5 Ways To Save Money This Florida Season

By Catherine Lindebaum

Many of us come over to the States with the main goal of saving money. And to some it’s quite easy, but others can find it a bit difficult, especially when things around you are so easily accessible. But with a little bit of self-discipline, you can save up quite a bit either to take home, buy that particular thing you’ve wanted for a while, or to go on that well-deserved holiday at the end of the season.

Check out the following ways I make use of to save dollars here and there, some with little effort, and some without even realising I’m saving.

1.    This is the most straightforward one: put money aside into a savings pocket that you can create in your bank account. And then do (try) not touch it until the end of the season or in case of an emergency.

2.    You know all those adverts you find in your post box? Instead of throwing them out straightaway, sift through them quickly and look for the grocery coupons & discounts that could save you a few dollars on your next shop. Think of those savings in the long run.

3.    In my first season, I used to get so confused with the coins in America that I used to chuck them out. My second season, one of my roommates kept all his spare coins in a money jar and towards the end of the season, he cashed them all in and was given back a whopping $50. I rate that’s a pretty great bonus for one! You can cash those coins in by finding a Coinstar near you.

4.    Instead of taking an Uber for long distances, make use of Florida’s commuter rail - the Tri-Rail. It takes a bit longer to get to your destination, but it really is a fun experience and you pay a quarter of the price. You can get the train schedules at www.tri-rail.com or you can download the Tri-Rail app.

5.    As is anywhere in the world, takeout & going out to eat is quite pricey compared to if you buy all the ingredients and make it yourself. You are paying for the convenience. However, if you make plans to cook with your roommates once a week and each one pitches in, you can all save 4 dinners in a month, probably have leftovers and more of the ingredients to cook another meal.

  

Do you have a different way of saving money? Let me and others know in the comments.