Are you trying to save money? If so, you’re in the right place. Incorporating these 53 saving money tips will help you save money easily and more quickly.
1. Use coupons
You know those coupon booklets you usually toss out when you receive them in the mail? Well, they might be worth keeping! You’d be surprised how many coupons there are for household and selfcare items like toilet paper, paper towels, deodorant, and shampoo/conditioner.
It takes just a few minutes to clip the coupons. Once you have them, you can take them to whichever store will honor them (the stores that’ll honor the coupons are usually listed in the fine print on the coupon) and ultimately save yourself some money.
2. Use GetUpside when you get gas
GetUpside is a free app that gives you cash back every time you fill up at a gas station that they are partnered with. When you download the app, you will enter in your credit card details for the credit card you’ll use to fill up your gas tank.
From there, you’ll open the app to see which gas stations are partnered up with GetUpside near you. Simply choose whichever gas station is most convenient and fill up your gas tank as you normally would. A few days later, you’ll receive your cash back.
GetUpside gets you cash back for doing something you’re already doing and it only take a few minutes (like, less than 3 once you get the hang of it).
If you want to try GetUpside, you can sign up here.
3. Skip the appetizers/fancy drinks
Appetizers are so enticing (especially chips and queso amirite!?) but they can really hike up your dinner bill. Same goes for alcoholic beverages or even sodas. If you want to save a bit of money, try opting for water instead which is typically free of charge.
Skipping appetizers and drinks will surely save you a great deal of money on your next meal out.
4. Buy items in bulk
Sometimes buying in bulk can feel like you’re spending more money (because you are, up front at least!) but in the long run you will actually be saving. When items are in bulk, their unit or individual price is cheaper than if you were to buy just one.
For instance, you can either buy three toothbrushes for $6 ($2 each) or you can buy one for $2.50.
In cases where it makes sense to buy more, buying bulk will save you money.
5. Automate your savings (same with your retirement investments)
Want to save money without thinking about it? Set up automatic contributions to your savings account each paycheck. This way you can rest assured that you are saving your money on a consistent basis.
You may wish on occasion that the money you are saving would go straight to your checking account, but if you stick with consistently saving, you will have a good chunk of money in months or years to come.
6. Prepare your week’s meals in advance
Want to avoid swinging by a fast food joint on your lunch break? Then prepare your meals in advance! Not only will this save you money since you already have food prepared, but it will also save you time. When you don’t have to think about what you’ll eat for the day, you can focus on other things and not worry about spending money unplanned.
7. Try using a zero-based budget
There are many budgeting techniques, but perhaps the most popular is the zero-based budgeting method. With this method, you subtract all your expenses from your income so that the difference equals 0.
With zero-based budgeting, you give each dollar a job, whether that’s to pay bills, invest, save, etc. Budgeting in general can help you be intentional with your money.
If you want to control your money, you should try budgeting. If you’d like to try zero-based budgeting, check out my guide here.
8. Use a reusable water bottle
Too often people buy plastic water bottles at grocery stores or gas stations. While water bottles may not be the most expense purchase you can make, if buying water bottles is a habit, these purchases can add up over time. Not to mention, plastic isn’t ideal for the environment.
Instead, invest in a reusable water bottle that you can carry around with you and fill up when needed. This way, water will always be an option and you won’t have to buy it when needed, but instead, fill up at the nearest water fountain for free.
9. Buy one get one free deals
If there’s an item that is on sale with a “buy one get one free” deal, it might be worth purchasing. With this deal, you can often get two items for the price of one.
It’s important to note that you don’t always have to buy two items if there is a “buy one get one free” sign. Especially at grocery stores, sometimes this means that if you buy just one item, you can get it for half price. Definitely pay close attention to how these deals work at your local grocery because if you don’t need two, getting one at half price is a great alternative.
10. Sign up for grocery rewards
Many grocery stores offer a loyalty card offering their customers great discounts. If your grocery store has one of these, and you’re not signed up, you’re missing out on a ton of savings!
