Do you start the year with big money goals? Me too!
Now that the new year is on the horizon, I thought it’d be a good time to share some of the best money-saving tips to help you reach your money goals. Even if you already know some of these tips, you’ll likely find a few new ones or new ways to go about old habits.
Here are 101 manageable tips that you can implement in your day life to reach your money goals.
Let’s start adding up the dollars saved!
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General savings tips
1 | Plan to save!
Most things in life are easier to achieve with planning. If saving money is your goal, make a plan to get there. Decide how much you want to save and how you’re going to go about it. It can be as simple as following the rest of these tips.
2 | Do a no-spend month
Overspending in December can lead to painful January. Stop the spending reset your money habits with a no-spend month. Here’s how to do one. Try a no-spend week for a lighter challenge if a month is too long.
3 | Use a budgeting tool
There are many free budgeting tools available like Mint and Wally. You can use Excel or Google Docs to make a budgeting spreadsheet for yourself. Even pen and paper will do to track money in and out. My favorite paid tool is You Need A Budget, which is paid but comes with a free trial.
4 | Use your bank ATM
Avoid transaction fees for ATM use by sticking to your bank’s ATMs. Or choose an account type or other institution like a credit union that reimburses the fees. Don’t pay fees if you don’t have to.
5 | Request a lower interest rate
If you’re paying off credit card or other debt, call your loan company and request a lower interest rate. You won’t know if it’s possible if you don’t ask for it. You can transfer your balance to another company that offers a lower rate if it comes down to it.
6 | Set up automatic deductions
This is the easiest way to save because money is taken out of your paycheck before you see it. Your company or other financial institution can deduct a certain amount at the frequency you decide (e.g., monthly or weekly) and place it in another account for you.
You may not even notice less money coming to your account, but you are experiencing the benefit of saving.
7 | Set up auto-pay
Set up auto-pay to pay your bills before they’re due and never worry about another missing or late payment. Just check your accounts regularly to ensure the numbers are correct.
8 | Make debt payments twice a month
When I had student loan debt, I would may payments on it at least twice a month and ensure the extra money went towards paying down the principal.
This cut down on the interest that accrued daily and allowed me to pay off my debt faster. You can do the same for your mortgage, credit card, or other debt.
9 | Save in a high-yield savings account
Use any extra money or savings to fund a high-yield savings account. Maybe you’re saving for a vacation or a new car. Using a high-yield savings account will keep your principal intact while earning you more with a higher interest rate than in a traditional savings account.
10 | Study personal finance
Financial information of all levels is widely available and often free nowadays. Find your method of choice for learning - podcasts, books, blogs, online forums, etc. – and dive in. Here are more tips on how to improve your financial literacy without falling asleep.
House and home repair tips
11 | Save your loose change
Saving your loose change is a painless way to put the dollars away. Put your coins in a piggy bank or an empty container. I use an old Talenti ice cream container and joke it’s my vacation fund. It’s also less weight for you to carry around.
12 | Use up your toiletries and cleaners
Use up your toothpaste, shampoos, facial cleansers, body washes, even your household cleaners before buying more. The toothbrush handle makes a good tool for pushing toothpaste to the front of the tube. Or try a squeezer like this.
I add water to the last of dish and laundry soap to get more washes out of them too.
13 | Use unwanted toiletries in other ways
Sometimes you might try out a new toiletry and find it doesn’t work for you. Find another way to use it, like using shampoo as body wash or shaving soap.
14 | Cut open containers and seal them in plastic containers
Lotions and makeup can be expensive. Depending on the type of container they’re in, sometimes you can’t squeeze out the last bit, meaning it would go to waste.
Cut open the tubes and scoop out the rest as you use it. Keep the item from drying out by putting it in an airtight plastic container and using it up in a few days.
15 | Use a reusable grocery bag
Bring reusable grocery bags whenever you go shopping. This way you don’t have to pay for bags and can even get a bag discount (usually $0.05) at some stores. Plus you’re saving the earth from additional waste.
