7 Ways to Save Money on a Tight Budget

Sometimes, money is just tight. It’s tough! But, don’t give up. You’ll get through it. If you’re looking for ways to save money on a tight budget, but you aren’t actively budgeting, you need to. When you’re on a tight budget, looking for ways to stretch your dollar is first priority.

Here’s 7 Ways to Save Money on a Tight Budget

1. Rethink Needs vs. Wants

It’s easy to get accustomed paying for things that we don’t actually need. And once you pay for it long enough, your brain starts mistaking that want for a need. But if money is tight, you might have to make some sacrifices. It is not worth going into debt or neglecting an emergency savings fund to keep paying for stuff that is not essential.

Seriously.

Do you NEED a huge Phone Data package, tons of new clothes, or to eat out at restaurants that often? Rethink what you feel are really your essentials and if they are actually luxuries, scale back on them.

2. Forget about ‘the Joneses’ and Reprioritize

When looking for ways to save money on a tight budget, it is a huge struggle when we’re comparing ourselves to those around us. You need to set your financial priorities based on what is BEST for YOU, not what will look good to others.

Compare the feeling of impressing others with the feeling of staying strong to your convictions. Which feeling is better?

One tricky situation can arise with your friends. I have friends that I truly love, but it’s difficult to know what to do when your friends make more money than you. But here’s the thing – they might not actually make a ton of money. They just haven’t arrived to the place that you have when it comes to getting serious about your finances.

So what do you do when they ask you to hang out or do other things that they can “afford” but you can’t? Stay strong. Be honest with them. Offer cheaper options. Instead of a “Girls’ night out” suggest a “Girl’s night in” to save some cash. If they are really your friends, they will work to accommodate your financial constraints.

3. Use Cash

It may seem simple, but switching to cash can really help you save money. When you spend cash, there is an emotional response that takes place. You can see and feel the money you spend. Swiping a debit or credit card does not give you the same response. Since it easier to swipe a card we tend not think twice about spending that we should. It is also easier to lose track of spending when you swipe a card. If you want to spend less on a tight budget, cash is king.

Plus, using cash has a awesome built-in budgeting feature – the “stop-spending” feature. When your cash is gone, you have to stop spending.

4. Shop at ALDI

I’ve been shopping at ALDI for years. I have not found a grocery store that gives you a greater value than ALDI. Their products are the best combination of quality and price. Just shopping at ALDI reduced my grocery bill by hundreds of dollars a month. If you live near an ALDI, you need to take advantage of their savings. They even have their own Organic, and Gluten free product lines!

5. Meal Plan

Meal Planning is simply deciding on your dinner menus ahead of time based on what food is on sale that week. Planning ahead like this ensures that you won’t have to pick up Chinese take-out last minute, that you are getting more nutritious dinners, and you are getting those meals at the best value.

One of the best ways to save money on a tight budget is to use an ALDI Freezer meal plan. When you use this system, you will be able to make 20 freezer meals for around $150 with just 3 hours of prep. These freezer meals are a life saver! You won’t find a better grocery value anywhere. Whether you’re on a tight budget or not, using a freezer cooking meal plan should be a no-brainer. Try a Mini Meal Plan for free and see for yourself:

6. Cut the Cord

Cable TV is expensive! With all the streaming and other options available, when you’re on a tight budget – consider cutting the cord. Remember, Cable TV is a luxury and it is not worth going into debt or sacrificing necessities for. Most people are already paying for internet and a streaming service, when you’re budget it tight, don;t double up on your entertainment expense.

What about your sports? Well, that is why Sling TV is my favorite option! For just $20 a month, you get sports channels, Food Network, History, Disney, and many other awesome channels that you can stream live! It is the cheapest and best option that makes me, my husband, and our budget very happy.

7. Shop for a Different Cell Phone plan

Finding ways to save money on a tight budget that we like can be a stretch. Especially when it comes to your cell phone. We like our cell phones, we like having gigs and gigs of data available. But remember, your budget is limited, and your cell phone bill is a great place to look for massive savings. To be honest, I was hesitant to switch cell phone providers and let go of my iPhone, but I was able to cut my phone bill in half, literally. Just by switching to Republic Wireless.

Here’s my honest and detailed Republic Wireless review.

I do admire your loyalty to the iPhone, but believe it or not, there are other amazing phones on the market. You might not even have to sacrifice any features! I realized that other major phone caries and Smartphones have come a long way, and guess what? I LOVE my Android phone, I don’t even miss my iPhone anymore! Beyond that I am literally saving HUNDREDS of dollars a year, just my using Republic Wireless. Try it out. There’s no contracts, and you can bring your old number.

These are a few of the easiest and best ways to save money on a tight budget. I guarantee if you implement a few of these, you’ll be amazed at the money you’ll free up in your monthly budget.