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There are endless things we can do to save money.
But many times we overlook the most obvious of ideas.
For example, there are some great apps out there that help you save money without much effort.
Because of all the ways you can cut back how easy it is to miss some simple tricks, I decided to compile this ultimate list of 80 ways you can save money.
In this list you will learn the following:
- How to save money fast
- How to save money on groceries
- How to save money on food
- How to save money on a car
- How to save money on a house
- How to save money on gas
- Money saving apps
By the end, you will have endless ideas and strategies you can start using to save as much as you want!
I’ll also show you the 2 easiest ways you can save over $1,000 a year.
They are so easy, you can get them done in less than 30 minutes!
And at the end of this post, I’ll share with you the simple thing you should be doing with this money to help you reach your financial goals!
So what are you waiting for? Start checking out these 80 tips for saving a ton of money!
Table of Contents
80 Easy Ways To Save Money
Save Money Around The House
Saving around the house doesn’t have to be a chore.
Here are a handful of simple things you can do today!
#1. Unclog Drains Naturally
If you have a slow running drain, pour some baking soda into the drain and then add some vinegar.
You will get a foamy reaction that will break down the clog.
After 15 minutes, run some hot water down the drain for 5 minutes and the clog should be cleared.
If you have a bad clog, you might need to repeat this process a couple of times to fully clear it out.
#2. Remove Lime Cheaply
If you have hard water or lime buildup on your faucets, don’t run to the store and pay for some dangerous chemicals.
Try the natural way first.
Get a bowl and fill it with vinegar. Then place the faucet or shower head in the vinegar overnight.
It will naturally break down the deposits.
If you can’t remove the faucet or shower head, pour the vinegar into a Ziploc bag, put the bag over it, and use a rubber band or tape to secure it.
The goal is to get as much of the faucet or shower head submerged into the vinegar.
In the morning, you may need to get an old toothbrush and scrub a little but you will see that most of the buildup is gone.
As with the previous tip, if you have a really bad case, you might need to let it sit for a little longer.
#3. Use Rags While Dusting
When you dust, find an old shirt you don’t wear any longer and use it as a rag.
Get out your scissors and cut it into a few pieces so you have multiple cleaning rags.
Many people use paper towels and throw them out which wastes money.
You can reuse the shirt a few times, then add it in with your laundry and use it all over again.
The added benefit here is the shirt is a soft cotton fabric, so when you are dusting delicate items, you don’t need to worry about scratches.
#4. Reduce Your Utilities
Not many people are aware of the fact that many of your electronics go into standby mode when you turn them off.
This means they don’t turn off, rather they enter into “sleep” mode. While in sleep mode, they still require electricity.
If you have a power strip with everything plugged into it, there should be a power button on it.
Simply flip that button to off when you are done watching TV. When you want to watch it again, simply flip the switch back on.
Note that if you have a cable box, you should not connect it to the power strip if you plan on using this tip.
The cable box keeps time for many people and gets updates from the cable company.
By keeping this plugged in separately, you ensure that you do not have to reset the time constantly and you allow the device to receive updates.
Alternatively, you can get a smart power strip.
This power strip allows you to configure your devices so that when one turns off, power is killed to everything else.
They even have a separate plug for your cable box so that it always stays on.
Here is my favorite smart power strip on Amazon.
#5. Lower Your Cable Bill
The cost of cable only seems to go up.
Luckily there are some options out there for you to lower this bill.
First, you need to review what you are paying for.
This means review the channels you watch the most.
Maybe you can subscribe to a lower package and lower your monthly bill.
But it doesn’t stop there.
Are you paying for cable boxes in rooms where you rarely watch TV?
It might make sense to return these to lower your bill.
If you still want to watch TV in these rooms, buy a Roku and stream free shows instead.
Alternatively, you can cut the cord completely and look into streaming services.
Paying for one or two bundles like Hulu or Netflix might allow you to switch to the cheapest cable package or cancel completely.
Finally, you can opt to use Trim.
This is a service that will negotiate your cable bill for you.
They save on average $30 a month for users, which comes to more than $350 a year.
Click the link below to see how much Trim will save you.
#6. Wash Laundry Using Only Cold Water
While many articles of clothing instruct you to wash them in warm or hot water, it will not harm the garment if you wash it in cold water instead.
It will still come out clean.
By using only cold water, you do not have to use the energy needed by your hot water tank to heat the water as often.
The process of heating your water costs you money. The less you have to heat your water, the more you will save!
Of course for certain garments or tough stains, you should still use hot water.
#7. Use Your Microwave To Boil Water
When you use your microwave to boil water as opposed to your stove, you’ll use 60% less energy and will boil water much faster, resulting in lower utility bills.
I’ll admit I don’t do this trick all the time, but do when I am in a hurry.
I’ll get the water hot in the microwave and then put it in a pot to boil and add pasta to cook.
Just be sure to use gloves when taking the bowl out of the microwave!
#8. Use The Right Sized Pot Or Pan
When you are cooking on your stove, be sure that the size of the pot or pan matches the size of the heating element.
If you use a 6 inch pot on an 8 inch heating element, you’ll be wasting over 40% of the energy.
