END OF MONTH SAVING TIPS

I normally finish off the month with some awesome saving tips, but seeing that Christmas is around the corner, I thought I’d kick off December with these out-of-the-box ideas. Whether it’s sticking to the rules, brewing some domestic cocktails or just staying informed, here are some crafty ploys to keep you frugal. As always – our ‘end of the month saving tips’!

DISCOVER THE FULL EXTENT OF YOUR JOB BENEFITS
Most people aren’t aware of all the possible benefits that are available to them. Spend some time with an HR person finding out about all the perks of your job – you may be pleasantly surprised at what you might find. The advantages can range from free personal improvement opportunities to optional employee matches on retirement funds that maximise the money you are tucking away.

MAKE YOUR OWN ITEMS INSTEAD OF BUYING THEM
There are tons of homebrew recipes for things like laundry detergent and toothpaste. It works out to be way cheaper than buying the commercial version. You will not only save yourself money, but you can also benefit your health by using natural additive-free ingredients and even tweak the recipes to your own personal preference.

PLAN LESS EXPENSIVE ACTIVITIES
It can be a tricky thing to convince your friends to take part in cheaper pursuits. There are a number of techniques you can try use to twist their arms, my favourite is to be the first to suggest something. If you can steer the group towards playing mini-golf instead of going golfing, those green fees will be staying in your pocket.

DON’T SPEED
Not only is it inefficient in terms of fuel economy, you can also get pulled over and issued a fine or get caught by those pesky speed cameras. It is more cost-effective to stick to the speed limit, keep the fuel in the tank, and the cops off your tail.

These tips might seem obvious to some, but it’s usually the little things that end up making a big difference. Next week we’ll have some Christmas saving ideas!