Yahoo Finance 4 Ways Your Significant Other Can Actually Help You Save Money
Most people think being part of a couple only saves you money if your other half is loaded. On the other hand, if both of you are just regular people, be prepared to shell out lots of cash on romantic getaways and hot dates.
Good news: that doesn’t have to be the case. If both of you are committed to saving money, get ready to harness the Power of Two in order to save some serious cash. While cohabiting couples overseas get to save on rent, mortgage payments and utility bills, just because you can’t afford to move out of your parents’ flat in Singapore doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from having a thrifty paramour.
1. More voting power when planning cheap group activities
Socialising on the cheap is not for the lazy or meek. At some point or other, your friend group is going to suggest going to some restaurant at MBS that will blow your food budget for 3 months, or attend a costly festival filled with yuppies. And you’re going to be the one who has to speak up and pick a cheaper alternative.
If you’re tired of being the organiser or the lone thrifty soul all the time, having a budget-conscious partner can make things a lot easier, because two voices are louder than one. Organising a potluck dinner at home or a picnic at the Botanic Gardens is less stressful if you have a partner who can whip up a mean potato salad while rallying the troops.
2. Cheaper overseas vacations
Unless your friends are hardcore backpackers, going on holiday with others usually results in non-budget accommodation options being chosen, since nobody else wants to stay in a dorm once they’re out of university.
In addition, trying to coordinate everyone’s schedules usually results in some money being lost on weekend flights. On the other hand, travelling on your own means you have to pay more to occupy a room on your own.
If you have a relatively low maintenance partner, this means you can make big savings on accommodation during the holidays. You have someone with whom you can divide the cost of a room without having to make too many expensive compromises.
3. Buy in bulk together
Buying items in larger quantities can save you quite a bit of money. That’s why the Warehouse Club sells in bulk and buying travel sized bottles of toiletries is never a good idea.
When there are two of you, you have a greater power to buy items in bulk. In addition, by doing your shopping together you also cut down on transportation costs.
Here are some tips for saving on daily necessities.
Save on petrol or taxi fare by travelling to the supermarket or Warehouse Club together and split groceries between you when the quantities behind sold are too high for one person
When there are buy 2 get 1 free sales, there’s a higher chance you’ll need 2 of the same item.
You can more easily meet the minimum spending required to get credit card rebates and rewards. For instance, if your credit card requires that you spend at least $500 on groceries a month in order to receive a 5% rebate, it makes sense to pool your grocery purchases so that both of you can enjoy 5% off.
4. Save on transport by carpooling or vehicle sharing
Your friends might give you a lift here and there, but it’s easier to coordinate carpooling or vehicle sharing as a couple. Just be upfront about the fact that costs should be split fairly between the two.
For instance, if one of you lives 5km from the CBD and the other, 20km, it may make more sense for both to stay at the first home on certain days of the week and then head to work together if there are no complaints from conservative parents.
Otherwise, you may be able to work out a transport-sharing scheme where one of you picks the other up on the way to work.
How do you and your other half save money as a couple? Let us know in the comments!
The post 4 Ways Your Significant Other Can Actually Help You Save Money appeared first on the MoneySmart blog.
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