#9. Get A Rain Barrel
Buy a barrel and connect it to your home’s storm gutters.
You can then use the collected water to water the lawn or garden, wash your car, water plants, etc.
Just make sure you keep a lid on it so that it doesn’t become a breeding ground for mosquitoes!
#10. Use A Portable Electric Heater
If you have gas heat, to save on the high cost of filling your tank every winter, buy a small portable electric heater.
You can use it for a few hours every night to heat the main room you are in instead of relying on the furnace.
The cost of the electric you will use will be much less than the cost of the gas.
#11. Turn On The Central Air Fan On Your Thermostat
In the winter, you can turn on the fan on your thermostat to blow the warm air throughout your house.
Obviously, when the heat is on, the fan is blowing the warm around.
But you can keep the fan on after the heater turns off to continue circulating the air, thus keeping the warm air moving around your house.
This will result in your house staying warmer longer, saving you money from having to heat the air as often.
#12. Close Vents And Doors
In both the summer and winter, there is no need to heat or cool your entire house when you only use certain rooms.
To save money from heating and cooling them, simply close the vents in those rooms as well as the doors.
#13. Team With Neighbors When Buying In Bulk
If you live alone, you can still take advantage of shopping at warehouse clubs.
Simply team up with a neighbor and split the costs and what you buy.
Even if you aren’t single, you can still team up with neighbors and buy in bulk.
#14. Team With Neighbors Trash
To lower your garbage bill, again team up with your neighbors. You can share the service and split the bill.
I have a friend that does this, but instead of paying, he mows the small yard for his neighbor during the summer.
#15. Use Plastic Grocery Bags
If you have a stockpile of plastic grocery bags, you can use them to save some money.
For example, when shipping things, you can use the plastic bags as filler to protect the contents of the package.
You can also use them when scooping kitty litter or when you take your dog for a walk.
#16. Trade In Old Electronics
If you have an old printer, VCR, or cell phone collecting dust, you can go online to trade them in.
Many sites will send you cash or gift cards.
The best place to look is Decluttr.
They will pay you for your old cell phones, tablets and other electronics.
They will give you an estimate of the value of your item and you will send it in for free.
After they inspect the items condition, they will pay you for the item.
You can click the link below to get an estimate of how much money you can make.
If you don’t want to go the online route, stores like Amazon and Best Buy also have trade in programs.
At the very least, don’t toss it into the trash.
Take it to Best Buy where they will recycle many electronics for you at no cost.
If you have a large item you can’t trade in, look for community recycling programs to take these items to.
#17. Save On Printer Ink
Simply switch the default font you use from Arial to Century Gothic.
You won’t notice the difference, but your wallet will.
Studies show that by switching to this font saves a person around $20 a year if you print 25 pages a week.
In addition to this, check out ink recycling.
Some stores offer a coupon when you bring in your used ink cartridges to recycle.
#18. Go Vintage
Instead of buying everything new, look into high quality used items.
There are many places you can find items for sale, including Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.
Alternatively you can check out sites like FreeCycle where you can get things completely for free.
Many times the quality and details of most vintage items can’t be matched today.
And with less cash in our pockets, vintage is at the forefront of the drive to live stylishly for less.
#19. Go To An Auction
There’s no need to head to pricey interior design shops to furnish your home, not unless it’s to pinch ideas.
Auction houses are the best way to furnish a house when funds are tight, letting you pick up beautiful, solid pieces of furniture.
Mirrors, wardrobes, paintings and desks are all excellent buys at auctions.
#20. Stop Buying Disposables
You are paying for convenience here.
Disposables are very convenient, but you pay a premium for that luxury.
Instead of buying disposables, go out and buy items that will last you use after use.
You spend a little more upfront, but you will save each and every month you don’t have to buy more disposable items.
#21. Lower Your Hot Water Heater Temperature
Did you know that lowering the temperature on your water heater by a few degrees can save you some serious cash?
Most water heaters are set at 140 degrees.
This temperature is really unnecessary.
If you drop the temperature by 20 degrees, you will start seeing some savings.
After all, it takes a lot of energy to heat up the entire water tank.
And the best part is you won’t notice the difference of going from 140 to 120 degrees.
#22. Create A Budget
Yes, a budget can help you to save money.
When you track your spending, you will start to see your spending habits.
That $3 here and there really does add up.
Plus you will get a solid idea of how much your monthly expenses add up to, especially restaurant spending.
There are a lot of options out there when it comes to budgets.
You can use a pen and paper, spreadsheets, even apps.
The trick is finding the one that works best for you and your situation.
Don’t get frustrated if you have to try a couple out until you find one that works best for you.
The best spreadsheet budget is Tiller Money hands down.
In fact, I love Tiller so much I use it myself.
Click the link below to learn more.
Save Money On Food
Groceries are a big part of every household’s budget.
Here are some easy things you can do to lower your food costs.
#23. Go Meatless
Buying meat at the grocery store is expensive.
Try going meatless for a day a few times a month.
Have a salad for lunch and maybe make some soup for dinner.
You’d be surprised as how much you save over time by doing this trick.
If you really want to be adventurous, try going meatless more often.