Usually all you have to do is fill out a quick form that you can either get from your cashier or from the grocery store’s customer service. Once you fill out the form, you’ll be given a loyalty card or keychain that you can conveniently keep attached to your keys or in your wallet for the next time you go to the store.
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11. …And other rewards programs
Do you often visit stores or restaurants that offer discounts to their frequent shoppers? For example, the restaurant Chick-fil-a offers special deals and offers to those that belong to their membership program!
If you frequent a certain restaurant, it makes sense to take a few minutes and sign up for their rewards program so that you can receive discounts and save money the next time you stop there.
12. Get a high-yield savings account
High-yield savings accounts offer their customers a greater interest rate, resulting in more money for you. You can read more about high-yield savings accounts here.
You can find free high-yield savings accounts. Some popular ones are Marcus by Goldman Sachs and Ally. Really, high-yield savings accounts are a no-brainer if you’re looking to maximize your savings.
13. Cancel unused subscriptions
Do you continue to pay for services that you’re not using? Services like Netflix, Spotify and Audible can be costly over time if you pay for them each month without using them.
Cancel any subscriptions that you’re not using and save yourself some money!
14. Rent books from the library
Do you tend to buy books? While it can be nice to own a new book, new books can be expensive! Instead, try visiting your local library to see if the book you want to read is available to check out for free.
15. Buy generic
Generic items (versus name brand items) are typically a little bit cheaper. For instance, think about JIF peanut butter versus your grocery store’s brand of peanut butter. The peanut butter made by your grocery store’s brand is likely going to be a few dollars cheaper. If you don’t mind the difference in taste/appearance/effectiveness of generic items, buying them versus the name brand ones is a great way to save money.
16. Make coffee at home
You don’t have to give up all of your coffees from Starbucks, but if all of the coffee you drink comes from your favorite coffee shop, you’re likely spending a good amount of money over time.
Instead, invest in a coffee maker and buy a coffee that you like and can brew at home for far cheaper.
17. Shop for clothes at thrift stores
Clothing can be expensive, but if you buy clothing at thrift stores you can find clothes at a major discount. It’s worth it to sift through a thrift store first before buying that piece of clothing or shoes that you need!
18. DIY furniture
Instead of buying brand new furniture, try sprucing some up that you have around the house. Is there an end table that you can paint to better match the aesthetic you’re going for? Get creative with the items you have around your house so as not to buy brand new furniture that’ll cost you a lot of money.
19. Unsubscribe from promotional emails
It’s nice to stay in the know about the discounts and deals that your favorite store is offering, but you’re also more likely to spend more money with these stores if you’re constantly being advertised to.
Instead, send these emails to a specific folder or unsubscribe from them entirely so you’re not constantly encouraged to spend money.
20. Change your cell phone provider
Have you ever thought about switching your cell phone provider? Maybe you’ve had the same one forever and never thought about switching, but there are many new cell phone service providers popping up that boast much cheaper prices than the standard companies like AT&T or Verizon (see: Mint Mobile and US Mobile).
21. Set savings goals
If you have something specific to save for, or a particular amount that you would like to save, you should make a savings goal and then make a plan to get there. You can do this by planning backward.
For example, if you want to save $500 in the next three months, break that goal down by the number of weeks you have until you get there. 3 months is 12 weeks, so this means you’d have to save about $41 each week for the next 12 weeks to get to your goal of $500.
Making a specific plan to reach your savings goal can be extremely helpful and effective.
22. Bike when you can
Do you own a bike? If so, try using it to get places if it is safe to do so and you are able. Driving a car requires gas which costs money, but riding your bike is a great, free way to get where you need to go, and get a little exercise in the process!
23. Compare insurance rates
Before you sign up for renter’s insurance or car insurance, for example, reach out to a few different companies and compare their rates. You don’t have to sign up with the first company that you speak to. Instead, talk to a few companies, see what their rates are, and go with the company that offers all of your insurance needs for the lowest price.
