Funding Your Fangirl Life
Being a fangirl can be costly. Think about all of the new vinyl releases, merchandise collections, and tours that happen each year – yeah, it’s a lot. Breaking down your spending sessions and taking account of where your money is going each month will help you form one of the most important, valuable habits possible. So, here are some tips and tricks to carve out fruitless to live your best life as a fangirl.
Skip Your Morning Coffee Run
Refrain from your morning coffee outings. Purchasing your coffee drink every morning might seem minimal, but those charges are slowly adding up and slipping under the radar. Stepping into your local coffee establishment costs you a pretty penny, especially if you’re adding on a muffin or that tasty croissant you’ve had your eye on all week. Invest in a trusty tumbler – perhaps a merch item – and make your coffee at home. After all, think about all the new merch tumblers you can buy with your new pocket change.
Of course, cutting back on the morning coffee trips isn’t going to make you a millionaire, but every little helps, right?
Cancel Unused Monthly Subscriptions
Many let untouched subscriptions tap into their accounts without even realising it. Don’t even get me started on the ‘free trial’ plans where you forgot to cancel them after the trial ended – don’t worry, we’ve all been there! Perchance, you’re not using your gym membership, or you’re not going to the spa as often as you thought. Maybe you don’t need HBO, Amazon Prime, Netflix, and Hulu all at once. Have a clear out of your subscriptions and save yourself a fair whack each and every month.
Utilize Your Favorite Band’s Online Discounts
Saving money isn’t just about stopping all spending. If you’ve been pining over a merch item or are desperate to get your hands on their latest release, don’t write it off entirely just because you’re saving. Oftentimes, artists’ online merchandise stores have discounts sprinkled throughout the year, perhaps around the holidays or birthdays! It’s about being savvy, not scrimpy, and remember, life is all about balance!
Eat at Home
Do you eat out multiple times a week? It’s fun to explore a new bar or a newly opened restaurant in town but you could be spending a few hundred per month just by eating out. Turn eating at home into a fun new hobby! Pick out a few new recipes you want to try out and whack on your favourite movie.
Thrift Shop
You wouldn’t believe the gems that you can find whilst thrifting. From clothing to kitchenware, to something new to furnish your place, you can spot just about anything from more than half the cost of something brand new. Oftentimes, people sell their goods at garage sales and sell dirt cheap. And, did you know that second-hand shopping is a good way to protect the environment? So now you’re pocketing more money for a merch binge AND saving the planet. It’s a win-win.
Know What You’re Going to Buy Before Shopping
How many times have you walked into a grocery store with no idea what you’re actually going to be buying and walked out with a bunch of scattered foods? Constitute a clear grocery shopping list and grocery budget. Don’t splurge on unsatisfying snacks and only get the essentials that you know you’re going to eat.
Use a “Save The Change” Feature with your Bank
Many banks offer a “Save The Change” styled feature where every time you make a purchase with a debit or credit card, the amount you spend is rounded up to the nearest pound/dollar, and the difference between the actual cost and the rounded-up cost is automatically transferred into a savings account. For example, if you make a purchase of £3.50, the amount is rounded up to £4.00, and the extra £0.50 is transferred to your savings account. While fifty cents may not seem like a lot, it adds up over time, and you’ll be amazed at how much you can save. This convenient tool can help you develop a saving habit without drastically changing your spending behaviour, so give it a try!
