*Note: This was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Do you have a personal finance story that you'd like to share? Sign up with the Yahoo! Contributor Network to start publishing your own finance articles.
Though inflation seems to make everything more expensive, we've found ways to keep enjoying life without spending more. We still indulge in all our old pleasures, like watching movies or eating out, but with a few small changes that make all the difference to our wallets. For anyone looking to cut costs without cutting on life's little pleasures, here's what we do.
We're Taking Advantage of Happy Hour Deals
Instead of eating out at full price, we've learned to check out the happy hour menus of our favorite restaurants. Instead of paying $16 for our favorite burger meal, we pay $6 by eating in the bar area. We still get to sit in a booth and enjoy the same comfort of eating in the restaurant lounge, but we save 40% on our check.
We're Shopping Organic at the Source
We've decided to switch to organic fruits and vegetables, because they are healthier and tastier. To save money, we've signed up for a weekly delivery straight from local farmers. Instead of selecting specific produce we'd like to buy, we get a 50% discount by accepting whatever the farmers have in abundance that week. Even better, the delivery crate is dropped on our doorstep, saving us the hassle and cost of shopping at the supermarket.
We're Cooking for the Week
To eat healthy without spending too much, we're buying ingredients in bulk and then cooking large portions that last us all week. Not only does this save us money, but it spares us the drudgery of daily cooking. And we've split the kitchen chores between every family member. This way we're all in the kitchen together, keeping each other company and finishing our tasks faster.
We're Watching Movies at Home
Instead of going to the movie theater to watch new releases, we've purchased a monthly movie streaming membership for less than the price of a single movie ticket. Now, from the comfort of our home, we have a movie night every night. And our popcorn and snacks cost a fraction as well.
We're Lighting Up Our Living Space
In winter, we like illuminating our home brightly to give us a feeling of cozy warmth. To save on energy, we've switched our 60 Watt light bulbs to 40 or 25 Watt. We're also using Energy Star Light Bulbs, which use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs (according to the manufacturer).
We're Going Out to Friend's House
To save money without cutting our social gatherings, we party at each other's homes instead of meeting at restaurants. Each person contributes to a party pot. Then we take turns shopping for groceries at a wholesale store, where bulk buying saves us even more money. While the party is going, some of us make salads in the kitchen, while others cook the burgers on the grill.
There are no comments yet