8 Money-Saving Swaps

Do you feel like your level of spending has gotten a little bit out of control? Perhaps you are sick and tired of having no money left once the monthly bills have been paid? Maybe you are trying to save for your dream holiday? No matter what applies, there is no denying that saving money can be difficult. It requires a lot of planning and discipline, and it becomes even more challenging if you don’t know where you can make any savings. With that in mind, read on to discover some clever money saving swaps you can make.

• Swap branded food for supermarket own brands – You will be surprised by how much of a difference this can make to your bank balance without making a difference to the taste you experience. Instead of going for popular, known brands, opt for value supermarket branded products.

• Add Medicare Part D to your health care plan – If you are over the age of 65-years-old, you may be able to add Medicare Part D to your health care plan, enabling you to reduce the cost of your prescriptions. Click here for more information.

• Pay bills by direct debit instead of manually – You may be able to save a considerable amount of money by paying your bills by direct debit. Firstly, a lot of companies offer better rates to those that pay by direct debit. Secondly, if you miss a payment, you may have to pay a fine. By setting up a direct debit, you don’t have to worry about this.

• Bulk buy instead of paying individually – Instead of buying individual items, bulk buy non-perishable food and household goods to lock in discounts.

• Swap your car for a scooter – You can save thousands of pounds by swapping your car for a scooter. Selling your vehicle should cover the cost of your new scooter and leave you with money to spare. Not only this, but you will save a considerable amount of cash on road tax, insurance, and running costs too.

• Switch energy supplier – This is a money saving swap that a lot of people overlook because they don’t want the hassle that comes with switching energy supplier. However, it is well worth the small bit of inconvenience that can come with it. Simply use a price comparison website, and you can end up saving hundreds of dollars per year.

• Make the switch to energy-saving light bulbs – Energy saving light bulbs don’t cost much more than standard light bulbs, however, they last up to ten times longer, so you can see where the savings can be made.

• Swap the gym for a bike – Do you have a gym membership? If so, this could really be eating into your finances. Why not cancel your membership and buy a bike instead? This is a great way to get fit without having to worry about ongoing monthly expenses.

So there you have it; eight simple switches that you can make to start saving more money. Give them a try, and you are bound to notice the difference.

Image courtesy of Flickr.