It’s difficult to save money. Perhaps you don’t make a lot of money or have a large amount of debt to pay off. That’s since you may get creative with your money and increase your savings.
I’ve compiled a comprehensive list of some of the most inventive and simple ways to save money and pay down debt – or put money aside for a rainy day. Some of them you may already be doing.
59 Creative Ways To Save Money
1- Indulge In A DIY Spa
Face masks, body scrubs, and hair face masks are not just for the wealthy. With simple ingredients like bananas & coffee, you can manufacture your spa-like treatment.
2- Plan Withdrawals
If you find yourselves using ATMs more frequently, carefully schedule each visit to avoid penalties. If you need cash, make sure you have enough time to even get to your bank, until it doesn’t charge ATM fees — which might be the case if you chose a smaller bank. Instead, go to a supermarket or grocery store that gives you cashback when you pay with your debit card. You may always create your gym equipment if you should save money while staying active.
I hope you will be interested in taking a look at the 7 Things I did to save $5,000 a month
3- Avoid ATMs
It’s good to have money in your pocket, but at what price? Rather than actually investing in your pocket, it’s wise to maintain your money together in a safe location in which it can grow.
That tip is especially relevant for out-of-network ATMs: you’ll be charged fees if you withdraw money from a bank that’s not yours. And there is never a good point in paying to get your money.
4- Lower Your Shower Time
Those low-budget TV dads could be onto something. It’s lovely to take a long, warm shower, but the cost of water & heating may quickly pile up. Set a timer for yourself. Determine how long it will take you to clean up and leave.
Over time, you’ll notice that your high water bill, as well as the expense of heating it, will decrease. Take short showers — or cold ones.
Take it easy with the chilly showers! Turning down the heat helps in saving money on both water as well as the energy required to refill your hot water tank. Cold showers, on the other hand, wake you up completely.
If chilly showers are your greatest nightmare, try lowering the temperature on your water heater to 120°F (48.8°C) or less. Even if you don’t get goosebumps, you’ll save energy.
So yes, there is a correct method to shower — and no, it wouldn’t have to take 30 minutes. Get to know each other.
See, after following these techniques and some others, I have compiled 21 tips to save $10,000 a year.
5- Check On Your Account
We’re well aware of the situation. Looking at such figures might be painful at times. Nevertheless, it’s critical to search your bank account like Sherlock Holmes & look for odd-looking charges frequently.
It’s possible that your utility companies are overpaying you, or that a special offer hasn’t even been applied even though promised. Keeping track of your current balance and previous purchases assists you to discover faults as well as places where you can save money.
Is it really necessary to order takeout three times a week? Local pizza joint, I’m still staring at you.
6- Get Your Hair Done For Free
Look into local beauty schools on the internet. A haircut from a student in training may be significantly cheap or even free.
Is it possible to get a top-notch, worldwide salon-level haircut? Most likely not. A low-cost, well-kept trim? Yes, absolutely.
But just because they’re academics doesn’t imply they’re a waste of time. They could have been paying attention in class. After that, make sure you take care of your hair.
7- Avoid Impulsive Spending
Are you thinking of making a big purchase? Allow oneself some time to consider it.
After you’ve had some chance to cool off, you might want to reconsider buying. When you’re going through a store, you could believe you always need the new flat-screen TV, but your current one suffices.
8- Use ATMs sparingly
Yes, holding those incomes in your hands can be a thrilling experience. However, it pays to plan when it comes to ATM visits.
Try withdrawing a fixed amount throughout the week and adhering to it so you don’t have to go to a non-affiliated bank and pay high ATM fees. To stay organized, divide your cash into envelopes labeled “Food,” “Rent,” and “Fun.”
Consider it a real-life savings app.
Whenever one envelope is completely depleted, it’s time to either stop spending within this part or transfer monies to another. Paying with cash also feels more “genuine” than paying with a credit card, so you’ll be more aware of how much money you’re spending.
9- Stay Away From Shaving Cream
Shaving cream can cost anything from a few dollars to $10, depending on the size and type. And not do the work for a low price? A buck will get you a bottle of conditioners that will last you a long time.
