Building a few simple financial habits now can lead to meaningful savings later, and many of them only take a few minutes.
These steps won’t create long-term wealth as powerfully as investing in the stock market, but they can help you grow an emergency fund or free up extra cash for debt payments each month. Below are two money habits that may help you bring in a little more money for both short-term and long-term goals, whether that means taking a vacation, buying a home or preparing for retirement.
1. Purchase discounted gift cards
If you plan to eat out, buy a new pair of shoes or catch a movie, you probably prefer not to pay full price. Discounted gift cards can help lower the cost.
Websites such as CardCash, along with warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club, often offer gift cards for less than their face value.
Many sites also let you sort gift cards by category so you can find the right one for an upcoming purchase. Some even highlight cards discounted by a set percentage, such as 10% to 20% off their value.
You won’t save a huge amount with a single discounted card, but the savings can grow over time, especially if you use them for purchases you would make anyway.
The important thing is to buy only when you regularly use the business in question. A discounted card for a restaurant you never visit will not help much. Focus on buying cards for things you actually need rather than chasing a deal for its own sake.
2. Review subscriptions every month
Another quick way to cut spending is to check whether you are paying for subscriptions you no longer use, such as a streaming service you rarely watch.
Set aside time once a month to scan your credit card statement for recurring charges you may have forgotten about. This habit can also help you rethink the value of subscriptions you use only occasionally and consider cheaper alternatives.
For example, you might be paying for a premium food-delivery app membership when the free version still provides most of what you need.
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