24. Get a roommate
If you don’t mind living with someone else, finding a roommate can be a great way to cut your rent expense in half. There are definitely sacrifices that come with having a roommate (especially if you are used to living alone) but if you can get past those, then finding a roommate can save you hundreds of dollars monthly.
25. Buy drug store brand makeup
Makeup can be very expensive, but there’s usually always a really good dupe for your favorite products at your local drug store. Don’t knock it til you try it – you could save yourself so much money!
26. Find a less-expensive hair salon
If you don’t mind it, you can always get your hair cut or colored at a hair salon chain like Hair Cuttery or Great Clips. Many people pay top dollar to have their hair cut at very specific establishments, but if you aren’t too particular about your hair or who cuts it, going to a hair salon chain can save you a lot of money.
27. Do your own nails
A trip to the salon for a gel manicure with a tip can cost around $60. Instead, why not try painting your own nails? Sure it’s a little time-consuming and your nails may not last as long, but that just means you get to change the color more frequently ; ) and save money in the process!
28. Use Rakuten when online shopping
Before online shopping, stop by Rakuten.com first. More than likely, Rakuten has teamed up with the website that you are about to shop at which means you can get some cashback if you navigate to your desired website via Rakuten.
Using Rakuten is a great way to earn cash back from a store that you were already planning to shop at!
29. Check out “Buy Nothing” groups
There are “Buy Nothing” groups on Facebook where you can get things for free. It’s that easy! This way, you can find the things you actually need without having to pay for them.
30. See if your employer offers free talk therapy
Interested in therapy but find it to be too expensive? See if your employer offers a benefit where you can talk to someone at no cost to you. Employers are investing more and more in their employees’ health and your employer may offer this benefit.
31. Opt for generic medication
Just like buying generic at the grocery store can save you money, so can buying the generic version of medication. Medication can be expensive but if you can use the generic version, it might be worth looking into to save a bit of money.
32. Use credit cards that give you cash back
Does your credit card offer you cash back when you spend? As long as you are a responsible credit card user (as in, you pay off your credit card balance each month and never let your spending get out of hand), having a credit card that gives cash back every time you shop can be a great way to save a bit on your purchases.
33. Cut cable
Do you currently pay for cable? If so, getting rid of it could save you a good deal of money each month. Instead, opt for a streaming service like Hulu where you can still get a ton of the channels you know and love but for a fraction of the cost.
34. Workout at home
No matter what form of exercise you like, there are tons of videos online (like YouTube) that you can use for free workouts that you can do at home. So, instead of paying for a gym membership each month, try at-home workouts or workouts that you can do outdoors for free.
35. Move somewhere cheaper
Certain places in the United States are far more expensive than others. According to this article, San Francisco, California is one of the most expensive places to live (think costs like housing and gas, for example) whereas Huntsville, Alabama is one of the cheapest cities to live.
36. Find a work from home job
Working from home can save you money on things like gas since you won’t be driving to and from work. It also might save you from making unplanned shopping trips on your way to and from work.
37. Have a “no spend” day
If you want to ensure you don’t spend any money, try doing a “no spend” day. This is simply a day where you avoid making any purchases unless they are absolutely necessary.
38. Check your bank apps/statements for mistakes regularly
It’s important to check your bank statements regularly to ensure that there are no fraudulent or incorrect charges on your bank accounts. By checking regularly you can ensure that everything is accurate, and not lose money that you shouldn’t lose in the first place.
39. Don’t use ATMs that charge a fee
A really simple mistake to avoid is using ATMs that will charge you a fee for withdrawing your cash. Unless it’s absolutely necessary, using an ATM that charges you to take out your own money should be totally avoided to save your money.