10- Turn Off The Electronics
When individuals leave home for work, they frequently forget to switch off the television. If this describes you, consider setting a daily reminder on your smartphone.
You may fall asleep with this on. It’s a good idea to use a sleep timer at night.
11- Cut cable
Without cable television, there are indeed a plethora of options for entertainment. However, if you absolutely must watch your favourite shows, you can use streaming services.
To turn your TV into a SmartTV, you can get a Roku, Amazon’s Fire Stick, and any other device. When compared to cable, the cost of a streaming subscription is a drop in the bucket.
Before eliminating cable, you might want to do some research to see what shows and materials are accessible.
12- Set Goals With A Budget-tracking App
Goals are crucial, as we indicated in the introduction. Money is nothing more than a number until it is used for anything.
- As a result, make a goal or goals, such as these:
- Get rid of your credit card debt.
- Make a vacation fund.
- Save money for a down payment on your own home.
- Purchase a wiener dog.
- Purchase every colour of Pom Pom hat underneath the sun for your wiener dog.
Then, to achieve it, devise an actionable, realistic strategy and, of course, keep to it. Try applications like BUDGET or Mint, and provide a visual barometer of concrete objectives and even an indication of where your cash seems to go the most.
13- Keep An Eye On The AC
During the sweltering summer months, the temperature can feel intolerable. Set your thermostat to a comfortable temperature and forget about it. Wear trousers and run fans.
When your electricity bill hasn’t increased to a new high in the Fall, you’ll appreciate yourself.
14- Go With The Classic Coin Saving Strategy
Granted, with such a national coin scarcity, it’s been a little more difficult to save coins recently, but Spencer Tiemann says that she’ll be saving her change for the past year and putting it in a jar.
It’s been going swimmingly for her.
“It didn’t take long for the money saved from grocery stores and carryouts to build up.
Of course, I would not want to be blamed for our country’s currency shortage “Spencer Tiemann argues that storing coins has been beneficial to her. “If I tallied it all up, I’d have more than doubled my emergency money.”
The national coin scarcity has lessened significantly, although coins are still readily available. Every month, the United States Mint produces approximately a billion coins.
15- Make Your Shaving Cream
Using a DIY cream/lotion like these, which contains hydrating coconut oil, shea butter, and olive oil, you can shave pennies off the other shave.
Alternatively, use other (less expensive) items from around the house, such as conditioner, baby oil, or stand in line for almond butter!
17- Look For Exclusive Deals Sites
Go to Groups for discounts about everything from haircuts to eyebrow waxing. If some prices seem too pretty good, read Yelp reviews of certain restaurants or salons before purchasing to avoid having a bad meal or haircut.
18- Hit Up The Thrift Shop
No, that pretty dress does not have to cost $50. Instead, go to your local second-hand store and get it for $10. People typically avoid purchasing old clothing because they believe it will be soiled and torn.
Finding hidden jewels takes some digging, but once you do, you’ll save quite a lot of money.
19- Ask For Discounts
Don’t be afraid to speak up in a restaurant or business. Unless you’re in school, inside the military, or over 60, see if you qualify for a discount. They normally don’t publicise them, but it is worth asking. Some establishments may even have a student or prorated refund days in which you can get a % off.
20- Try The $5 Trick
Aimee Spencer Tiemann, a Detroit-based writer, says her best friend offered a money-saving tip with her a few years ago: “She put $5 in a jar at her room every night she received it, whether that was a change from a purchase or tips as just a bartender.
She stated unequivocally that if she received a $5, it would be placed in the container. She had $4,000 in her bank at the end of a year.”
Spencer Tiemann claims she did the same thing and earned $1,200 in 3 months. “It’s funny how doing something as easy as putting a specific amount of money away triggers a psychological response in your brain. You’re not thinking. You just go ahead and do it. It’s almost like playing a game, “she explains.
With that stated, if you do not usually carry cash, you might want to check out Acorns, Chime, or some other app that would round up your debit or credit card transactions and deposit them into a bank account.
Even though some of these apps are paid, you should save substantially more than you spend when you use them. Acorns charges $1 per year for accounts under $5,000, while Chime, a mobile bank app, charges nothing save a $2.50 out-of-network ATM fee.
