Freedom is one of the most important things humans have; it comes in many forms. The freedom to live where we want, the freedom to dress how we want, and the freedom to raise our children how we see fit. Another form of freedom paramount to many people is financial freedom, but many are illiterate about achieving true financial freedom. While well-meaning family members or friends can advise like “stop driving through Starbucks every day,” those tips only go so far. If you’re looking for ways to start saving more money today that are easy to commit to and will lead to true financial freedom, keep reading to learn and implement them.
Chicken Over Beef
This one may seem unconventional and likely the first time you’ve heard it, but there’s no denying that the food cost is rising, especially beef. If you and your family are not willing to eat more plant-based meals, eating chicken instead of beef is the more frugal option. You’d be surprised how much cheaper chicken chili is than traditional beef chili. Whenever you can, swap out your red meat choices with more affordable meat options like fish or chicken – they’re also healthier for you than red meat; talk about a win/win.
Bulk Buying
One of the easiest ways to save money is to invest in bulk, buying the things that you and your household use regularly. From cereals, bulk toilet paper, bottled water, and even laundry detergent, virtually any household product can be purchased in bulk. If space is a concern in your home to store the products you purchase in bulk, prioritize items you know you go through quickly, like toilet paper, paper towels, toothpaste, etc. Bulk buying may seem like a costly investment up front, but you will reap significant savings in the long run.
Cashback Apps or Rewards
Whether you take advantage of cashback or reward options through your credit card or apps on your phone, these are worth educating yourself on. Many people dismiss these apps or think they are scams, but if you do your due diligence, research, and review these products, you can see a significant return on your money when you use them diligently. You may take extra time to scan receipts, but the money saved is worth it. Additionally, if you have credit cards, make sure you’re using cards that reward you for on-time payments and offer cash back on purchases like gasoline and groceries; some even offer cash back on restaurant purchases. Why not get some of your money back on things you’re regularly doing, like eating or fueling your vehicle?
Grow Your Own
You may think that you need a significant amount of space or a large backyard to grow your food, but container gardens are all the rage, as well as balcony gardening. You can even grow your food indoors if you don’t have any outdoor space, just grow the things you eat the most! Growing your food saves you a significant amount of money; it’s fantastic for your mental health, and you have complete control over how your food is grown, which means you’re eating the freshest organic produce available.
DIY Products When You Can
Even if you’re not the craftiest person, opting for DIY items you use consistently can set you on the path to financial freedom quickly. From DIY window cleaners to mouthwash and even body products, there are countless resources online to teach you simple ways to create the products you rely on. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also know you’re using healthy, additive-free products that benefit your physical health, not just your finances.
LED Lighting
We all use lights in our homes; we need them, and no one wants to stumble through the kitchen in the middle of the night for a glass of water! But a simple switch from traditional bulbs to LED bulbs will significantly impact your electric bill. LED lighting not only uses close to 90% less energy than conventional light bulbs, they last, on average, 25 times longer. This one is a no-brainer!
The path to financial freedom may seem difficult, and countless other ways can save you significant cash, but the above methods are easy starting points anyone can implement. You deserve the peace of mind of a future where you’re free from worry during retirement or what would happen if you lost a stream of income. Start implementing these practices today as a solid foundation and grow from there to grow true wealth.
