If you've partied too hard at the start of the month and find you've blown your 'socialising' budget you might be feeling a bit glum. However, you don't have to spend the rest of the month in solitude, make a few simple changes that will save some money and you can still enjoy a healthy social life. Avoid the pricey restaurants, bars and birthday gifts and opt instead for at home dinners, DIY gifts and free events.
Bring your friends to you by hosting a gathering providing some easy and economical home made dishes, or better yet get everyone to bring a dish or drink. Not only will you have a great time but it's likely people will reciprocate in the future, meaning plenty of budget friendly gatherings to look forward to next month.
When it comes to birthday presents, give it some creativity and thought and you'll discover that there are plenty of easy DIY options you can turn your hand to such as homemade candles, soap, jewellery or confectionery. Your friends will love receiving a memorable gift that shows the thought and effort you've put in and furthermore, you can make a few of these homemade gifts in advance so you're always prepared for a birthday. No more rushing out to the shops at the eleventh hour panic buying expensive and impersonal gifts, you'll save yourself money, stress and time.
Finally its a great idea to check out lists of free events and activities in your local town or city. As an example you could head down to a free local festival with a group of friends. To avoid potentially overpriced food/drink stands, you can all bring something for a shared picnic and make a day of it!
Adopt these three simple ways to save a bit of money and you can still maintain an active social life, even if you're on a tight budget. Furthermore, if you can turn these small changes into habits, you'll probably find yourself making a great long term saving which is always a bonus!
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From ANZ MoneyManager