#24. Save A Ton At The Supermarket
Not all grocery stores are the same and not one is the best for everything.
Take a little time to figure out which ones have the best prices on which items and tailor your shopping accordingly.
Also be sure to pay attention to sales.
If you plan your meals and recipes around the weekly sales, you can save even more money at the grocery store.
Of course you also have to use a grocery list to keep your spending in check.
Make sure to complete it before you go, so you don’t have any excuses to overspend.
#25. Ask For Day-Olds At The Grocery Store
There has been debate about expiration dates on groceries at the supermarket.
A majority of food will last well beyond the printed date.
If you are comfortable with pushing expiration dates, then you can go into your grocery store and ask them for “day olds”.
This is exactly as it sounds.
You can save around 40 – 60% on these items and they are still good to eat.
Most stores have policies about their expiring foods and day olds.
They would rather sell them than have to give them away or toss them.
I’ve saved a boatload buying chicken whose sell by date is that day or the next day.
Usually it will be with the other chicken, but will have a special coupon sticker on it.
#26. Plant A Garden
Do you spend a lot on vegetables?
Have you considered growing them yourself?
Growing a garden is easy, and you don’t need a huge yard either.
Just pick out a couple vegetables you love to eat and the supplies you need.
Before you know it, you will have home grown vegetables to eat.
You can even do this with herbs and spices too.
As you become more skilled, you can start growing other things as well.
#27. Roast And Brew Your Own Coffee
It has been said time and time again that brewing your own coffee will save you a lot of money.
Instead of just brewing your own coffee, what about roasting it as well?
There are quite a few websites and stores where you can buy unroasted, green coffee beans.
The best part is that you can roast them yourself with just a popcorn popper.
After you roast your beans, then you can just grind them and enjoy.
If you don’t want to roast your own coffee, then you can still save by buying whole bean coffee and grinding them.
It tastes better than already ground coffee beans.
#28. Keep Snacks In Your Car
When you are hungry, you tend to overspend.
If you find yourself hungry often and giving into the temptation to get fast food or impulse buying at the supermarket, then keep some snacks in your car.
Something like a granola bar or trail mix can be really good to satisfy your hunger and will help to keep you feeling fuller for a longer time.
When you can snack in your car, you don’t have to stop to get fast food, thus saving you money.
#29. Embrace Imperfection
Loads of people are put off by a little scratch on their furniture.
But purchasing items with minor imperfections can save you a ton of money.
Last summer I saved hundreds on a new freezer because it had a tiny scratch on the side, and I mean tiny.
Before that I saved $400 on a TV that had a scratch on it.
At least that was the reason given.
Both myself and two store associates looked over the TV for close to an hour and no one found a scratch.
Whenever you go shopping, just ask where they have the scratch and dent or open box items to save.
Save Money On Health And Beauty
Every year it seems healthcare related costs only go up.
Here are some ideas to help you slash your spending on health and beauty products and services.
#30. Save On Dental Work
Simply go to a dental school, where students perform the work while supervised by a dentist.
You can go to the ADA website and click on Dental Schools to find one in your area.
- Related: Learn the frugal secrets to getting white teeth at home
- Related: Click to learn how to afford dental implants
I’ve known a couple people who did this and they never complained about the service they got or later on.
The work was always done right.
#31. Make Your Own Mouthwash
Many mouthwash products on the market contain alcohol.
Not only does this dry out your mouth, leading to bad breath (the mouthwash simply covers up the smell temporarily), there are studies linking alcohol to oral cancer.
To save money and be healthier, buy a container of salt and simply add it to some warm water and use that as your mouthwash.
All dentists recommend it.
#32. Take Water Wherever You Go
Whenever you go out for the day shopping or running errands, take a bottle of water with you.
It is free, which means you will save the $1-2 it would cost you to buy bottled water.
Plus it keeps you hydrated, which will keep you feeling full longer.
- Related: Click here to learn the cheapest places to eat out
- Related: Learn the secrets to saving when dining out
I personally use this Camelback water bottle. It is insulated so my water stays colder longer on hot days.
#33. Get Your Prescription Glasses Online
Do you have prescription glasses or contacts? Don’t buy them from your eye doctor.
You can get your prescription from your eye doctor and then buy online.
Stores like Zenni Optical and Vision Direct provide you with an easy way to buy glasses and contacts.
You can save over 50%.
I’ve been wearing glasses since kindergarten. I used to buy my lenses and frames at the eye doctor.
But now I buy my frames online.
The prices are much more competitive.
Sometimes I will take the frames to my eye doctor and buy the lenses there if they are running a special.
Otherwise I get my lenses online too.
It’s simple to fill out the form and get your prescription right.
#34. Compare Costs
If you pay out of pocket for health related expenses, such as x-rays, shop around.
In most cases an x-ray at a hospital costs 20-50% more than if you go to an outpatient center.
Most people do not realize this.
When your doctor requires you to get testing done, simply call the local hospital and the local outpatient centers and ask what they charge.
Then go with the one that offers the lower price.
#35. Use Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
If you have access to a flexible spending account or HSA account at work, you need to take advantage of these.
