If you’re anything like me, you probably have a laundry list of things you want to purchase for your home, your wardrobe, or your personal library—just things for you. My list is always way over the budget—and quite frankly, sometimes it’s hard to make those purchases for myself. There is always something more essential that we need as a family or something that my kids would like to have. So here are a few tips for how to save for something you really want.
1. Make a list. I keep a list with me of the things I would like to purchase for my home or my wardrobe. I include the item, its price (so I’ll know how to spot a true sale!), and our size if it’s clothing. I have those things listed in the order of what I need or want the most. I also keep an Amazon wish list.
My list is great for when people ask me what any of us would like for our birthday or for Christmas. I keep a list for my kids too, so that their grandparents have great ideas for the type of gifts they would like.
2. Prioritize. Once I have things written down, it’s a lot easier to prioritize. The best way to save for something you really want is to know how much you want it. When I look at my priorities, I’m more motivated to save.
For example, the other night I was ready to head over to Sonic to take my kids through the drive through. I was tired and it would have been an easy dinner—and after all, it was a special deal night on kids’ meals. But even when I looked at spending around $4, I knew that would pay for something else. That was $4 that I could choose not to spend, especially since I already had what they were going to order—grilled cheese and apple slices—at home.
I love to eat out, and I understand, there are those days when that will take priority! But this time, we ate at home.
3. Use coupons. When you get savings where you can, you’ll have more money to spend on what you really want. Coupons are a largely untapped resource of savings. There are lots of places to get them—you don’t even have to clip them if you don’t want to. Read my Top Tips for Using Coupons.
4. Check out the Daily Deals. Since I do love to go out to eat, we still go—but only when we have our discounts in hand. I watch Amazon local deals and wait for a 50% off coupon for our favorite restaurant. This way, we’re definitely not depriving ourselves while we save, but we are simply waiting for the best deal so that we can still enjoy the things we love to do, while doing them at the price we can afford.
5. Know What to Buy When. You can save for what you really want when you don’t have to save as much, right? If you make your purchases when they are at their lowest price of the year, you will be spending the least on them. That means you don’t have to save as much! There is definitely a rhyme and reason to when to buy everything. There are seasonal sales cycles that come around every month so that there is truly a best time to buy things like furniture, mattresses, linens, computers, electronics, and more. And there are times of the year when you absolutely don’t want to purchase certain things. Learn what to buy when every month of the year with my easy guides.
Are you saving for something special? What are you doing to put money toward your goal?
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