How to Save money by going zero waste? We all have been in that situation where, at the end of the month, when we check our home and grocery expenses, we find that there are so many unnecessary expenses out of compulsion that, if not spent, would have saved you some extra cash. Money saving is an art, and in the world of ever-increasing expenses, mastering it is essential. In this comprehensive guide, I will reveal the top 10 tips and strategies on how to save extra money that will empower you to cut costs, boost your savings, and achieve your financial goals.

In India there is a saying in Hindi ” बूद बूद से घड़ा भरता है ” Which means drop by drop fills the pitcher. By inculcating zero waste principal into our lifestyle we will fill our bank accounts drop by drop with that extra money which will help us to reach a stable and healthy financial freedom. Here are top 10 tips to save extra money:-

We should start by creating a detailed budget for our income and expenses. This will give us a clear picture of where our money is going and help us identify areas where we can cut back. It will also reveal our spending patterns and habits, which we can adjust to and improve.

1. Reduce Debt – High-interest debt can eat into your savings. Focus on paying off credit card balances and loans with the highest interest rates first to save on interest payments.
2. Emergency Fund: Build an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses. Aim for three to six months’ worth of living expenses in a separate savings account.
3. Invest Wisely: Explore investment opportunities that align with your financial goals. Consider opening a retirement account or investing in stocks, bonds, or mutual funds for long-term growth.

We should try to reduce our travelling cost. People tend to buy a new car for personal use whenever they have any extra money lying in their bank account. This vehicle will be used for going to their office, visiting friends and family even though they live nearby, or going to buy groceries from a nearby store. Owning a four-wheeler is sometimes a status symbol in India but it is also a costly deal considering the fuel price and maintenance of the vehicle. Instead what we should do is use public transport, carpool services of carpool among friends to reach the office. If friends or relative live nearby use the public transport. To buy everyday groceries, go to the store walking which will also a healthy workout.

Sometimes we buy some things for the sake of buying or just to show off. In Japanese culture, the minimalist concept focuses on simple and uncluttered living with just the essentials. By adopting this concept we can make our lives clutter free. We shouldn’t buy items which aren’t required or without it, we can live comfortably. We should not do impulsive buying. After adopting the minimalist concept into our lives we will surly save some extra money

We Should always plan our meals to reduce food wastage. By planning the meal in advance, we will know what to cook and how much to cook which will help in reducing food wastage. Even after planning in advance there may be leftover, instead of throwing it we should try to include it in the next meal which will help us in maintaining a good food expense budget

In rural areas, please have big ‘aangans‘ or courtyards in front of their homes which they usually use to grow some kind of day-to-day vegetables by way of home gardening which helps them save some money when buying vegetables. But in city areas, this is not possible as there are no such courtyards in front of the buildings or towers. Even if it is there then it is usually used for car parking. But there is a solution for these too, Terrace Gardening. Now-a-days everyone has an extra space as a balcony or small space outside of our windows or the terrace of the building. This space can be used as small gardening for growing stuffs like garlic, coriander, tomatoes and any vegetables which required less space, water and time.

Now if you are considering home gardening, then the soil would require some kind of fertilizer. We can always go to nearby gardening tools store and buy fertilizer but when are here trying to save money then why waste on ready-made fertilizers when we can prepare fertilizers at our home. We should set up a compost bin for food scraps like unwanted parts of fruits and vegetables, rotten perishable items, and leftovers which have gone bad. By using the right technique and tools we can create our fertilizers for our home or terrace gardens

One of the most immediate ways reusable items save you money is by replacing their disposable counterparts. Consider the money you spend on single-use items like plastic water bottles, paper towels, disposable razors, and plastic cutlery. By investing in quality reusable alternatives, you can eliminate these recurring expenses. Below are 5 examples:-

1. Buying in bulk is not only cost-effective but also reduces packaging waste.
2. Avoid asking to cutlery when ordering food from outside.
3. Reusable shopping bags can save you money in more ways than one.
4. Reusable water bottles.
5. High-quality reusable items are built to last. While they might have a higher initial cost, their durability ensures they outlast many disposable alternatives

DIY Projects are not only fun and fulfilling, but they can also help you trim your budget and help you build valuable skills. Invest some time in learning basic home repair skills which is help in repairing plumbing leaks, squeaky doors, minor electrical issue, and minor wear and tare on the furniture. There many tutorials on the internet which teach you to make cleaning supplies at home from basic

Investing in energy-efficient upgrades like better electrical appliance, Television setup, LED lighting, and Air conditioning systems with automatic temperature control can significantly reduce the electricity bill. These electrical upgrades often pay for themselves through savings.

In conclusion, embracing zero waste lifestyle is not just choice; it’s a powerful statement of our commitment to improve our lives. By reducing our waste, reusing what we can and by making mindful expenses we can save significantly.