Unless you’ve been living on a deserted island, you’ve probably been affected by inflation. Whether it’s the cost of groceries or filling up your tank, you might be coming up short at the end of the month. The thing is, you’re not alone. Many are struggling with the ever-increasing cost of living. So, when it comes to finding ways to lower your cost of living, you need to be proactive, not to mention intuitive. If you’ve been looking for ways to cut corners, you’ve come to the right place. Here are six money-saving tips you might have overlooked.
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Refinance Your Loans
Most financial gurus will tell you to consolidate your high-interest rate credit cards into one to save money. However, did you know you can also refinance your outstanding student loans too? High-interest students can drain your bank account without even making a dent in the principal. But when you refinance, you can usually save by cutting years off your education debt payments, while paying less interest over time.
Cut Your Own Hair
You love the look of a custom cut but the price leaves something to be desired. You can easily save tons of cash each year simply by learning how to cut your own hair. There are plenty of free how-to videos online that can teach you how to trim your bangs, snip off dead ends, and even now use an electric buzzer. Just be sure you feel confident in cutting your own hair before you give it a go. At the very least, you can learn how to ward off split ends in between trips to the salon.
DIY Your Mani-Pedi
Similar to cutting your own hair, giving yourself a manicure or pedicure saves money as well. Since these beauty treatments can cost upward of $50 or more each time, you can keep that money in the bank and do it yourself. You can find all the same must-have tools and polishes at your local drug store to help you get started.
Barter With Your Buddies
Long ago, people bartered for what they needed. They didn’t need to rely on wads of cash to get them through. If you have a group of close friends, you can start a bartering group to save money. You could babysit in exchange for a manicure. Alternatively, you could cut your friend’s lawn in exchange for a car wash. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.
Learn How to Sew
How many times have you replaced an item simply because you didn’t know how to sew? Mending a pair of ripped jeans or a hole in a sweater really takes no time at all, and it can save you big bucks. There are plenty of free videos online that teach everything from threading a needle to becoming a master tailor. Eventually, this might become a profitable hobby too if you choose. There are so many online sides hustles these days, you could use your sewing skills to create a product and sell it online via platforms like Etsy or Shopify.
Research Free Entertainment
Just one night out can cost hundreds, especially if you include dinner and drinks. If you go out every weekend, it’s easy to spend thousands each year without even thinking about it. You can cut entertainment costs by researching free things in your community. From jazz festivals or art exhibits, there’s always something happening for free.
Jason is the Marketing Manager at a local advertising company in Australia. He moved to Australia 10 years back for his passion for advertising. Jason recently joined BFA as a volunteer writer and contributes by sharing his valuable experience and knowledge.
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