Money. It's that 5-letter word that seems to hold so much power in our lives. Whether it's spending, saving, paying bills, having the ability to travel, or building wealth, our finances are a really big part of our everyday lives. And let's be honest, it can be difficult to know exactly how to save money all of the time – whether we have a lot or a little, it's easy to find ways to spend it.

But it is possible to shift your relationship with money and find a new sense of empowerment around your money management, Because, you see, financial freedom is something that is accessible to all of us! And sometimes, all it takes is making simple, minor changes to our habits to get ahead. And some of those changes may not be as obvious as you think! This is why I want to share some creative ways to save money that involves you making things a little bit easier on yourself, so enjoy!
 

1. Establish your definition of success

One trap that many of us fall into is wanting to emulate the lives of others. We see people on social media living extravagant lifestyles, and we want that for ourselves. But what often gets lost in the process is our definition of success! When you know what's important to YOU, it becomes easier to save money because you're not wasting it on things that don't matter.

Maybe success to you is being debt-free or having the ability to travel whenever you want. Whatever it is, make sure that your spending aligns with your definition of success and your habits align with you getting there. That way, you can save money while still working towards your goals!
 

2. Determine what having enough means

Another important thing to think about is what having enough means to you. Because when you have a clear understanding of that, it becomes easier to save money. For example, if you know that you don't need the latest and greatest smartphone, then you can save money by not upgrading your phone every time a new model comes out.

But it's not only material possessions that this applies to! You can also save money by knowing when you've had enough food, for example, or by being content with a smaller portion size. It all comes down to being mindful of your consumption and making sure that you're not overeating (or overspending) because of what's put in front of you. So take a look at what having enough means in all areas of your life and you may be surprised at how much you can save.

3. Lean into self-care (and don't be afraid to spend some time alone)

One of the best ways to stay on top of your finances is to take care of yourself! When you're taking care of your physical and mental health, you're less likely to spend money on things that you don't need. Instead, focus on investing in yourself by taking some time out for YOU. Get a massage, go for a walk in nature, or read your favorite book. You'll feel better and be able to make smart money choices now and in the long run! And if you're thinking that self-care is selfish, think again! When you take care of yourself, you're able to show up as your best self for others. So it's a win-win!
 

4. Get comfortable saying "no"

Another form of self-care also includes getting comfortable saying "no". That may mean saying no to a friend when they invite you out for drinks, and you know you can't afford it. Or it may mean saying no to yourself when you're tempted to buy something that isn't necessary.

But saying no can be tough, especially when we want to please others. So start by practicing with small things and work your way up.

For example, if you're going on a trip with friends and you know that you can't afford to pay your share, be upfront about it! Let them know that you appreciate the invite but that you won't be able to go because of the cost. It's better to be honest and say no instead of going and struggling to pay for everything. By being honest, you're not only setting boundaries for yourself, but you're also cultivating mindful connections with others. And that's key to living a happy and balanced life!

5. Automate your savings

Automating your savings is one fantastic way to simplify life and save simultaneously – you won't even have to think about it! There are a lot of different ways to do this, but one easy option is to set up a recurring transfer from your checking account to your savings account. That way, you know that every month, a certain amount of money will be going towards your savings. And over time, those small transfers can really add up! Automating your savings is a great way to save money without even doing much heavy lifting.
 

6. Declutter your space and embrace the idea that less is more

When you have less stuff, it becomes a lot easier to keep track of what you own and what you need. Not to mention, it's a lot less stressful to live in a clutter-free environment!

So how can you start decluttering your space? Well, a great place to start is by going through your clothes and getting rid of anything that you don't wear. You can also declutter your home by getting rid of any furniture or decorations that you no longer need. Once you start decluttering, you may be surprised at how much better you feel! And when you have less stuff, you'll also find that it's a lot easier to save money when you don’t have to keep up with as much.
 

7. Take a social media break to unplug and take back your time

In today's world, it's so easy to get caught up in what everyone else is doing. But when you do that, you forget about what's important to you. By taking a break from social media, you can focus on the things that matter most to you. You can also save money by unplugging from technology and taking back your time, where the temptation to spend may be hovering over you!

One way to do this is to delete the apps from your phone. Or, you can set some ground rules for yourself, like only using social media for 30 minutes a day. Whatever you do, make sure that you're doing it for your future, more abundant self! And remember, you can always come back to social media when you're ready – it will still be there! ;-)
 

8. Fight the trends and the need to have the latest

By pulling back on the need to always have the latest fashions, technology, and so on, you bring to light the things or experiences that matter more. We're constantly presented with an opportunity to spend money on the things we think we need. But you can save money a great deal of money by not buying into the latest trends and fads!

Consider researching before you buy anything or only buy what you need and not what you want. The more you're able to test your willpower and fight the urge to constantly spend, the better you're setting yourself up for success for the future!
 

9. Take inventory of the people you spend time with and rid yourself of needy relationships

By taking inventory of the people you spend time with, you can focus on the ones that bring out the best in you and rid yourself of the relationships that seem to be impacting your finances. And one way is to ask yourself these questions: Do I enjoy spending time with this person? Do they make me feel good about myself? Am I spending more money than I'm comfortable with when I'm around this person?

Even consider setting some boundaries with the people you spend time with. For example, if someone is always asking you for money, it might be time to cut them off. It's important to be mindful of the connections we have with others so we can continue to be honest about our financial situation.
 

10. Always have a goal in mind

When you always have a goal in mind, you can focus on what's important to you and your future. This way, you can make the kind of mindful decisions that set you up for success. One way is to make a list of your goals and put them somewhere where you can see it every day. Or you can even share your goals with a close family member or friend so they can help to hold you accountable to stay on track.
 

11. Be honest and objective about spending habits

Making small changes in our lives can have a big impact on our finances. If we're mindful of our money, we can make choices that will save us more money in the long run. That's why it's important, to be honest with ourselves about how we spend. If we're aware of how much money we're spending on unnecessary things, we can make small changes that will add up over time. For example, if we switch from buying bottled water to using a reusable water bottle, we can save money in the long run.
 

12. Familiarize yourself with your money story and work to change it for the better

When it comes to our finances, most of us have a money story. This is the narrative we tell ourselves about how we relate to money. It can be empowering or disempowering, helpful or harmful. Often, our money stories are based on our family's experiences and beliefs around money. If your family was tight with money and didn't talk about finances, you might have a hard time talking about money with your partner or friends. If your family was always struggling to make ends meet, you might approach your financial situation with a lot of anxiety.

Your money story can also be based on your own experiences. Maybe you've always been good with saving, and you're proud of your frugal habits. Or maybe you've made some bad financial choices in the past and feel ashamed or embarrassed about your money situation. No matter where your money story comes from, it's important to have a new and empowering money story currently that helps you live the life you want.

Things like getting clear about your values and identifying any beliefs you have around money that no longer serve you, along with determining what you want your future relationship with money to look like. Do you want to be debt-free? Save more money? Spend less? Give more? Get clear on what you want and focus your attention on those goals.

You see, when it comes to saving money, there are endless ways to do it. But the key is to find what works best for you and your lifestyle. And why not start simple? Because when you're able to save money in a way that feels good, it becomes so much easier to stick with it! And before you know it, you'll be well on your way to financial freedom.

And as a little something to help you along your way there, I'd like to share with you instant access to our interactive Money Switch course to help you turn ON your money switch and become the unstoppable human money magnet you are more than worthy of being. Thousands of people have experienced life-changing breakthroughs with this system, and now, you get instant access to it at the price of your choosing! Yep, that’s right! So go here now and get ready for your biggest wealth breakthrough!