Get Organised – The Key To Saving
From an early age, you are taught to be organised; to get your school bags ready, make sure you have your football boots cleaned, to send that thank you card to Auntie Mabel. Organisation is the key to life and it can also help to save your hard-earned cash.
We all know the typical checks before we leave the house – keys, bag, phone….(wasn’t there a song about that…?!) However, if you take a few extra minutes to guarantee you’re ultra organised, you could ensure that your day runs smoothly. This way you’re not wasting valuable money on items that you can easily take with you.
Costa Lotta
Many of us are partial to a caramel mocha or an iced vanilla latte in our working day. We find ourselves unable to resist a cheeky McDonalds or an M&S Wensleydale & Carrot Chutney sandwich for that fast lunchtime fix. However, all of these tasty but expensive options can eat away at your pockets. Taking a bit of time to be organised and prepare your lunch or to take a few mobile snacks with you to work, helps to prevent temptation when the hunger pangs strike; and the savings really add up. Research has shown that over the course of a year you can save hundreds of pounds by replacing those visits to fast food outlets with homemade alternatives.
Change Your Ways
We’ve all experienced those parking machines that kindly take your money but won’t give you change. Thank you very much for that fiver for an 80p parking charge. I’m sorry, I hope you didn’t expect any change….? Realistically, how many of you find you have the exact coinage to hand? Being organised and keeping a stash of change handy can help prevent you being ridiculously overcharged for parking. ATMs can also catch you out – some craftily apply a fee of a few pounds for the privilege of taking out your own money – the cheek! If you have a bit of cash on you at all times, you can avoid being caught out.
Bag Your Cash
It may seem a small saving, but having a carrier bag or two (or even a posh shopper bag from Joules) knocking about in your car or handbag is another handy saving tip. Although they’re inexpensive, if you’re buying new bags each time you visit your supermarket you’re just wasting money. Plus using your own reusable bag can prevent you drowning in carrier bags each time you open the under stairs cupboard….
Face The Truth
In our current climate, face masks have become a part of everyday life. Whether we’re sporting the disposable option or a personalised stylish fabric number (I’m rather partial to sunflowers….) they are compulsory and vital in our day-to-day activities. Having a stash of these (or a floral number in each bag/coat pocket) will mean no emergency buys. The fabric masks are an even better solution – washable and reusable – a great option for the more thrifty among us.
Ultimately, it’s often the small things that can lead to big savings. A few extra minutes spent preparing for the day ahead makes your day run more smoothly. And with the promise of a healthier bank balance, maybe it’s time for all to get on board.
Look out for my next article on how organisation at home can also impact on our finances.
