Household bills and expenses can quickly add up and leave you strapped for cash by the end of the month. Fortunately, there are plenty of creative ways to maximize your budget and save more each month. Did you know you could save over $100 a month just by skipping your morning Starbucks? With this in mind, here are four unexpected ways to save money at home.
1. Make Lunches at Home
You can save huge amounts of money by bringing your lunch to work. According to Health, you could save as much as $2,400 a year just by making lunches at home. On top of this, you would also have the opportunity to prepare healthy, nutritious meals and experiment with different flavors and ingredients to improve your cooking skills. Making your work lunch is easier than you think and doesn’t have to take up lots of time. The simplest and quickest way to prepare your lunches for the week is by cooking in bulk at the weekends. Invest in quality food storage containers and most meals will last around five days. Make sure you also pack plenty of healthy snacks like fruit, nuts, and popcorn to stop you from being tempted to hit the office vending machine when the afternoon sugar cravings kick in!
2. Join a Wine Club
The average wine-drinker buys around 1-2 bottles of wine per week. This quickly adds up, especially if you have expensive tastes. One simple way to enjoy your love of wine and save money is by joining a wine club. Sign up for a wine club membership and you can enjoy a fantastic selection of wines direct to your door each month, along with incredible savings on a wide selection of brands. Some wine clubs even offer a money-back guarantee if you don’t enjoy the wine. This means you get to sample lots of different wines without the risk of wasting money on a bottle you don’t like.
3. Switch Energy Providers
Switching energy providers can be a simple yet effective way to instantly reduce your utility bills and save money each month. Moving to a new provider is quick, simple, and could save you hundreds of dollars in the long run. Make sure you regularly check price comparison sites and shop around to get the best deals. Before you switch, you should always contact your current provider to see whether they can match your offer. That way, you can save money without the hassle of changing providers.
4. Sell Your Old Clothes
Most people have several items of clothing that they no longer wear. If clothing is still in good condition, then you can easily sell it to make some extra cash. There is the option to sell clothing online with platforms like eBay and Etsy, or you could go to a local garage sale to try and sell any unused clothing and other items. You may be surprised to find out how much money you can make from your unwanted household items.
