Putting aside a part of your paycheck, taking on more hours at work- there are countless ways to save up money, and I'm sure you've heard almost all of them. Here are some little ways you might not have thought about that'll help your overall wellbeing as well as your budget for that next trip.
Meal prep your food.
Meal prepping your food for the week isn't only good for your health but also for your wallet! Meal prepping can save you anywhere from $20-80 depending on how often you eat out. By sticking to the food you make, you can control how much you spend on food and also how much you want to spend on groceries. Food you buy in a restaurant can often be three times more expensive than their homemade counterparts. Do your budget and your body a favor by sticking to a meal plan. If you can't stomach eating meal prepped food for a week, just meal prep for the next two to three days.
Go vegetarian or vegan.
Believe it or not, cutting meat out of your diet, entirely or just 80% (I know I wrote vegetarian and vegan) can save you some big bucks down the line. Not only is it better for the planet, but meat is also pretty expensive when you eat it every day. There are so many other sources of protein that are way less expensive: black beans, chickpeas, lentils, tofu, seitan- if you don't like one, there are at least another six different things to try.
Skip the alcohol.
Alcohol adds up, especially when you pair it with food at a restaurant. A glass of wine (on the cheap side) at dinner can run you somewhere from $7-15. A night of partying can easily have you spending over $50. As a treat to your meal prep, you can also drink at home but for maximum savings, you can challenge yourself to a dry month.
Cancel your memberships.
Let's be honest, if you haven't been to the gym in the past month, sparing any major life events or injuries, you're probably not getting the most out of your gym membership. If you're really trying to save every bit for this trip, try and cut out all the unnecessary expenses and that includes under-utilized memberships. I, for one, am guilty of having an Adobe plan that I keep telling myself I will use more, but you don't have to be like me. Be better!
Try a "no spending" month.
Similar to a dry month, try to spend nothing extra for a month. Sure you can buy groceries and the essentials like household supplies, but try not to spend anything on clothing, going out to eat, entertainment, etc. If you can't manage this right away, try a day, then a week and then finally a month. You might be surprised to find out how much you spend on little things in a day that aren't essential.
Going to the cinema alone is good for your mental health, says science
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