The holiday season is quickly approaching, and some consumers may have to adjust their budgets so they can buy gifts for friends and family. There are a number of small changes you can make to your spending habits to free up the extra cash. Just remember – bad credit personal loans should be used in an emergency and not to go on a shopping spree.
If you start now, a few minor changes in your day-to-day life could free up the cash you need to get gifts for loved ones.
1. Make Your Own Coffee
Buying a single cup from a local coffee shop may not seem like very much on its own, but if your do this several days a week, it adds up to a significant amount of money. Instead, brew your own coffee at home. Better yet, if your office provides coffee, wait until you get to work to have your first cup of the day.
2. Wash Your Own Car
There’s nothing like a sparkling car, but paying to get this done can be expensive. Instead, wash your car at home. The cost to purchase the supplies for countless washes can be equal to a single trip to the car wash and yield notable savings by the time the holidays roll around.
3. Clean Your Own Home
Having a maid is a luxury most people don’t realistically need, so think about cleaning your home yourself. Certain people even find this activity therapeutic, and doing so on your own can save money. Some people might think they don’t have the time to clean their home, but if they do a little here and there, they may be surprised about how much they can accomplish.
The same goes for landscaping. Instead of hiring a company to take care of your lawn, get out there every other weekend for a mow. Not only is this a good excuse to get outside, it can be good exercise.
4. Purchase Generic Items
You may be loyal to a certain brand-name product, but you should consider a switch to a generic alternative to save cash. These items can be a fraction the price and still be good quality. Although the individual savings may not be very much on their own, you may be able to notice the affordability once you check out.