20 easy tips to help save money

It was easy when we only had to subscribe to Netflix and Hulu, but with so many streaming options these days, it’s overwhelming to pay for. Rather than keeping all your subscriptions active, only pay for one or two per month according to what you’re watching. 

If you’re shopping online, don’t pull the trigger the second you find something you like. Keep it in your cart and return to it later. If you forget it was in your cart, you can scrap it, as it’s probably not something you wanted that badly. 

Automatic withdrawals are great for a variety of reasons, one being that many places reduce prices when you pay your bills that way. Plus, it’ll ensure you avoid late payment fees and help you save on checks and postage. 

Using cash is a pain for some, but for many, it’s a great way to budget. When you can only use what you have physically withdrawn, you aren’t as reckless with your spending. 

We often get paid and repaid digitally or with checks, but if someone is paying you in cash, don’t spend it. Set it aside and watch it accumulate. Do the same thing any time you collect coins. You’ll be surprised at how much you save. 

Having your credit card information saved at your favorite stores seems like a blessing, but it can be a major curse if you’re not careful with your spending. Don’t save your information, forcing you to physically access your card whenever you want to make a purchase. It’ll make you reconsider how badly you want to spend the money. 

We all want to spoil our loved ones, but it can get expensive. If there’s someone in your life with whom you regularly exchange gifts, talk to them about establishing a spending cap so you can show your love without breaking the bank. 

Speaking of buying gifts, the holidays can be a super expensive time of year, but you don’t have to reserve your gift buying for November and December. Spread it throughout the year so it’s not such a strain or a stress when the holidays roll around. 

If you love to eat out, cut down on your spending by having just one more dinner per week at home. It’s a manageable spending cut that will offer serious returns. 

One of the sneakiest expenses when eating out is beverages. Alcoholic or not, these can get super spendy, so commit to either having just water for an entire meal or reducing your number of refills. 

Meal prepping might seem like a major hassle, but it’ll definitely save you money. Rather than grabbing fast food or having a fancy lunch out because you don’t have anything with you to eat, come prepared with a nutritional meal that saves you lots of dollars. 

You do get what you pay for, but only to a certain extent. Some discount products work just the same as name brands. Find which generic products you’re okay using and make them your preferred option. 

Produce costs more when out of season. Find a produce calendar and use it to determine your shopping. You’ll also find that your meals taste better when using in-season produce. 

Most grocery stores offer weekly sales. Monitor those sales and shop accordingly. Use the discount produce for your daily meals and stock up on pantry staples when they’re on sale. 

Bring a list with you to every store you shop at. Whether you’re after clothes, food, or anything in between, a list will help you stick to what you need and ensure you don’t forget anything. Using a shopping list sounds obvious, but many of us see it as nonessential, which can result in serious overspending. 

Most of us have a temperature we like to keep our home at, but adjusting that temperature by just one degree according to the season can make a difference in your heating and cooling bill. Plus, when it’s a one-degree difference, you’ll hardly notice it if you do at all.  

Activities are getting more and more expensive all the time. Rather than budgeting to spend money every weekend on activities, set aside one weekend per month where you don’t spend any extra money. Eat at home, attend free activities, and stick to water. 

Buying clothing consistently is one of the easiest ways to see your money go down the drain. Try a clothing rental service if you like to keep up with trends but are sick of wasting money on new threads. It’ll keep your wardrobe fresh without depleting your bank account or clogging your closet. 

Cars are one of the biggest expenses, from insurance to gas to maintenance. Cut down on car costs by walking when possible. Riding your bike and using public transit can also help you save money. 

To avoid spending money on pricey produce, plant your own garden. You can go in on seeds, soil, and maintenance with a few others to split those costs, and you’ll all reap the benefits. Learn how to can so you can save money year round by using your garden produce.