16 | Buy in bulk
Buying items in bulk lets you pay less per unit of that item. This is perfect for non-perishable items like toilet paper and laundry detergent. If you buy perishable food in bulk, choose items you eat a lot of or store your purchases in the freezer to make them last.
17 | Heat the rooms you’re in
Instead of heating the entire house, heat only the areas of the house that you and your family are in. Close the vents and doors to unused rooms and areas to make the heat go to you. Investing in a small space heater can help with heating one room.
18 | Turn down the thermostat
This will depend on where you live. It doesn’t snow where I live, but it’s cold enough to be uncomfortable at night. We let the house get to about 58 degrees and wear a sweater before turning on the heater.
19 | Turn off the AC
It doesn’t get hot enough where I live to use AC, but I’ve traveled to places where AC was heavenly. Turn up the thermostat to 78 degrees before using the AC.
Try turning off both the heat and AC at bedtime. If it gets too unbearable, a programmable thermostat can help you manage their use overnight. You don’t have to wake up or get out of bed but can still manage your energy usage.
20 | Check for drafts
Check doors and windows for openings that bring in the cold air. Then seal them off to keep the heat it. I use this inexpensive door seal in my house, and the draft is gone.
21 | Use old towels as rags
Old towels and t-shirts work well as rags for all sorts of tasks around the house: wiping up spills, cleaning the countertop, wiping the dog’s paws. This cuts back on using paper towels, which are pricey for one-time use.
I like to use these kitchen towels. They’re lightweight and durable. They dry well even air dried because they’re thin, so I can avoid using the dryer for them.
22 | Wash full loads
Wash full loads of clothes to make the most of the water and energy use. Pretreat stained items and soak and scrub dirty items to get the best results from the washer. Then make sure to choose the right cycle for your items so they stay in good shape.
If you’re looking to buy a new washing machine, opt for a front-loading one. They’re more effective than top-loading ones, and the latest ones are energy efficient.
23 | Use cold water
Nowadays you don’t need to use hot water for your laundry. Your clothes will get just as clean using cold water. Don’t spend extra heating water for this.
24 | Use less detergent
Laundry detergent is concentrated, so use half of the recommended amount. It’s the agitation of the machine that does most of the cleaning.
25 | Air dry your clothes
Use a drying rack or laundry line to air dry your clothes. This gets harder in the winter, with heavy clothing, or when you’re dealing with pet hair. In those cases, use the dryer for part of the time and hang the items to dry the rest of the way.
26 | Wear clothes multiple times
Wear your clothes more than once before washing them. Unless you’ve been sweating or getting dirty, outer clothes like pants and sweaters will last another wear before washing. The same is true for towels you use after the shower. You’re already clean!
27 | Clean the dryer lint trap
Clean the lint trap after every use. This will keep your dryer in good condition drying clothes as best they can and lower the risk of a fire.
28 | Save excess water
My kitchen tap takes about 15 seconds to turn from cold to hot water. Save the cold water in a pot or bucket for an alternative use like boiling water, watering plants, or just about anything else. Don’t just let it run down the sink.
29 | Make Swiffer covers
These Swiffer mopping cloths are great for cleaning the house, but they’re pricey for one or two uses. Make your own by cutting fleece fabric into measured squares and attaching them to the bottom of the Swiffer mop. They’ll pick up dust as well as the original.
When you’re done, drop them in the washing machine and they’re good to go again for an unlimited number of uses.
30 | Make your own cleaning products
Making your own cleaning products has multiple benefits. You know the ingredients that are in them. They can be made all natural, safer for children and pets. And they’re cheaper than premade versions at the store. A Google search will show you how to make your own dish soap, laundry detergent, household cleaners, and more.
