Historically speaking, I've been pretty careless with money. I think I used to have a fairly strong party lifestyle, and I think I was just completely unaware of my own spending. Now, I look at it, and it seems obvious to plan for the month ahead, make sure you are not overspending on anything and budget.
- I have started bringing in packed lunches to work, and cycling to and from work also. That really reduces my cost on a weekly basis by at least £50/$75. Probably more as when I eat out at lunch at work, I will tend to overspend on food a few days a week.
- I just realized that my phone bill is crazy expensive given how little I use it. £40/$60 a month, for something I am barely using. I am halfway through a two year contract. I can cancel the contract but have to pay the remainder of the Iphone device cost off, which is £280/$430, which sucks. But I am going to see if I can get the device cost reduced by 50% because its I lost my Iphone over 6 months ago now. Its one of those frustrating things when you realize what a drain certain things are but half the battle is becoming aware of the fact that you don't need to pay the debt and should cancel.
- I am close to cancelling my gym membership. Its only £20/$30 a month though, so kinda cheap, so I will keep it for now, but am tempted to just begin running outside, and use my bench press and dumbbells in my room instead.
-Outside of that, I am cutting down on the weekends in general. Big nights just aren't worth it anymore healthwise and are a big drain on finances obviously.
- I have started cooking more food on the weekends. I used to buy thai curry the whole time, and then realised I may as well make my own cut the price by 50%.
There are few other things but those are the main ones for me. I am going to continue to bring in packed lunch and cycle/walk to work. That is a massive help. Then secondly, I need to cancel my phone contract, which will reduce my monthly outgoings. After that is cancelled, I will notice the difference.
Its interesting, when you do cut down on expenses, you begin to realise how most people are so mindless in terms of all the shit they buy on a daily basis, unaware of how much the small purchases can add up. Food is a dangerous one as its incremental so you don't realize how much it adds up to sometimes.
