Saving money doesn’t have to be boring! Believe it or not, there are lots of fun ways you can cut costs in your everyday life, and start getting inspired about adding money to your savings account.
Here are some ideas you may not have considered:
Look for free activities in your community. Rather than spend money on an expensive family outing or a date, take advantage of no-cost destinations right in your own backyard. Consider taking a hike, exploring a new bike path, or visiting a local park. Many museums and zoos also offer “free days” where you can visit without having to pay admission. Heading to the library or a local Little League game can also be fun and won’t put a dent in your wallet. Check out your local newspaper’s Events section, a local community board, or your neighborhood’s Facebook page for other ideas.
Check out yard sales and garage sales. Whether you’re looking for bargains or just like to browse, a yard sale can be a perfect place to spend a few hours. You’d be surprised at how many great deals you can find on things like furniture, antiques, DVDs, and books. Or, turn it into a game and see who can find the weirdest item for sale. And don’t forget that you can always negotiate a price at a yard sale, it’s half the fun!
Have your own yard sale. You know all that stuff you’ve been accumulating over the years and don’t really use anymore? What better way to get rid of it than to sell it in your own yard! Not only will you free up space, you’ll get a chance to make some money, too. So gather up the books and clothing and kids toys, slap some price tags on them, and spread the word that they’re going up for sale.
Get rid of stuff online. If you don’t feel comfortable holding a yard sale or don’t want to spend the time pulling one together, you can always sell your unwanted items online. There are plenty of online yard sale sites, plus there’s Craigslist and other sites like OfferUp. To unload old books from college, there are sites like Bookscouter.com that can connect you with buyback companies online.
Become a mystery shopper. Did you know that you can get paid to shop, or visit restaurants, casinos and hotels? Many businesses utilize mystery shoppers to help them review and improve their sales and customer service experiences. When looking for a mystery shopping opportunity however, you should always be on the lookout for scams - there are many of them out there. A legitimate company should never require you to pay money for the job opportunity. Well-known mystery shopping firms like BestMark, IntelliShop, and Market Force are all free to join, and they connect you with jobs in your area. A great resource for helping to identify legitimate mystery shopping opportunities is MSPA Americas, formerly known as the Mystery Shopping Providers Association of North America.
Make your own savings jar or piggy bank. There’s no feeling quite like watching a pile of money grow. Creating your own savings jar can be a great way to get excited about saving, especially if you have kids. Check out sites like Pinterest, or DIYs.com for ideas. And, if your little ones run out of room in their piggy banks, they can always open their own Nickels Savings Account for Kids at BankFive! Not only will it encourage them to save, but they’ll also receive a Nickels birthday card every year, and a free Nickels the Dog stuffed animal at account opening.
This is only a small sampling of the fun you can have while growing your savings. By thinking a little “outside of the box”, you can find ways to stay motivated and on-track with your savings goals. Good luck!
Here are some ideas you may not have considered:
Look for free activities in your community. Rather than spend money on an expensive family outing or a date, take advantage of no-cost destinations right in your own backyard. Consider taking a hike, exploring a new bike path, or visiting a local park. Many museums and zoos also offer “free days” where you can visit without having to pay admission. Heading to the library or a local Little League game can also be fun and won’t put a dent in your wallet. Check out your local newspaper’s Events section, a local community board, or your neighborhood’s Facebook page for other ideas.
Check out yard sales and garage sales. Whether you’re looking for bargains or just like to browse, a yard sale can be a perfect place to spend a few hours. You’d be surprised at how many great deals you can find on things like furniture, antiques, DVDs, and books. Or, turn it into a game and see who can find the weirdest item for sale. And don’t forget that you can always negotiate a price at a yard sale, it’s half the fun!
Have your own yard sale. You know all that stuff you’ve been accumulating over the years and don’t really use anymore? What better way to get rid of it than to sell it in your own yard! Not only will you free up space, you’ll get a chance to make some money, too. So gather up the books and clothing and kids toys, slap some price tags on them, and spread the word that they’re going up for sale.
Get rid of stuff online. If you don’t feel comfortable holding a yard sale or don’t want to spend the time pulling one together, you can always sell your unwanted items online. There are plenty of online yard sale sites, plus there’s Craigslist and other sites like OfferUp. To unload old books from college, there are sites like Bookscouter.com that can connect you with buyback companies online.
Become a mystery shopper. Did you know that you can get paid to shop, or visit restaurants, casinos and hotels? Many businesses utilize mystery shoppers to help them review and improve their sales and customer service experiences. When looking for a mystery shopping opportunity however, you should always be on the lookout for scams - there are many of them out there. A legitimate company should never require you to pay money for the job opportunity. Well-known mystery shopping firms like BestMark, IntelliShop, and Market Force are all free to join, and they connect you with jobs in your area. A great resource for helping to identify legitimate mystery shopping opportunities is MSPA Americas, formerly known as the Mystery Shopping Providers Association of North America.
Make your own savings jar or piggy bank. There’s no feeling quite like watching a pile of money grow. Creating your own savings jar can be a great way to get excited about saving, especially if you have kids. Check out sites like Pinterest, or DIYs.com for ideas. And, if your little ones run out of room in their piggy banks, they can always open their own Nickels Savings Account for Kids at BankFive! Not only will it encourage them to save, but they’ll also receive a Nickels birthday card every year, and a free Nickels the Dog stuffed animal at account opening.
This is only a small sampling of the fun you can have while growing your savings. By thinking a little “outside of the box”, you can find ways to stay motivated and on-track with your savings goals. Good luck!