Get ready to save in 2020
2 de January, 2020
12 raisins later and many wishes made, we’re ready to start a new decade. 2020 is going to be a big year and, to get off on the right foot, how about starting to save now? Does it seem impossible after this expensive December? Don’t worry, in this article we’ll show you how simple it is.
2020 has begun and there are many ambitions and goals we want to achieve. Among them is, inevitably, saving money. What better way to start a new year, and a new decade? Full of ideas and initiatives, we have some tips that promise to make a difference and help stretch your budget. Are you ready to discover them?
December’s spending has shaken your family budget and the desire to travel or buy a new car in 2020 has started to fade? It doesn’t have to be that way. Before you give up on your dreams, start saving now.
Defining a savings plan may seem complex at first, but don’t be fooled. To begin with, how about adopting small habits in your daily life? In this case, it’s the simplest gestures that will fill your wallet at the end of the month.
1. Do you turn off the lights every time you leave a room?
We know it sounds cliché and that our grandparents used to teach us this simple money-saving tip. However, it’s still easy to think that leaving the television on standby, the sockets plugged in or a light on doesn’t represent a significant cost. At home, is leaving for work also synonymous with the morning rush?
In a hurry, there are many passages between the bedroom, the bathroom and even the kitchen. Preparing the children’s clothes, packing backpacks, making breakfast, brushing teeth… and when you look back, all the lights are on. To save money, the first step can be to break this routine. Start turning off the lights every time you leave a room. And if it suddenly seems like everything is dark, take the opportunity to open the shutters and let the sunlight shine into your home.
2. Have you started organizing your pantry?
With the lights off and saving energy, it’s time to organize your pantry. Sorting products into categories and putting together packets of rice and pasta may seem secondary, but it’s essential. That way, it’s easy to see what’s missing before preparing the shopping list.
Leftovers, on the other hand, also play a fundamental role when it comes to savings. You know that leftover rice that isn’t enough for a meal? Don’t throw it away. Put these small amounts in a suitable jar or container and, in the end, it’s good for one or two more times.
3. What about the fridge, have you had a look?
After the pantry, why not take a look in the fridge? Make sure that foods such as fruit and vegetables, which are more sensitive to temperature, are on the bottom shelves. Foods that need to be kept colder, such as meat and fish, have a reserved spot at the top. The door, meanwhile, is the ideal place for condiments and juices.
Another tip, no less important, is to organize your food by expiry date. Those that expire more quickly should be at the front, so that you use them first. That way, it’s easy to see what’s missing and about to expire. If you already have some fruit that’s getting soft or yogurt that’s about to expire, for example, how about preparing a cake and a natural juice for breakfast? Avoid food waste and don’t let anything go to waste.
4. Prepare your shopping list before going to the supermarket
Now that everything is organized, let’s write down what’s missing? Preparing a shopping list before heading out to the supermarket is half the battle to saving money. This makes it easier to buy only what you really need and resist temptation. We know that the supermarket shelves have a lot of products flashing before our eyes at every turn. With the list, it’s easier to let them stay there.
Taking advantage of promotions to buy larger products is also a good trick. For the “shopping of the month”, such as meat, fish and detergents, this is the ideal solution. Whether online or on paper, it’s worth taking a look at the leaflets before you leave the house.
Take your savings even further
In the medium term, there are still some tips you can follow to achieve your goals. If you’re thinking of buying a house, car or even traveling in 2020, don’t let your budget stop you. Start saving now and make your dreams come true:
- Join the Euroticket family
If you still pay your meal allowance in cash, this is the first change you should make in 2020. Opt for the Euroticket Refeição and be exempt from TSU and IRS (for company and employees) up to
a daily amount of €7.63, instead of the €4.77 exempt in cash. But don’t stop there. Find out more about Edenred and add value to your company by increasing the motivation and proactivity of your employees. - Define your family budget and write down your expenses
Do the math and write down all the money you receive and spend. Define your family budget and write down all your expenses. From fixed costs to daily expenses and even extras. In the end, you’ll know exactly how much you can spend. See how easy it is to save? - Achieve your goals by saving
Once you’ve done the math, it’s easier to know how much money you can still set aside to achieve your goals. Define how much you would like to save this year and, every month, put the money you have left over into your savings account. That way, buying the car, house or trip you want so much can no longer be just a dream.
What are you waiting for to start saving now? Follow these tips, ask us for your simulations and make the most of all the advantages and discounts we have, thinking of you. 2020 is really going to be a big year
Additional note: Order no. 107-A/2023 of April 18 updated the value of the meal allowance for public sector workers to €6.00/day. As a result, the tax-free meal allowance is now €6.00 in cash and €9.60 in vouchers or cards.
With Orçamento do Estado for 2025, the maximum value of the tax-free meal voucher on a card has risen again, this time to €10.20/day.
Starting from July 2023, Euroticket benefits have been renamed Edenred.