No matter how much you love your job, you will want to retire someday. To counter your future dependence on Social Security payments, you have probably (hopefully) already begun contributing to an employer-sponsored retirement plan or some other retirement investment option with a certain percentage of your pre- or after-tax dollars.

 

While that’s a great start, let’s explore ways you can find extra money to contribute to your retirement account now so that you can live comfortably without forgoing any necessities or being forced to go back to work during your golden years.

 

B.Y.O.C
Brew your own cup of coffee (or tea) and bring it to work with you. Not only will you be reclaiming the $5 you spend daily on fancy coffee, but you also reclaim the 15 minutes you waste standing in line every morning waiting for it. After just one week, you could have an extra $25 in your wallet, which adds up to $100 more each month that you can contribute to your retirement account.

 

Lunch In

If you bring your own lunch to work rather than dining out, you could save a considerable amount of money. Imagine that the average person who works five days each week spends $10 each day on lunch. That adds up to $50 each week, and ultimately, $200 per month!

 

Say No to Carryout

Cooking dinner may not be easier than ordering carryout, but it certainly is cheaper. If you order out five nights each week and spend an average of $15 for each meal, you might be surprised to find that you are spending about $300 each month. If you’re spending that much for someone else to cook for you, imagine how much you could save by cooking for yourself. Cut out carryout and you could end up with an extra $300 per month to save toward retirement.