessed it, I have some budgeting tips and tricks to help make those attitudes and bank accounts positive!
Budgeting Tips and Tricks
- Trim your subscriptions. Download the Trim app, which combs through your accounts to find subscriptions and other services you overpay.
- Freeze or cancel memberships. Most places understand the toll the pandemic has put on everyone’s finances and are offering to freeze membership accounts while COVID-19 restrictions are still in place. It is better for business to freeze accounts rather than cancel them. Plus, there is a plethora of free workout apps or live streams available online so it is easier to exercise at home.
- Sell unwanted gift cards. We all are guilty of having wallets full of unused gift cards. Now there are websites to sell, donate or exchange unwanted gift cards. Gift card exchange websites that give you 50-90% of the gift card’s total worth which is better than expiring in your wallet.
- Go thrift store shopping. With only $20 in your pocket, its time to pop some tags. Discounted name brands is right up any parents alley for back-to-school shopping. You can still be safe and do thrift store shopping online with digital marketplaces such as Mercari, Poshmark, Tradesy and ThredUp. You can even go from saving money to making money on these apps as well. *ThredUp offers to send you a ‘Clean Out Kit’ which includes prepaid shipping, selling your clothes for you and donating proceeds to a charity.
- ibotta.com Free app to download. Earn cash back on your everyday purchases. *Right now offering a $20 sign up bonus. rakuten.com is a similar website and also offers a $10 sign up bonus.
- Wikibuy. Add this browser extension to Google Chrome, Mozilla Foxfire, Safari and/or Microsoft Edge. By adding this extension, it will automatically find the best prices, compare items and get coupon codes while you shop, to ensure the best deal or most savings available to you. You are also able to make wishlists and get alerts when items go on sale.
- Aspiration Debit Card. FDIC insured (nerd talk for military grade encryption). Gives you back 5% with every swipe. *BONUS- allows you to track your “personal shopping impact” by showing what retailers or businesses are doing good for people and the planet; plus, Aspiration gives 10% earnings to charities to help Americans get back on their feet!)
- Stash app (or more like ‘Investing for Dummies’). Investing can be a way to save (my husband will vouch for this). This app simplifies investing and allows you to invest in companies like Amazon and Google for as little as $1. This is a micro-investing app that provides options such as financial education, investment professional guidance, investing with ANY dollar amount, auto-savings program and more.
- Tello.com. A refreshing new option to lower your cell phone bill. No contract or fees. Flexible plans from $5 to $39/ month. Operating on Sprint’s nationwide network and 4G LTE data everywhere Sprint does.
- Make out a weekly budget for expenses. It’s kinda like calories, if you see what you’re spending you’re likely to spend less.
- Grocery shop smart. I usually buy from a couple different places ie. Kroger, Publix, Costco/Sam’s, Trader Joes according to whatever sales they have. I guess it’s sorta like couponing. Publix also runs pogo every week on different items so I always buy from that list things we would use to get the most out of my money.
- Cut your cable. We made this decision about a year ago and it has saved us so much money. We stream on Youtube tv and use Netflix. I also got Disney Plus free with my Verizon plan for a year. Instead of keeping Starz and Hulu year round (we do watch some of their shows) we only activate it when our shows are live and then cancel.
- PURGE. Start selling things in your house that you no longer use or need. you’ll declutter and make some extra cash.
I’m not going to lie, I feel so enlightened after finding so many budgeting tips and tricks and I am fairly certain I just scratched the surface. Other tips or “mommy advice” to help save some dough are:
- Drink coffee at home. Starbucks can break the bank.
- Pack a lunch for work instead of eating out.
- Shop in bulk(*Costco and Sam’s Club memberships are worth it for big families or big appetites).
- Put your pocket change in a designated “Savings Jar.”
- Wash laundry with cold water when possible to save on your energy bill.
- Unplug electronics from outlets when not in use (i.e.: cell phone chargers; computers; hair dryers; etc.) to help save on your energy bill.
- Ramen noodles are still cool. Especially their price tag- 10 for $1.
- Dollar General has so many name brand household items for……yup. $1.
- Buy water flavor enhancers instead of juice. (Makes 24+ drinks rather than 8+ drinks from pre-made juice. Less hassle than juicers and helps with daily water intake.
- Goodwill has 50% everything sales every other Saturday.
P.S. Bota Boxes equal 4 bottles of “middle of the road” wine for around $20.
P.S.S. Scams ARE real and more prevalent when times are tough. Say no to anything involving Nigerian Princes and your bank account. Do not give your personal information over the phone without first verifying the source.
What are your favorite budgeting tips and tricks? Let me know in a comment below!