Being 'budget-conscious' often brings to mind cutting down on your major expenses, such as electricity bills, fuel costs, groceries and other similar living expenditures.
What does get sidelined, however, is cutting costs on the smaller purchases you make, which can be handier than you can imagine once you understand in the amount of money you can end up saving in a month by doing so.
Here are 11 hacks that can save hundreds or even a few thousands every month to give you that cushion you need to spend just that bit more.
#1. Clear your browsing your history while shopping
Make sure you clear your browsing history when shopping online or comparing products for pricing, etc. Online companies can follow your searches according your cache and history and raise prices based on this information, especially airline companies who have a tendency to raise prices if they figure you're searching. Also, guest customers tend to get lower price compared to register users.
#2. Lower the brightness on all your digital screens
The default colour settings on TV, laptop, smartphone screens and the likes is set to light up like a Christmas tree to attract your attention. The simple act of reducing the brightness can reduce your power consumption (and of course your electricity bill) by up to 40 percent. The added bonus is the fact that it will go easy on your eyes, boosting your eye health.
#3. Use apps that compress your reduce your data consumption
Did you know you can reduce the amount of data you use on your phone, without reducing your total usage? One of the best ways to do this is by using apps that reduce the amount of data that other apps like your email and Twitter use up. One such app is Onavo, which runs in the background and uses compression technology to reduce your data usage and also tracks how much data your apps are eating up.
#4. Make sure you use your smartphone to its full potential
Your smartphone can probably do a lot more than you can imagine. From browsing to emailing to using its GPS services to a tool to control other devices; it's almost become a go-to device for any use. Apps like Dijit or RedEye make it a universal remote that can just about control any satellite or cable box, while apps like Field Agent and TaskRabbit can help you earn money by running errands for people you connect with on there.
#5. Hold off till the end of the month to make those purchases
Salesman and retailers (online or offline) alike have quotas to meet at the end of the month. With some amount of luck you could save some money by making a major purchase at the end of the month. A salesperson or a store manager may be willing to give you a big discount to make up their quota; especially car dealers.
#6. Be a flexitarian
A flexitarian is one who is flexible with they eat-in and out of their house. Although they are not completely a vegetarian, they keep a check on the amount of meat they consume during the day. With the prices all sorts of meat rising significantly, it makes sense to ease off from the amount you consume to shave off some of the expenses from that grocery list as well as from that pricey restaurant bill.
#7. Carry your own food
Cooking and carrying your own food, instead of eating out, has been the go-to advice for anyone looking to get into shape. You'll be surprised that doing so regularly can almost half your eating expenses. Not only will you become healthier but also wealthier. Now that's what you call killing two birds with one stone!
#8. Increase your use of cash instead of plastic money
Whether you're fan of using credit cards or not, try and use cash as often as you can for smaller miscellaneous expenses. This is the one of the best ways to see your hard money leave your pockets. Not only does this make you aware of on what and how much you're spending but it also preempts you into making smarter spending choices.
#9. Keep your tires fully inflated as much as possible
Get your tires checked as frequently either by yourself or as you pass a gas station. The U.S. Department of Energy claims as much up to a 3 percent improvement in gas mileage just by keeping your tires well inflated. This can add to quite a bit if you commute a decent amount in your car on a daily basis. As keeping them full results in a lesser need for them to be repaired or replaced frequently.
#10. Buy store brands instead of expensive ones for generic products
Look for generic organic labels when looking for canned goods, home or office supplies or even perishables. Seldom do the more expensive brands offer something substantially more. The organic labels often use the similar ingredients, albeit may be slightly inferior in quality, serve their purpose. Doing so can save you 20-25 percent or more according to a study conducted by Consumer Reports and personal experiences.
#11. Track your spending and connect with a tax account
Don't put it off for some time later in the future. There are plethora of apps out there that can help you not just track your expenses but mold you into saving money in the long run. It's bound to become habitual, enjoyable even, once you get used it. Don't let go of the opportunity to connect with a tax accountant. They have a wealth of information that can be beneficial for cutting cost and are less intimidating once you get to know them better!
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