Hey everyone! Welcome back!

Today we will talk about saving money. I know it’s something you’re really interested about so I want to give you today some tips to save money without spending less. 

Let’s face it, saving money is hard. We all want to have a comfortable life, but sometimes our finances don’t allow it. Fortunately, there are ways to save money without having to cut down on your expenses. In fact, some of these tips may even help you enjoy life more!

Let’s see! 

Ways to save money without spending less

Use Cashback Apps

Cashback apps are a great way to save money while you shop. You can get cashback on your purchases from groceries to clothing, which can add up over time.

You know I love traveling. And thanks to the cashback app last year, I received 5 to 10% of the money I put in the holidays back. And it’s not insignificant. What I did too was to have a cashback with Canva, the app I use every day for my social media and youtube. It’s a pretty decent cashback so I have like 7 euros every month thanks to that. 

What I did not miss a cashback was downloading the Google extension so that I have a notification every single time the cashback is available.

Buy Generics

When it comes to groceries and other household items, buying generic can save you a lot of money. Many times, the generic version is just as good as the name brand.

I switched to generic brands when I started to think about financial independence because I learned that they produce most of the generic products at the same factory as the big brands. 

Since then, I try as possible to buy generic brands for food especially. And it’s crazy how much money you can save for the exact same product. I do this for pasta, toilet paper, sauces and many other things. 

Cancel subscriptions you don’t use

If you have subscriptions to magazines, streaming services, or other services that you don’t use, cancel them. This can save you hundreds of dollars over the year.

It’s something I like to check every quarter. I check my bank account to see if I have a monthly subscription that I don’t use. We tend to purchase subscriptions because it’s cheap. We think it’s only 10 dollars a month but at the end of the year, it’s hundreds. Sometimes, I forget to cancel an annual subscription, yes nobody is perfect! So what I do is cancel it right away so that it won’t be there next year. 

Use a programmable thermostat

A programmable thermostat can help you save money on your heating and cooling bills by adjusting the temperature when you’re not home.

It’s what we did in the previous flat. When we decided to use a programmable thermostat, we saved hundreds, and it was before the energy went up! Now it’s really well isolated so we barely opened the radiators. And of course, we accept to put on sweaters or hoodies when we are cold, instead of turning our radiators on. 

And choose your home well and think about isolation too. 

Buy in bulk

Buying in bulk can save you money on groceries and household items. Just make sure you have enough storage space before you stock up.

Definitely, something I like to do. Even if we don’t a proper pantry to store everything. I like to buy in bulk so that we save money. Most of the time, when I do my groceries online, I like to see the promo section so that I buy in bulk. When I see something that I don’t really need right now because I have it but it’s in the promo and I know I will use it after, I buy it. It’s the case for toothpaste, toilet paper or these kinds of things. 

Use coupons

Coupons are a great way to save money on groceries and other items. You can find them online, in newspapers, and in stores.

When you need to buy something, think about ways to use coupons. I really don’t like to buy things at full price. So I like to search for coupons on the Internet to find things. Obviously, it’s not because you find a coupon that you need to spend money on things you don’t need…

Cut down on energy usage

Turning off lights and unplugging appliances when you’re not using them can help you save money on your energy bills.

I really don’t like when there are lights on when we aren’t in this specific room. We have an expression in France about that: “C’est pas Versailles ici”. This means you don’t have to turn all the lights on because we are not in a castle. 

Use a water filter

Using a water filter can save you money on bottled water and help reduce plastic waste.

We switched to a water filter 3 years ago. Before Covid. And I don’t think we will return to a plastic bottle. Because my boyfriend like sparkling water, we bought a machine for that and I think it’s already profitable. And we have these huge bottles that we use every single day. Of course, you need to make sure that tap water is great in your area. But really, it’s a game changer. 

Make your own coffee:

If you’re a coffee drinker, making your own coffee at home can save you a lot of money over time.

We don’t have the same use of Starbucks here in France and obviously we have a coffee maker. I don’t want to spend 5 euros per day on coffee. Of course, I like to enjoy my latte from time to time but I think it’s been 6 month that I don’t drink a Starbucks. 

And depending on what you like to drink, you can find endless coffee makers at different prices. 

Use a bike or walk instead of driving

If you live in an area where it’s possible, using a bike or walking instead of driving can save you money on gas and maintenance costs.

We asked ourselves if we would buy a car with this new apartment because we’re not in Paris anymore and we have 2 parking lot with this flat. But we decided that we would wait to see what our habits would be. And finally, we decided that it won’t be necessary. We have friends with cars if we need one for a weekend, and we have great public transportation near this flat (that’s why we bought it). And if we need a car for a weekend or to go for big groceries, we rent one. And by doing that it saves us thousands per year. 

Think about it if it’s possible for you to use a bike or walk. Even if you own a car, sometimes you can just walk to do something instead of driving for only 5 minutes. 

Buy used items

Buying used items can save you a lot of money. Check out thrift stores, garage sales, and online marketplaces like eBay and Craigslist or even Facebook Marketplace. 

I like to buy most of my clothes second-hand. But you can also buy furniture and other stuff you need. It’s crazy how you can find everything when you just want to search a little bit more. 

We decided for example when we’ll have kids we will buy only second-hand clothes, toys, and so on because ecologically and economically, it’s a game-changer. 

DIY

Doing things yourself can save you money on labor costs. Whether it’s cooking your own meals, cleaning your own house, or fixing things around the house, DIY can help you save money.

We drastically decrease our food bills because I cook way more here. And try as much as possible to do think on our own in this apartment. When we need help, we ask to members of our families and we wait until they are available. Sometimes you just need to be patient. 

Conclusion

And there you have it, folks! 12 ways to save money without spending less. These tips may seem small, but they can add up over time and make a big difference in your bank account. So go ahead and give them a try, and see how much you can save! Thanks for watching, and don’t forget to like and subscribe!