Draven Jackson
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As someone who loves shopping, saving money can be a real struggle. Every time I think I’m doing well with stretching my money to meet my needs, something comes up that makes it almost impossible to save. And while some people say being a minimalist is the best way to go, I like buying things and having collections too much to achieve any sort of minimalism.

That said, I always try my best to find ways to make the most of my money. Despite the fact that I live a pretty healthy social life in one of the largest cities in the world, I still manage to save a little here and there when I can. If you’re someone like me who loves to shop and go out but also wants to be able to set aside money for the future, here are some of my tips for saving money without limiting your happiness now!

Thrift and Share

One of the best tips I’ve ever been given for saving money is to thrift and share when you can. A lot of the more expensive purchases in life involve furniture, utilities, or other large items that almost everyone needs or has. And while it can be nice to go into a furniture or outlet store and choose brand new pieces, oftentimes the cost of these things can be astronomical. Having an aesthetic in mind is great, but sometimes you might miss out on great deals and items if you’re only looking in chain stores and expensive shops.

Here’s where thrifting and sharing come into play: so many people are selling their old goods online or in secondhand shops all the time, and moving large furniture can be such a hassle that many people would rather get rid of it and start fresh. And while the items may not be brand new, these pieces can still be in great condition and fit your personal needs perfectly. Estate and yard sales can also be a great opportunity to scope out amazing deals, so be sure to keep an eye out for some in your area!

Make Meals That Go Further

For me, one of the first things I do when I’m saving money is to look at my food habits. Eating is necessary for life, and more often than not those three meals a day that we need to eat in order to survive can add up pretty quickly. This is especially true if you’re someone like me who is too lazy to cook most of the time and relies on premade food or quick delivery options.

However, an easy way to still meet your nutritional needs and also save money is by cooking meals ahead of time that you can make last longer. While it’s true that it’s not always exciting to eat the same thing for three or four different meals, this can be a great money-saving tactic by giving you more bang for your buck when you’re out grocery shopping! It can also be a much healthier option for your body as you have more control over what goes into your food, making it an all-around great choice for meeting your financial and physical needs.

Buy in Bulk

If saving money is a goal for you but you also don’t want to limit yourself from buying the things you like, then bulk buying might be something worth trying. While many people think of bulk buying in terms of food and groceries – which is also a great option – I’m referring to bulk buying when you shop online.

What does that mean? Well, as someone who prefers shopping online to going to stores most of the time, I often think of something I want or need and add it to my cart immediately. Need someone new socks? Added to the cart. Looking for a new outfit for a concert? Already covered. Wishing you had a nice pair of plaid pants to match the shirt you ordered last week? Cart! However, all of these small purchases add up over time, especially if they each have their own shipping costs.

Assuming nothing I’m ordering is an immediate necessity, I like to add things to my online shopping cart and then leave them for a while. Over time, my cart grows from a small purchase into a much larger one – usually around $100 – which now allows me to access more online coupons for better discounts. By this point, shipping is also usually free or cheaper than it was for the smaller purchases, allowing me to cut a few corners.

Also, I have the added bonus of time to think about whether I really need that item I wanted to buy. By taking away the impulsiveness of shopping, I end up saving more by deleting things I don’t actually need from my final purchase.

Budget, Budget, Budget

Of all the tips on this list for saving money, this one is by far the most important (at least in my opinion). If you want to save money, you need to have a budget plan and a book to keep track of all your spending. I know it might be a bit annoying or time-consuming to write down every purchase you make but trust me when I say it’s the most helpful way I know of to save money.

Without a set budget or a tracker, you end up spending money without really taking the time to how much is being spent. When you create a budget, there’s a clear idea in your mind of where your money should go – usually, I split mine between food, transportation, fun, and bills, with a little leftover for health needs or unexpected purchases. Then, when you track your spending, you can see if there are any areas where you might be overspending or don’t need to budget so much, and then you can adjust your plan accordingly.

Prioritize What’s Important to You

If you’re looking to find better ways of saving money without compromising on your daily happiness, then prioritizing your spending habits is an absolute must. Are you someone who considers yourself a foodie that likes to eat at new and exciting places? Do you have a hobby that produces a lot of merch that you like to collect? Are you a social butterfly who goes out regularly? All of these things cost money, and each purchase adds up after a while.

As much as we would all love to have an endless supply of income, unfortunately, that’s not really a possibility for most of us. However, that doesn’t mean that our happiness has to be limited. Instead of cutting off spending altogether, it’s important to understand your spending priorities and limit your investment in other outlets.

If you like to get your hair and nails done regularly, make the financial sacrifice to eat at home more often and save money on groceries. If you like to travel, find ways to be a minimalist at home so you’re not spending money on objects or clothes you don’t need. Cut your spending while you can by prioritizing the aspects of your life that are the most important and concentrating your money on those things!

Do you have more tips for saving money while also living a happy and fulfilling daily life? Tell us in the comments!

About Draven Jackson

Draven is an avid writer and reader who enjoys sharing her opinions on movies, books, and music with the rest of the world. She will soon be working as a teacher in Japan and hopes to use her experience to connect with other teachers and students around the globe. Draven spends most of her time at home with her family, her dogs, and her ferret.

To see more, view all posts by Draven Jackson here.

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