What's the best way to save money?

Question

I have a part-time job and I go to school full-time. Because I'm always in the city, I end up spending so much money on food because I don't like fast food. And by the time I get home I'm too tired to spend an hour cooking food. I really need to start saving money... any tips?

Answer 1

Don't carry around credit cards. Carry loose change and some cash...but think wisely. For example only carry with you 15 or 20 dollars in your pocket that way just in case something were to happen, you have the money. Other than that, set up your account that your checques go directly into your bank account...and even open up a savings account that you cannot touch for long term.

Answer 2

Well, stop eating out so much.  Bring granola bars and other handy snacks with you.  Get a crock pot so that your dinner is ready and waiting for you when you get home.  

Answer 3

Do you have your paychecks automatically deposited?  If you don't, ask your employer to do that and have them put a little into a savings account out of each paycheck and the rest into your checking account.  Most places will do that.  Then you won't ever see it and you will get used to your check being a little smaller.  The best way to save is automatically.  Just make sure you leave it there.

Answer 4

The ten percent rule also known as pay yourself first. Take 10% of your take home pay and put it in the bank, you are paying yourself first. Live on the other 90%. The advise about the ATM card is good, do not access the 10% short of life and death.

The reasons this method fails are: 1. You need extra money this week, will repay it next week (known as robbing Peter to pay Paul).

2. Putting in more than 10% when you have extra, you then justify not putting any in when your funds are low.

Slow and steady wins the race.

And, decide what you are saving for, new car, house down payment, rainy day? Write the expected cost or goal on a calender and subtract the amount you save every payday from the cost, you will be closer to your goal every pay period.

It may take some time, but think how long it will take you to make the money? Was that $10.00 lunch worth the hour you had to work to pay for it?

Answer 5

Buy something simple to make that keeps for a week or so. This will help minimize your cooking when you can indulge on leftovers. And when it gets bland, just go out to eat at a budget restaraunt.

Answer 6

you need to stop going out to eat, buying things out of vending machines, and/or picking up at convenience st. also - i dont think you have to spend an hour cooking a meal, most people do not. A half hour should be sufficient. When you go to the grocery store you need to have a list made up before hand and you will be able to calculate how much it should cost.

Keep very little cash on you.

Take your lunch to school or work.

Obviously coupons help also.

Answer 7

Well you can be frugal you can keep a list of what you spend! And try to save money! If you see something that your really like but it nonthing useful to help you then dont buy it! Buy things that you need not things you like and want really bad! Try buy compleats there very cheap its a real meal but you put it in the microwave for 90 secs and it very good! Dont spend alot!

Answer 8

you can invest. or you can open another savings account in another bank and never take money out and in a however many years that you choose you'll have enough money for whatever you need it 4.

Answer 9

i had the same problem use cash only

take out 30 dollars a week

Answer 10

put the money into the bank and forget about. don't get an atm card, because then you will always have the urge to take money out

Answer 11

Here is a simple way you can do, don't spend it on anything that you don't need. So simple. Also if you are saving money for something such as a car, each week but some kind of amount of money in your account and soon week after week, you will have that money saved! Call me a genius but I think that will work if you try it!

Good Luck!

Answer 12

Save a certain amount each week and pretend that the money you are saving is not there, so you have no money to spend. ^^

Good luck(:

Answer 13

open two bank accounts... one checking and one savings. have a portion of your check deposited into your savings account and the rest into checking.

stock up on food that can be prepared fairly easily and quickly.  

Answer 14

living in the city must be toughh.

i would seperate the money you want to spend on food

and save the rest for clothes and nice things.

just organize what you need and want.

hopefully this helped :)

Answer 15

When you get paid, put 10% of your take-home pay into a savings account and pretend it doesn't exist.

Don't get a credit card - pay everything with cash.

Make a budget and stick to it.

When you go to the store, make a list and stick to it.

Don't succumb to peer pressure that you have to have the latest gee-whiz gizmos or toys.

Learn to make simple dishes that don't require a lot of time or expensive ingredients.

Shop smart. Buy things that are on sale and use coupons. Buy things you use a lot in bulk instead of smaller packages.

Answer 16

If your job offers direct deposet use it. This allows your paycheck to go directly to your bank account. Making impulse buying more difficult. As far as food goes try making quick meals this site is very helpful http://www.minutechef.com/ even making extra one night will help because then you dont have to cook the next night mmm leftovers!

Answer 17

Some many ways....

1- Look at your budget OR make one if you don't have one.  Identify all misc costs and try to conserve

2-  try to consolidate your trips... don't go to grocery, then home, then target, then home, then blockbuster.  Just go to blockbuster, target, grocery store, then home.

3- make meals in bulk and heat up.  This saves $ and time for meals.  

4- speaking of food, look at the prices.. rice, pasta, frozen veggies are all good choices.  Skip eating out

5- buy bulk when on sale.  lots of grocery stores do buy one gets one, or dollar days... try to stock up on common items when on sale

6- go to the library to check out books or rent videos (surprisingly they have newer dvd's also)

7- change to eco-friendly lightbulbs.  they are more expesive upfront, but save $ every month after

8- drink tap water or filtered water, rather then bottled water

Answer 18

put it in the bank as soon as you get it or have it sent to the bank

go shopping or only buy on sale eat outs

take a doggy bag home for the next day so you wont have to cook

eat micro wave t.v dinner or healthy cereals and oats

go to friends for dinner

Answer 19

AS EVERY SAYS PUT YOUR MONEY IN THE BANK. ALWAYS SAVE MORE THAN YOU SPEND SO THAT EXTRA CASH WILL BE THERE FOR YOU

Answer 20

Shop at Giant Eagle; buy the value time and store brands.

Shop at Save-A-Lot, Dave's, Aldies

Answer 21

hmm maybe you shouldnt spend it

Answer 22

I would recommend to take your paycheck and split it:

70% on other expenses, such as food, transportation, book fees, etc.

30% in a high interest savings account, so you make money as you just let it sit there.  

Oh, and rather than eating out or trying fast food, you can prepare your own lunch at home and bring it along for work.