Budgeting is one of the best ways to make sure that you don’t overspend when it comes to managing your finances. Unfortunately, some of us are simply better at budgeting than others. While there are certainly some people out there who seem to never have enough money, there are also many who suffer from a range of reckless spending habits.

Regardless of what might be holding you back from financial freedom and security, the following tips for budgeting could help you to get a little more financial traction so that you can have a stronger savings account in the future.

1. Start by Making a Budget

This might seem like a pretty obvious tip, but you’d be surprised by how many people don’t bother to figure out a budget to start with. It doesn’t matter whether you plan your budget according to a daily, weekly, or monthly schedule – what matters is that you’re honest about your spending habits and realistic about the kind of budget you can stick to. Not only will this help to encourage more money to fall into your savings account, but it will also give you some crucial piece of mind too.

2. Stay Away from Impulse Buying

America is one of the worst companies in the world for impulse spending. Unfortunately, spontaneous purchases and unplanned buying could cause some real problems to your budget. Simply put, if you haven’t budgeted for an item already, then don’t buy it. In an emergency situation, you can make some exceptions, but extraneous items will only stop you from gaining your financial freedom. If you really want to buy something, give it a couple of days before you make the purchase. This will help you to re-think your needs.

3. Cut your Electricity Bills

Sometimes, making the most of your budget means devoting more effort to the little things. For instance, think about how many electronic devices you typically leave running when you go to sleep each night. Even smart appliances that put themselves into “sleep mode” can be costly with time. Switch devices off where you can, and you might save money.

4. Try Using Automated Payments

If you know you’ve got monthly bills to pay, make sure that you’re dealing with your expenses on time by switching to a recurring or automated payment option. This will help to ensure that the companies you need to pay out to receive the money they need at the right time. This can also be helpful for people who are trying to save more money in the long-term, as you can reduce the amount of late fees you need to pay.

5. Use Cash, not Card

While cards and ATMs can be fantastic financial tools when they’re used correctly and intelligently, they can also be items that quickly lead to overspending in some cases. If you find yourself constantly spending on a card because you don’t feel stressed by the money going out of your account, try switching to cash payments instead, so you can actually see how much money you’re using. Make sure that you don’t just go to the ATM when your wallet is empty either. When you run out of cash, stop spending.

6. Buy in Bulk

While there are some things that you simply can’t buy in bulk, there are others that can save you a great deal of money. Think about things like toilet paper and cleaning supplies that you use on a regular basis. If you can purchase something in bulk, then there’s a good chance you can cut down on your budget by saving big on these spending habits. Buying bulk can also cut down on excess waste, to help protect the environment.

7. Record Your Expenses

If you’re trying to use a budget already, but you’re still struggling with money issues, then it may help to pay more attention to where your money is actually going. Think about keeping a notepad with you where you can track all of your expenses throughout the day. That means writing down every coffee and snack you buy too. Ideally, you’ll want to account for every penny you spend, then you’ll be able to organize the money that you’re using according to essentials and luxuries, so you can figure out where to cut down.

8. Spend More Time at Home

Finally, we often spend a lot of money frequenting local bars, going out to eat, and visiting our friends. However, if you really need to save money, then it might be useful to spend extra time at home. Invite the people you want to see over for dinner and cocktails at your house, and you’ll cut down on the expenses you’d see at a fancy restaurant.