8 Easy Ways to Save Money and Build a Secure Future — Advice from Adesh

Hi! I’m Adesh. Over the years, I’ve taken several personal loans and learned many important lessons about managing money. Trust me, saving money isn’t always easy — especially when life throws unexpected expenses your way. But with the right habits and simple steps, you can start saving steadily and feel more confident about your financial future.

In this blog, I want to share practical and easy ways you can save money. These tips worked for me and many others, including some well-known self-made rich people. You don’t need to earn a lot to start saving — you just need a plan and discipline. Let’s get started!

If you want to learn more about why saving is important, check out my real experience on why money saving is important in our life.

1. Start by Making a Monthly and Daily Budget

The first step in managing your money is knowing exactly how much you earn and spend. This is where budgeting comes in.

Why budgeting is important:

• It helps you understand where your money goes every month.
• It keeps you aware of your spending habits.
• It helps you decide how much you can save each month.
• It stops you from spending money you don’t have.

How to make a simple budget

• Write down all your monthly income sources: salary, side jobs, or anything else.
• List your monthly fixed expenses: rent, electricity bill, loan EMIs, groceries, and travel.
• Track your daily expenses: small things like tea, snacks, or mobile recharge.
• Add up all expenses and subtract from your income to see how much you have left to save.

Real-life example from me

When I started budgeting, I was shocked to see how much money I wasted on small daily expenses like eating out or buying snacks. I set a daily spending limit and started tracking every rupee. After just one month, I saved more than I expected!

Famous example: Warren Buffett

Warren Buffett, one of the richest people in the world, is famous for living simply. Even though he’s worth billions, he still lives in the same house he bought in 1958! He budgets carefully and spends money only on what’s really necessary. His story shows that controlling spending is key to building wealth.

If you want to improve your overall financial habits, you can also learn how Monika Halan helps you take control of your financial future.

Tips to stick to your budget

• Use a notebook or mobile app to track your expenses.
• Review your spending weekly.
• Adjust your budget if needed, but never spend more than planned.
• Be honest with yourself about what you actually spend.

2. Open a Recurring Deposit (RD) Account to Save Regularly

Saving money feels easier when you do it regularly and automatically. One good way to do this is by opening a Recurring Deposit (RD) account at your bank.

What is a Recurring Deposit?

An RD lets you deposit a fixed amount every month into your bank for a certain period, like 6 months or a year. The bank pays you interest on this amount, which helps your savings grow.

Why RD works so well

• It forces you to save a fixed amount every month.
• You earn interest, so your money grows faster than just keeping it in a savings account.
• It creates a saving habit and stops you from spending the money impulsively.

My experience with RD

When I opened an RD with just ₹2000 monthly, I felt good watching the money grow with interest. This small, regular saving gave me financial security and helped me avoid borrowing loans when unexpected expenses came.

If you want to avoid bad borrowing habits, read my post on questions to ask before taking a personal loan.

Famous example: Ratan Tata

Ratan Tata, one of India’s most respected industrialists, is known for his disciplined approach to money. Even though he leads a giant business empire, he is careful about saving and investing wisely. Discipline like this in small things like savings can lead to big success.

Tips for starting an RD

• Pick an amount you can easily save every month.
• Choose a term that fits your financial goals.
• Set reminders so you don’t miss deposits.
• Use your RD amount for emergencies or invest it further after maturity.

3. Always Make a Shopping List to Avoid Buying Unnecessary Things

One of the biggest ways money leaks out is through impulsive shopping. When you go to the market without a list, it’s easy to buy things you don’t need.

How a shopping list helps

• You focus only on what you really need.
• It stops you from buying tempting but unnecessary items.
• It helps you save money and reduces waste.

How I use shopping lists

Before I go grocery shopping, I check my kitchen and write down only the items I need. This way, I don’t buy extra snacks or drinks that might go unused. I save around ₹500-₹1000 every month this way.

If you want to know how to stop comparing and start growing financially, read my story on a real life money mistake that taught me everything.

Famous example: Oprah Winfrey

Oprah, a self-made billionaire, is very disciplined about spending. She is known for budgeting carefully and making thoughtful purchases. Her frugal habits helped her grow her fortune slowly and steadily.

Tips for making a good shopping list

• Check your pantry before writing the list.
• Plan your meals for the week to know what ingredients you’ll need.
• Stick strictly to the list when shopping.
• Avoid going shopping when you’re hungry or stressed.

4. Shop Online to Get Better Deals and Discounts

Shopping online can be cheaper and more convenient than shopping in physical stores if you do it carefully.

Why online shopping can save you money

• You can compare prices easily across many websites.
• There are often discounts, coupons, and cashback offers.
• You save time and travel costs by getting things delivered home.

