5 Unusual Tricks to Help you Save Up

Saving money is not always as easy as it first seems, and all those good intentions and budgets can fly out of the window without you even noticing – so why not try some more unusual money saving tips? Here are five of our best tips to help you save up!

1. Never pay with coins
   That’s right, take out all those coins weighing down your purse or wallet and put them in a piggy bank or jar instead. That 10 Sen coin isn't worth much on its own, but once you start saving up all your coins, it can add up to a considerable sum. Avoid the temptation of dipping into your coin fund by storing in it a tin with just a coin slot at the top. If you have to get out a can opener to access those coins, you’re more likely to wait until it’s full before you open it!
   
   
2.  Never say NO to a freebie
   Whether it’s free shampoo and soap from a hotel or free condiments from a restaurant, stock up! These free products are just as good, but with the added bonus that they cost you nothing. It also means that you get better value on your hotel room and meal out, so it’s a win-win situation.
   
   
3. Sleep on it
   Make a deal with yourself: Don’t buy something the first time you see it. Shopping can be a dangerous experience for those wanting to save up, and sometimes all that temptation can get too much. So avoid all that hassle and post-shopping regret by not buying anything the first time you see it or try it on. Go home, sleep on it, look at your finances and your budget and decide whether you really need it, or whether you can survive without it.
   
   
4. Find a partner who’s good with money
   If your partner is always overspending, borrowing money from you and forgetting to pay their bills, chances are you’re not going to be that good with money either. We’re not saying you should break up with your partner if they’re not good with money, but you should definitely sit down together and discuss your expectations when it comes to finances – money is the number one cause of arguments in relationships, so don’t let it ruin yours too.
   
   If you’re still single, on the other hand, why not add “good with money” to your list of criteria? A smart spender will encourage you to save, and will help you to get back on track if you fall off the saving bandwagon.
   
   
5. Save the environment and your money at the same time
   You've heard it a thousand times before: switch off the lights when you’re not in the room, reuse paper, bottles and everything possible… It’s all great for the environment, but there’s another key reason to save energy and reduce, reuse and recycle: it saves you money!

Exclusively for Finance Malaysia Blog, this money saving tips is brought to you by comparehero.my, Malaysia's leading comparison portal.