Money-Saving Hacks: Set It, Forget It, and Save
Folks, let’s admit it! We all love saving money, especially when it’s effortless. Here are a few tips that I swear by to save money with minimum fuss.
1. eBates Browser Extension: Initially, I was skeptical about using browser extensions, but trust me, eBates is simple to use. With just ten minutes you’re set! After setting up your account on the eBates website and downloading the extension, you are good to go! It’ll prompt a small box asking if you want to save a certain percentage while shopping. In every few months, you’ll notice a lovely deposit of unexpected cash either in your PayPal account or a check mailed to you.
2. Honey Browser Extension: Honey is great at scanning the web for deals on the site you’re shopping. It saves time from looking up “Coupons for X,” which can sometimes be exhausting. Beware; it might not be super helpful if you’re a diehard Amazon shopper. However, for almost all other sites, it’s a fair bet and only takes five minutes to install.
3. Paribus: All you need is to link it with your email. It automatically scans your purchases and checks if you’re owed any refunds, handling the refund process for you. You can have this set up in less than 15 minutes.
4. 401(k) Contributions: The best way to save for your future is by setting up your 401(k) contributions right when you start a new job. Adding a small percentage of your salary here can be as easy as a quick trip to your HR department. Also, most employers make it easy to adjust your contributions anytime. If you find saving tough, start with 1% and gradually increase it every year. If your employer offers a match, aim for that if possible.
5. Digit or Dobot: These used to be free (and fantastic) at helping save. Although they started charging now, it might still be worth it if you often forget to save. With an algorithm that takes your income and spending into account, the automation saved me nearly $3,000 in two years before they started charging. If your income varies frequently like mine did during my freelancing years, you’ll love how it adjusts amounts in saving accordingly to align with your income highs and lows.
So, these are my little secrets to hassle-free, automatic saving. How do you save money? Let’s open this topic and hear out your set-it-and-forget-it hacks!