60% of Americans don’t have enough savings to cover a $500 emergency. Saving money isn’t easy, but it can be done.
Granite countertops are all the rage right now, but they don’t come cheap. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for. You might think you could never afford high-quality counters, but think again.
Installing custom granite counters is a great way to boost your home’s aesthetic and value. However, saving for the best product might take some work.
Keep reading for 8 TIPS to help you save for the custom granite counters of your dreams.
1. Develop a Budget
The first step to saving for anything, including custom granite countertops, is by making a budget.
This is usually the easy part. Sticking to it? Now, that’s another story.
When you spend without a budget, it’s easy to lose track of your money. You’ll likely find that when you create a budget, you find money you didn’t even know you had. You’ll definitely realize how casually you spend money on unnecessary things.
While being on a budget might seem like a punishment, it’s important to remember your end goal. In this case, you are saving for something you want.
It’s a lot easier to budget for a special item than it is to budget to get out of debt.
When determining your budget, make sure to set aside money for an emergency fund as well as a granite countertop fund. It’s recommended to have at least $1,000 in an emergency fund.
2. Stop Going Out
This is everyone’s least favorite part of saving money.
If you want to save money for custom granite countertops without increasing your income then you will have to make cuts somewhere. The top places to cut the spending include entertainment, shopping, and restaurants.
Going out to eat is substantially more expensive than cooking at home. With a little planning and a trip to the grocery store, you can quickly cut down on your spending at restaurants.
When it comes to entertainment, there are many ways to have fun without breaking the bank. Pay close attention to where you are spending money in the name of fun. Weekly trips to a sporting event might be draining your wallet more than you realize.
Remember that this is temporary, and when it’s all said and done you will have new countertops to enjoy for years to come.
3. Cut Back
There are some expenses in your budget that you can’t cut out entirely, like groceries, gas, clothing, medication, etc.
However, you might be able to cut back on your spending when it comes to these categories. For example, consider buying generic or store brands.
Ride your bike or walk instead of driving. Take up couponing, buy in bulk, and create a list before you go to the store.
4. Bills
When it comes to monthly bills, you might be able to make cuts here as well.
If you are one who uses monthly auto-pay options, you might not pay much attention to your bills each month. Now is the time to take inventory of how much you are spending and where it is going.
You are probably paying for at least a few services you aren’t even using. Be honest with yourself about whether you are really going to start using that gym membership. If you aren’t, then cancel it!
You may have signed up for free trials and never canceled them. When it comes to things like insurance, it’s important to periodically reevaluate your payments and talk to the company about whether you have earned any new discounts.
5. Put in Overtime
The easiest way to increase your savings is to increase your income. If you are eligible for overtime, consider putting in more hours at the office.
Take your work home with you in the evening to earn more from the comfort of your own home. Temporarily increasing your hours at work might even help you get caught up and boost your overall performance, all while earning money for your new countertops.
If putting in more hours at your current job isn’t an option, consider getting a second job.
6. Use the Internet
In this modern world, there are plenty of opportunities to earn extra money using the internet.
If you are crafty, you can sell your creations on Etsy. If you have extra items around the house that are collecting dust, sell them online! Go through your garage and attic and get rid of stuff that you aren’t using.
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, after all. This is an easy way to earn extra money using the resources you already have.
Plus, you’ll be clearing up room for new stuff. Use sites like eBay, LetGo, and Facebook Marketplace to find locals in your area looking to buy just what you are selling.
7. Sell Services
If you don’t have any items to sell, that’s okay. You probably have some skills that you could put to use to earn some extra cash.
You can earn extra money on your own schedule by helping those in your community. You could babysit, offer housecleaning services, mow lawns, cook meals, run errands, and just about any other task that people need help with.
You can advertise your services online using websites like Facebook. You can set your own rates and earn extra income at your leisure.
8. Reevaluate Your Savings
This tip might be controversial, but your priorities are yours to determine.
If you are set on saving for custom granite countertops, consider temporarily halting your savings in other areas. We aren’t suggesting you drain your retirement savings, but if you have a savings fund for another fun project, you’ll see faster results if you focus on one thing at a time.
Installing Custom Granite Counters
When your hard work has paid off and you have saved enough for the custom granite counters of your dreams, it’s time to let someone else do the work. Custom granite countertops are best installed by an experienced professional.
Contact us today to make your dreams a reality and get started creating your custom granite countertops.
