5 Sure-Fire Ways To Budget And Still Get What You Want

Budgeting is boring, we know. But often times, budgeting is necessary for many different reasons. Millennials and Gen Z-ers are famous for treating ourselves after every small victory or setback, or sometimes for no reason at all. And so we should, we deserve it! But in times when your funds won’t stretch to cover that Louis V yoga mat or the latest Cardi B X Reebok drop, we got you covered. Believe it or not, you can save and STILL treat yourself by making a few small lifestyle changes. Spend a lil, save a lil. 

#1.    GO THRIFTING! 

We cannot stress this enough. Thrift stores and charity shops have bucket loads of hidden gems just waiting to be found. Although it’s probably best not to expect the latest garms unless you want your feelings hurt, many pieces that end up in thrift shops are both one-of-a-kind and unique, encouraging shoppers to come out of their comfort zone and try something new. Not only is thrifting good for your wallet, but it’s good for the environment too. Recycling clothes means fewer end up in landfills, and by not shopping for brand new items, you limit the amount of resources used to create new fabric. And who doesn’t want to reduce their carbon footprint? 

#2.    DIY it, baby.

Whatever you’re after, we bet you can make it yourself. And YouTube is your best friend. Because it’s easier now than ever before to pay for things, it’s easy to lose track of how much we’re actually spending (thanks, Face ID). The benefits to DIY are endless. It offers us a sense of fulfilment and self-reliance once we’ve completed a task we once may have thought impossible, providing the opportunity for us to learn new skills. It also allows us to leave technology and timelines alone for a few hours, giving ourselves a much-needed break to refresh our minds. 

#3.    Use the Internet to your advantage

There’s tons of ways to make some extra cash online, from filling out surveys to reviewing websites and apps, even 1 dollar deposit casino. It’s like a job, but not. No early mornings, no forced conversation at the water cooler, no rush hour, the list goes on and on. You can stay wrapped up in your duvet, maybe have a Disney movie on in the background, and watch the coins roll in. 

#4. ATTENTION STUDENTS: Second-hand textbooks will save your life. 

Textbooks have a tendency to be overly pricy, but there are plenty of retailers selling pre-loved textbooks for a fraction of the price. Many books will also have notes made by previous owners, and who are you to refuse free help on your assignments? As the books are second-hand, it reduces pressure on the environment by reducing the demand for further books to be made, and therefore reducing the amount of trees needed to be harvested for paper. Wait, there’s more! When you’re finished, you can sell the books on and re-pocket what you paid for. What’s not to love? 

#5.    Humble yourself…

Don’t be overly boujee. You don’t need the newest this or that because it’s the newest. Don’t spend money you don’t have for the sake of appearance, you already look great. If it’s activities or socialising you’re struggling to resist, take a picnic to the park with friends, or invite them over and show them that chair you upcycled with your new DIY skills. Whatever it is, try to keep it cheap and cheerful until you can shop without checking the price tag. 

Up Next, Making Your Wardrobe And Lifestyle More Sustainable