Either way, learning how to save money, and especially how to spend it in a smart way, is always a great idea. Your bank account will love you for it, and so will your closet. 

I had similar problems a couple of years back. I realized I hoarded clothes, and that something had to change. So I first had to declutter my wardrobe. Then I wrote down the items I was missing and were in need of replacement. Then I set myself the rule that I couldn’t buy anything for three months, except for what was on that list. That changed everything.

I had to limit myself to specific items, so there was a specific number of clothes I could buy. That helped me focus on the important and work on my resistance to impulse buy. 

Guess what? I aced my little experiment. Ever since then, I manage my clothing budget much better and I know what I actually need and want.

That’s why I’m here to help you achieve the same things. I’ve compiled a list of 6 tips & tricks on how to spend less money on clothes, based on my experiences, but also other peoples’.

I really hope they will help you, too. So here is how to spend less money on clothes:  

1. Plan your purchases. 

This is the most important part of how to spend less money on clothes, but probably the hardest one to do for most people. 

You need to actually plan what to buy. What I mean by that is to assess your current wardrobe and see what is missing or what desperately needs a replacement. Go through your closet, maybe do a wardrobe declutter, and write down what you think you are missing or in need of.

Do you currently have only 1 summer dress? Maybe you need another one, so you can rotate them this summer. 

Is your leather jacket worn out? Plan to get another one.

Planning your fashion purchases will definitely save you money on the long run and it will make you spend less money on clothes. Why? Because there will be no impulse buying. You won’t buy that cute skirt you saw 5 minutes ago on Amazon, because you will check your plan and see that you don’t actually need a skirt. Or if you do need one, it’s not the pencil one on Amazon, it’s the denim one, so you can’t buy the initial one.

Be smart about your money and plan your purchases. More info on How to spend your money wisely here. 

2. Consider having a capsule wardrobe.

This is a fairly new concept, but it will definitely save you money….and closet space.

A capsule wardrobe is a small collection of items designed to be worn together which harmonize in color and line (per Wikipedia page). Basically, you select 30-40 items per season and you only wear those items. The idea is to use what you already have and to find new ways of wearing your clothes. It’s an ideal situation, but if you’re reading this article, you’re probably not ready for this step. Let’s try something else! 

3. Set rules for yourself.

If you’re the type that needs structure and rules to follow a plan, or accomplish a goal, then you definitely need to set rules for yourself when it comes to buying clothes. 

How to spend less money on clothes? Choose 1 or more rules from the following list:

• Only buy 1 fashion item per month.
• Your monthly budget for clothes is $50.
• Check off 1 fashion item per month from your Needs list (see point 1).
• Buy one, sell one. (on Poshmark, for example).
• You only get $100 for each big sales event (after Christmas, Summer Sales, Black Friday, etc.)
• You’re only allowed to buy 11 fashion items for the whole year.*

*This is actually a challenge a local influencer is doing right now. She decided that in 2021 she would only buy 11 fashion items (I think she only meant clothes). The price or the brand is irrelevant, the important thing is to buy only 11 items. Don’t go over. That meant she is now meticulously planning all her 11 purchases and considering each one. Which is great, because that means she will choose wisely and only things she definitely wants. 

4. Avoid Full-Price items. Shop Sales & Outlets.

This might be a no brainer for most people, but….shop Sales & Outlets. You’re guaranteed to find discounted items, so no full-price for you. You might have to shop out of season or from previous collections, but it will be worth it in the end. 

Be on the lookout for end of season sales, like the one after Christmas, and especially for the  Black Friday sales, that’s when most stores will offer discounts to free up inventory. You will get the best prices. 

5. Avoid buying designer clothes….or only buy specific items.

When it comes to how to spend less money on clothes, one simple way of doing it is to avoid buying designer clothing, from brands such as Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and the likes. Why? Well, obviously because they cost A LOT of money. 

Now, I understand that people like the design of luxury brands. Or the fact they are better quality than most fast fashion ones. I even understand the need to attract attention and be unique & special. And if you have the money for it and you want to spend it on designer clothes, go for it. You probably won’t miss the money. 