You put money in pre-tax and then you pay for qualified medical expenses with your savings.
The entire process avoids tax.
If you are in the 25% tax bracket, every dollar you put into these accounts saves you $0.25.
It doesn’t sound like much but it adds up!
Be sure to understand all the pros and cons to health savings accounts first though to make sure they are right for you.
#36. Slash Make Up Costs
Make up costs a lot of money.
But it doesn’t have to break your budget if you are smart.
In fact, there are a handful of things you can do to lower this expense.
For starters, make note of what you buy most often pay attention to sales to stock up.
Also, if you paint your nails a lot, why not try buying nail polish at the dollar store?
No one will be able to tell the difference.
Finally, try to use cash back websites like Swagbucks when shopping online.
You will get a percent of your purchase as cash back, lowering your cost.
Save Money Shopping
This category covers a lot of areas, but the one thing they all have in common is shopping.
Everyday purchases quickly add up, so if you can find ways to save money here, you will find your bank account balance growing over time.
#37. Don’t Upgrade Your Cell Phone
When a new phone model comes out, you may be tempted to run out and buy it.
This is not a wise move.
First off, if you are in the middle of a contract, many times you will not be able to get the phone at the lower advertised price.
You will have to pay the full price. And this can be shocking.
For a new model that costs $199 with a new two year contract, the full price of the phone is $899!
If you simply wait until your contract is up, then renew, you can get the phone for the advertised deal.
In addition, if it is a brand new model, it might have some glitches.
There is an old saying that says when a new model comes out, wait until the next generation comes out to buy the current version.
For as much testing the company does on the phone, it never is the same in the real world.
Wait for the next version and avoid all the headaches.
Also by waiting, the model you had your eyes on will be discounted because there is a newer version.
Lastly, if your phone is acting up, don’t assume you need to buy a new phone.
Many times you just need to change a setting or power down the device to get it working right again.
You could even backup your phone and perform a factory reset to try to fix the issues you are experiencing.
And don’t run out to buy a new phone if you have a broken screen.
Chances are you can get it fixed for a lot less than paying for a brand new phone.
#38. Use Discount Cell Phone Service
Instead of sticking with the big boys (Verizon, AT&T, etc.) and their large monthly bills for service, switch over to a discount provider.
These days the smaller carriers have networks that rival the big players but don’t come with the hefty price.
For example, Cricket is an option.
They use AT&T cell towers so the coverage you get with them is exactly the same as you would with AT&T.
The best part is you would only pay $35 a month for your cell phone plan.
This includes unlimited calls and texts and 10GB of data.
There are a handful of other carriers out there too, so finding the one to fit your needs shouldn’t be an issue.
#39. Buy Cell Phones Online
One final trick when it comes to cell phones.
Most carriers are doing away with discounted phones when you sign up for a 2 year agreement.
Instead of paying $200 for a new iPhone, you are paying $25 a month.
Over 2 years this comes to $600 which is the cost of a new phone without the discount.
You can easily get around this by purchasing your phone online.
I’ve bought my new iPhone on eBay and bought my mother’s phone there as well.
There is a risk to buying this way and I am a version behind, but the savings are substantial.
Just make sure you ask questions and check out the return policy before placing a bid.
If you want a safer route and one I am going to use going forward is Decluttr.
Here you can get a used phone for the best price.
Even better, they verify the phone is in working condition and offer help if there is an issue when you get your phone.
Click the link below to see how much money you will save.
#40. Use Online Coupons
When shopping online, you should make it a habit to search for coupon codes.
Just about every website now offers a place to enter online coupon codes at checkout to save yourself some money.
To find them, do a quick search using the retailers name and the term “coupon” or “promo code” to try to find a discount.
When I do this, I tend to get a coupon that saves me 80% of the time.
#41. Rent Instead Of Buying
Are you doing a project around the house and need a tool?
Instead of going to the hardware store to buy an item you will rarely use again, consider renting it for the weekend.
There are many rental shops up all over the place and the savings for going this route could be substantial.
In the event you find there is no place to rent the tool you need, consider asking your neighbors.
You never know if they will have what you need or maybe could offer an alternative too.
#42. Join A Warehouse Club
Buying in bulk can save you incredible amounts of money.
Granted many of these clubs require an annual membership fee, however if you shop there regularly, it is well worth it.
Just keep an eye on prices.
While there are plenty of great deals, sometimes the prices are not cheaper as compared to the grocery store.
Next time you go to the grocery store, make sure you take note of the prices for the items you buy.
Then when you go to the warehouse club, you can compare deals.
- Related: Learn how to save the most at Costco
As an added note, when comparing prices, do not look at the total price, but rather the unit price.
This unit price is the true cost for the item, multiplied by the size of the item.
#43. Shop At The Dollar Store
While not everything at the dollar store is worth buying, you can get many things for a fraction of what grocery and drug stores charge.
For example, you can buy greeting cards for $1 or less.
You can buy gift wrapping, personal cares items, and other holiday decorations for cheap too.
We regularly buy crayons and coloring books for our daughters there.
Take a trip and check out the things they have and see how much you could save.
