Are you looking to save more money? Cut unnecessary costs? Stop spending needlessly?
Sometimes, it feels like you've got a hole in your wallet, doesn't it?
Finding ways to save money in your 30s without completely depriving yourself is challenging! Believe me. I get it, and I'm right there with you.
But I'm here to help. Over the past couple months, I've figured out some savvy ways to really increase the amount I'm saving each month, and I want to share these tips and strategies with you.
So below, you'll find 6 actionable tips and strategies that actually work.
Read on, and start saving more money right now!
This post is about money saving tips for 30-somethings who want to save more right now.
Create a budget that works for you. Not against you.
I know you don't want to hear it, but there's a reason "creating a budget" is the most common money-saving advice.
But it's important to create a budget that works for you. If you don't, your budget will feel more restrictive than permissive.
A budget is meant to guide how you spend money, not ruin your life.
No one wants to feel trapped by their budget, so it's important to create a budget that works for you. Not against you.
Take inventory of your subscriptions.
Subscriptions are sneaky.
Netflix. Hulu. Canva. Paramount. Disney. Epidemic Sound. Prime. Planet Fitness. Spotify. Blue Apron. Book of the Month.
(Okay, you get it.)
On their own, they're so inexpensive. It's so easy to be like, "Oh, $10 for unlimited music downloads?? Heck yeah!"
Unfortunately, there's just so many of them. And therein the problem lies. When you have multiple (like most people do), the charges really rack up quickly.
Take some time to take inventory of the subscriptions you have. Determine the ones you need in your life, and determine the ones that can go. I bet you're able to save a good chunk of change.
Review your utility bills and adjust accordingly.
Especially if your bills are on autopay, it's SO easy to have zero idea what you're paying for utilities each month.
We all know utilities fluctuate from month to month, but do you know by how much your utilities fluctuate? For me, my electric bill is almost double in July compared to November!
Additionally, did you know that your utility providers may even charge you more for simply using your utilities at a certain time of day? Wild.
By taking some some time to review your utility bills, you'll be able to adjust your usage habits accordingly. Small changes in daily routines can lead to large changes in utility bills!
Pull your bank statements to figure out where your money is going.
Unless you're frequently reviewing your bank statements, you'll never really have a pulse on your spending habits and the health of your bank account.
Take a moment and think about the number of times you've said to following two phrases to yourself:
- "Weird. I thought I had more money that that [in my bank account]."
- "Oh. I forgot I bought [insert name of purchase here]."
You may forget purchases, but you bank statements sure as hell won't.
Break unnecessary spending habits.
Do you really need to take that $40 trip to your local Mexican restaurant every Taco Tuesday?
Could you go without spending $50 at Happy Hour every single Thursday afternoon?
What about your $75 Sunday brunch? Is this a habit you can survive without?
Once you've pulled bank statements and figured out where your money is going, you're then able to identity habits. Both good and bad.
This sets you up nicely to break those unnecessary spending habits.
Commit to logging every penny you spend.
For me, this commitment was the most helpful tip on this entire list.
It doesn't matter if you log digitally or with pen and paper. When you commit to logging every single penny you spend, suddenly you become far more mindful of each card swipe.
Trust me. The accountability of knowing, "I will need to log this later," will really impact your impulse to spend-spend-spend without thinking.
So now, I'm wondering: What are your best money saving tips for other 30-somethings? Let me know in the comments below!