You're young, the month only has 10 days, and your bank account shows you what reality is really like? Welcome to the club! But hey, you don't have to go into "I'm only eating pasta with ketchup" mode to hold onto your money. Saving isn't a punishment, it's a superpower!
Yes, you heard right. If you're a little bit clever, you can save a decent amount even with small contributions, without having to give up Netflix or your favorite takeaway (okay, maybe you'll have to go to Starbucks one less time, but it's all for a good cause!).
Here are a few clever money-saving tips that will fill your wallet without requiring you to change your life forever:
- Sell your stuff – Remember that old Y2K t-shirt you never wore? Sell it on eBay or Vinted . You'll not only free up closet space, but also make a little cash. Win-win!
- Check your subscriptions – Do you have 17 streaming services and 5 apps that are "premium"? Questions you should ask yourself : Do I need all of this? Or can I at least pause one subscription until I actually need Netflix content that isn't already being shared on TikTok?
- Take out your smartphone, but not for online shopping! – Get a budgeting app that shows you where your money is going. You'll be surprised how much you could save at the end of the month for those "absolutely essential" coffee purchases.
- Meal prepping – Yes, you can cook! Even if your last attempt at making spaghetti ended in disaster. Pack a lunch for university or work and save €5–10 every day. Your wallet will thank you.
- Save automatically – If you can reduce your weekly grocery shopping to a minimum, you can also manage to put aside a small amount each month. Imagine having €50 automatically debited from your account, which you won't even notice. It's possible without having to go without!
And don't worry, you don't have to give up everything you love. Saving isn't about punishing yourself – it's about taking control of your life and your finances . Who knows, maybe one day you'll be able to afford that summer vacation in Bali – without constantly worrying about your bank balance. 😉