One of the simplest and most obvious ways to save your money is keep it where it is and don’t spend it. When you restrain yourself from purchasing items you don’t need or choose to spend practically instead of splurging, your wallet stays full. Even though this seems obvious, it’s a method that is easily forgotten each time we step into a store. An item is on sale, and we add it to our carts – with the thought of using it someday as our excuse. By avoiding this extra cost in the first place, you would have no choice but to make do with what you already have.
In addition to shopping smart, saving money can be a result of cutting back on our usage. Squirt a little less lotion or limit yourself to one type of counter cleaner, and you’re already reducing your expenses little by little (or however often you make a trip to the store to replenish your supply).
Next, find ways to dilute solutions. Cleaning products, such as mopping cleaners, are your best bet. Of course, find the happy medium that allows you to tone down the concentration while still giving you an effective clean.
Another simple and wasteless method to save is using every last drop. You can use the last of your make-up, lotions, etc. by employing a tiny spatula to get the product. While there are spatulas designed specifically for this use, you can always find cheaper, cooking versions to achieve the same results. Moreover, cutting open a bottle or a tube can give you even better access. (Tip: keep the containers in a Ziploc bag to keep the product from drying out – both of which are cheaper than the average beauty product.)
Although there are times when a great product just can’t be duplicated, it’s always a good idea to consider its cheaper counterpart. Occasionally, the generic brand can give you the same results at half the cost. Do your research online to see what others have to say about the differences, if any. Be conscious of patterns you hear in their reviews because chances are, you might have caught onto something great.
Lastly, you can also compare prices of products in different locations. For example, if you purchase a bottle of shampoo at Target instead of at a salon because of the savings, it’s probably because there is a formulaic difference between the two shampoos with identical branding. To be sure, inquire your stylist because the cheaper version might be just as effective. Even if it doesn’t produce the same results, you can always save by switching back and spending a little more in the beginning.
Regardless of the saving method you choose, there are innumerable ways to cut back on how you use your products. Look to one and eventually all of the ideas for a proven way to save, simply by using everyday tactics in a more frugal manner!