31 | Use your dishwasher
You might be surprised to hear that using a dishwasher can be more energy and water-efficient than washing dishes by hand. Some tips for the dishwasher:
Load items correctly so they can wash properly
Run a full load
Rinse off food scraps using cold water
Air-dry the dishes
32 | Turn off the water if washing by hand
If you wash dishes by hand, mix soap and water in a small dish and use that to resoap your sponge or brush. Wet all the dishes, then turn off the water while scrubbing them. Fill the sink partway or use a small tub with clean water to rinse off dishes, and use cold water where you can.
33 | Review your internet options
Internet service in my area used to vary from $35 to $70 a month. That’s a big difference! Find out your options for internet service in your area, and see if it makes sense to switch companies.
34 | Sign up for a cheaper cell phone plan
Phone service carriers vary widely in their options and prices. I’ve even seen free phone service available to those on a low income.
Look into what’s available that would suit your needs. Larger companies like AT&T often offer package deals for cellphone service, internet, cable, etc. that may be worth it to you.
35 | Check your garbage options
If you pay for garbage collection, find out if your city offers a tier fee structure depending on how much trash and recycling you generate. Some of my family members noticed they weren’t filling their trash bin every week. They asked the city for a smaller bin and got a lower rate to go with it.
36 | Shop around for insurance
There’s a wide range in renters, homeowners, car, health, and other insurance policies available depending on the insurer and what you need. Get insured for what you need but not more. This will lower your premiums. It’s also worth asking for a discount if you buy more than one insurance policy through the same company.
37 | Take public transit or carpool to work
Consider taking public transit or carpooling to work if it’s an option for you. Save on paying for gas and parking as well as wear and tear on your car. Many companies offer commuter benefits to encourage this, which would offset the cost to you.
38 | Keep your tires inflated
Car maintenance is a must. Keep your tires inflated to last longer and improve your car’s fuel efficiency.
39 | Look for cheaper gas
Apps like Gasbuddy help you locate the cheapest gas around based on your location. What’s not to like about that?
40 | Borrow wherever you can
Borrow things you’ll only need to use once or twice like tools, holiday decorations, books, and video games. If you have to buy it, try reselling it afterward to recoup some of the cost.
41 | DIY when you can
Don’t let a lack of handiness scare you from doing what you can yourself. Lots of videos exist online for how to fix just about everything around the house. We recently installed a new energy-efficient dryer ourselves, saving us the installation fee.
42 | Downsize your house
I know this isn’t an option for everyone. If you’re renting now or thinking about buying a house, look for a smaller place because it’s likely to be cheaper too. You can likely do with less space than you think you need.
43 | Maintain your home and car
A stitch in time saves nine! Avoid expensive bills in the long run by doing regular home and car maintenance like clearing gutters and drains, changing your car engine oil, and checking for air and water leaks in your home.
Food tips
44 | Plan your meals
Meal planning will save you both time and money. Search for budget recipes online on sites like Budget Bytes. $5 Meal Plans is another good resource for fast and economical meal planning.
Not much of a cook? Try using an Instant Pot. It’s has a steeper upfront cost, but makes many easy delicious meals. I make one pot of soup or stew that lasts several dinners.
45 | Substitute for cheaper foods in meals
Many recipes found online or in cookbooks can be modified to make less expensive and still taste just as good. Find cheaper alternatives for the same ingredients. Some examples:
Frozen berries for fresh berries
Greek yogurt for sour cream
Sunflower oil for olive oil
Chicken for shrimp in pasta
Pecorino for Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
Jasmine for basmati rice
46 | Plan meals based on what’s on sale
Look at the weekly ads for your grocery store and see what’s on sale for the upcoming week. Then find recipes based on those ingredients. Even simple dishes with a few ingredients can be cheap and delicious.
47) Use meat as a side or to flavor meals
Meat is expensive when you cook four steaks entrees for a family dinner. Try using meat as a side to flavor your dishes like tomato and beef pasta or pork fried rice. Add beans, rice, and other inexpensive items to round out your meal.
