Jackie Gower - 5 unusual ways to save money

One of the things I love most about saving money is that you never stop learning. There are always new and exciting ways to save! Here are some savvy ideas which you may not have thought of before but can all help to put more money in your wallet.

Cast a critical eye over your stuff. It’s amazing how much meaningless ‘stuff’ we accumulate. Take a tour of your home and evaluate each room one by one, checking out each item. Which ones mean the most to you? Which could you easily do without? Getting rid of clutter results in more space, you can create some extra income from selling it to someone who will use or appreciate it more and a tidy home can even improve the perceived value of your house.

Find out about all of the benefits of your job. Most people aren’t even aware of them but it’s well worth spending a little time finding out about ALL the benefits of your job. Some have enjoyable perks such as free tickets to sporting events or concerts but you may well discover much bigger long term benefits such as savings on adult education and even ways to grow your retirement fund with the help of your company. Well worth asking about!

Become a volunteer. Joining a volunteer program is a great way to get active, meet new people and do something positive. It’s the perfect way to lift your spirits and enjoy a day of rewarding activity without spending a cent! Ask at your local information centre about community groups in your area.

Keep a notebook. If you’re like me and would forget your head if it wasn’t stuck on, a simple notebook can really help you save time and money. Instead of trying to remember a dozen things in your head, keep a notebook in your pocket to jot down all those little reminders – such as picking up the milk and returning library books. A small thing, but a big saver when it comes to saving petrol, multiple trips to the shops and so on!

Talk to your loved ones about your dreams. This may sound like an impossible way to save money but not at all! Sharing your goals and dreams with the people you love can really help to clarify and plan how you’re going to achieve them. If your goal is to be financially secure, your friends and family can be worth their weight in gold when it comes to motivating, encouraging and keeping you on track, so that you can reach your goal sooner!