A few weeks ago I shared a post with three ways to spend less and stick to your budget. In case you missed that post, here’s a quick review:
- Don’t go shopping
- Make a list and stick to it
- Record every expense manually
Obviously I elaborated on each of these points in that post. Read it here!
Since writing that post I’ve jotted down a few more tips as they’ve come to my mind. Today I’m back to share three more ways to spend less and stick to your budget!
More Ways to Spend Less and Stick to Your Budget
4. Get on the same page with your spouse
I can’t emphasize the importance of this enough. You will have all sorts of problems if you and your spouse are not on the same page with your finances.
Often in a marriage one spouse is the saver and one is the spender. (Is this the case for yours?) It can also swing back in forth: for example, maybe one spouse is generally the saver but doesn’t mind spending more on food.
It’s important to note that being on the same page with your spouse doesn’t mean “bending your spouse to your will.” Ha! Communication and compromise are important. You are a team.
This article has some great tips for getting on the same page with your spouse about finances.
5. Make room for “fun money” in your budget
This idea is going to look different for everyone, but I think it’s an important concept. You will have an easier time sticking to your budget if you have a little “fun money”. For us right now this means twenty bucks a month that I can use for a fancy coffee, a new planner, a shirt I want but don’t really need, etc. 😉
Now obviously if you are on a beans and rice budget, “fun money” is probably the last thing on your mind. We’ve had to completely cut it out of the budget at certain times. However, I think that even if you are just able to budget for one little treat, it can help encourage you as you work to spend less and stick to your budget.
6. Make savings goals and make it easy to see your progress
I am personally much more motivated to save when I have goals and can see my progress.
Right now Pablo and I are working to save for a second car (read my tips for being a one car family here.) To give us a better picture of our progress we’ve opened up a savings account with Ally online bank where we can stow away whatever we’re able to save towards our goal. It’s nice to be able to watch that little savings account slowly grow.
Mint.com is also great for being able to set goals and see a visual of how you’re progressing.
Those are all the tips I have for you today! What are some of your favorite ways to spend less and stick to your budget? I’d love to hear your tips in the comments!
I think being on the same page as your spouse is so important as well, otherwise it causes so much conflict when it comes to money. We like to use a high yield savings account (CIT Bank), do most of our shopping online to earn cash back, and also scan all our receipts to earn on those.
Shopping online with something like Rakuten (formerly Ebates) or something similar is so smart! I always kick myself when I forget to use it and lose out on easy cash back.
Great tips. I started using a budget app a few years ago and it’s been so helpful. Requires some work but very useful to save and see where your money is going.
Yes, it’s so nice to be able to quickly see where your money is going. It’s a reassuring feeling. 🙂
Great Tips – keeping track of your finances manually is a game changer. It forces you to really take a look at what your spending.
Absolutely! When I’m not keeping track it’s so much easier to overspend!
this is great post. I need to dedicate something for fun. my budget hardly has fun money. good point to take away.
Yeah it’s a bit counter-intuitive maybe but I really think that having a bit of fun money goes a long way in helping you keep on budget in other areas!
I like the idea of including fun money because most forget to add that to their budget.
Yes, it’s easy to leave off the budget but so good to add if you can! 🙂