If you are like me, you can’t spend a day without having your coffee. While no coffee addict, I still drink an average of 1-2 cups a day. But rarely ever more than that. And if you are like me, you also like to get your workout done, rain or shine! But unlike many of you, I actually do most of these things at home, and that saves me so much money. Literally thousands per year. Let us go through some of these items:
Home GYM
Ever since the COVID pandemic lockdown started in March 2020, I cancelled my GYM (more like they closed down) and never been back to a GYM since. That is 3.5+ years. But having always been someone who likes to look after my health and fitness, I couldn’t be lazy enough to quit my GYM and not do something to replace it. And that is exactly what I did: for the last 3 years, I have done walking and hiking on an almost daily basis, depending on the weather outside. In fact, thanks to my Apple Watch that keeps me committed, I have a streak that goes back to Jul 2020 where I have walked a minimum of 30 minutes or more.
And in the last 2 years, I have managed to build a modest mini-GYM (workout area) in my basemen, with a treadmill, weights and some other stretching equipment. You not only can’t beat the cost savings, the convenience is huge. The fact that this is in my own home, where no effort is required to get to it, makes it easy do use it daily. And of course, I am also saving on commute time and gas driving to and from the GYM. With a regular GYM, I would usually go an average of 4 times a week. With my own home GYM, I do it almost 6 days, if not 7 per week. Compared to the average GYM that now costs minimum of $50 a month, and add all the time and gas costs spent driving there and back, I am saving a minimum of $750-800 on this. And oh, the GYM happened to have been given to me for free from family, so that makes things even better in my case.
Coffee
As mentioned earlier, I don’t necessarily need a cup of coffee every hour to function, but I do enjoy sipping 1-2 cups a day on average. It’s more about the taste and enjoyment than the caffeine rush to keep me going. Since I always opt for a small size, the cost is $1.65 per cup ($3.30 for two). Going to the local coffee shop involves time and gas wasted in back-and-forth trips. Needless to say, it adds up. That’s why I decided to try a home coffee machine two years ago, and it was the best decision ever. Not only does the coffee taste great, almost on par with what I get from coffee chains, but the savings are significant. I did the math; it costs around 80 cents to make one cup at home, taking about 2-3 minutes. Now, imagine I do this around 500 times a year — considering I still buy coffee when I’m out — that means I’m saving over $400 annually (the difference between what coffee costs me at home versus buying it outside). And that doesn’t even take into account the cost of gas and time to get to a coffee shop. In other words, my coffee machine is also doubling as a cash machine, given the huge savings for my money and time.
Electric Shaver
It has now been well over 23 years that I have been using an electric shaver. In fact, it was only a year or two after my adulthood that I decided to ditch razor in favour for an electric shaver. This is not only convenient, the savings are huge. Let us crunch some numbers based on average of one shave per week:
The costs of shaving cream and razors can vary based on the brands and types you choose. However, let’s assume average costs:
- Shaving Cream: A typical can of shaving cream can cost around $3 to $5, depending on the brand and size. Let’s assume $4 per can.
- Razor: A pack of disposable razors or a basic razor cartridge can cost around $5 to $15, depending on the brand and the number of blades. Let’s assume $10 for a pack of razors.
So, for a weekly shave, the estimated cost would be:
- Shaving Cream: $3 per week
- Razor: $10 (assuming it lasts a month)
Therefore, the total cost per week would be approximately $3.25. Keep in mind that these are rough estimates, and actual costs may vary based on your specific choices and how long the products last for you. So in a year, you are spending around $170. With a shaved, you buy it once (around $100 for a good one) and use it for 3-5 years.
Of course, each person may be different in what they do to save money. For example, some like to cut their hair. Some may even grow their own fruits and vegetables, make their own tomato sauce, wine etc. Find what you already spend a lot of money on, and on a regular basis, and see if you can outsource it to yourself and do it at home. If the time and money savings are not significant, there is no need to go ahead with this.
In conclusion, embracing a lifestyle of cost-effective home practices and strategic outsourcing can yield significant financial and time savings. From establishing a home gym for convenient and affordable fitness routines to brewing your own coffee, these small changes accumulate into substantial annual savings. By making mindful choices in personal grooming, such as adopting an electric shaver, one not only enhances efficiency but also reduces recurring expenses. These practices empower individuals to take control of their expenses, contributing to a more financially sustainable and personally fulfilling lifestyle.