Pack your lunch instead of buying food at work or school. To save time, cook multiple meals at once and put them in the fridge or freezer to reheat later. Preparing your own meals is not only cheaper, it’s nearly always healthier as well. [3] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Healthy home-cooked foods like veggies, beans, and whole grains are cheaper and more filling than fast food or prepackaged snacks.
Whatever kind of drink you prefer—from iced tea to smoothies to bottled sodas—it’s cheaper to bring your own from home instead of buying it at a shop or vending machine while you’re out. If you like flavored coffee, buy syrups and flavored creamers to make your coffee taste the way you like it.
If you go “off-list,” do it because a similar item is on sale—for instance, buying apples instead of pears because they’re a better deal. Fight the urge to make unnecessary impulse buys.
Buy non-perishable items in bulk when they’re on sale, so long as you have room for them and know you’ll use them up over time. Buy fresh foods that are in season. They will cost less than the fresh food flown in from the other side of the world. Buy generics that are equivalent to name-brand items. Did you know wikiHow offers a variety of coupons and promo codes for retailers and supermarkets? Check out our coupon site for tons of money-saving deals on your next grocery run.
Unless you’re both really skilled and exceptionally lucky all the time, quitting gambling will also save you money.
If you’re already carrying a high-interest balance on your credit card, spending with cash will definitely save you money, even if you buy the exact same stuff. Better yet, though, don’t spend the cash and use it to pay down your credit card debt.
Instead of paying for a set amount of cellular data per month, see if your wireless provider offers a “by the gig” plan that charges you based more closely on the amount of data you actually use. In some—but not all—cases this type of plan may save you money.
If you still have a landline phone, cancel your service and rely on your cell phone. [13] X Research source
Subscriptions and memberships are often automatically charged to your credit card or bank account, so check your statements to make sure you’re not still paying for subscriptions you forgot all about.
If you own your home, contact your mortgage lender and several competitors to evaluate the rates and costs for refinancing your mortgage. If you refinance at the right time and the right interest rate, this can be a path to hundreds of dollars in savings per month.
Finding a roommate can save you a good amount of money per month, but moving back in with your parents can save you even more. To make it a bit easier to swallow your pride, pay your parents a nominal amount of rent and take care of your own stuff (like laundry).
Bundling doesn’t guarantee savings every single time, so check out competitors’ rates for individual policies as well.
Depending on how close you live to your workplace or school, biking or walking might be another alternative to driving. You may even be able to sell your vehicle and put some extra money in your pocket.
Alternatively, instead of taking turns driving, have a single driver (with a reliable vehicle) and have all the passengers “chip in” a fair share of the cost.
Proper tire pressure: 2 cents (USD) per 1 US gal (3. 8 L). Routine tuneups: 13 cents per gallon. Use of proper motor oil: 3-6 cents per gallon. If you use 10 US gal (38 L) of fuel per week at $3 USD per gallon, these measures can save you over $100 USD per year.
Consider investing in ceiling fans. They can dramatically reduce the cost of heating and cooling by circulating the air more efficiently. When the weather isn’t too hot, turn off your A/C and rely on open windows and fans to keep cool.
Many countries have programs similar to the Energy Star program in the U. S. Energy Star-rated items often cost more upfront, but they use energy more efficiently and will save you money in the long run. In some cases, it may make more economic sense to replace all your appliances at once and maximize your energy cost savings. Other times, it’s better to replace items one at a time as needed. It all depends on factors like your current budget and current energy usage costs.
Unplugging your devices also gives you protection from power surges.
Speed up your shower by using fewer products and soaping up right away once you step in. Set a timer on your phone to remind you when your time is up. By taking more water- and energy-efficient showers, an average family of 4 can, in 1 year, save the amount of electricity used to power a TV for 1 ½ years.
Once you have a record of your monthly expenses, review what you are actually spending money on and then decide what you can cut back on. [26] X Research source
Try using the following worksheet to lay out your budget: https://www. consumer. gov/content/make-budget-worksheet One way to lay out a budget is to use the 50/30/20 rule: dedicate 50% of your income to necessities, 30% to wants, and 20% to savings (or paying down debt).
