Something’s got its hand in your pocket. It’s taking your money and leaving your bank account uncomfortably lean. It’s not a robber. If it were, it would be easier to deal with. Nope, this money thief is called Life, and it uses up your money every day.

Have you ever done some math at the end of the month and wondered, where did it all go? Sometimes, it can feel impossible to save money. The truth is, you have a lot more money than you think you do, and if you teach your Life a thing or two, your money will stop disappearing. Some of us need to break bad habits and limit wasteful spending. Others of us need to change our lifestyle altogether. If you want to save more, consider these five tips for rescuing your bank account.

pexels-photo-928201

Switch Habits

We all have expensive habits. You might love craft beer, top-notch cheese, or top of the line beauty products. You might have a habit of smoking or buying a $4 cup of coffee every day. Feel free to keep a habit or two, but seriously reconsider some of your expensive habits. Trading smoking for vaping jam monster ejuice could save you thousands every year, and buying your own latte machine might be a worthwhile investment.

Buy Used

Instead of buying new, try to buy used whenever you can. Often, used kitchen gadgets work better than new ones, since “they don’t make them like they used to.” Plus, for fifteen dollars, who cares if your blender breaks in a year? Never buy a new car, either, since once it leaves the showroom floor, it’s “used” and depreciates enormously. Instead, look at online car auctions to find the perfect, new used car.

ALSO READ  How can you utilise data to make more informed business decisions?

Don’t Buy

A great way to save money is to, well… not buy anything. We live in a consuming culture, and sometimes we don’t even consider not spending money on things. We’re programmed to consume, and we believe the advertisements that tell us we need that new phone model or new jeans instead of Goodwill jeans. Really, the best way to save money is to just not spend it.

Downsize

If you’re spending a lot of money on a big house or a luxurious apartment, you could consider downsizing. A smaller home will be easier to care for, less expensive to fill, and easier to pay off. The same goes for a more modest apartment. Plus, did you know that living in a smaller house might make you happier?

Plan Ahead

When you know how much money you have to spend, you’re more likely to be responsible with it. Instead of spending without knowing, try to budget your income every month. Before you go grocery shopping, plan your meals for that week. Taking a trip? Budget extra gas money. If you plan ahead for your finances, you’ll probably find you have more left over.