40. Refinance your student loan debt
Refinancing your student loan debt is essentially switching lenders so that you can get a lower interest rate or monthly payment (sometimes even both!). It can be a great way to save yourself some money, especially in the long run, but it’s definitely not for everyone.
One of the biggest caveats when it comes to refinancing your student loans is that if you have a federal loan currently, and you choose to refinance, you will switch to a private loan lender. Once you have a private loan lender, you lose all protections and benefits that you would have with a federal loan.
For instance, the federal student loan payment freeze that was instated due to Covid is something only federal student loan borrowers can benefit from. All those with private loans do not experience the payment freeze – they’ve been making their payments all this time.
41. Don’t be afraid to ask for fees to be waived
Asking for fees to be waived can feel a little awkward, especially if you actually did something to incur the fee! But if you don’t ask, the answer is always “no”. You might as well ask for fees to be waived when they come up just in case it can help keep your money in your pocket.
42. Pay yourself first
“Pay yourself first” is a popular phrase that essentially means whenever you get paid, your first priority should be to save or invest some of that money for yourself. This is a good practice to get in the habit of if you want to save money.
43. Find a bank that doesn’t charge overdraft fees
Sometimes things happen and you have an unexpected charge that knocks your bank balance below zero. In these instances, it’s helpful to have a bank that won’t charge a heavy overdraft fee. Be on the lookout for banks that do charge overdraft fees the next time you are looking to open a checking account.
44. Wait for items to go on sale
It can be really tempting to buy something immediately if you really want it, but if you can wait a few weeks or even a few days, you might be able to get that item for much cheaper when it goes on sale.
45. Unplug appliances that aren’t in use
Much like turning off lights can save you money on your electricity bill, so can unplugging appliances when they are not in use. Appliances that aren’t plugged in can still cost you money just for being plugged in. It’s best practice to simply unplug everything when not in use.
46. Repair things yourself with the help of YouTube
Instead of immediately hiring a handyman when you need to repair or fix something that is broken, try turning to YouTube first to see if you can fix it yourself. Oftentimes there are people who have been in your shoes before who have figured out a solution and made a video for it to help people like you.
47. If it works, why buy a new one?
Whatever it is that you think a new one of, be sure to first ask yourself if the one you have already works just fine. For example, before you go buying the latest and greatest cell phone, ask yourself if yours is functional and effective as it is today.
If the answer is “yes” then maybe consider waiting it out just a little bit longer. The same goes with a car, as another example. If you are still able to drive your car safely, maybe there’s no need to buy a new one!
48. Buy refurbished instead of new
One option for buying something “new to you” instead of brand new is to buy it refurbished. Refurbished items have been repaired but are generally still in great, useable condition. Buying refurbished is a great option for saving money if buying something brand new is out of your budget.
49. Borrow clothing from friends for one-time events
Instead of buying an expensive dress for a wedding that you will only ever wear once, for example, try borrowing something from a friend. This way, you can save the money you would’ve spent on the dress, and avoid having a piece of clothing that you may not wear again from taking up space in your closet.
50. Hit the lights before you leave
Want to save on your electricity bill? Make sure to turn off the lights before you leave the house. Each minute you keep a light on is costing you money so if you don’t need the light, it’s best to turn it off!
51. Take advantage of free entertainment in your area
If you’re looking to save money, instead of buying tickets to a movie or going out to the bars, try looking up free entertainment where you live. You might be surprised at the number of free concerts, book clubs, trivia nights, etc. that you can find near you.
52. Pay off debt early
Of course if you don’t have debt, you’ll no longer have to make debt payments which means you can use that money for something else (like putting it toward your savings goals). If you need help paying off your debt, here are 17 creative strategies that can help.
53. Avoid take out when possible
Take-out meals can be really expensive (especially when you’re purchasing them through food delivery apps that’ll charge you fees on top of the food itself). If you can avoid it, prepare meals in advance or keep your fridge stocked with things you enjoy for those moments when you’re considering ordering take out.
