Setting aside a sum of money every month may not be the only way to save. You may be surprised by how much more you can save by scrutinizing your daily expenses and learning how to cut down on them. Here are five tips to help you do so.

1. Swap that post-lunch coffee with green tea

Always going for a cup of Starbucks coffee after lunch? Try checking out your office pantry for any instant coffee and tea, or bring your own box of green tea to work. Not only will you save a few money every day, green tea also boasts a host of health benefits, and helps you fight post-lunch drowsiness.

2. Practice the 30-day rule

One of the best ways to save money is not by stopping yourself from shopping, but to contemplate the need to buy that item over a 30-day period. This is a great technique to counter instant gratification (such as online shopping, which can have costly consequences). Waiting a little longer gives you a better perspective on whether the item is worth buying or not, and most probably by the end of the month, the urge to make the purchase would already be gone.  

3. Invite your friends and family over for a cook-off

Instead of having dinner at a restaurant after work, which could be rather costly, invite your friends over to your place for a cook-off. Spending quality time cooking with your friends and family while enjoying a meal at the comfort of your own home is a great way to save money and have fun. Furthermore, you can plan your after-dinner activities such as playing cards, catching a TV show, or have a round of wine-and-gossip!

4. Pack your own lunch to work

You will be amazed by how much money you can save if you start bringing your own lunch to work. Cook a batch of food over the weekend, separate them into five portions, and allocate one to each weekday lunch. Bring your daily lunch in a Thermos® Lunch Tote, which is designed to keep your food warm and fresh for up to six hours. Some lunch totes even come with a bag for easy to carry and  accompanying utensils!

Thinking about how to get started on your meal prep? Here are some simple but tasty recipes you can consider.

5. Exercise instead of retail therapy

There are two main benefits of exercise – it keeps you fit and saves you money. Instead of shopping after work, set some time to hit the gym or head home for some light workouts. Exercising gives you better quality of sleep, and stimulates various brain chemical that may leave you more relaxed and get you in a better mood.