But if you’re tight on budget, or don’t lead a luxurious lifestyle, you can’t really afford it. You can’t and you really shouldn’t spend $700 on a skirt. That money could get you so many other wonderful things, or better said, that $700 can be used on things you need more than a skirt. Like paying your rent, or your utilities, or saving up for a vacation.

I never did and I probably never will buy designer clothes. Definitely not t-shirts or blouses or skirts. Maybe I would buy a fancy dress if I have an extremely important event coming up (like being invited to the Oscars, for example, although that will probably never happen). 

What I will consider buying (and am considering buying, when I have the budget for it) are fashion items that can be used for longer periods of time, therefore are worth the investment. Like (some) designer bags, or a Burberry trench, or a good leather jacket. 

These are classic items that people tend to wear all the time, so they have to be of good quality and last the test of time. I also consider the idea of passing the item to my possible future daughter / son, or other family members, so it’s almost like a legacy item. 

If you want to know how to spend less money on clothes, definitely skip designer items, most of them are not worth the investment, in my opinion.

6. If you really want to buy designer items, try vestiairecollective.com.

Vestiaire Collective is the best place to go for pre-owned fashion items. They are previously worn designer items, but in great condition (they are curated by the website team). 

The influencers I follow are always buying amazing clothes from the website, at half the price. So definitely check it out if you’re thinking of buying Chanel, Gucci or Totem. 

So here we are, 6 tips & tricks later. That is how to spend less money on clothes. I hope this was helpful for you. If you have any other ideas, let us know in the comments!

The post How to spend less money on clothes: 6 tips that helped me save $$$ appeared first on Cozy Home Hacks.

Prices are up, some items are harder to find, and since the job market is so volatile, you might have financial problems, so every penny saved is welcomed. 

Anyone can save money on groceries, it’s just a matter of knowing some tips & tricks to help them know when to save, when to buy, where to go and so on. 

I’ve compiled a list of 6 tips & tricks that have helped tremendously in the last year. The covid pandemic helped me learn how to budget and how to save money on groceries, mostly because I could only go shopping once a week. That was the turning point to my smart shopping when it came to groceries. 

I want to share with you what I’ve learned in the past year, in the hopes it can help you, too. Even if you don’t need to save every penny, that doesn’t mean that you should spend your money erratically. 

So here is how to save money on groceries:

1. Meal Planning.

This is probably the most important tip in the whole list. This will actually save you a lot of money. 

Why? Because knowing what you will eat every meal for a week will let you create a grocery list with just the right ingredients. That way, you buy what you need, and you can avoid randomly picking things off the shelves, not knowing if you will eat them or not. This will also contribute to less food waste, because you will use (almost) everything in your fridge. 

So grab a pen and paper and write down at least 3 or 4 dinners ideas. You can double the recipes so you can have leftovers for lunch, or you can write down another 3-4 lunch ideas. Your choice!

Extra tip: meal prep on Sunday or Monday. It will save you time and energy!

2. Shop only once a week.

This rule was forcefully set in stone for me during quarantine, but it became a habit and I still do it to this day. 

I only shop once a week. It forces me to be organized, to plan ahead my meals and make a list, and most importantly, to stick to it at least a week. This way, even if I made a mistake and realized I forgot to buy tomatoes, for example, I will have to substitute them with something on hand, or not use them at all. 

Sticking to one shopping trip a week helps you stay within budget and not overspend. Do you remember the days of going almost every night to the grocery store and coming back each time with at least one extra item you didn’t need? Well, by sticking to this rule, you won’t do it that often, so you will spend less money. 

3. One item for +2 meals.

This is not an obvious tip on how to save money on groceries, but hear me out. 

Let’s say you plan to eat chili with rice, and fried rice with vegetables, so obviously you will need more rice. So instead of buying a small bag of rice, you will have to go for the bigger bag of rice. That means you will pay a better price for the product, because bigger quantities usually mean better prices per pound, for example. 

You’re shooting two birds with one stone: you already have 2 meals planned out, and you are spending less money. 