48 | Buy meat in bulk and freeze it
My mom used to buy a lot of ground meat when it was on sale, separate it into smaller portions for freezing, and then take one out each time she needed it for a dish. We didn’t have to buy meat when it wasn’t on sale.
You can buy large portions at relatively low prices at warehouse-type stores like Costco. Some people invest in a deep freezer to store bulk meat.
49 | Have a pantry cleaning weekend
It’s easy to lose track of what’s in your pantry as things get buried in the back. Spend one weekend eating only what’s in your pantry. Eat what you can from there before going out and buying more food. This also works for cleaning the freezer and fridge if you have a lot stored there too.
50 | Shop at farmer’s markets
Check out the farmer’s markets in your area for some great deals on fresh food. One of the farmer’s markets in my area is like a specialty store with expensive vegetables. Another offers low-cost options and even has $1 bags or vegetables at closing time.
51 | Grow your herbs and vegetables
It’s inexpensive to start a garden. Buy seeds for vegetables that grow without much work.
If you don’t have access to outdoor gardening space, there’s the option to grow herbs indoors. I hesitate to buy packaged fresh herbs at the store because I only use a small portion for one or two dishes and the rest goes to waste. You can use what you need when you grow it yourself.
52 | Bring plastic containers to restaurants
It’s common for restaurants in my area to charge for takeout food boxes. When I go out to eat, I bring a plastic food container or two because I know there will be leftovers. This saves on having to buy containers and reduces waste.
53 | Use plastic containers to store food
As easy as it is to use plastic food wrap, it’s expensive for one-time use and bad for the environment. Opt to use containers with lids to store your food. If you’re storing something in a bowl, use silicone covers or put a plate upside down on the bowl to keep it covered.
54 | Bring your lunch
You’ve probably heard this one before, but it’s a good tip because eating out for lunch every day ($8-12/meal is the norm around me) adds up. Make bigger batches of dinner to bring the next day or prep several meals on the weekend to grab on the go during the week.
55 | Double the recipe & freeze it
Double a favorite recipe and refrigerate or freeze the leftovers for an easy meal at any time. Plus, you’re more likely to use up ingredients instead of having half-used items sitting around.
56 | Bring food and water for outings
I’ll often pack a piece of fruit or some other snack and my reusable water bottle when I know I’m going to be out for several hours. This avoids having to stop somewhere and pay for something to eat.
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I went to Disneyland if years ago. The food prices were so high. I made a mental note to bring snacks and drinks when I visit theme parks and similar entertainment venues from then on.
57 | Eat out only for special occasions
Make eating out a rare treat for special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries. A casual Japanese dinner for two costs upwards of $40 after tip in my neighborhood. That’s a lot more than cooking a $10 dish that lasts several meals.
If cutting back to special occasions is too difficult, try dropping back to once a week or twice a month and you’ll see big savings in your bank account.
58 | Eat appetizers and dessert at home
Those starters and desserts at restaurants sure are tempting. You can have them too but at home. Fill up at home before or after eating out for a meal. The whole family can enjoy a huge tub of ice cream from the supermarket for less than a scoop at a restaurant.
59 | Avoid delivery charges
I’ve had people tell me I’m strange for not ordering delivered food, but I don’t want to pay a delivery fee and tip on top of expensive restaurant food. If you do order out, choose a restaurant where you can easily pick up the meal yourself or order ahead and pick it up on your way home from work.
60 | Eat out at happy hour or lunch
Dinner is typically the most expensive meal on restaurant menus. Eat out for less by
Choosing happy hour or lunch
Looking for places with meal specials or coupons
Ordering an appetizer as a main course
Splitting an entrée
Choosing places with kids menus or where kids eat free
61 | Make your own snacks
Those pre-made on-the-go snack packs are great for portion control, but they cost more and create more waste than buying large packages of the same items. Buy nuts in bulk and use little containers like these to take small amounts with you wherever you go.
