How to Live on a Tight Budget

wallet with money

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Whether it is to save money to buy that expensive outfit, car, house or even to plan that dream vacation, I am sure that for most of us, we are always searching ways on how to live on a tight budget.

In just any stage in our lives, many of us will constantly strive towards practicing frugal living ideas to save more money to achieve what we want in the future.

However, increased cost of living and stagnant pay raise for many makes it even more challenging to save money.

For those of you who are scratching your heads to think of more ways to save money on a tight budget, I have specially listed down some tips for saving money:-

Cheap Living and Money Saving Ideas

Buy local fruits and vegetables in season

If you are living on a shoestring budget, always buy local fruits and vegetables that are in season. This is because they are usually cheaper than fruits and vegetables that are not in season. They are also fresher, fuller with flavour and better packed with vitamins.

Monitor products on offer

When you intend to get an item that is not really an urgent one, always do a price survey among online stores and local shops that you can visit before purchasing. This is a useful tip especially when you intend to buy an expensive item because it can save you a lot of money.

Buy in bulk

Living on less can be easy once you know how to shop for your necessities. Take a note of items that you buy frequently and compare the prices of these items if you were to buy them in bulk. Buying things in bulk could help you save money. However, I would recommend you to only buy items that do not have expiry dates such as soaps and toilet papers or items with very long expiry dates such as milk powder, coffee granules, flour and tea sachets so that you do not end up throwing away the unused items once expired.

Make your own meals

Eating out would normally cost you about three times the amount of money you would spend on a home cooked meal. Hence, make a point to cook your own meals whenever possible. This is a very useful frugal living idea that you should consider.

Organise activities that do not require much spending

When you have free time, learn to indulge yourself with activities that do not require much spending. Examples of cheap activities are such as potluck parties, barbecues at the park or beach, attending free community events or attending market days.

Make a shopping list

Prepare a shopping list before you go to the market, supermarket or shops and stick to the list when making your purchases. Creating a shopping list helps you to focus on what you really need to get instead of ending yourself up buying unnecessary items. Now that’s called living on a budget!

Reduce usage of electricity

Always switch off your electrical equipment whenever not in use. Do not keep them on standby mode as this also uses electricity. You’ll be surprised how much you can save just by switching off your appliances when you are not using them!

Walk to your destinations

If you are going somewhere that is within walking distance, resist driving there or using public transport. Instead, plan your trip ahead of time so that you are able to walk to your destination. Walking not only helps you to save money, it helps you to stay fit and healthy!

These are just some of the many ways on how to live on a tight budget that you can use in your every day life. Did you find any of these tips useful? Or do you have other tips to share?

Caroline Poh

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