4 Risks To Avoid When You Plan Your Saving Strategy

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In those times where everything seems to get more expensive, and it can be difficult to make ends meet at the end of the month, it’s normal to want to stretch every dollar and save money to a maximum using a helpful strategy. Fortunately, there are many areas where you can save if you know where to look and how to be content with what you have, from storing old clothes to re-use them as your children grow to keeping a tight grocery list. In fact, planning is extremely useful if you want to keep your budget under control. However, there are areas where you need to be aware of how to avoid the potential risks in your saving strategy.

#1. Cycling or walking to work

If you don’t live too far from your workplace, you can choose to walk or cycle every day to work to save a significant amount on fuel and other vehicle maintenance costs. And that goes without mentioning the costs of parking, as well as the impact on the quality of air. However, the main issue with avoiding the car to get to work is that not every commuter will follow your example. When most employees choose to drive to work, you need to pay attention to the behavior of vehicles that can cause your harm. 

Cycle to work

#2. Buying second-hand

If you choose to buy second-hand items to save money, you need to be extremely attentive to the quality of the item you purchase. Some sellers will be able to put anything on the market, even if it is too damaged to be used. Additionally, it’s helpful to keep a list of which items are best to avoid when buying second-hand. For instance, car, vacuum cleaner, kitchen appliances, furniture, clothes and books can still be purchased used. However, avoid baby products and hygiene items!

#3. Saving on grocery shopping

Saving on your food shopping can be tricky, especially if you’re trying to maintain a healthy diet. There’s no denying it: Junk food is cheaper than healthy food. However, if you think of long-term savings, avoiding the cheap junk food means that you avoid unhealthy addictions and consequently unnecessary costs. In the meantime, you need to focus your attention on cooking more vegetables and eating more fresh fruits, which are not expensive when bought in season.

#4. Can you save on energy consumption?

Finally, your energy bills are probably going through the roof during the cold months of the year. That’s why it’s important to consider a smarter approach to keeping your home cozy without breaking the bank. Start by reducing your heating costs  by replacing your air filters and using appropriately set thermostats in each room – a programmable thermostat can save you up to $150 a year for instance.

This is a contributed post.