#44. Shop After The Fact
Buying after the season ends is one of the best techniques to save tons of money.
The obvious example here is with holiday decorations.
After the holiday, stores drastically reduce prices. You can stock up for next year at half the cost.
But it doesn’t end there.
You can do the same thing with clothing.
Just buy at the end of the season.
Since stores tend to have these clearance sales before the season actually ends, you can get some wear out of you new clothes this year.
You can even do the same thing with cars.
Wait until the model year is up and then consider buying for a nice discount.
#45. Use Reusable Grocery Bags
Using canvas bags for groceries and other things is smart lifestyle change.
Not only does it help the environment, but it also saves you money.
Many stores, even national chain stores have begun to offer you discounts if you use reusable bags for your groceries and other items.
In most cases, you will save $0.05 per bag.
Assume you use 5 bags per grocery shopping trip. That comes to $1.08 per month or $13.00 a year.
Now you are telling me, that is not worth it for such a small amount.
Well if you invest that $13.00 at 5% and add the $13.00 you save each year, in 25 years you have just over $700.
Again, not a million, but that is just with $13!!
Start adding all your other savings from these tips into the mix and watch how fast your money grows.
#46. Buy Torn Bags Of Mulch
Home centers will set aside the torn bags of mulch and then sell these bags at a discount.
To have the best chance of getting these bags is at the end of Saturday or Sunday.
Simply bring some duct tape to seal the bag and a tarp to keep your car clean.
#47. Think Outside The Box
You should always be looking at different ways to try to save.
For example, instead of buying the expensive rock salt to melt ice in your driveway, have you considered using water softener salt?
It does the same thing and costs much less.
Or instead of buying mulch, look to see if your local township offers free mulch.
All you have to do is transport it home.
When you stop and think and change your behavior, you can come up with many alternative ways to save a few dollars here and there.
#48. Buy Gift Cards At A Discount
You can find gift cards for close to 30% off their face value at Raise.com.
In this case, a $50 gift card would cost you $35, saving you $15!
There you can buy gift cards at a discount or sell unwanted gift cards for cash.
You can also get gift cards for a discount on eBay and Craigslist, but they aren’t as safe.
#49. Like Products On Facebook
If you are on Facebook, make it a point to “like” the products and companies you use most often.
Many companies have begun to send coupons to those people that “like” them on the site or offer special discount codes.
It’s a free and easy way to get coupons.
#50. Make Like Cinderella
The trend of renting dresses, shoes, bags and jewelry has taken off over the last couple of years.
Costs vary depending on the popularity of the item with a Louis Vuitton Judy GM handbag, valued at $2,000 for example, typically costing $60 for a weekly rental.
You can rent items for different time frames, from one night up to a month.
This can help lower costs if you only plan on using the item a few times.
#51. Get Honey
If you’re shopping for clothes or just about anything else online, do your wallet a big favor and download the Honey add-on to the browser you use.
After loading it onto your machine, Honey sits quietly in the background until it recognizes you’re shopping online.
When you go to checkout, Honey will automatically apply the best coupon code to your order, reducing your bill.
Unlike comparison sites which gather prices from retailers at specified intervals, Honey is always live with active coupon codes.
From there, you can see if the online retailer is on Rakuten so you can enjoy an additional discount through cash back.
#52. Haggle
Don’t reserve haggling for buying used items at flea markets.
Department stores and larger shops are used to people trying to knock them down on expensive items.
It’s not uncommon to get as much as 20% off just by asking.
Don’t think about paying full price for a new sofa without at least trying to ask for a discount.
At the very least you should be able to get the delivery charge waived or some free cushions for the sofa.
And always remember to ask about special financing deals too.
You could lower your cost by spreading out your payments over a year or two.
Save Money On Entertainment
Ever notice how easy it is to overspend when you are having fun, especially on weekends?
I’m not sure if we just ignore the costs of things when having fun or we give in to peer pressure.
Regardless of the reason, many people overspend their entertainment budget.
Here are my favorite ways to cut back.
#53. Sell Unwanted Books Online
The easiest place to sell used books is Amazon.
Simply type in the ISBN and see what they will give you for it.
If you decide to sell it, Amazon will send you a shipping label and give you Amazon credit to spend on the site.
Alternatively you can try to sell them at a yard sale or find a local independent bookstore to try to sell them at too.
Just know that you aren’t going to make thousands of dollars do thing.
Most books will get you less than $1 each, but if they are just taking up space, a few bucks is better than nothing.
#54. Rent Books
Instead of buying physical copies, why not rent digital versions instead?
Check out your local library or even see if they have an agreement with Amazon.
More and more libraries have deals with Amazon to allow you to borrow a book digitally and read it on your tablet.
And many libraries allow you to rent movies and other items too.
Before you buy something, check your local library first!
#55. Get Digital Books Cheap
If you shop on Amazon, you know that many times the Kindle version of a book is cheaper than the physical copy.
But you can lower the cost on that digital version even more.
Next time you are buying something on Amazon, look at the shipping options.
Many times they offer a basic shipping option.
In return for choosing this option, they give you a digital credit of $1.
You can use this credit to buy a digital book or music.