21- Throw A Potluck
Instead of making all of the food for your next party or get-together, hold a potluck. Everyone brings a dish to share and has the opportunity to demonstrate their culinary skills. Because if they don’t cook, they can flaunt their store-bought apple crumble. Instead of stressing about how you’ll pay for your party, you’ll be able to focus on spending quality time with friends and family.
22- Get Your Media From The Library
The libraries aren’t obsolete; they have a wealth of current resources ranging from books and magazines to music and films. Instead of buying your latest book, consider borrowing it from the library.
Your public library may also feature a digital collection, allowing you to read via your tablet or laptop without going to the library.
23- Get a reusable water bottle
Rather than buying a never-ending supply of plastic water bottles, invest in a nice reusable bottle and drink from the tap. According to Food & Water, drinking water costs approximately 2000 times as often as tap water.
So, you’ll still be helping the environment by reducing single-use plastics, but you’ll also be saving a lot of money.
24- Cut Co-pays
Medication can indeed be costly even with insurance. If you need to pick up a normal prescription, get a 3-month supply from your doctor.
Purchasing in this manner is frequently less expensive than purchasing on a month-to-month basis. This is how it works if you’re taking standard antidepressant medication.
25- Cancel Your Subscriptions
Cancel your magazine subscriptions if they are collecting dust or are being thrown away. You likely paid a lot more to them than you anticipated.
That’s one of those thoughtless ways you’ve been wasting money; here you can put it to good use.
26- Take Care Of Yourself
Get plenty of rest, wash your hands, and do whatever you can to avoid the sniffles. A little TLC, good nutrition, and regular physical activity can help you avoid costly medical expenditures in the future.
27- Embrace the envelope system.
You can purchase everything else in cash with this method. “I’m sure whether this is creative or just old-school,” confesses Kristine Thorndyke, CEO of Test Prep Nerds, a company that provides test prep materials for examinations such as the MCAT.
Thorndyke claims she and her boyfriend saved some money early in her career when they were establishing their firm and earned income by paying for everything else in cash. They were withdrawing cash for their monthly spending and depositing the predetermined amounts into envelopes designated for each area, such as grocery, amusement, housing, gym, and miscellaneous, according to her.
They would occasionally uncover additional money in the miscellaneous area, she said, and splurge on something nice that month. “I wouldn’t recommend using this technique indefinitely because the cash part is a pain, although it was a terrific opportunity to examine how we spend money in a very concrete sense and thinking about our budget differently,” Thorndyke adds.
28- Reuse Your Towel
You’re spending money on laundry when you wash your washcloth after every usage. Your towel only has to be washed every 4 to 6 days.
Just make sure you hang it up properly to dry; whether it’s left here on the floor or wadded up, mildew may develop.
29- Get rid of the paper towels.
Another towel tip is to avoid using paper towels. Purchase reusable kitchen and bathroom hand towels.
Cut up old T-shirts or damaged bath towels to be used as cleaning rags for spills and accidents. It’s also far more environmentally friendly.
30- Trade Clothes With Your Friends
Do not go to the mall with your buddies if you need to update your outfit. A garment swap party is a great idea. Each participant brings a few items of clothing to trade with another.
It’s a fantastic way to spend a Saturday night that’s also completely free.
31- Make good use of credit.
Keep delivering a credit card bill and start earning money from your creditors rather than the other time around. Have used a rewards card to purchase precisely what you require while staying within your budget.
Then, every month, pay off the entire sum in full and watch the additional cash accumulate as reward points.
32- Accounts
Put all unexpected income and financial gifts into an account.
Even if you’ve outgrown receiving birthday money from your family, you may still receive an unexpected sum of money.
Miguel Suro, a Miami-based attorney and co-founder of both the personal finance website RichMiser.com along with his wife Lily Rodriguez, argues that even if you set up a separate saving account specifically for unexpected funds, you might well be astonished at how much money you accumulate.
Suro recommends putting all unexpected money in this account. “I’m referring to refunds for product recalls, class action settlements, refunds received when returning an item, and the money given to you as a present. It’s just income you didn’t expect or count on.”
