Ways to Save in 2021
We all know that this year is one that is going to be different from any other. If money was tight before, then 2021 could turn out to be rather testing. The recession taught us many tricks to get by but the Pandemic has wrought mayhem on our economy and our lifestyles. Saving money this year might have to take a bit more aggressive approach than before.
In previous years it might be prudent to start thinking about cutting costs by packing your own lunch and coffee for work rather than buying it from a store or restaurant. Research showed that American workers spend big on pretty daily expenses when they travel to work. Half of the American workforce spends close to $1000 a year on coffee. 66 percent of working Americans buy their lunch instead of making their own and taking it with them to work. This costs each individual close to $2,000 a year.
51 percent of all employed Americans transitioned to working from home during the pandemic. This means that everyone who is working from home could be saving thousands each year. One way to save which would have been thought of as extreme less than a year ago, was to cut your own hair at home. The clipper company Wahl saw its website traffic up a whopping 287 percent over the same period last year. Given that the average haircut for men costs $28 nationwide, and costs $44 on average for women — doing your own hair could save you a bundle, and seeing as though most everyone is doing it these days, or not going out anywhere special, you could be forgiven for giving it a try. Some men have just let their hair and beards grow out like a 60’s beatnik and some have shaved their heads for simplicity.
Saving money doesn't necessarily need to impact your lifestyle enormously. The one good thing about a Pandemic is that while it can create uncertainty and worry about finances it is forcing us to save at the same time on several things. Since the pandemic struck the United States the Federal Highway Administration saw that compared to the same time last year, total driving decreased by 40 percent. Most of us are staying close to home and not driving long distances. The amount saved on gas alone let alone the wear and tear on the vehicles is significant.
Saving as much as you can in the coming year means being smarter and thinking outside the box — or inside the home.
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