15 Simple Ways to Save Money
Whether you’re a money guru or not, it’s always nice to have a little extra to tuck away. You don’t need to be a budget expert to implement some of these simple ways to save money.
Cancel unwanted subscriptions. It’s amazing how quickly subscriptions can pile up. Think twice before signing up for that free trial, or if you do, set a calendar reminder a couple days before to cancel it. You could also set a monthly reminder to review all subscriptions. When you cancel, ask for a refund. Companies will often give you one for the last month or two, if unused. There are also many subscription monitoring/canceling apps out there. Just be sure they’re free before downloading!
Shop for childrens’ clothes for the following year with end-of-season sales or shop consignment.
Turn off lights and water. It’s hard to monitor what lights are on or if a random faucet is running somewhere in the house, especially with young children. Perhaps you could enlist a “Conservation Monitor,” as a chore for an older child, whose job it is to quickly check the bathrooms or lights to make sure everything is shut off before leaving the house. If you don’t have willing helpers in your home or that’s just not feasible, there are also app-controlled smart lightbulbs, that may be an initial investment, but that could save you money and energy in the long-run.
Hire budding entrepreneurs. Instead of paying an expensive service company, ask your neighbors if any of their older children are looking for work. Lawn mowing, weeding, dog waste disposal, or pet sitting, etc. might all be done for a fraction of the cost by a neighbor or young entrepreneur.
Plan vacations in the off-season or look for flight deals.
Create a gift closet. Stock up on childrens’ gifts when they go on sale at Christmastime/Black Friday. Not only will you be extra prepared when that last minute birthday party invite comes in, but it will also save you time and money. There are also price trackers out there like camelcamelcamel, Droplist, and PriceBefore that track prices for Amazon and other sites to tell you if the “sale” a website is touting is actually a good deal or not.
Eat leftovers. If you find it too taxing to try to rebrand that has-been main dish, try a website like BigOven.com, SuperCook or even Instacart’s leftover recipe generator. Punch in some leftover ingredients or what you have in your pantry, and it will create a new meal for you (at least the idea of one, which is sometimes the biggest hurdle).
Buy off-brand. Whether it’s cereal, shoes, craft supplies, or clothing, there is savings in not buying the name brand. Even if you’re unsure of quality, it doesn’t hurt to switch over for a while to test whether it’s a good replacement or not.
Pack a lunch when out and about. There have been so many times I’ve been out running errands and hunger hits either for myself or children. With a little forethought and planning, you can sock away what you would’ve spent on fast food by packing a lunch or snacks beforehand.
Ask your monthly bills (i.e. cable, phone, etc) about deals and if they can lower your bill. It may seem like a long shot, but we often forget about these automatic payments and they will slowly rise over time. Sometimes by simply asking or finding a good deal, you can save on a big monthly expense.
Utilize your local library. Instead of purchasing a book, movie, or even a board game, check your library first to see if they have it. Many libraries will also take requests to buy new books or other items, which will help both your wallet and the other patrons in the future. Many libraries carry other useful items like musical instruments, tool sets, and cameras, so always check before you buy!
Gamify your savings. If you need a little external motivation or if you like competition, try to make a game of saving. For example, you could create a competition with a spouse, roommate or friend to see who saves the most within a month. The loser has to make dinner or buy drinks. You could also set yourself challenges, like never spending a $1 bill. Instead, see how many you can save. When you’ve reached your goal amount, set yourself a reward.
Create a money “time capsule.” Sometimes out of sight really is out of mind. Try creating an “invisible” account and set up a small automatic deposit each month, then don’t touch the account. Think of it almost as a monetary time capsule. You can set a future date to withdraw or use the money, but until then, pretend it’s not there.
Mute or unfollow consumer accounts. Spending can often be triggered by emotions and if scrolling social media and seeing certain accounts increases that “Add to Cart” reflex, try muting those accounts for a while. Maybe take that time to assess why certain things trigger a desire to spend. You can always go back to them with a refreshed understanding and renewed commitment to your savings goals.
Get produce from neighbors or friends. No time to start a garden of your own? Ask around to see if neighbors or friends would want to share their harvests. You can pay them or trade for another good or service.