Easy ways to save money this year

Saving money doesn’t have to be a struggle. in fact, there are plenty of easy ways to cut your expenses this year, and that money can easily go into a savings account as the beginning of your nest egg.

Here are some easy ways to save money this year:

Choose advance train fares

Train tickets increased by 3.5% in 2015, and will increase another 1.9% this year. But you can combat this cost by purchasing advance train fares.

If you have to buy your ticket the same day you’re traveling, choose an open return.By choosing an open return, you’re only paying a few pounds more than you would for a single ticket, which means that the return journey is excellent value for money.

But if you know in advance that you’ll need to travel, you can save some serious money. An example is a ticket from Sheffield to London. If you purchase this ticket on the day, you’ll pay £71.50. But by purchasing it a week in advance, you’ll pick up the same ticket for just £25. That is a massive saving. Not to mention, if you know you’re travelling a few months in advance, you could be paying just £13.50 for that same ticket.

It’s also good to remember that purchasing two single tickets is more economical than purchasing an open return ticket- since the cost of an open return ticket doesn’t change.

Stop eating out

We’ve all heard it before, so why do so many of us keep buying our meals out instead of planning ahead? Convenience. For many people, taking the time to plan and cook their meals in advance just simply doesn’t seem feasible.

However, not only will you save a lot of money by eating at home, but you’ll probably also notice that your jeans will be looser as well.

Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the idea of planning and preparing a whole week of meals, make the change gradually. Commit to just taking food to work on Mondays and Wednesdays at first. Then add in Tuesdays and Thursdays. You may want to keep Friday as a “treat day” to get you through a week of prepared food. Once you’ve mastered bringing your lunch to work, you can add in dinner prep as well.

Lose the memberships

It’s a good idea to take a look at how many subscriptions and memberships you’re paying for, as these can easily add up fast. Combine your gym membership, Audiobooks or Audible, iTunes, Netflix, and more, and you’ll soon find that you may be spending hundreds of dollars a month. Sure, there are some things you may be unwilling to give up, but it’s easy to forget about all the things we’re paying for each month.

Once you’ve ended a few of these subscriptions, you’ll notice that you have more disposable income each month, which can then bet directed into your savings.