Saving money can be difficult, but it is not impossible. Here are 100 ways to save money in your everyday life!
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I love finding unique ways to save money! Saving money doesn’t have to be extreme, and can be a lot of fun. Frugality is often about shopping smart and not wasting what you have. Here are some of my favorite ways to save money. Don’t forget to leave your favorite money-saving tips below!
100 Ways to Save Money in Your Everyday Life
1. Scrape the bottom of jars
You bought it with your hard earned money – get the most out of everything from toothpaste to the Ranch dressing container. For things like condiments or butter, we normally just stick the last bit in the new container, since new containers are rarely filled to the brim anyway.
2. Cook extra and eat leftovers
Leftovers make an easy meal, and don’t require any extra time commitments. Invest in some nice Tupperware or Rubbermaid containers; they make a convenient way to save money.
3. Take restaurant leftovers with you
As with everything, I’m a firm believer in using common sense. I am NOT in favor of taking advantage of free samples or grabbing all the sugar packs from restaurants. However, if you paid for your meal, there’s no shame in boxing up your leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch.
4. Repurpose old things
Instead of buying new, repurpose old things.
5. Get clever with cooking
Here are 10 creative ways to use up condiments. Use bread crumbs for toppings and seasoning.
6. Shake ink cartridges
7. Use butter wrappers for greasing pans
8. Use old, mismatched dish ware for gift-giving
Bringing cookies to the neighbor? Use an old dish instead of using paper plates.
9. Make use of spare change
Start collecting spare change in a jar, and watch the savings add up. When our junk drawer is full of spare coins, we can normally get $10-$20 out of it!
10. Buy clothing used
11. Shop for holiday supplies after the holiday’s
12. Use reusable eating utensils
Use a water bottle and refill it, instead of plastic water bottles. And, most already do this, but use reusable plates/cups/utensils instead of paper. Although paper can be more convenient, it is wasteful and the little costs add up.
13. Ditch napkins
Cloth napkins save our family hundreds of dollars a year. Depending on how messy your eaters are and what is for dinner, a large napkin can be used a few times before being tossed in the wash. (Some families color-code napkins per person, or have a designated spot for each person’s napkins, so each person can reuse their napkin multiple times before washing.)
14. Ditch paper towels
We made the decision to go paper towel free about three years ago, and have never missed them. The average American family spends about $144 on paper towels. That’s crazy!
15. Ditch Sandwich bags
Cloth sandwich bags are a great way to save money, especially if you use go through plastic baggies often. See also: 25 Genius Ways to Go Paperless and Use Less Waste
16. DIY Dry cleaning
Sometimes, dry cleaning is a necessary evil. I recently stumbled across Woolite’s DIY Dry Cleaning sheets, which are LIFE CHANGING, and yet nobody seems to know about them. You simply toss them in the dryer with your hand wash and dry-clean only clothing. With Amazon prime, you can get a pack of 14 for about $10.
17. Use reusable menstrual products
Pads and tampons are terrible for the environment, and for you. Grab some cute cloth pads from Etsy or a new reusable menstrual cup. Diva cups are relatively inexpensive, and you will never have to buy pads or tampons every again. Grab some cloth panty liners (which feel just like underwear) on Etsy and you’re set for life.
18. Don’t go to the movie theater
Try the library’s collection of movies instead. (Being frugal also should never be illegal. Downloading movies off of the Internet is illegal.)
19. Cancel magazine and newspaper subscriptions
Many libraries subscribe to popular magazines and newspapers. Besides, you typically only read a copy once before throwing it out.
20. Use streaming services
Amazon Prime, Pandora and Spotify are great for music. Pandora and Spotify have free and paid options.
21. Check out your library’s full resources
Libraries have books, and many also have movies, CDs and audiobooks. Some have toys, games, and more. Your library also probably has a ton of free events and opportunities.
22. Stop buying coffee
Americans spend an average of over $1,000 a year on coffee. Daily or weekly coffee visits can eat up your budget. Instead of buying Starbucks, opt for making your own.
23. Ditch cable
Cable isn’t a necessity, and with streaming services like Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Prime, there are ways to enjoy entertainment at a reasonable price.
24. Get rid of brand loyalty
If you have Netflix, check out the eye-opening documentary Food Inc. It’s crazy to think that more often than not, brand names and generic names are the exact same thing made in the exact same factory with a different label slapped on them. Brand name is not always the best when it comes to food!
25. Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and in-app purchases
Enough said – these three can really drain you budget. Ditch them to save money!
26. Try to avoid stress spending
Yes, I’ve done it too. After a long, hard day, buying a cute new pair of shoes can seem relaxing. But, stress spending can come with a lot of regret. Try to avoid shopping-induced sites, locations, and apps. Opt for a technology free night, or a good show on Netflix. I try to wait 72 hours before I buy something.
27. Avoid gym memberships
Gym membership fees can add up quickly; especially considering you can get in shape right in your own home. Pinterest is full of simple DIY workouts. Most only require a pair of good tennis shoes, a set of weights and a yoga mat.
28. Unplug when you’re not using electricity
Unplug things when you’re not using them, to avoid using “ghost electricity.”
29. Keep track of finances
For a month, keep track of every single dime you spend. Keeping track of where I was spending my money has made a huge difference in my finances.
30. Budget
After you realize what you’re spending on monthly expenses, budget to gain control of your money!
Replace some of your social media at night with a spending tracker app on your phone, recording the day’s purchases. You’d be surprised at how much you’re spending on frivolous things, like coffee or clothes. I’m not a coffee drinker, but I realized I definitely needed to cut back on clothes and make-up!
30. Leave room for fun-money in your budget
This helps keep your sanity! 🙂 I give myself 5-10% of my income to spend on clothes, entertainment – whatever. #guiltfreespending
31. Pick quality over quantity when applicable
32. Utilize price matching
33. Meal plan
Strategic meal planning can cut back on food waste and can save you thousands.
34. Freeze meals
Bulk freezing meals for throwing in the crockpot or the oven on a busy night can help prevent eating out.
35. Wait 72 hours before purchasing something
This prevents impulse buying and makes you really think, “Do I need this?” After 3 days, you may change your mind on that “must-have” shirt you wanted.
36. Make a grocery list
And stick to it!
37. Don’t spend crazy amounts of money on toys
Kids toys is a huge industry, and they can be pricey. Stores like Once Upon a Child sell gently used kids toys at a reasonable price.
38. Find free local entertainment instead of zoos, shopping, etc.
39. Take advantage of a store’s loyalty card
40. Carpool
Carpool is an easy way to save time and money!
41. Start composting
42. Shop with cash only
43. Pay bills on time to avoid interest
44. Remember to use warranties
45. Cancel the landline
46. Use a bicycle (or walk)
47. Find a balance between giving and saving well
49. DIY cleaning supplies
50. DIY toothpaste
For the rest of the list, check out part 2!
Frugality How-To From the Greatest Generation:
Use it Up, Wear It Out, Make it Do, Or Do Without
[…] Here are the last 50 of my favorite ways to save money! Don’t forget to check out the first 50! […]
When making sandwiches I use a flexible cutting board when finished making sandwiches I scrape the leftover bread crumbs into container and save to put on top of casseroles or add to soup
[…] For example, I refuse to spend an extra $300 on an upgraded dorm room next year. Although it wouldn’t be that much, that $300 could pay for three years of web hosting, part of my car insurance, or be invested in some way. (See some of my tips for money management.) […]
The ingredients cost a bit more here near Atlanta. My local Walmart has Fels Naptha for $.97, but the Borax & washing soda were $3.97 each. Still a pretty good price. We make it a dry powder. Use 6 bars, grated; the box of Borax and the box of washing soda. We store it in Folgers coffee tubs. The whole recipe fits in two tubs. We use 2 tsps per load and use about 1 tub a year.
RE #23 Many times I hear “Ditch cable.” How can someone ditch cable and still get online to view Hulu etc?
If you mean “ditch cable TV” you should say it that way. I have cable so I can get online. I use Youtube for viewing. I have not had a TV for DECADES, but have had cable.
Cable and internet don’t have to be together! I have internet but not cable.
How do you get internet if not by cable? I have internet [and phone] thru the cable company. That is the only way I know of to get the internet.
RE#45 – “Cancel the landline.” – I think you would be better off canceling the cell phone.
That way you would not be interrupted when you are doing stuff. You would be paying attention to where you are and who you are with instead of talking on your cell phone, checking email, and watching anything. If someone needs to talk to you, they can easily leave a message