There’s a lot of advice out there on ways you can save money. They involve saving money right now. Things, like skipping your morning coffee habit and negotiating rates with service providers, are the norm. Although they are the easiest ways to save a little money on the spot, it’s often the long-term habits we make that save us the most.

Many times, those habits cost a little more upfront.

If you really want to save money, you have to know the right ways to spend it so you can enjoy a little, or a lot, of extra cash in your pocket in the future.

Hire a Financial Advisor

Unfortunately, investing isn’t a required course in most high schools or colleges. You will only know the right way to put your money into the stock market and retirement accounts if you seek out that knowledge yourself.

If you don’t have the time or the interest to learn about investing, you aren’t alone, but instead of putting your money into an account blindly, you should hire a financial advisor.

According to Insurance Lounge, “The role of an advisor is to hear your investment and retirement goals and concerns and offer objective feedback to help get you there. They can be your financial coach from 401k planning all the way to saving for your children's college funds.”

Most advisors have a degree in finance, which means they know exactly how to invest your money to meet your goals, providing you with peace of mind and a higher return on your investment in the future.

Get the Right Insurance Coverage

Insurance can be costly. Decent health insurance can cost you hundreds, or even over $1,000 a month, especially if you’re insuring a family. You can save now by not insuring yourself or your family, but it could spell disaster for your finances if you or an immediate family member experiences a serious medical emergency.

By paying for health insurance now, you don’t have to worry about being financially ruined later. You should definitely pay for health insurance, but you should also pay for other kinds of insurance too like:

• Short- and/or long-term disability insurance

• Life insurance

• Quality auto insurance

• Homeowners or renters insurance

• Long-term care insurance

Buy a House

There are a lot of benefits when it comes to renting. Monthly payments are usually lower than house payments, and you don’t have to worry about paying for repairs. However, if you’ve got your eye on your long-term money goals, you’ll want to buy a house.

Owning your own home comes with many benefits, like increased privacy and the ability to paint and decorate however you want, but a house will eventually provide you with a return on your investment. Not only do you have the potential to make some money when you sell your home, you also have the ability to borrow against the equity in your home if you find yourself in a tough spot.

Invest in Efficiency

Energy efficiency is good for the planet, but it’s much more than that. It can save you money, even if energy efficient products cost more upfront than their non-efficient counterparts.

If you want to go big, you could install solar panels on your roof. They are expensive, but you’ll never have to pay to heat or cool your home ever again!

There are plenty of other energy saving devices if you don’t want to spend quite so much. For example, LED lighting costs next to nothing, while a smart thermostat will make sure you aren’t heating or cooling your home when no one is there.

Know What Items to Spend a Little More Money On

Buying the cheapest version of some items is a good strategy. For example, off-brand green beans are often canned in the same facilities as name brands. You’ll save money without compromising on flavor.

However, when it comes to other items, you should spend a little bit more to ensure they last.

Things you should spend more money on now to save later include:

• Mattresses

• Everyday clothing items, like jeans and jackets

• Heavy-duty shoes, like running and work shoes

• Furniture

• Tools

• Car repairs

By all means, look for small ways to save money today. Every little bit adds up! Just make sure you don’t lose sight of the bigger financial picture. You can save even more later by spending a bit more now when you know exactly how to spend your money!