Budget: 10 easy ideas to save without realizing it

Having a few dozen, or even hundreds, more euros in your account at the end of the month is significant. Copy these simple actions to adopt to achieve this!

Do you want to put a little money aside without drastically cutting into your weekly budget? Sometimes, you just need to adopt the right reflexes, the right timing or the right method to save precious euros. We share with you our favorite techniques.

1. Refuel at the right time

It is said that it is more interesting to fill up in the morning, when temperatures are low because the gasoline is thus more concentrated (the liquid expands slightly in the heat: a warm liter will be less dense than a cold liter ). Second point: do not refuel with an empty tank. The fuller the tank, the less air remains. So if you hear that the price of gasoline is decreasing on the news, take advantage of it wherever the gauge is.

2. Don’t forget your reimbursements

Please return all documents that could lead to reimbursement, particularly from your mutual insurance company (intervention for a sports club, glasses, contact lenses, a psychiatrist appointment, children’s training courses, etc.). We are too often in the habit of neglecting this type of compensation, which nevertheless allows us to save a good sum at the end of the year.

You could also create a file where you compile all these reimbursements and take the step of sending them back to the right organizations at the end of the quarter.

3. Choose economical appliances

There is no point in choosing the least expensive appliance to save money. This may be the case on the big day, but not in the long term. It is better to invest in a more expensive fridge, washing machine, or microwave but with low energy consumption. It is your future electricity bills that will be reduced.

4. Drink tap water

Tap water costs less than bottled water and is also more environmentally friendly. As an indication, in March 2023, the BEP environment of the province of Namur indicated that drinking tap water “saved up to 362.25 euros per person per year. On the scale of a family of four, based on a consumption of 1.5 liters per day, this represents 1450 euros in savings”. Implacable!

5. Stop by the shoemaker

Soles, bag straps, heel pads, the boutique will refurbish your favorite shoes for the season, as well as your leather goods. Do the same for sewing: yes, the bottom of pants can be sewn back and a zipper can be replaced! Consider systematically waterproofing your jackets, messenger bags, satchels, pumps, sneakers, to extend their lifespan… These old, somewhat forgotten reflexes are worth it.

6. Check your receipts

Did you buy a product because it was on sale? Check that the latter has been deducted. In general, remember to analyze your ticket in detail to see if the prices indicated on the shelves correspond to those on the receipt. This will also allow you to understand to which items you allocate the largest share of your expenses (frozen food, dairy products, hygiene products, etc.) and to correct the situation if necessary.

7. Ask for generic medications

Doctors and pharmacists still have the reflex to sell you medicine from a well-known brand. Always ask if there is a generic version. This will allow you to pay less for your treatment. These range from nose drops, Paracetamol to prescription medication.

8. Refuse supplements

All sellers are conditioned to offer you a “little something extra”. In a sandwich shop or a bakery, you will quickly be suggested to leave with a drink, some sweets, etc. The (para)pharmacies draw their weapons in front of your eyes, often at the checkout, to offer you attractive promotions that you do not need ( a tube of XXL sunscreen, yet another lip balm, but with rose this time…). Pass your turn.

9. Fully charge your devices

Fully charge your phones, computers, cameras, tablets… This is the unstoppable trick to protect the battery. And unplug it as soon as it is operational.

10. Buy less, but well

Favor noble materials and timeless cuts. Our grandparents used to say, “I’m not rich enough to afford cheap clothes,” and they were right! Thus, we avoid synthetic materials which are less durable and we favor natural materials which resist the passage of time. We also focus on the basics from the fashion departments (denim, solid colors, cotton sweaters, etc.) and we generally take care of our purchases (be careful when washing them).

You may also like:

Recipes, fashion, decoration, sex, astro: follow our news on Facebook AND Instagram. Exclusive: our latest articles via email.