Or skip fast food and prepackaged snacks altogether. Eat a small portion of a leftover meal if you’re hungry or grab some fruits and vegetables to snack on.
62 | Drink water
Whether you’re at home or a restaurant, make water your first choice of drink. Most people don’t drink enough water. This is free (besides the cost of the water) and healthy for you. You won’t believe how much you save by eliminating drinks from your grocery shopping.
63 | Make tea and coffee at home
If you like a hot drink in the morning, prepare your own rather than purchasing it on the way to work. Some workplaces even provide tea and coffee for free, so take advantage of that rather than buying it.
64 | Make fewer trips to the grocery store
Many people have a hard time sticking to their shopping list when they’re at this grocery store. A good way to avoid all those extras is to go grocery shopping only once a week.
You might be thinking that you don’t want to eat fruits and vegetables that are a week old. This takes a bit of planning. Plan for meals with the most perishable items early in the week. Rely on less perishable produce to make your meals later in the week.
65 | Shop at discount grocery stores
Did you know that there are discount grocery stores out there? Their quality and prices vary so try them out and see which ones you like best. These are a few I know of in my area:
Grocery Outlet
Walmart
Costco & Sam’s Club
Ethnic food stores
Clothing & shopping tips
66 | Wait 24 hours before a purchase
Wait 24 hours before making a purchase to eliminate impulse shopping. The time makes you think about whether you need the item or not before buying it. If you find yourself struggling with impulse shopping, return items that you’ve purchased as soon as you can.
67 | Shop discount, thrift stores, and online community forums
Used items can be much cheaper than new ones. Most people outgrow or grow tired of their sports equipment, video games, and cars before they wear out. That’s your chance to purchase these things at a discount.
A family member of mine got ballet tights and slippers for her daughter for free on a neighborhood forum. The seller’s child had outgrown the items without even wearing them. This sort of thing happens to families everywhere.
68 | Shop using Rakuten (formerly Ebates)
I love Rakuten because it’s free and easy to earn cash back on shopping I would normally do. I even installed the extension for my web browser. Every time I visit a website that qualifies for a Rakuten rebate, a small popup appears at the corner of my screen that tells me the percent cash back I’ll get from that retailer when I shop through Rakuten.
I shopped at Kohl’s for Christmas presents one year and I couldn’t believe how much I save. The clothing was already on super sale. Then I got cash back from Rakuten and cash back from my credit card company.
69 | Sign up for discounts and rewards
Sign up for discount programs and loyalty rewards if you’re a careful shopper. This lets you take advantage of special promotions and earn rewards for being a regular customer.
I’ve saved a lot of money on shoes, socks, and shipping over the years by being a DSW member. Whenever they send me a $10 voucher, I use it on their $10 or $12 pack of socks and pay just a few dollars as a result.
70 | Unsubscribe from shopping emails
On the opposite end, unsubscribe from emails for retailers if they lead you to spend. A friend once told me that she got emails for coupons to stores like J. Crew and ended up shopping the sales regularly. Avoid the temptation altogether by removing yourself from retail email lists.
71 | Compare prices
Comparison shopping is easy nowadays. When you find something you like, type it into Google and see what comes up. You’re likely to find what you want at varying prices online.
I’ve saved a lot of money on shoes by doing this. The Google search results take me to small retailers I never would’ve found on my own.
72 | Use Ibotta
Ibotta is an app where you can earn cash back on purchases by submitting a picture of your receipt to the app. It’s fast and free to use.
My favorite Ibotta rebates are the ones you get just for shopping at a store like Target or Walmart. You don’t have to buy a specific product to earn anywhere from $0.10 to $1 for each shopping trip.
73 | Mend your clothes
You don’t have to recycle or throw out your clothes when they’ve lost buttons or grown a hole. I have a small sewing kit that has lasted years. Watch YouTube videos for how to sew on a button back or mend a hole, and you’ll have it fixed in no time.
