easy ways to save money

With the holiday's coming to an end and the New Year about to begin, I feel like everyone is trying to get their life together; especially their finances. A few months I wanted to cut back on a few unnecessary habits that were burning a hole in my pocketbook. I also knew I wasn't being resourceful when it came to coupons. Below are a few helpful tips that have been successful for me when trying to save money!

1. Manicures

This one is hard for me to type let alone carry out but in the beginning of the school semester I stopped getting my nails done every two weeks. Getting a pedicure and a gel manicure was costing me almost $90 dollars every 14 days. That's a $180 "bill" every month. I went back to school full-time and now only teach THREE Pure Barre classes a week. I luckily don't have any finical obligations (ex. car note, phone bill, etc.) but I knew I couldn't continue with my lifestyle especially if I only wanted to work THREE hours a week. As of now I'm only getting a pedicure once a month and a polish change every other visit. I can handle not having polish on my nails but couldn't cave when it came to my feet. My fingers nails are just kept unpolished unless I get a gift card which comes more often than you think! It's been surprisingly easy to stick to.

2. Convenience Food

Specifically coffee. I was spending anywhere from $30-$70 a week at Starbucks. This habit could not continue if I wanted to go back to school full-time. I found a grocery store cold brew that I liked, figured out what I wanted to add to it, and started seeing a whole lot more money in my checking account at the end of each month. This was by far the most helpful when trying to save money! Also know your habits. Drinking out of a straw is a MUST for me so I had to purchase reusable straws so that this learned habit would stick!

3. Bottled Water

I started buying water by the gallon instead of in small bottles or through retail. I will admit that I do not drink tap water because I live in New Orleans but luckily a gallon of water is only $0.97 cents at Walmart. Before hand I was buying a bottle of water for an entire dollar anytime I walked into work (and I use to work a lot more than just three hours a week).

4. Coupons

Clip your coupons! I JUST bought a 13 lb bag of dog food for only $0.49 cents at Petco. I got to apply two separate coupons and had $10 dollars worth of rewards. If you tend to forget about which coupons you have and when they expire, save them in your notes. Keep them neatly tucked away in your wallet and remember to toss them out if they've expired.

5. Only buy what you LOVE and what's on SALE.

I no longer buy anything that's not on SALE. It's totally possible to find what you need on SALE or with a promo code. Makeup, hair tools (curling iron), clothes, shoes, and household accessories, etc. etc. Where there's a will, there's a way! When buying clothes you should absolutely LOVE your purchase so much that you want to wear it again. Crazy, right?! If you truly love your style and the clothes your buying, then you should want to keep them close by. If not, toss all the extra out (aka sell)!

All selections and opinions in this post are my own.