We serve up one easy thing you can do each day that will cut down on wasted time and add money back into your wallet.
Another week is here. And it’s going to be just as busy as the last.
There never seems to be enough time to get everything done or enough extra cash for when those slivers of free time present themselves. So here are 5 easy ways to save both time and money every day this week.
Monday — Cook at Home, Bring Your Lunch
Ughh. It’s Monday and the stress of everything that has to get done this week is already starting to overwhelm you. Fight that mental and monetary stress by cooking a few of the week’s meals in advance. Not only has cooking been shown to be good for your mental health, it also saves you money. So avoid waiting for servers to refill your water and paying high dining out prices, and cook your own dinners and lunches instead.
Tuesday — Automate. Automate. Automate.
Technology has been both a blessing and a curse for saving time and money. You can now automate everything, including bills. Set up your utility accounts and other recurring services for automatic payments to avoid late charges and the extra time it takes to write and mail a check. Plus download a budgeting app to escape overspending and complicated spreadsheets. Now you’ll have more time to endlessly scroll through Instagram.
Wednesday — Clean Out Your Closet
You never need as many clothes as you think. Save time and money this week by dedicating a day to cleaning out your closet. You’ll limit the time you spend deciding what to wear or hunting for that matching sock, plus add extra bucks to your wallet if you sort what you don’t wear and take it to your local consignment shop. Whatever the consignment shop won’t take, donate to Goodwill/Salvation Army to do a little good for those in need — and get a nice little tax break come April.
Thursday — Stick to Your Lists
Impulse may be the biggest threat to most people’s bank accounts. Whether you’re headed to the grocery store or to Best Buy, if you’re trying to save time and money, a list can be a very simple but effective tool. Download a handy app to start creating shopping lists on the fly, then check them way more than twice. That way you can avoid the attraction of sales and buying with your stomach. No more will you wander stores aimlessly perusing and purchasing things you don’t need. You’re now a guided missile of focus.
Friday — The Long-Term Benefits of Retirement Savings
Trying to save time and money isn’t always about short-term gains. Sometimes what you do now pays off way in the future. That’s why we suggest taking a look at your retirement. Maybe calculate the amount of money you’ll need to retire or create a list of all your possible retirement plans. Make a little improvement in your retirement every day and you can retire earlier, which saves you more time than probably anything else you’ve done this week.
See, finding extra time and money was easier than you thought. Happy saving!
