5 Extremely Easy Ways to Save Money in 2021
Everyone wants to save money, but when it comes to actually saving money, few people do the things required to put themselves in a position for financial peace of mind. Here are five extremely easy ways to save money in 2021.
1. ASK FOR A DISCOUNT
At some point, we’ve all heard our parents say “if you don’t ask, you’ll never know”, and while this may seem uncomfortable to some of you, this simple tip can save you thousands of dollars!
There are two ways to approach it:
1.) Proactively
Call a vendor who offers a service that you pay regularly for, such as your TV provider, cell phone carrier, or even your trash service. Thank them for their service to you and compliment the way in which the business runs / conducts itself. Then, just ask for a discount.
This is extremely simple and will take around five minutes. If you succeed, you will benefit from years of savings on something you’re going to pay for regardless.
2.) Reactively
We have all received a bill that caught us off guard, whether a medical bill that you thought insurance would cover, or some other type of expense. Most of the time, people just suck it up, pay the bill, and move on because they are “too busy” or don’t think this method has a chance at succeeding.
Instead of just paying the extremely large bill, why not just take the five minutes and ask for a discount? Oftentimes, companies will say yes and you can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars!
Plus, what’s the worst thing that could happen if you try?
Nothing! If you called and asked, and it didn’t work, you are simply just back where you started. Zero downside risk with unlimited upside makes this one of my favorite money-saving activities.
2. GRAB A MONEY-SAVING BROWSER PLUGIN
Saving money should not be this easy.
If you shop online, which most people do to some extent, and you’re not using a free browser plugin to apply coupons and promo codes to your purchases, you’re missing out on free money.
Here are my three favorites to consider:
There are dozens of other money-saving browser plugins. If the plugins listed above don’t fit your needs, just take 15 minutes to go online and find one that works for you. Remember, this is literally free money that you can use to make even more purchases online. Buying more stuff for the same amount of money is always a good thing. This is a really easy way to save money in 2021!
3. DITCH YOUR AUTO LEASE
Look, I get it. Some people just can’t give up their expensive cars, and that could be ok as long as you’re not overspending just to drive a nicer car than you can actually afford.
However, if you want to save money, it usually makes more sense to buy instead of lease. Ideally, you’ll want to purchase a dependable used car you can keep for the long run.
Why?
Because, when you pay off your auto loan (if applicable), you won’t have a car payment!
When you lease a car, you will never own your vehicle. You will forever be making monthly payments towards an asset that loses value every single time you use it.
If you’re stuck in a lease and want to get out, consider a lease exchange service such as:
Overall, to save more money, consider ditching your lease and buying a used car with low mileage that you will be able to depend on for years to come.
4. DIY YOUR GRUNT WORK
Why pay someone when you can do-it-yourself for free? If you’re forking over a ton of cash for a cleaning service, it can pay off to save that money and clean your own house for a while.
Got minors in the house? You could also put those kids to work! By assigning cleaning chores to your kids, you can teach them about hard work. The experience of tidying up the house will also prepare them for when they’re out of the nest.
The same advice rings true for the work around the home, including gardening or home improvement projects. Spend time in your own yard and you’ll receive several benefits. Not only will you get fresh air, but you’ll connect with the Earth and save money!
5. PAY OFF DEBT
Far too many people pay only the minimum on their debts each month, neglecting to realize how much the remaining debt is adding up over time. Unfortunately, this can lead to paying hundreds or thousands of dollars in interest each month. Interest payments do not go towards the principal of your debts, so by only paying off the interest, you are throwing money down the drain.
If you really want to save money and put yourself in a financial position to succeed, you need to start by paying off your debt. Interest adds up quickly, so to avoid that build up, you need to delete that principal as fast as you can. When you pay off high-interest debt, you just can’t lose. You can check your debt and credit scores by following the instructions listed here.
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for more ways to save money in 2021, don’t forget to think outside the box. Everyone’s spending habits are different, so it’s likely you’ll have some special circumstances in your life that could help you brainstorm more ways to save.
You may also want to start the process by tracking your spending for a while. Once you know where your money goes each month, it’s a lot easier to find the source of your money woes.
Even small changes can make a giant difference!
As always, if you have any questions, feel free to contact our team. We’d love to discuss your goals and how we can help you reach them.