The content of the article
In conditions of constant crisis, it is important to observe such a financial habit as the right savings. Low incomes are pushing people into family budget constraints, which is not surprising. However, many are unaware of the fact that cost reductions must be right. Consider the important aspects in order.
How to save on electricity
- Pay attention to the pots and pans that are used for cooking on the stove. The dishes should ideally fit the size of the burner, otherwise the appliance will start to heat the air in vain. If the inventory is optimally selected, the heating efficiency of the container will increase, which means that the dish will cook several times faster. The advice is especially relevant when pans or pans are used that are smaller in size than a burner.
- Properly use electronic gadgets and household appliances. For example, if you leave the chargers from the tablet or smartphone plugged in, they will consume electricity all this time. The same applies to the microwave, kettle, slow cooker, TV. To avoid unnecessary waste, unplug all devices from the wall outlet at night.
- Proper installation of the refrigerator is essential. This type of household appliance consumes the more electricity, the closer it is to the stove. In the case of washing machines, load the laundry in such a way as to avoid overweight or, conversely, underweight. Each manufacturer sets acceptable standards, read the instructions. With insufficient or excessive load, the device consumes electricity by 15-20% more.
- Replace conventional light bulbs with energy-saving ones. Yes, they cost an order of magnitude more expensive, but will pay off after two weeks of operation. In addition, such devices burn out less often. When choosing household appliances, give preference to products designed for a low coefficient of energy consumption.
- A good habit, inherent in not everyone, is to turn off the light after leaving the room. You can also purchase infrared sensors that will perform the procedure automatically. It makes sense to think about the zonal lighting of rooms, bedside lamps, small wall chandeliers, and LED backlighting can be used.
The principle of saving at a low budget
Bad habits, regular recreational activities, expensive “goodies” - all this leads to large financial losses. To avoid unnecessary spending, it is important to save hard-earned money wisely.
Step number 1. Set financial priorities
The first step is to make a list of expenses, and then divide them into important and those without which you can live. Next, cross out the extra points, evaluate the result.
Urgent spending includes funds for food, clothing, rent, available loans. Accumulations for annual leave and resources for education can be attributed to not very urgent expenses (debatable).
The stage of completely non-urgent expenses is the purchase of branded fashionable clothes (meaning not necessary), a trip to a pizzeria, entertainment, home goods, electronics of the latest model (“show-offs”), as well as other goods that do not require a momentary purchase.
The last category of extra costs should be considered carefully, it is you who you will "cut back" in the first place. It all depends on life values and priorities. In cases where branded clothing is more important for you than investing in education, the amount of expenses will not decrease. The same applies to visiting nightclubs, cafes, buying phones of the latest model. Direct cash resources in the right direction.
Step number 2. Save money
At this stage, it is important to understand that first you need to pay yourself, and then use the remaining funds for other purposes. Take the habit of saving a certain percentage of earned money every month to start your own business, or, in extreme cases, put the money in a savings book in a bank.
Perhaps the plans do not have a “work for yourself” clause, in which case the percentage of profit will go to primary matters that may appear in the future. These include construction, purchase of a car, repair, etc. This item only works if you invest constantly, regardless of possible circumstances. To achieve results, slow yourself down until the task is completed.
A strict adherence to such rules will eliminate thought on the topic: “Where can I get money for important needs?”. Profitable investment of funds will gradually increase the family budget only if you save 10-15% of monthly earnings.
Step number 3. Keep track of income and expenses
The need to keep track of spent and earned money is emphasized by all successful people. Such a move will help to identify unnecessary expenses, eliminate them and optimize the budget.
For example, you noticed that the weekly trips to the cafe are quite expensive, taking into account the financial situation, reduce or eliminate them completely. Visual sums can convey much more than abstract judgments.
Take into account your own income without fail. The advice is especially relevant if the salary is received not monthly by one payment, but every week or, worse, a day.
Improve financial literacy. The modern age of technology leaves its mark on society. More and more people keep records of income and expenses in an automated mode by downloading a special program. Use their recommendation.
Scientists have repeatedly proved that 97% of Russian citizens live from paycheck to paycheck, spending money by the beginning of the next payout. Moreover, this fact is practically independent of the degree of earnings.
Step number 4. Look for product analogues
Many people know that all products have their own analogues, but cheaper. Such a move allows you to save 25-30% of the budget, practically without limiting yourself in your usual way of life.
Remember, in stores and supermarkets, goods at a higher price are located at eye level, while relatively cheap products are on the lower shelves. Pay attention to the second option.
When choosing household appliances, consider not only stationary stores, but also online markets. As a rule, the cost of goods is reduced by 10%, in some cases more. Take a closer look at the products on the stock, sometimes for the same price you can buy a better gadget, electrical appliance, tool, etc.
Before making a purchase, analyze market prices. There are frequent cases when in two neighboring stores there are identical goods with a price difference of about 20-40%.
The rules for choosing similar goods apply not only to clothing, electronics, household items, but also to medicines. Often every foreign drug has a Russian counterpart. The name is different, and the pricing policy is 8-12 times lower, while the products will not differ in medicinal properties. You can find a table of medicines on the Internet.
Step number 5.Make a list of products
Drawing up a list of products helps to immediately eliminate unnecessary expenses associated with impulsive purchases, this fact has been proved repeatedly. Experienced marketers know thousands of ways on a subconscious level to make you buy a particular product. The list will prevent such an outcome. You also need to pre-knock the amount necessary to purchase all the goods from the list in order to count on a specific budget.
Before a trip to the store, eat tightly, as a hungry person wants to buy everything at once. Finance experts advise against shopping on the day you receive your salary. Otherwise, you will “become generous” and get superfluous, because the financial condition is assessed differently, a person feels rich.
Also important is the payment method: cash or plastic card. The first option is preferable, since you really assess that you are giving hard-earned money. Regarding cards, a person is easier to part with money, lowering their true value, since this type of payment seems virtual.
Step number 6. Review your daily diet
As mentioned earlier, food is an important expense, but it can also be reduced if the need arises. Proper nutrition does not have to be expensive, the price consists not only of product quality, but also of factory packaging, brand, marketing of the manufacturer.
Very often, the cost of wholesome food is lower than that of fast food. For example, dairy products, eggs, fresh vegetables, beans and cereals will cost much cheaper than hamburgers, hot dogs and shawarma.
To optimize your food expenses, buy weighted, not packaging. Due to the factory shell, the second version of the product is much more expensive. If possible, buy goods on the market, there you can bargain. At the same time, visit the market late in the evening when the seller is ready to drop the price for the desired product.
Buy meat not in the form of a semi-finished product, but as a whole, by weight. Such actions will allow you to leave part of the carcass for the first and second courses. People who eat at work are advised to carry lunch with them so as not to feast on snacks that cost exorbitant prices.
In the season, eat fresh fruits and vegetables made in Russia, they are much cheaper than imported goods. Do not forget to cook the first dishes, the price of the components is much lower, and the nutritional value is higher.
Create a weekly menu, and then go to the store for shopping. As a result, you will lay out one amount at a time, excluding options for quick snacks (sausages, sandwiches with sausage, etc.).
It is easy to save money with a small salary, if you have sufficient knowledge regarding a possible cost reduction. Unplug electrical appliances from the outlet at night, make a list before going to the store, and refuse fast food. Look for similar products, save money, set financial priorities.
Video: 7 best ways to save money
Submit