Simple and sneaky ways to save money

Who else has been trying to save money but the solutions are tooooo hard. Well, if that's your case, welcome to the club. I have been trying to save money (at least some), but then, all of a sudden I start planning a trip and my mission just disappears. The good news is that with Covid-19, traveling is now harder, therefore this "travel bug" is not probably going to appear that much. At least that's one less problem to focus on.

When I looked up on internet "how to save money", the solutions were just too hard, focusing on budgets, interest rates, etc... I mean, come on, that's not approachable nor easy to do. So I decided to create a list of my own to start saving some money for when we can travel the world and visit some amazing places and experience wonderful adventures. What can I say? I loove traveling and that's where most of my money goes.

• Use cash instead of credit card

Paying with a credit card increases the probability of a higher spending. When paying with a card, you don't actually see the money "leaving you". However, when using cash, you actually see physically the money that's "leaving you", and therefore you are less likely to want to spend as much.

Solution: Try out no-credit card week challenge. Hide your card in a drawer where you are not tempted to take it out, and only put cash in your wallet. Try it out for a 1 week and see if anything has changed. You are more likely to spend less in order to see your wallet full of bills and coins.

• Pack your lunch

Cooking takes time, but it also saves a significant amount of money. Cooking at home can give you the advantage of 1. becoming a better chef, and 2. saving some extra money for future travel or other wants. But I know, if you are like me and you are noooot good in the kitchen, here are some quick and healthy meals options that you can try out at home. By healthy I do not mean a simple salad or just eating greens all week. This website offers you a variety of meals that look delicious and easy to make. "20 meals that you can makes in 20 minutes", wowwww that is nice.

Solution: Try to cook at least any of the 20 meals once per week. Try out a new meal every week and increase the number when you feel confortable in the kitchen. Also, remember that leftovers are "goooold". Just put them in your fridge and take them to work next day. Easy and quick way to save money that gives you the potential to learn something new.

• Cancel subscriptions

This may sound kind of weird, but if you are like me and have 1010002 apps in your phone, you might want to check for unknown subscriptions and cancel them. This takes like 10 minutes of your time and can save you tons of money. It doesn't make sense to be paying for something you don't even use. Take 10 minutes of your time to go through your applications and other websites or newspapers that you may use and cut back on susbcriptions.

• Create your own coffee station at home

For all coffee lovers out there, try this out. A coffee at Starbucks or any other cofeee house can cost up to 5$ and I'm sorry, that's just tooooo much for my budget. So here's solution. Invest in a coffee machine, a good one, that is going to make you the perfect coffee and the perfect time, because yes, it is very tempting to by your favorite drink from Starbucks, but if you can make the same, what's the difference. Be creative and save money. Plus you can buy a really cool mug to even have more desire to drink your own coffee.

• Sell your old clothes on Vinted or Depop

Believe me, I have tried this out, and I made several dollars in a few weeks. Vinted and Depop are online apps that you can download free on your phone. Selling clothes online gives your clothes another opportunity, plus enables you to win money easily and efficiently. Make sure to be honest to yourself on the clothes you don't use (trust me, you should have several pieces). The process is the following:

1. Go to your closet and put aside all clothes and shoes you haven't worn for many months

2. Take pictures of your old clothes. Try to use good lighting and a simple background to make the picture look more professional and minimalist

3. Create an account either on Vinted or Depop. Put a nice and cool profile picture to attract more customers

4. Be ready to upload your clothes, with the price and category

5. You are officially ready to sell

• Try out free workout videos on Youtube

Who said you can't workout at home? It's even better, because 1. it's free and 2. you don't have to be around sweaty people. There are a range of workout videos in YouTube which can help you to find the best according to what you are looking for. There a HIIT, cardio, abs, arms workout as well as yoga or pilates. Create your gym at home.

My favorites and the ones I have been using the most are:

• Pamela Reif: she does all kinds of videos, but my favorites are abs and HIIT workout videos

• Sami Clarke: she has workout videos as well as eating diaries where you can get ideas for your meal plan

• Heather Robertson: she does videos with and without equipment. If you have and want to try, she has good workouts videos with weights

• Chloe Ting: she is mostly known by her 2 weeks abs challenge and other free workout challenges

• Clear off the saved information on your credit car

Due to Covid-19, we tend to shop online more than in stores. The experience of shopping online is quick and easy. You just choose your favorite items and buy them. However, try to make your experience a lit bit more difficult. Eliminate your saved credit card information to slow down the paying stage.

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There are my tips on how to save money easily and quickly. Plus, with these new tips, you actually get to learn how to cook and even be more in shape by eating healthy and working out. Make sure to try at least one of these recommendations. Comment down what has worked for you.

ps: It's not your salary that makes you rich. It's your sending habits

XoXo

Sofia's Choice