5 Boring Decisions That Save You $$$ Each Year
2024 should be finally the year in which you save up some $$$?
Not gonna happen, if you don’t mix up your routines. Trust me, I can tell. Over the last couple of years, I’ve tried different things to save money. Some were strict, and some were stupid. Often, I failed anyway.
Only when I realized, it’s the boring things saving you money, my life has changed. Because it was them helping me save enough money to travel the world AND invest in stocks.
Here are 5 boring decisions that save you $$$ each year.
Set a budget (and stick to it)
A budget is still the best way to save money.
I know your aunt, the accountant, has told you this many times over. And you might not like her. But she’s right.
When I studied & worked, I tracked my spending over the course of a whole year. It’s exhausting, insightful, and often frustrating.
I can’t recommend doing it for one year. Try one month.
Yet, it helped me to understand where I’d spend most of my money. Back then, it was eating out (not what you’re thinking).
After I understood where and why I spent so much money, I cut down on it.
Ever since then, I had a budget. It helps me to save money every single month. Even, when I don’t feel like it.
A budget is your unloved but effective Minister of Finance.
Cook at home more often
This one is underrated.
Cooking at home helps you in multiple ways, you don’t expect it to. First, you learn to cook (okay, you expected that).
That’s awesome, just ask my GF.
Second, you learn to appreciate what you eat, when you go to a fancy restaurant. My friend, the son of a millionaire, is an aspiring cook, who’s working in a Michelin star restaurant.
Every time I see what he’s doing, I’m in awe.
He bakes his bread, creates his own gravies & marmalade, and isn’t even too tired to make mean casseroles. He’s probably the perfect hubby (DM me, if you’re interested, and I can set something up).
Besides all of that, you can save truckloads of money cooking for yourself. My GF and I stopped eating outside so much because two bowls and drinks will cost you more than $35.
You can do the same at home for a third.
Cook at home to save money and learn how to cook.
Ditch your car
(If you can.)
I know, there are many people (especially in the US) relying on cars. In Germany, it’s still some kind of status symbol, although many young people have no need for cars.
My younger sister doesn’t even own a driver’s license.
I have a driver’s license but never owned a car. Because, when in need, I’d just rent one. For the one time, I was in Tenerife with my ex, and our rental wasn’t treated all so gently before.
Our 5 gear wasn’t working at all. At some point, we thought we wouldn’t make the steepness of the hill. It was like riding a rollercoaster.
But back to the topic: A car is freaking expensive.
A good friend of mine has a modest SUV, paying around $450 every month. And he isn’t driving every single day. He’s only driving it a couple of times a month.
If you can, ditch your car. Take a bike or walk instead. Or god forbid: use public transportation.
And before you can say: “Car”, you’re a sexy and lean friend of sustainability.
Don’t follow every single trend
No, you don’t need a Stanley Cup or Samba shoes.
You’ll be amazed at how much money you can save if you don’t follow every single little trend on the internet. Seriously.
Instagram and TikTok aren’t social media.
They are huge social platforms where everyone is selling something. Some their bodies, others their products. Whenever you hop on to one of them, you become a potential client.
Think you’re immune?
Don’t be so arrogant.
I once bought an electric skateboard, although I can’t skate. Because my brother sold the idea to me, he had seen on YouTube.
Trends are there for one reason: to generate revenue.
Don’t follow trends, wear your clothing more than twice, and most important: don’t think you suck without having this or that.
You’re awesome.
Bonus tip for your mental health: ditch social media.
Skip the gym
Going to the gym is overrated.
Why would you spend money on people shouting at you, dirty showers, sweaty air, an inhumane (or maybe especially humane) smell, and people having no idea how to get you fit? Right.
In 2018, I stopped going to the gym, after I’ve been working out in gyms for more than 5 years. I had a short comeback when I lived in London, but ever since then, I worked out outside or at home.
I’ve never felt better and fitter before.
At first, I stopped going to the gym because I was about to travel to Southeast Asia without a return ticket. Meaning, I didn’t want to spend the money on a gym membership, I wouldn’t use.
But it felt so much better to be able to breathe fresh air during my workout that I stuck to it. Also, my results were better. And I didn’t compare myself the whole time.
You don’t need the gym to get fit. B U T (and this is a huge one) gyms often provide the equipment and environment to get fit. That’s what many people need and it’s no shame.
If you have the motivation yourself, skip the gym. Do something outside, have fun, move your body, and save some money.
But please don’t invest your saved money in ice cream.
Saving money isn’t as fancy as spending it. Saving money is boring. But it’s easy to get it right:
- set a budget you stick to
- cook at home more often
- ditch your car
- don’t follow every single trend
- skip the gym
Thanks for reading.
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5 Smart Moves I Made When I Got Serious About My Health