How I save with online shopping

For example, when I needed a new phone charger, I checked prices on Amazon, Flipkart, and a few other sites. One had a 15% discount plus free delivery. I saved nearly ₹300 compared to buying from a local shop.

Famous example: Jeff Bezos

Jeff Bezos started Amazon in his garage and turned it into the world’s biggest online shopping site. His business model focuses on giving customers the best deals, which shows how powerful online shopping can be.

Tips for smart online shopping

• Always compare prices before buying.
• Look for discount codes or festival sales.
• Read product reviews to avoid returns.
• Don’t buy things you don’t really need just because they are on sale.

5. Save on Electricity Bills by Being Careful with Power Use

Electricity bills can be one of the biggest monthly expenses, but small habits can bring big savings.

Easy habits to reduce electricity use

• Turn off lights and fans when leaving a room.
• Unplug chargers and devices not in use.
• Use LED bulbs instead of regular bulbs.
• Use natural daylight whenever possible.
• Avoid unnecessary use of air conditioners and heaters.

My electricity saving story

I started switching off fans and lights whenever I left the room, and over just one month, my electricity bill went down by ₹300. It was a simple habit that cost me nothing but saved me money.

Famous example: Mark Zuckerberg

Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, is known to live modestly despite his wealth. He reportedly focuses on sustainability, including saving energy, showing that cutting costs doesn’t mean lowering your standards — it means being smart.

Tips to cut electricity costs

• Use energy-saving appliances.
• Educate your family to follow these habits.
• Check for any electrical faults that waste power.
• Use timers or smart switches if possible.

6. Quit or Reduce Expensive Habits Like Smoking and Drinking

Habits like smoking and drinking not only hurt your health but also drain your wallet.

How quitting costly habits helps your finances

• You save money spent on cigarettes, alcohol, and club memberships.
• You reduce medical expenses related to these habits.
• You can invest saved money into savings or other goals.

My personal experience

I used to spend about ₹1500 a month on smoking and drinking. After I quit, I redirected that money into my savings. It not only helped my bank balance but improved my health too.

If you want to learn about common money mistakes Indians must avoid, this post is worth reading.

Famous example: Howard Schultz

Howard Schultz, former CEO of Starbucks, grew up in a poor family but saved diligently and worked hard to build his business empire. He advocates for smart money habits and cutting out unnecessary expenses.

Tips to reduce costly habits

• Identify triggers that lead you to spend on these habits.
• Find healthier or cheaper alternatives.
• Set financial goals to stay motivated.
• Seek help from friends or support groups.

7. Use Public Transport Instead of Driving Your Own Vehicle

Using your own vehicle means spending on fuel, parking, maintenance, and insurance. Public transport is cheaper and can help you save a lot.

Benefits of public transport

• Lower daily travel costs.
• Less stress from driving in traffic.
• Environmentally friendly, which helps society too.

My switch to public transport

When I started taking the bus and metro to work, I saved over ₹2000 every month on fuel and parking. I also used the travel time to read or relax.

Famous example: Ingvar Kamprad

Ingvar Kamprad, founder of IKEA, was famously frugal. He reportedly took public transport and flew economy class even after becoming very rich. His focus on saving helped IKEA become a global success.

Tips for using public transport

• Check routes and schedules beforehand.
• Buy monthly passes or smart cards for discounts.
• Avoid peak hours if possible.
• Keep a backup plan for emergencies.

8. Plan Homemade Food and Snacks for Vacations

Vacations are fun, but eating out every meal can be expensive.

Why homemade food saves money

• Restaurant food is often pricey.
• You control what you eat and stay healthier.
• You save money that can be used for other fun activities.

My vacation food plan

On my last trip, I packed homemade sandwiches, fruits, and water. This saved me around ₹1500 in food expenses and helped me avoid unhealthy eating.

Famous example: Oprah Winfrey (again)

Oprah talks about the importance of budgeting, even when traveling. She often prepares or plans her meals to avoid overspending.

Tips for vacation food planning

• Prepare easy-to-carry snacks like nuts, sandwiches, and fruits.
• Carry reusable water bottles and containers.
• Check if your hotel has kitchen facilities.
• Plan meal stops in advance to avoid overpriced places.

Final Thoughts

Saving money is not about cutting all the fun out of life. It’s about being smart with what you have and building good habits that grow your savings slowly but surely. From budgeting to using public transport, these steps can help you take control of your finances.

Remember, even the richest people started small and built wealth over time by being careful and disciplined with their money. If Warren Buffett can live simply, so can you!

If you have any questions or want to share your own saving tips, please write in the comments below. I (Adesh) personally reply to each comment.

If you found this blog helpful, please share it on social media with your friends and family who might benefit. Let’s all learn to save better and build a secure future together!

For more tips on personal finance, visit FinanceGrowKar.com.