get organised and make everyday savings

10 ways getting organised can help you make spontaneous everyday savings 

Getting organised and planning ahead can be a great way to stop unexpected spending and make everyday savings. Making small changes can build up to big savings over time.  That’s not to say you can’t be spontaneous and have fun! 

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It might seem the two are a little incompatible, however that doesn’t have to be the case, if you follow these 10 top tips!

10 top tips for how getting organised can lead to everyday savings and can allow you to be spontaneous!

1. Have financial / overall aims and goals and ask yourself whether a last minute decision fits in with them. You will have an answer pretty quickly about whether this is something you really want to do or not.

2. Save up a little mad money. Having savings in the bank for the odd occasion when you want to splurge on something at the last minute. This means that your overall finances won’t be affected by your spontaneous decision.

3. Set a budget. If you’ve decided to go somewhere set a limit to how much you are prepared to spend. And stick to it.

4. Being spontaneous doesn’t have to cost a penny – the best things in life are free! There are loads of ways to have free fun e.g. learning about your local wildlife.

5. Consider whether there is a cheaper alternative which is just as good or better? For example: Someone has asked you last minute if you want to go to a place that you have to pay to get into for the day? Instead of paying to get in you could suggest going to a public space which is free or cheaper to visit. E.g. swap a trip to a soft play for a local park, or a play date at home.

6. Get into thrifty habits. If you spontaneously decide to go to an event or attraction check for vouchers or last minute deals. Take food / snacks/ drinks with you. Consider taking public transport or car sharing if that is practical.

7. Have contingency and backup plans. If you aren’t able to go for the cheapest option last minute, then go for the next best cheapest option.

8. Sometimes making something is quicker than buying it. If a friend unexpectedly asks you over for dinner, it could be quicker to pick them flowers from your garden rather than buying them. Pop them in a homemade decorated glass jar. This can be quicker than driving to the shops, finding a parking space, queuing to pay – you get the idea!

9. Plan ahead. Being spontaneous and regularly buying something last minute because you have not planned ahead are not the same thing. Say for example; you know that one night a week you don’t want to cook. The other nights you cook make double. Put the extra in the freezer for the nights you can’t be bothered. That way you can invite unexpected visitors to stay for dinner as well if you want to!

10. Make sure there is a cooling off period / ability to return large purchases. If you buy an expensive product on impulse you can take it back if you have not used it. Check cooling off periods for expensive services that can be cancelled if you change your mind. Mark on your calendar when the cooling off period ends so you don’t forget if you want to cancel.

For me being thrifty isn’t about depriving myself of all pleasure. It’s about setting boundaries over what I do spend money on.  If you have made a decision to do something at the last minute, make the most of it and enjoy it!

Comments

  1. I like the addition of 'saving up a bit of mad money!" Thanks so much for sharing this with us at Natural Mother's “Seasonal Celebration Sunday.” Hope to see you again this Sunday / Monday!! Rebecca x

  2. I play games for hours with my children instead of expensive days out,we play games such as monopoly,snakes and ladders and we design our own board games.I love the idea of the occasional guilt free days out by putting the money away for the odd day out.

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