Saving money in the current financial climate can be hard work, and the last thing you want in your life is extra stress or pressure. Rising accommodation, fuel, and food costs all make it more difficult than ever for consumers to squirrel away savings.
But it doesn't have to be doom and gloom, there are ways to put money aside while continuing to enjoy your life and we have listed the top six below.
Gamble with Cryptocurrencies
Gambling might seem like the antithesis of saving, but if you do it right you can have fun and put money away. Betting expert Nick Pappas explains that finding the fastest payout online casino can help players withdraw winnings quickly and securely, taking away the temptation to continue betting.
But how can gambling help your savings? Denying yourself any fun is not a healthy way to save money, so setting aside an affordable budget for activities can help.
You can then use a set amount for crypto gambling for fun, and any winnings you make can be put straight into your savings. You will also have the opportunity to use cryptocurrencies that can increase in value, giving you another chance to save more.
Round Up Your Spending
Another way to increase your savings while spending is by rounding up all your outgoings and putting the difference into your savings account. For example, you could round up to the nearest dollar, five, or ten and there are even banking and budgeting apps specially designed to help with this.
Even people who are trying to save will have essential outgoings and a cellphone bill of $21.67 could be rounded up and add $0.33, $3.33, or $8.33 to your savings.
Search for Free Events
Getting out with your friends and family doesn't have to be expensive. There are lots of things to see and do for free including visiting local parks, galleries, and museums. It is also worth searching for local events as there are often free shows for people to enjoy.
Many local communities, towns, and cities will put on free events to encourage visitors, and this means you will have the opportunity to enjoy live music without the huge ticket prices.
While you might not be lucky enough to see Taylor Swift in your local park for free, there are often some extremely talented musicians who will enjoy the support as much as you enjoy the performance.
Food Prep
How much a year do you think you spend on the odd lunch here or the occasional coffee there? All these things can add up, but they often give people something to look forward to during the working day.
However, bringing your own food and drink to work does not have to be boring and can save you a lot of money.
Searching online for free recipes can open up a culinary world to you, and as your cooking and prep skills grow you will be able to experiment with flavors.
Many people see their food prep as a chore and pick the same thing every day for convenience. Taking the time to plan different meals for every day of the week will give you something exciting to experience, and can also help you plan your grocery shopping so you don't overspend.
Exercise Ideas
When you think about what many people do at the gym, it makes you wonder why we all spend so much money on them. While they can often have excellent specialist equipment for people searching for specific fitness goals, the average gym user could get the same workout in a variety of regular ways.
Try taking the stairs instead of the elevator, walk or cycle to work or the shops if they are close enough. Use online exercise routines to enjoy yoga or calisthenics in the comfort of your own home.
The most difficult part of this is working out your routine and sticking to it, but when you get going you will find it easier than you'd ever believe.
Enjoy Your Side Hustle
It is relatively common for people to pursue other careers while working their regular job and choosing one you enjoy will give you great pleasure. Some people even enjoy searching yard sales and thrift shops for bargains and reselling online.
If you have a particular career goal, taking the steps to get there while earning will give you a great sense of achievement. You can also explore your passion through blogging or reviewing fashion, film, books, or sports.
Bloggers can build an impressive social media following and the content they create can earn them money directly through views or through affiliate marketing links.
Hobbies and pastimes can be a great gateway to money-making ideas, and if you enjoy yourself while doing it, this can only be a good thing.
Conclusion
There are always reasons to save, whether it's for your future, investment opportunities, to put down a deposit on a new home, to buy a car, or for a wedding, but it isn't always easy. The idea of sacrificing the things you enjoy can be difficult for many, but the suggestions above can help.
In most cases, a shift in perspective can really help. Instead of being disappointed about having to cut down on meals out or cycling to work, you can see it as the kick start to a healthier lifestyle, and saving money becomes a nice side effect.