4. Less Pre-Cooked Meals / Take out.

This one might hurt, because I know we all love the convenience of pre-cooked meals. But trust me, in the long run, it will save you money. 

Try to buy less pre-made, pre-packaged food, like already cut vegetables, or frozen burritos, or fresh store salads. It also applies to take out. Although they might save you time and energy in the moment, they will dramatically increase your groceries costs over time. It’s fine to do it once every two weeks, when you really don’t have the time to cook, but don’t spend half of your grocery budget on them. You could save so much just by meal prepping your food instead of always eating out. 

5. Shop at the store with lower prices.

If you want to know how to save money on groceries, you have to make an effort to actually know the prices of items you usually buy, so that you know when and where you can actually save. 

Let’s say, for example, you buy turkey breast for sandwiches every week. It’s always in your grocery list. Start by researching the price for it in at least 3 different stores in your area. Let’s say Target, Trader Joe’s, and Costco. You can find the price online, on their website, or in store (check for it on your next visit there). Where is turkey breast the cheapest? Probably Costco. So next time you go to Costco, you know you can find turkey breast at its cheapest price, and you can buy it in bulk and maybe freeze some of it. That way, you don’t have to go to Costco every week. 

6. Don’t always go for the BRAND. 

I learned this from a YouTuber and it helped me save a lot. 

For some items, it doesn’t really matter the brand. It will probably taste the same, no matter the label on it. Like normal rice or pasta. There is no huge difference in taste between Walmart Great Value pasta and the Barilla one. Same goes with products that are made in the same factory, and the only difference is the label, like cans of beans, corn, etc.

This rule doesn’t apply to allergy friendly products, or sweets, for example, there are differences betweens brands in these types of products. Choose what you like / are used to. 

These are my top 6 tips for how to save money on groceries. What do you think? Are you already implementing some of them? What else are you doing to save money on groceries? Let me know in the comments!

The post How to save money on groceries appeared first on Cozy Home Hacks.

Since most of us are designed to want nice stuff for ourselves, we sometimes fall for it and buy things we don’t actually need or even want. This is especially true for younger people or those who don’t understand or value money and how finance works. 

I developed my smart shopping skills in the last few years, although I was always careful with my money and usually underspent my budget. But what the last few years have taught me was that I need to be more aware of my finances and my monetary goals. 

I used to get my salary and spend what I needed, only checking my bank account a few times a month, just to make sure I still have enough money to support myself. 

But when I started to have big goals, like getting a car, going on a more expensive trip, or changing my couch, I realized I had to actually plan and save my money in advance. I couldn’t just withdraw what was in my bank account that month, because it wasn’t enough. I had to know how to spend money wisely.

So slowly, I’ve learned to:

• Set financial goals;
• How to save money to reach those goals;
• When to shop and when to save for later;
• How to budget
• …and more.

That’s why now I know how to do smart shopping. I know when to actually spend the money or when to say “I don’t need it”. And I want to help you achieve that, too. 

If you want to know how to spend your money wisely, here are 5 vital questions you need to answer before actually making the purchase: 

1. Do you actually need it right now?

When you find yourself in front of the computer (or a cash register at the mall), with a card in hand, ask yourself this question: “DO I ACTUALLY NEED THIS PRODUCT/SERVICE RIGHT NOW?”. You would be surprised how many times the answer will be NO.

Before buying, ask yourself if you really need that product at this moment. Can you live the same life without it?

Let’s say, for example, you’re just about to buy a pair of leggings for home. If you have at least two other pairs and you use them or are still good to wear, then you probably don’t need the third pair you are about to buy.

The only way the answer is YES is when you actually need that product and / or you can’t go on without it. Like, for example, if winter is coming, it’s about to snow, and you have no pairs of winter boots, you only have sandals and sport shoes. Then yes, you need to buy a pair of boots in order to be able to walk in the snow. 

2. Can you afford it?

If the answer to the first question was YES, then it’s time to ask yourself the second one. 

Did you budget for it? Do you have enough resources to acquire it? 