74 | Cover spots on used clothes
A woman I know told me how much she loved these second-hand black pants, but they had some bleach spots at the bottom. I told her to use a black Sharpie marker on the spots and no one would notice it was ever discolored.
Use dye or a marker of the same color of your clothing to fill in discolored spots. No one will notice black on black, especially if it’s not at eye level. Or try sewing a patch or embroidering over small discolorations to hide them and make your clothing more unique.
75 | Skip buying dry clean only clothing
Dry clean only clothing is costly because you’re paying to keep clothing after you’ve already purchased it. There are ways to dry clean at home like using Dryel or even washing items in the washing machine or by hand. In general though, pass on dry clean only items because they continue to cost money.
76 | Shop your closet
When you get the urge to shop, look through your closet. There’s probably a lot in there that hasn’t been worn in a long time. Put together new outfits with what you have before shopping for more clothes.
77 | Buy generic brand items
Buy generic store brands to keep costs down. Instead of buying brand name items like Gold Bond lotion or Theraflu cold medicine, I purchase the generic brand items that are several dollars cheaper. The savings are huge if you do this week after week with all your purchases at the grocery store or drug store.
78 | Price match items
Many companies such as Target will price match items if found cheaper elsewhere. It might be surprising to learn that the online price and in-store price of an item may be different in the same company.
When I shop at Target, I’ll look up some of the items I’m purchasing on their website. If it’s cheaper, I’ll show it to the cashier at checkout or go to customer service afterward for a price adjustment so I don’t hold up the checkout line.
79 | Don’t store your credit card information online
Companies know that having your credit card information stored in their system makes it easier for you to buy things. Always choose no when asked if you want to store your credit card online.
You’re forced to get out your credit card and type in the numbers every time you want to make a purchase, which will make you less likely to make a quick purchase. It will save you from accidental in-app purchases too.
80 | Skip shopping for fun
I used to browse stores to pass the time and get in some walking, but that led to unnecessary spending. Skip walking around the mall and casual shopping altogether. Replace it with another free activity like a walk outdoors. I guarantee you won’t miss it.
81 | Buy during major sales
Wait for holiday sales before making big purchases. You’ll typically find the best deals around the Christmas season and end of the year when retailers want to show a profit. But some items are known to be on sale during certain months for the best deals:
Fitness equipment in January
Luggage in March
Mattresses around Memorial Day
Swimwear in August
82 | Use second-hand gift cards
There’s a bustling online market for second-hand gift cards. People often have gift cards that they don’t use. They’ll sell them online for lower than face value so they can be rid of them but still make some money off of them. The buyer gets a discounted gift card, so it’s a win-win for both parties.
83 | Buy gifts throughout the year
The holiday season can be stressful thinking about what to buy for someone and keeping to a budget. You can avoid some of that stress by buying gifts throughout the year. If you see something you know a person would like at a good price, buy it and save it. Just remember where you store it.
84 | Make gifts or give your time
Some people don’t need or want more things collecting dust in their house. They’d be happy with a more creative gift like a baked dish, a batch of cookies, help with an errand, or joining in an enjoyable activity together.
85 | Sell unused items
My favorite way to save money is to sell things online. Take a look around the house for anything that you don’t use anymore but still has value. Then put it up for sale. There are many free places to sell:
Craigslist and Nextdoor for your neighborhood or city
FB buy, sell, trade groups
Poshmark for clothing and household goods (Get $10 free with the code SFGIRL2015)
eBay for nearly everything
LetGo
86 | Rent out extra space and items
Living in San Francisco, space is at a premium. It was normal to see people rent out parking and storage. If you have anything someone else might want to use, consider if it’s worth it to rent it out.
Airbnb for your house
Getaround for your car
Storage space in your house
Parking spaces
Dog play space
Sports and camping equipment through companies like Clutter
87 | Cancel your storage unit
I once looked into storing this in a storage unit but got cold feet when I saw the price. And the price would only go up after the sign-up special ended.
