We are all spenders at heart and unless we promote good financial habits, it could become very difficult for some of us to start saving. Of course, we’ve all heard of the good ol’ ways of saving money, like opening a bank account, not getting into debt and clearing off all our bills/dues – but here are some creative and surprising ways in which you can save money. Remember, a penny saved is a penny earned!

Work with cash: Instead of always swiping your credit card, take out some cash at the beginning of the week and use this for your weekly expenses. This will keep you from overspending.

Compare prices: Price comparison tools are easily available these days, so take advantage of them and find out if there is a lower price available for the item you want to buy – whether it’s shopping or booking tickets online.

Take shorter showers: Taking shorter showers and turning down the electrical gadgets such as heater, iron boxes, fans, lights when not used, will help you save on your electricity bills.

Curb emotional spending: Don’t shop when you are emotional. You will save a lot of money, because you indulge in a lot of unnecessary shopping when you are stressed or emotional. Rather leave your card back home and go out for a walk or go to the gym.

Implement the 30-day rule: This is an effective way to make sure you don’t spend money unnecessarily. Before you binge-buy a product, tell yourself that you will hold on for atleastone month. If at the end of one month, you still want to buy the product, go ahead. But you will amazed by the number of times you end up not buying the product and saving money.

Shop in bulk: Buy household products, personal care products and non-perishable goods in bulk. Buying in bulk almost always helps you save money, as you will get wholesale discounts.

Go the DIY way: We spend so much money on cleaning products and such household items, but it is extremely easy to make these products at home using common every-dayingredients. You will be surprised at the amount of money you save when you start making things at home yourself.

Get a travel card: Make sure you buy an international prepaid travel card before you travel, so you can save money by locking the currency rate and not fall prey to the volatile exchange rate fluctuations.

Cut on eat outs: We spend so much of money on food, especially while eating out. Cut back on this habit try to eat in as much as possible.

Sleep well: May sound funny, but a good night’s sleep will keep you healthy and cut down on your medical bills!