If the answer is YES, lucky for you, go for it…..or better yet, go to question 3.

If the answer is NO, maybe you should hold on until you have the money saved up for it.

Also, if you’re thinking about putting it on your credit card, I do not recommend that, especially if you know yourself to have overdrafts on credit cards. Do not go into even bigger messes that will be hard to get out of. 

So if you need the product / service and can’t afford it right now, learn how to save money and get the product / service when you can. It will save you money in the long run and make you more responsible.

3. Can you get it cheaper from another place?

So you’ve decided you need to buy it. You have the budget for it. Next step in the smart shopping process is finding the cheapest option on the market. 

I don’t mean you should go for the cheapest winter boots on the market (talking about my previous example). What I recommend is to find a pair of boots you like, and then look for it at the lowest price you can find online or in-store.

Say, for example, you decide on a Steve Madden pair. You look for it in at least 3 or 5 stores and go for the cheapest option available. This is how to spend money wisely. If you can find a deal, go for it, it will save you money. 

4. Is it an investment? (will you use it for a long time?)

This is one of the key questions you have to consider when buying something. Is the product / service worth the price tag? Better said, should I invest in it? 

This definitely applies to bigger purchases, like couches or cars. Things that cost more, but you can use for longer periods of time, therefore have a good return rate. The longer / more often you use, the more you can actually invest in it. Why? So you don’t have to go back in a year and purchase a new one, therefore spending even more money. 

One of the most important things you need to know  when it comes to how to spend money wisely is when to invest in something and when to not.

5. Do you have other financial priorities that you need to focus on?

Before making any non-essential purchase, you need to consider your financial goals. Are you saving up for something bigger and more important? Is that specific goal a more important one then the one you are contemplating spending on? 

This is smart shopping 101: prioritizing your spending. In order to learn how to spend money wisely, you need to figure out your priorities and actually focus on them.

So, for example, if your main goal is to buy a car, but 3 months later you realize you need a couch, you have to figure out which one is more important. Should you spend money on the one you use all the time for transportation, or the one you spend your nights on, and is it still functional? You choose.

That’s it! I hope, actually, I’m sure that answering these 5 questions every time you want to buy something will eventually lead to you spending less, therefore saving money.  

Smart Shopping is the future, and in these trying times, you need to know how to spend money wisely!

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“I’m saving up money to start my side hustle.”

“I need to save up money if I want to finish paying my student loans by the time I’m 30.”

You’ve probably said one of those phrases, haven’t you? I know I have, especially the first two. It seems like most of us are trying to save money for something these days, and it’s getting harder and harder, as life and unexpected situations get in the way. Oh, and the prices increase.

But we have to do it if we want to live the life we dream about. So saving money becomes vital. Do you know how to save?

I admit, I learned it the hard way…..and in my late twenties. In my younger years I was lucky enough to have my parents supporting me, and then lending a hand, financially, from time to time. But eventually I became completely financially independent, and so I realized I need to manage my budget better. Not only to survive and pay my bills, but also to save up for bigger, better things (home, car, etc.)

So here are my methods of saving money. It helped me pay for my car and do home renovations. And I’m saving for even bigger things as we speak.

1. Less social activities.

For the extroverts out there, this will hurt. But the first and easiest way to save money is to cut our social activities. Brunch on Sunday. Happy Hour with the team on Fridays. The weekly date night. It all adds up to a lot of money. 

So if you really want to save money, you have to start saying “no” more. Try going to Happy Hour only once a month. 

And invite your best friends for brunch at your place, and alternate each house, so you all get to host. 

The weekly date night is pretty important for a relationship, but you could try doing it once every two weeks. 

There are ways to limit social activities, but to not cut them out completely, in order to save money.

2. More meal prep.

Ugh, cooking, you don’t want to do that right? Me, neither, most nights after I come home from work, tired and hungry. That’s why I love meal prepping. 

I usually meal plan for the week and going shopping for it on Saturday or Sunday. The actual cooking is done on Sundays and Wednesdays. I make food for 2-3 days for both me and my boyfriend, lunch and dinner. I don’t keep up with the habit all the time, but when I do it, it makes my week so much better. 