If you can wait to get the item choosing this option to get $1 makes sense.
Just note that this credit usually expires in about a month, so you will want to use it quickly.
And for those of you who don’t have a Kindle, don’t worry.
You can download the free Kindle app on all of your devices.
I read Kindle books all of the time on my iPad.
#56. Have Friends Night In
The cost of going out for the night with friends can easily surpass $100.
Go out once a week and you are looking at $400 or more!
Instead of going out, invite your friends over for a night in.
Play video games or board games, or even watch a movie.
My friends and I do this twice a month.
One weekend we will go over to their house, they will make us dinner and we’ll play board games all night.
The next time, they come to my place, I make dinner and we play video games.
It’s a lot of fun and doesn’t cost nearly as much as going out!
How To Save Money On Debt
Since debt carries such a high interest rate, making it a point to focus on this monthly bill can make a huge difference.
#57. Pay Off Auto Loan Quickly
When you have a loan on your car, your insurance company, will require that you have full insurance coverage for your car.
The quicker you pay off the loan not only saves you on interest charges, but will allow you to reduce your auto coverage, saving you money.
Of course, reducing coverage assumes you have a healthy emergency fund to cover you if the unexpected happens.
#58. Pay Extra On Your Debt
What is the interest rate on your debt?
If we are talking credit cards, odds are it is close to 20%.
If you make it a point to pay off your credit card debt, you are saving hundreds of dollars in interest charges.
And not only this, once you pay off your debt, you can take what you were paying each month and use it to build an emergency fund or other financial goals.
Not only will your savings grow from your deposits, but you will also be earning interest too.
#59. Switch To Bi-Weekly Mortgage Payments
If you get paid on a bi-weekly basis or every two weeks, then why not pay your mortgage this way?
Many banks will allow you to switch to paying every two weeks and when you do, you can save money on interest along with shrinking your mortgage faster.
When you switch to bi-weekly, you are adding one more full payment per year.
If your bank doesn’t have this option, you can still pay bi-weekly.
Just take your monthly payment and divide by 2.
Then transfer the bi-weekly amount into a savings account when you get paid and then make a full payment by the due date.
The reason you wait to make a full payment is because most banks will not credit you if you make a partial payment.
They will just sit on your payment and earn interest while waiting for the rest of your payment.
How To Save Money On Car Expenses
Cars and car maintenance is expensive.
Luckily there are some simple things you can do to lower auto related costs.
#60. Use Your Cruise Control
When you are driving on the highway and get to your desired speed, set your cruise control on.
You will lower the amount of gas you use by limiting your acceleration and deceleration of speed.
You will in turn get higher miles per gallon, saving money.
#61. Find Local Independent Shops
Local independent shops charge less than the dealers to for working on your vehicle.
Most dealers may charge $70 per hour for labor or more.
A good independent shop might charge $40 per hour.
That is a $30 savings per hour!
In addition, your local shops may save you some money by using private label parts instead of certified parts.
Also, they may offer you used parts instead of new.
For example, say you were in an accident and need a new tail light.
Instead of spending over $100 for a new one, the independent shop may be able to get a used one for half that cost.
Check online for local shops as well as the yellow pages. Some may even specialize in your make of car.
And for simple repairs, like replacing a blown fuse or light bulb, jump online learn how to do this simple repair yourself.
#62. Find Out The Cost Of Car Repair Online
The website Repair Pal will offer you a free quote on what it should cost to fix your car.
The site uses surveys it collects from thousands of shops around the country.
By using this site, you will have a better idea if you are getting ripped off when you go to the repair shop and they quote you the cost for repairs.
#63. Get Rid Of Your Car
If you’re a two car household and only use the second car occasionally, signing up to a car club could work out far cheaper.
These offer pay-as-you-go driving, allowing you to rent a car for as little as an hour.
Prices typically start from $5 an hour or around $50 for 24 hours, and cars are generally available 24/7.
Search ‘car clubs’ together with the name of your nearest town.
On the surface you might think this option is more expensive than owning, but when you take into account insurance and maintenance of your car, you will see the numbers make sense for renting.
Another option is to see if you can simply live with just one car.
There will be times when you have to plan ahead, but chances are you pull this off if one person doesn’t drive much.
Finally, if you do need two cars, can you survive with a beater car?
- Related: Find the best beater car
This will allow you to drastically cut down on transportation costs by not having 2 newer cars.
#64. Pay Your Deductible Annually
When you pay your insurance premiums, be it auto or life, make sure you sign up to pay the premiums on an annual basis.
In most cases, the insurance carrier will charge you a fee for the “convenience” to pay monthly.
They make also give you a discount when you pay in full.
Simply create a budget and transfer money every month to a savings account so you can pay the bill when it comes.
#65. Switch Auto Insurance
Did you know that switching car insurance can save you thousands of dollars?
Most people stick with one carrier and allow the rates they pay to increase.
But if you are smart and shop around you can save serious amounts of money on your auto insurance policy.
My favorite is Gabi.
In less than two minutes, Gabi will compare your coverage to 40 other insurance companies and show you the lowest priced options.
If you find one you like, click the button and Gabi will switch your policy for you and cancel your current policy.
