5 money-saving tips for your daily routine

Saving money with big lifestyle changes can be hard, but little changes can save you a lot over time. Here are five things you can cut out of your daily routine to save money that are a lot easier than you'd think.

If you're a coffee drinker, you know that buying a cup or two of coffee every day can quickly add up. A cup of coffee can easily cost $2 to $3, and much more if you like to drink fancy lattes or flavoured coffees. (How much is that per week?)

• Why not do yourself a favour and start making your coffee at home. You can save quite a bit of money every day – funds that you can put toward other expenses or right into your savings account.

If you own a car, you can save a lot of money by leaving it at home and opting to cycle or walk to work or to social engagements instead.

• You can save a lot of money on gas and can also get fitter and healthier at the same time. Not to mention the cost of parking, which is exorbitant in most urban areas.

When you're grocery shopping, try to skip the brand-name products. They generally cost much more than the unbranded products and are not necessarily better quality.

• You probably won't notice the difference in taste and can end up saving on your weekly grocery bill.

Who knows? You may actually discover you prefer the other brands better!

Although it might be tempting to meet your friends for drinks after a long day at work, but buying beer or cocktails at bars can be incredibly expensive.

• Order soda water instead of a drink if you want to be social but not spend a lot of money. Or budget in a few drinks with friends once or twice a month so you feel like you have earned it, rather than spending frivolously a few nights a week.

Bank fees can add up over time. Although it might not seem like much to spend a few dollars to withdraw money from the ATM, if you do so a few times a week, you are basically throwing money away.

• Instead, find the nearest branch of your bank and plan a trip there to withdraw the cash you need each week.

Making small changes every day can lead to a huge amount of savings by the end of the year. Sometimes seeing the savings to be had is a matter of stopping and asking yourself what it is you're spending the money on – and if you can live without it.