This was, probably, one of the biggest things I learned during quarantine. We saved up so much then, because more meals at home meant less take out, so less money spent on that. 

3. Smart Grocery Shopping.

I actually really like going to the grocery store, it somehow makes me feel productive. There are definitely some tricks I learned along the way that helped me reduce by spending. 

Firstly, go to the store only if you have a list, and don’t go over it (except that bag of chips, it’s ok to treat yourself from time to time). 

Secondly, try to pick the brand products only for the items you really love or value the taste of. For example, I have a specific brand of breakfast sausages I like, and I don’t choose another one, no matter the cost, because I really love these ones. But for things like cans of diced tomatoes, or pasta, just choose the cheaper option, it’s usually the same thing.

Thirdly, do only one weekly trip: this way, you limit the number of extra things you get and you force yourself to meal plan and use only what you have in the fridge and pantry. 

4. Work out at home.

If you usually workout, this tip will definitely save you money. And I know some of you will say “But I like going to classes..” or “I workout only if I go to the gym, I’m too lazy at home…”. And I get it, but if your focus right now is saving money, you need to do this.

I saved so much by cutting my gym membership. Not only because of the actual cost for it (hello hundreds of dollars per year), but also because I counted the money I needed for gas, water, the occasional Starbucks after, etc. 

So during lockdown we decided to buy a spin bike and a couple of weights and bands, and now me and my boyfriend only workout from home, and we love it. If you don’t know what routines to do, YouTube is your friend. So many options there, just try it! 

5. Think twice before buying.

This is going to be hard for us, ladies, I know. But it’s important to make better shopping decisions. Which means: no impulse buying. 

I have the following “tactic”: 

• When browsing the stores (online or offline), I first ask myself if I really see myself wearing/using the specific item (dress, shirt, earrings, and so on). 
• If the answer is yes, I start focusing on the actual product. For example, online, I zoom in on the picture and try to see the fabric better. 
• If I still really like it, I add it to my cart (online or…mentally) and wait till the next day or the day after that. If I still think about the product (and I don’t forget about it, like I usually do), I buy it. You’d be surprised how many times you forget about the products you LOVED the previous evening.

The cut-throat method would be to stop going to stores altogether, but….can we do it?! 🙂 

6. Make shopping lists.

If you’re a list person, you will understand this. Lists are vital, not only for remembering everything you need to buy, but also for refraining from buying other stuff you probably don’t need. So the solution is to make lists for everything you want or need (except groceries, of course), and categorize them.

I have a beauty shopping list, a fashion one, a home one and a miscellaneous list. Each month I prioritize 1 item from each list, depending on my needs. Some months I don’t get anything from a category, and some months I only buy from that one, if it is necessary. (last month was a Home-related buying month, for example, because I was renovating my bedroom)

7. Put money aside each month.

This is a no-brainer. Just allocate some of your income to your savings account, no matter what. You can go at it in two or three different ways.

1. You can transfer your savings immediately after you get paid, so you don’t spend it on something else;
2. You can transfer your savings a day before getting paid, so you can see how much you have left and don’t block money you could use on urgent needs;
3. You can add 60% of your intended savings sum immediately after you get paid, and at the end of the month (or before the next salary) you can see how much you have left, and add the rest of 40%, or even more, if you can afford it. 

8. Check your account every week.

This might be a no-brainer, but it’s definitely worth mentioning. You have to be aware of the money you have, how you spent it so far and how you plan to spend the rest. 

After you receive your salary, calculate your budget and prioritize spendings, according to your savings goal (bill, groceries, $5000 for downpayment for a new car, for example, and then, the rest).

So those were the tips that helped me save money in the last few months (some have been implemented for years, even). 

Just start with saving a small sum each month. The others will come naturally, when you start seeing your savings account get bigger and bigger each month.

Are you in a saving money mode right now? How do you do it? Let us know in the comments!

p.s. If you’re in a organization mode, check out my Beginner’s Guide to Wardrobe Declutter!

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