We are all guilty of having things that we don’t really need. Bigger tends to be better, so it’s normal to get sucked in, even if it’s a waste of money.
If you are looking to make some changes to your life and want to find ways to save, there are a few things you can do. While it can be a challenging process, you will end up better off at the end of it.
Below we are going to take a look at eight things that you can downsize to save money.
Sound interesting? Then let’s get started.
Your Home
Many of us dream of living in a beautiful and big home. However, when it really comes down to it, not many of us actually need that much space or that much stuff. I recently downsized our living room furniture. I had two end tables, and a coffee table – all marble. With two granddaughters zipping around in walkers and crawling, it was a disaster waiting to happen. I replaced them with one large table in the corner, that the girls cannot access, and made a play area for them on the carpet in the living room.
If you find that there are extra rooms in your house, it might be worth moving to a smaller property. If you’re renting, the cost will be reduced, and if you’re selling and buying again, you can put the extra money towards your savings.
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Your Car
Much like a home, a car is another one of your most significant assets. While being able to take pride in what you drive is excellent, you may not need the fanciest and newest model.
You can still find some great used compact cars that will be more fuel-efficient and won’t require as much maintenance. If you really want to take things to the next level, you could even consider getting rid of it altogether and using public transportation instead.
Your Subscriptions
Nowadays, subscriptions are an essential form of entertainment. Whether it be movies, televisions, audiobooks, or music, they really are perfect for passing the time.
However, we are all guilty of having a lot that we don’t really need. One or two streaming services are more than enough to keep us occupied. Reducing them down can save you a lot of money each month.
Your Grocery List
Another one of life’s most significant expenses is food, and while you might not think you can do much about this, it is possible to downsize your grocery list. Buying in bulk and cooking food items from scratch keeps your list short but your possibilities wide open.
Just take a look at these 5-ingredient recipes, for instance. There are so many delicious options; you’ll never be bored.
Your Mobile Plan
When most of us go and purchase a new phone, it’s very easy to get conned into the biggest plan. But the reality is, not many of us require all of the extra add-ons and data packs.
Downsizing to something that covers what you need is another way to save a large sum of money each month. Who knows, you might even decide you don’t need the latest and greatest phone either.
Your Waste
It’s no secret that reducing the amount of waste you produce can significantly benefit the environment. However, you probably don’t know that it can also help you save a lot of money.
While it may not be one physical item to “downsize,” living a more eco-friendly lifestyle and aiming to create less waste can:
– Prevent you from overbuying.
– Assist with planning ahead.
– Encourage you to be more resourceful.
Your Energy and Water Use
Energy and water use can quickly add up, and believe it or not, it’s quite easy to downsize your usage. By making a few easy switches and changing your habits, you’ll be saving more and more each month.
For example, you might try timing your showers, switching to LED light bulbs, or installing low-flow faucets. You can find more tips to help you get started here.
Your Vacation
Finally, the last thing that you can downsize to save more money is your vacation. While we all like going away, you don’t need to spend the entire time at luxurious resorts.
There are a lot of different ways that you can save while still enjoying yourself. Some of which include:
– Taking advantage of free attractions.
– Traveling during the offseason.
– Making your own meals.
– Choosing a short-term rental property over a hotel.
Final Words
And that’s it! These were eight things that you can downsize in your life. While you don’t need to make all of these changes above, assessing what you do and don’t need can be a great way to increase savings.
Excellent suggestions. I got rid of cable and don’t miss it at all. I buy used cars and keep them for 15 years or so.
We did the same thing about a month ago – bought prepaid internet and subscribed to sling – both combined STILL $130 LESS than what I paid for cable tv and internet!