33- Challenge Yourself To Reuse Stuff
You might well be able to repurpose some of your rubbish if you challenge yourself to pause before throwing out trash. Consider the plastic sandwich bag in which you placed a sandwich and are going to discard the bag after the food has been consumed.
There are a few crumbs, but what else? Maybe you could wash it and use it when it dries the very next day?
Sure, it sounds cheap, and your relatives will certainly mock you – however if you save money on items like plastic bags and aluminium foil (just how much do you toss away when you could just wipe that off, rinse it off, level it out, and then do it again?) you’ll save money in the long run and contribute to environmental protection,
34- Scout the sales
If you absolutely must have anything new, don’t spend full price. Wait for something like a sale day to arrive and take advantage of the extra cash.
35- Put Your Savings On Autopilot
Your employer may provide you with the option of automatically depositing a portion of your paycheck into a savings account. This way, you won’t be bothered to spend that money, and you didn’t miss the percentage of your salary that you might not see.
It also eliminates the need for you to transfer the money yourself.
36- Coupons And Rewards
On your next trip to the grocery store or the mall, you’re probably not getting the most bang for your buck. Make a point of clipping as many coupons as you can on the items you require.
Just even though you have a coupon will not mean you have had to buy someone just because you have one.
37- Buy Generic Products
If your preferred brand of oatmeal isn’t on sale, opt for the store brand instead. It’s usually the same thing, just in a different package.
38- Stay Away From Store Credit Cards
Whenever the clerk offers you a 20% discount if you sign up for the card, reply no. You’ll almost certainly spend more money if you go more frequently. You also wouldn’t want to pay a slew of hidden costs. In any case, you’ll gain more value from a general rewards card.
39- Make Your Coffee
Make your coffee at home instead of sending it to the coffee house before work. You should expect to pay $2 to $5 for a cup of coffee at a coffee shop. You can get it for a fraction of the price at home, and that you can make it precisely how you want it.
40- Ask For A Raincheck
If a sale product on your grocery list is sold out, ask for a non-refundable deposit at the pay register. If indeed the item is still available the next time you visit, you will be able to afford to buy it at a discounted price.
41- Make Only One Journey
Whether you have errands to run, schedule them all on the same day and think before acting to save money on fuel.
42- Carpooling
Carpool to work, school, and any other location that you go to frequently to save money on petrol. Allow your friend to drive a day and you to drive the following.
You’ll also be reducing your car’s mileage, which might save you money on repairs.
43- Declutter
Take stock of your possessions and determine whatever you don’t need or shouldn’t be using. Consider selling the goods at a yard sale or on a classified website because they’re in good enough shape.
You’ll make some extra cash from the clutter which could be gathering dust.
44- Take The Bus
Alternatively, you might take the metro, train, or any other form of public transportation. This will save you money on gas and increase the mileage of your car.
Instead of screaming your way through your daily commute, use the time to catch up on certain work or reading.
45- Invest In Reusable Baggies
Instead of buying single-use plastic snack bags, invest in reusable bags. They’ll be more expensive at first, but you’ll be able to reuse them.
They’re available in a variety of sizes, just like ordinary baggies, and customers can even get them in interesting prints.
46- Meal Preparation
Over the weekend, plan and prepare all of your meals for the coming week. You won’t be bothered to dine out and spend twice or triple anything that you would at home if you do it this way.
It will also save you time in the kitchen.
47- Buy Frozen Foods
Skip the produce aisle and opt for frozen fruits and vegetables instead; the frozen version is generally less expensive. And by buying something that will be frozen for an extended amount of time, you’re saving money.
48- Shop Around For Your Banking
Examine different banks to ensure you’re getting the best price possible. Unnecessary fees may be charged by your bank, or you may be charged if your account balance falls below a certain threshold.
Take a look at what other banks have to offer and see if yours can match it. If they refuse, move on to a better option.
49- Get Rid Of The Body Wash
Stop spending money on body wash when a bar of soap can do the job just as well. As per a report by Mintel, a consumer company’s marketing research business, they often last longer and cost roughly 15 times much less than your average physical wash.
50- DIY Your Car Repair
Getting fooled by a car repair expense is the simplest thing to invest more than you should have to. The most popular repairs are also the simplest to perform on your own.
