One Hundred Dollars a Month

Welcome to my 52 Ways to Save $100 a Month series. We’re serious about saving money in 2016. Sometimes it’s the little things and sometimes it’s the big things. I’m here to walk you through some little things that can add up to BIG savings. 52 little things to be exact. Every week, join me back here for another small money saving tip or idea that might not seem like significant savings until you see the overall yearly savings. It might just blow your mind. So pop in each Tuesday and read a new tip that will help you on your way to save $100 a month!

We live in a world of instant gratification. It’s all “keeping up with the Jones'” and “my car is bigger than your car.” We like our nice things. We like our splurges. We love the unnecessaries. I’m guilty of all of it. And I’m a pretty simple girl. But when I take a hard look at my life, I realize that money is wasted for no purpose.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for spending money on what some would consider splurges {travel, a trustworthy vehicle, etc.} because those are things that matter to me and things we’ve built into our budget. But there are so many other items I purchase each month that are unnecessary. It’s taking a hard look at what is actually needing in my life and budgeting accordingly that’s hard. Learning to say no and learning to go without might sounds like torture to some, but I think it’s therapeutic to realize that stuff is just stuff.

Just Say No: That new kitchen gadget might be tempting, but is it necessary? A closet full of new clothes might seem amazing, but aren’t your old ones still in good shape? That new phone might look shiny and fun, but is your old one still in perfect working order? Sometimes we buy because the product is thrust in front of us. Sometimes it’s because we want what others have and still other times we just find ourselves confusing wants with needs. I do that a lot.

Try a Just Say No 30-day Challenge. Don’t buy anything {ANYTHING} that is unnecessary. At all. Clearly you have to buy food or you would die. Gas is essential to get you to your job. Those are necessities and not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about everything else. Just say no. Don’t buy it. After 30 days take a hard look at how much you suffered by going without. You didn’t, did you? You are still breathing and life still goes on without that new Keurig machine you’ve been eying. Before you buy, take a hard look at the item and determine if it’s a true need or just a want. The answer might surprise you and save you a bundle of money.

Stew on It: Impulse purchases are the worst. Sometimes these are big ticket items, but often they are the little things that you buy on a whim. Try the “walk away” tactic. If you are thinking about purchasing a “want item” {different than your “need items”}, leave the store. Think about it overnight and if, after 48 hours, you still believe the purchase is worth it, drive back to the store and buy it. You know what you’ll probably discover? You won’t drive back and buy it. But if you do, it will be a well thought out purchase that you don’t regret.

Save for It: If you have determined an item is a must-have, don’t buy it until you can pay cash for it. This can occasionally work for “need items” as well. You might truly need a new AC unit, but you could possibly wait a few months for it until you have saved enough for it. Set money aside each week or each month. Saving with a purpose is proven more effective! This will also help curb those impulse buys and avoid unnecessary debt.

How do you determine a want vs. need item in your life? Do you have any tricks to curb unnecessary spending?

How Much Can You Save: $1,200+ My goal last year was to limit my personal spending to $100/month. I succeeded and ended up saving myself over $1,200 based on my spending the previous year.

More Ways to Save:

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Clean Out Your Closet {Week 1 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Break Up with Cable {Week 2 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Barter Better {Week 3 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Change Your Own Oil {Week 4 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Adjust Your Thermostat {Week 5 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Take Advantage of Your Perks {Week 6 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Pack Your Lunch {Week 7 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Make It Yourself {Week 8 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Preserve Your Bounty {Week 9 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Keep the Change {Week 10 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | The Art of Borrowing {Week 11 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Ditch the Gym {Week 12 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Clip a Coupon {Week 13 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Start Your Garden From Seed {Week 14 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Learn to Cut Hair {Week 15 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Become a 1 Car Family {Week 16 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Make a Phone Call {Week 17 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Shop Christmas in July {Week 18 of 52}

52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Grow a Garden {Week 19 of 52}