Everyone wants to be richer, right?

It seems that no matter what your salary is, it’s so easy to think that if you only just had a little more, you would be happier.

It’s great to dream big and to set financial goals for yourself, but it’s important to ask yourself: what does being “richer” really mean to you?

When people say they wish they were richer, they usually mean one or both of these two things: 

1. They wish they had more disposable income (i.e. more money to spend out of every paycheck)
2. They wish they had more free time for leisure

It’s not just the extra dollars in our paychecks we crave, it’s the ability to live what we consider a “rich” life.

A complete lifestyle change won’t happen overnight, but what if I told you there was a way you could live a richer life without making any more money?

Believe it or not, there are ways you can feel richer just by saving money, freeing up some of your time, and following some simple tips.

First of all, extra money.

How can you have extra money without earning more?

Here are 10 simple ways you can save money that will make your current income go farther. This is sometimes called “reverse passive income,” because it’s basically putting extra money into your pocket every month.

1. Live simply. Resolve to quit buying things you don’t really need.
2. Use coupons. Check out websites like Rakuten or extensions like Honey, which are free to use and can save you money on things you buy online.
3. Switch to cheaper brands. There are a few products where I’m picky about the brand I purchase, but for most things, I find the generic brand does the job just as well! 
4. Buy clothes second-hand. It’s better for your wallet and better for the environment, plus your fashion sense doesn’t have to suffer. Check out ThredUp, or (even cheaper) go to a thrift store near you. 
5. Don’t impulse buy. If you’re tempted to make a purchase, wait 24 hours before clicking that “Buy Now” button to see if you still want it.
6. Buy tech gadgets refurbished. On sites like BackMarket.com, you can get affordable tech (it’s where I got my phone).
7. See if you can save money with your phone plan. For instance, I use Mint Mobile, which costs me $15 a month. Compared to other phone networks, this saves me $180-500 a year.
8. Buy groceries. It’s always cheaper than eating out.
9. Don’t buy things for the sake of status. The high-end fashion brands or the latest gadgets you don’t actually care that much about? Skip them.
10. Cut down on entertainment costs by doing free things. Check out local free events in your town, explore nature, or get creative in the ways you entertain yourself! 

Next, how to have more time.

How can you have more free time to feel rich? Here are a few tips:

1. Determine the things that make you the most happy, and make time for them. If you don’t consciously make the effort, they won’t magically appear in your schedule. 
2. Cut down on your time using social media. This can suck up so much of your time that you’d rather be spending on other things. (Check out the best way to reduce your phone use here!)
3. Watch less TV. There’s a negative correlation between income levels and amount of TV watched. Translation? Rich people watch less TV. It’s fine to enjoy a show you love, but don’t let it become something you do for hours on end.
4. Get some rest. You will be amazed at how feeling well-rested can help you use your time more wisely. You’ll be able to have the focus of mind to get tasks done quicker, and you’ll enjoy your remaining time more fully.

Other tips on how to feel rich:

1. Indulge wisely. What are the things that truly make you feel luxurious? Like I said, I may buy the cheapest brand of some things because I can’t tell the difference. But there are a few things I splurge on, like my favorite ice cream brand (Ben & Jerry’s, yummm).
   • What about you? What are the things that make you feel more pampered? Hint: for a lot of people it’s things in the bathroom—a sweet-smelling soap, three-ply toilet paper, or extra-soft towels.
2. Clean your house. Trust me, living in a tidy space will make you feel so much richer than a cluttered, messy home.
3. Learn to romanticize the little things. For instance, eating my meals outside, especially breakfast, makes me feel so rich. It’s worth it to me to spend a few extra minutes in the morning if I can have time to sit and enjoy the morning air while I eat. 
4. Be grateful. No matter what you have, be grateful for it. You already are richer than most people in the world. 
5. Remember, not all riches are monetary. The most important “riches” to you might be your family relationships, your creative mind, or just the glow of the sun at the beginning of each day.

Conclusion

If you dream of more money in the bank, by all means, make a plan and start working towards that goal! But don’t wait for that “someday” to come before you let yourself be rich.

There are choices you can make right now to instantly become “richer.” You can make the most of the money and time you do have and use it wisely. 

Best of luck!

Before You Go…

If you’re ready to start your rich life (where YOU are in control of your time and your money), it starts with taking back control of your phone use!

If you want to reclaim 1-4 hours a day and use that time to do more of what you love, click here to get started!