Ask yourself how often you use the items you’re storing. Would you rather have the items in the storage unit or the money you’ll save by canceling it?
Do an audit and get rid of as much as you can. Sell the items and rent or borrow when you need something. Store them at home if you have nowhere else for them.
Entertainment tips
88 | Cancel subscription services
There are many subscription services available now from those for movies to magazines and snack boxes. Cancel as many of them as you can. If watching movies and the latest TV series is your main form of entertainment, try dropping back to the one service you use most.
Services like Netflix allow you to pay by the month and cancel and restart at any time. If you know you’re going to by busy one month, cancel it for the month and restart again later.
89 | Share subscription services
Share your accounts with several family members to split the cost. I’ve heard plenty of stories about sharing subscription services gone wrong though. Choose who to share with carefully – family and friends that you trust.
90 | Visit the library
Modern libraries have much more than the books and videos of your childhood. Larger library systems offer educational classes, lectures, literacy support, and more.
You don’t have to step foot in a library either. Search for items online to see what’s available. Stream movies to your computer and download books to your tablet.
91 | See shows by volunteering
My mom and her friends used to usher shows at a local theater and get to watch the performances for free. Once you get people seated for the start of the performance, you can sit and watch most of the show yourself. This is a great way to see shows even multiple times without spending a dime.
92 | Last-minute rush tickets
No time to volunteer? No problem. Get last-minute rush tickets in person or on discount websites and apps like Goldstar and TodayTix. Tickets for other events may be available on ticket resale sites like StubHub.
93 | Ask about discounts
Not all discounts are advertised. The common ones are for seniors, veterans, students, and educators. You may also be eligible for a discount based on your employer, if you pay in person, or pay in cash. Ask what discounts a venue offers before paying.
94 | Find free events
Many communities have free and low-cost events for both adults and children to pass the hours such as
Free outdoor music festivals
Street fairs
Neighborhood movie nights
Concerts at a music school
High school and college sport events
95 | Choose free children’s activities
Moms and dads, I know you already pay a lot for your children’s necessities. Save money by doing free children’s activities like playing on the jungle gym at the park, playing basketball or tennis at the park, and visiting museums on free days. See if your community center or library offers free passes to local attractions.
96 | Pick up an inexpensive hobby
Not much of interest going on where you live? Try picking up a new inexpensive hobby. Learning a new language can be free with online resources. Start a hobby blog like this one. Hike and bike with the dog. All of these hobbies are enriching without breaking the bank.
97 | Cut out bad habits
You know your bad habits – smoking, drinking, eating out too much, impulse purchases. If they cost you money too, they’re doubly bad for you. Cut them out of your life and reap the savings.
98 | Use WiFi where you can
Many people have data limits on their cellphone use. Have you ever gone over your data limit? Those overage charges are expensive!
Pick the cheapest phone plan you and your family can comfortably use without going over each month. Then connect to WiFi whenever it’s available to avoid using data.
99 | Entertain at home
Instead of going out to eat with friends, entertain them at home. Spread the responsibility and cost by taking turns hosting and making the gatherings potluck style.
100 | Cancel the gym membership
Many people sign up for the gym at the start of the year and go less frequently as the year progresses. Eventually, it’s not worth the cost of membership when you break it down to cost per visit. Decide if the gym membership is worth it to you, and cancel it if it’s not. There are alternatives:
Build a home gym
Take advantage of free trials and discounted first months
Grab some running shoes and head outside
Use your workplace gym. Find out if your work offers perks like discounted membership to nearby gyms.
101 | Keep saving $$$
By the time this year is over, you’ll have developed lots of great money-saving habits that will carry you on to even more savings in the years to come. Keep going!
I’m wishing you a great year of savings ahead!
What are your favorite ways to save money?