Users save over $950 a year when they use Gabi!
Click the link below to see how much you will save.
Miscellaneous
There are other ways to save money that don’t nicely fit into a category.
As a result, I lumped them together in this miscellaneous category.
#66. Camp Instead Of Staying In A Hotel
Hotels are expensive.
One easy and fun way to reduce this expense is to go camping instead.
There are many places where you can camp for $5 to $15 a night.
That is far cry from what a hotel costs.
In many cases you don’t even need a tent to camp out. You could rent a cabin for less than a hotel room.
Or if you really wanted to rough it, you could just sleep in your car or SUV.
#67. Take Advantage Of Your Birthday
Many retailers and restaurants offer discounts and free food on your birthday.
In most cases you do have to sign up for their free club which means getting emails.
But this is a small price to pay in order to get some free entrees, desserts or discounts at places where you frequent!
#68. Build Your Retirement Savings
When you save in your 401k plan, the money is taken pre-tax.
This means you are taxed less, which means you take home more money than you otherwise would.
For example, let’s say you earn $40,000 a year, are paid biweekly, and are in the 25% tax bracket.
If you contribute nothing to your 401k plan, you pay roughly $385 in taxes each paycheck and take home about $1,150.
But if you contribute 10% to your 401k plan, you pay less than $350 in taxes each paycheck and take home a little more than $1,025.
When you look at how much you bring home plus what you saved in your 401k, it comes to $1,190 or $40 more than had you not saved anything.
Just be sure to consider the pros and cons of investing in a 401k plan first.
#69. Use Automatic Savings Plans
If you want to save more money, make it so that you save without any effort on your part.
Well, aside from an initial 5 minutes, there is nothing else to be done.
You can do this manually by logging into your bank account and setting up a recurring transfer to your savings account.
- Related: Learn the power of the magical penny
Another option is to see if your employer will do it for you.
All you do is fill out a form with how much you want to save and your bank information.
When you get paid, your employer will deposit the amount you noted in your savings account and the rest of your paycheck in your checking account.
#70. Think Twice
Before making any purchase, think about it.
Wait a few days to see if you still want the item or not. Many times you won’t.
You will see that the advertisement you saw had you emotionally buy in to wanting the item, but when you allowed yourself some time to think about it, you realized you didn’t really need the item.
This trick is by far the most important one and if you only choose to do one, this would be the one to focus on.
You can even take it a step further and do a spending freeze for a month.
Learn to go 30 days without dining out or buying clothing.
Also, when you do shop, always use a shopping list.
It will help lower the chances of impulse buys.
#71. Send eCards Instead Of Paper Cards
Buying cards for special occasions cost a lot.
Think about it.
The average card today costs around $3.
If you have a family of 4, and not counting relatives, you are buying 9 cards a year for birthdays and holidays.
That’s $27 just for your family, and does not include any relatives.
In a year, the cost of cards can easily surpass $75.
Save and go online and send them eCards instead.
They are completely free and are available for any occasion.
Plus, they get delivered to the recipients email instantly!
Alternatively, you can make your own cards. Just get a piece of paper, fold it in half and grab some markers.
It doesn’t have to be perfect. Remember it is the thought that counts!
#72. Lower The Cost With Kids
Baby clothes, food, furniture and gear will easily run you into the thousands of dollars.
Luckily, you can save money by being smart.
First, you don’t need everything people are telling you that you need.
Buy the basics and go from there.
Then figure out where your struggles are and if there is a product that will make it easier.
Then see where you are spending the most and find ways to cut back.
This usually includes food, clothing, and diapers.
Fortunately, there are a lot of easy ways to reduce these costs.
#73. Have A Wedding On A Budget
Don’t go into debt for a wedding.
And don’t spend an insane amount of money trying to make the day magical.
The most important part of the day is making the commitment to your significant other and getting to spend the day with the people that matter the most.
Make smart choices on how and where you spend.
No one will remember the invites or the flowers.
Be logical about everything and you can have a fabulous wedding for a lot less than you think.
#74. Vacation Differently
Usually people plan a nice vacation at a resort.
But with the rise of home sharing, you can vacation anywhere and have a private place to stay at a fraction of the cost.
In my city, a lot of business travelers now book houses near the convention center instead of the hotel rooms.
This is because they have an entire house or apartment for less than a hotel room.
#75. Get A Designer Kitchen For Less
If you can’t live another day with your tired old kitchen but are too cheap to replace it, check out websites dedicated to selling ex-display and used kitchens.
These places sell on behalf of showrooms and private clients.
This can be a great way of getting well-built kitchens at a fraction of the original retail price or for selling your old one if it’s still got life left in it.
Money Saving Apps
Thanks to technology, you can save money using apps.
There are a lot of options out there and some are not worth your time or energy.
But I have found a handful that I use and love.
Because of this, I am confident you too will enjoy these apps too.
#76. Get Cash Back When Shopping Online
If you do a fair amount of shopping online, you can easily save money.
My favorite way to do this is through Rakuten.
When I shop through their portal, I earn anywhere from 1% – 25% cash back on my purchases.
Every few months, they send me my cash via PayPal.
