1. Order your alcohol in bulk

I figure I’d start this list with a fun suggestion. This is what my sister/roommate and I have done and it has saved us big time. You can find deals going on and cut down on your alcohol cost tremendously. It might not seem like it at first, but it is definitely the cheaper option compared to buying bottles individually or ordering something when you’re out. Plus, you always have something to drink at home so that’s a definite plus!

2. Stop avoiding your bank account numbers

Stop saying that you’ll look at it later or spending without keeping track of the money that’s coming in and going out. It’s easy to lose track of what you’re saving and spending when everything is done electronically. The more conscious you are of your spending habits, the more likely you will be to get on track with it. Be mindful.

3. Give yourself some room to cheat every now and then 

If you are cutting down significantly in one area of your life, go ahead and let yourself order that overpriced coffee. The goal here isn’t to become so miserable that your life lacks luster. When you keep track of your finances, you are able to pinpoint what luxuries you can and can’t afford. Don’t deny yourself everything because it will put you in a mindset of scarcity. A mindset of scarcity is something that all the money in the world can’t correct, so don’t make this mistake in an effort to save big.

4. Plan ahead

So much money can be saved if there is a little bit more thought in play. If you are going on a trip or even just a weekend night out, figure out where, when and how much everything will be. This way you can avoid common pitfalls for spending more than is necessary. Also, it will allow you to enjoy yourself more if you do all of the boring and tedious work ahead of time rather than cry over your bank statement once the fun is over.

5. Find the times when it’s doable to forgo quality or convenience

Do you really need to order delivery or can you go pick it up yourself? Do you have to take an uber or can you afford (time-wise) to use public transportation? Is this a case where you need the best of the best, or can you settle for something generic? These are good little questions to ask yourself before making a purchase because often we just need to fight the initial impulse to spend in order to save money.

6. Surround yourself with supportive friends

Gone are the days when we need to keep up with the Joneses. If you feel financially depleted after spending a given period of time with someone, it’s time to evaluate the foundation on which that friendship stands. It shouldn’t feel embarrassing to have to tell your close group of friends that you can’t afford to do this and that right now because you want to put your money elsewhere. You’d be surprised how much money you could save just by carefully selecting the right crowd of people to surround yourself with!

7. Read more

Not only is this an inexpensive hobby, but you can also find more ways to save from people that have already done it. There are a lot of smart people out there and we could all benefit to learn from them.