Five ways to save a little money

With the everyday cost of living seemingly on the rise each time we walk out of our front doors, it is a relief to know that there are still ways in which we can save some money every now and again. Setting yourself a weekly budget, reducing the amount you spend each week on “unnecessary” items and choosing to shop in charity shops are all ways that can help you to save a little bit of money and here are some more proven ways that you can make your savings jar fill up to the rim.

Shop around for bike and car servicing and MOT

Servicing your car or motorbike is the cheaper alternative to buying a brand new mode of transport. Motorcycles particularly benefit from a good service because they can be maintained quite cheaply so that your bike remains in top condition. Refurbishing your bike is a cost effective option because it can heighten the resale value of your vehicle. Having your vehicle serviced can improve its chances of passing the MOT, saving you both time and money.

Collect and use coupons

Coupons can cut chunks off your weekly shopping bills. You can find and collect them from magazines, newspapers and online. Make sure that you read the terms and conditions because some coupons can be fussy in their “rules of use”. Plan your weekly grocery shopping ahead of time to reduce the chances of impulse buys and overspending. Many people seem to be a little embarrassed to use coupons at the till when there is no need to be. Coupons are there to make your life easier and they will definitely go a long way towards helping you to save money.

Recycle your unused items

Buying second hand has always been a cheaper alternative to buying brand new but you can also earn a bit of extra cash by selling your own unused items. Things such as DVDs, CDs, books and clothes all sell very well on online sites such as eBay, Gumtree and the high street store CEX. The Telegraph states that recycling old mobile phones is a quick and easy way to get paid fast. PlayStation and Xbox games are also in high demand and tend to sell very well both online and on the high street, so take some time to gather any unwanted or unused things about your home that could bring a bit of extra cash in.

Grow your own herbs

Many people spend a lot of money from repurchasing herbs and vegetables on a regular basis when in reality they can grow their own herbs for close to nothing. You can grow herbs in your kitchen or garden and save money on your grocery bills. Nurturing and caring for these plants can become a fun hobby for many people and growing from seed can prove to be a relaxing and fruitful experience.

Use comparison sites

Before you settle on buying anything expensive such as flights, home insurance or package holidays for example, it is a good idea to shop around and use comparison sites. Reader’s Digest suggests that you do your homework first and use comparison sites to find out which retailers offer the best deals because impulse buying is said to be one of the biggest mistakes people make while online shopping.

The editorial unit