It is so easy you are crazy not to be using them.
Signing up for Rakuten is free and when you do, you get a free $10 gift card!
Click the link below to get started.
In addition to Rakuten, I also use Swagbucks.
They too offer cash back when you shop through their portal.
The reason I use two is because sometimes one will offer bonus cash back, allowing me to save even more money.
As with Rakuten, signing up with Swagbucks is free and you get $5 when you join through the link below.
Just click the link below to get started.
#77. Ibotta
Ibotta is an app that allows you to earn cash back when you shop at grocery stores and other retailers.
Before you go out shopping, open the app and see if there are any offers that you need.
Then click to redeem them and do your shopping.
When you get back home, scan your receipt using the Ibotta app and collect your money.
When you have $20 worth of earnings, you can request a PayPal payment.
In the few months I’ve been using the app, I’ve already earned over $125 in cash back.
New users get a $10 bonus when you redeem $10 in offers. This means you earn $20 fast.
You can click here the link below to get started.
#78. Shopkick
This app is one I just started using and really enjoy.
You can earn points by walking into certain stores, by scanning products in store, linking your credit card, or buying certain products.
Once you earn enough points, you can redeem them for gift cards to your favorite retailer.
On my recent trip to WalMart, I earned 15 points for walking into the store.
Then I spent 10 minutes walking around the store and scanning the bar codes of products in the app.
Doing this earned me close to 300 points and I’ve earned close to 2,000 points in a few short weeks.
New users get 250 points when you join using the link below.
#79. Qapital
Qapital has you save by rounding up your purchases.
When you link your bank and credit card, Qapital will round up your spending and set up automatic transfers from your checking account to a savings account.
At any time you can transfer the cash back and use it how you choose.
For example, say you buy something for $12.40.
Qapital will round this up to $13 and transfer $0.60 to your savings account.
In one year I saved close to $350 just using the app.
You can sign up for Qapital with the link below.
#80. Receipt Hog
Receipt Hog is another way to earn money when you shop.
Just scan your receipt and you earn coins.
When you collect enough coins, you can redeem them for cash, a Visa gift card, or and Amazon gift card.
The app offers bonuses all the time to help you increase the amount of coins you earn to help you reach your cash back goal faster.
You can sign up for Receipt Hog here.
The Two Tricks To Save You Thousands
While all these tips are great, there are two in particular that will give you the best return for your time.
By using these services, in less than 30 minutes you are saving over $1,000 a year!
First, use Gabi to lower your auto insurance premium.
In less than 5 minutes you can switch to a lower rate and save over $950 a year!
Click the link below to find out how much you will save.
After that, use Trim to slash your cable bill.
They will negotiate on your behalf, saving you on average of $30 a month, which comes to over $350 in annual savings.
And they will even help you cancel subscriptions you no longer need too.
Now that you saved a quick $1,000 you can pick out a handful of other ideas in this list to save even more.
How To Grow Your Savings Effortlessly
As great as it is to save money, if you don’t do anything with it, are you really saving anything?
For example, if you save $100 using these tips but leave that money in your checking account, odds are you are going to spend it on something.
The result is your financial life never really improving.
To truly save and get ahead, you need to transfer it to a savings account.
There you won’t be tempted to spend it and you will earn interest, allowing your money to grow faster.
For example, let’s say you are able to save $100 a month using these tips.
Over 10 years earning 5% you have more than $15,000!
Where can you get 5% on your money?
Buy Worthy Bonds.
Though they are called bonds, you are not investing in the stock market.
When you buy a bond, Worthy turns around and uses the cash to fund loans for small businesses.
This is the same thing that happens when you put your money into a bank account.
The only difference is a bank account is FDIC insured.
But your money is safe with Worthy as well.
If you want to start earning 5%, click the link below.
Wrapping Up
So there are 80 ways to save tons of money.
As you can see, you have plenty of opportunities to cut back your spending to reach your long term savings goals and build wealth.
Take your time and read through this list and pick out the ones that interest you the most.
Once they become habits, run through the list again and pick a few more.
Rinse and repeat and you will be saving a good chunk every single month.
But be sure you actually save the money.
Don’t just let it sit in your checking account or you will spend it.
Put it into a savings account or invest it and have it start working for you.
If you want more clever ideas to save, check out my post on frugal living tips from the Great Depression.
Great advice! I stopped using paper towels when I realized I’m buying a new roll every week (that’s a lot of money per week). I converted my old T shirt to a rag. It has saved me a few bucks since then.
I love the baking soda and vinegar trick. I’ll even boil a pot of hot water and use that too. I’m not ashamed to say I’ve used this method a handful of times.
I should point out though, this method doesn’t work if you have a tree root growing into your pipes. That was fun.
😉
Saving money is effective way of keeping your earning without spending it. I loved what you post here. Keeping away from expensive restaurants can save us money. What i did was to bring bottle water whenever I go. It’s practically wise.
I take my water bottle everywhere too. It really helps to save money from not buying drinks and even keeping you fuller longer.
Thanks for the great tips. Personally, I feel that saving automatically is the most effective way to save money for me by far. What you don’t see you won’t spend.