I was about to open this article with the line “Is it just me, or is it getting more expensive in here?”. But then I remembered that it is indeed getting more expensive. What is ‘it’? Well, the not-so-simple task of just living, basically.
And I’m not talking about living in any particularly exciting sense. I’m talking about basic, everyday living. The expenses that get you from one day to the next are getting bigger and bigger. While we expect the prices of things to increase due to inflation, there doesn’t seem to be a commensurate rise in the average wage.
So it’s getting more important than ever to find ways to save money. Of course, we all think we know how to save money. Spend less. Stay inside more. Cook your own meals. That kind of thing. But what about some slightly less conventional methods of saving those pennies? Ones you may not have thought of?
Here are a few tips that will help you get in the right frame of mind to save money.
Think less about money and more about labor
Money is just a number. Think about it. Yes, it’s very important. But it’s not a tangible thing that you actually own. It’s a number that’s been assigned to you based on the particular labor you’ve done.
It’s very important to remember this. When you’re working, you’re basically trading hours of your freedom in exchange for this money. And it’s that loss of freedom that is the true cost when you spend money. So before you make a purchase, think about the hours that earned the equal of the cost of the item. Would you still make the same exchange?
Get audits to find new ways to save
Your bills aren’t as easy to understand as your utility companies like to say they are. The fact is that most bills in this country are convoluted and are often filled with mistakes. The chances that you are being overcharged are higher than you think.
Consider getting outside help to review your bills. You may associate the term audit with someone who’s in financial trouble. But you can get an audit done on your bills in order to save money in the long run. Telecom audit companies, for example, can check your bills to make sure there are no errors.
Spend less time online
The Internet is pretty fun, right? And if you’re reading this article, then you’re reading it online. The problem with the Internet is that it can be a little too fun. You can spend too long on there and find yourself looking at a lot of cool things.
This has two negative effects on your finances. The first is that you’re using more electricity by staying on your computer all that time. Even if you’re using your smartphone, it means you have to charge it more often. The second is that you end up making more online purchases. They may seem small, but all those purchases build up and result in a lot of spent money. So try to curb your Internet use. Go outside or read a book!
Add Comment