There are many of us that would like to spend less money. It might be that we struggle to make ends meet each month, we have debts that we would like to repay, we want to be able to put some money in a savings account or we just feel that we are generally spending too much money. Spending less money though can sometimes seem almost impossible, we might feel that we are already spending the minimum that we can and so cannot cut down any more, but there may be some ways that you have not thought of.

Check how much you spend and on what

It can be good to start by looking at your bank statements so that you can see how much you are spending on things at the moment. By doing this you could find that you will notice more about your spending patterns and be aware of how much you spend on certain things. It can be really enlightening knowing how much of your income goes on certain things and this should help you to see where you might be able to cut back on your spending. You may feel that certain areas are just not worth spending on or that you would like to spend less.

Compare all prices

Whenever you buy anything it is wise to compare the prices of what you are buying. This is everything from food to fuel, electricity to insurance. By doing this you will be able to check that you are not paying more than necessary. Of course, some things are worth paying more money for, but this is not always the case. For example with electricity, you may be able to pay less for it but still receive the electricity that you need. So you could switch providers and save money with very little effort. This could apply to many things and could be a way that you can reduce your spending quite significantly. Even just looking at the prices of things can help you to make spending decisions. You may see that certain things you buy are very expensive and you could buy alternatives that are cheaper and may not notice a big difference.

Always take a list when shopping

When you go shopping it is a good idea to make a list before you go and then stick to it. It is too easy otherwise to buy lots of things that you do not need and then not buy things that you do need. You could end up wasting food because you have too much of it and it goes off or not having things that you do need and having to shop elsewhere where it is more expensive to pick it up. A list can also help to stop you being tempted by offers that you do not need. When something is reduced in price it can be tempting to think that you have to buy it because it is such a bargain. However, unles sit was something that you would normally have bought or you are getting it instead of something else, you are actually buying extra items and this will cost you more money.

Try to reduce impulse buys

It can be so easy to buy things when you see them rather than waiting until you need them. Buying things like this can be a problem as you may regret that purchase later. It can be better to spend some time thinking about whether you really need the item before you buy it and then you will have a chance to change your mind. If it is just a small cheap thing like a chocolate bar, it may not seem so important as an expensive item like a new pair of jeans. However, if you take some time to think about the chocolate bar purchase you will avoid buying it for a while and it might be healthier for you if you decide not to get it after all.

Avoid shops and online stores

If you avoid going into shops or looking at online stores then it should help you to avoid spending or needing to borrow money to make your purchase. You will be able to stop yourself from looking at what is available and then you will not be tempted to buy things. Therefore try to do all of your shopping in one go rather than making multiple visits spending smaller amounts and this should help you. This is about removing temptation and you will not be able to be tempted to buy things if you cannot see that there are things available for sale. If you think you cannot avoid this totally then try your best to avoid the most expensive places that you shop in. So think about whether you can walk an alternative way to avoid going past the shop or block their emails and any marketing mail that you get so that you are not tempted to visit their online shop.