51- Become A Vegetarian
Meat is likely to be the most expensive item on your shopping list. You can save money by eliminating meat from your meals a couple of times a week. Even better, if beef isn’t a requirement for you, go completely vegetarian.
52- Make Sure Your Tyres Are Properly Inflated
Make sure your tyres are filled appropriately. You’ll waste more petrol if you don’t.
It’s also possible that you’ll have to spend $400 on new tyres a year earlier than necessary. Edmunds, a car pricing website, will tell you how much air to put in your tyres to keep them safe.
53- Stay Sober
Give up drinking if alcohol is a frequent indulgence for you. Exceptions can be made for exceptional occasions such as a night in the town or a wedding. When you’re buying a six-pack for a movie marathon, though, go with water.
54- Take A Walk Or Ride Your Bike
Take your bike towards the grocery shop if it’s close and you may not have a lengthy list. If the gym is just down the block, walk instead of driving to burn a few additional calories.
You’ll save money on petrol and get some exercise.
55- Divide your paycheck
Request that your company’s human resources department divide every one of your paychecks among your savings and bank accounts, with a nice cherry on top.
Set aside a certain amount of your income each month to be automatically deposited into your savings account. No one will judge you if you don’t touch something while out towards the bar or on another trip towards the craft store. Another advantage is that interest rates on savings accounts are typically higher than those on checking accounts. You’ll be earning a little more cash without even realising it.
You wouldn’t even have to spend a lot of money on a celebratory bottle of wine on payday.
56- Shop On Wednesdays
What makes a Wednesday so special? Many grocery stores start fresh bargains in the middle of the week, usually on Wednesdays, so shoppers who stroll the aisles then are one of the first to learn about new promotions and discounts.
Furthermore, shops usually recognise coupons from the prior week. Most importantly, you can optimise your savings by shopping at a rather congested time of the week.
57- Prepare snacks yourself
Do not buy prepared snack packs for your lunches or your children’s lunches. For the sake of convenience, you’ll often pay a lot more.
Take the time to make the same dinner on your own instead. One advantage is that it is unlikely to have as many preservatives.
58- Save Advertisements.
Instead of making impulse purchases, you may save adverts or computer images of items you want, or keep a list of links towards purchases you would like to make later.
Kato claims to keep a file of classified advertising not only for herself but also for family members. What is it about advertisements that fascinate people?
Kaarto’s commercials, on the other hand, provide her with gift ideas for birthdays and indeed the holidays, allowing her to purchase items that her family genuinely wants or needs, while her ads help her preserve money.
“What I’ve discovered through delayed gratification is that I save money inside one way or another, either by opting out of the purchase or patiently waiting for the greatest price,” Kato adds.
59- Pick A Bank That Offers Cashback Or Bonus
Look for something like a bank that best suits your needs. Look for bonuses like no ATM costs, high savings account interest, and therefore no overdraft fees.
Smaller banks are more likely to provide better interest rates and bonuses. If your large, national bank does not provide these benefits, give them a call and see if they will. If they reject, scurry over to your neighbouring small family business and hand over your money.
FAQs: Creative Ways to Save Money
What are fun ways to save money?
There are different ways to save money. Some of them are: Stop Paying for Delivery, Shop Garage Sales, Use Your Rewards, Pay for Your Bad Habits, Look for Free Activities, Use Layaway Instead of Credit Cards.
How can I save $1000 fast?
Create a weekly menu and shop with such a list and coupons for food. Purchase in quantity. Generic goods should be used.
Avoid having to pay ATM fees. To prevent interest costs, pay off your credit cards each month. Make a cash payment. At the library, you can borrow movies and books. To save money on petrol, find a carpool partner.
What are 5 ways you can save money?
Keep a record of your expenditures. Distinguish between wants and necessities. Paying your debts using credit is not a good idea. Regularly save.
Make sure your insurance coverage is up to date.
What is the 30-day rule for saving money?
The rule is straightforward: whenever you see something you want, wait 30 days before purchasing it. If you still want to purchase an item after 30 days, go ahead and buy it.
You will wind up saving money if you forget about that or realise you shouldn’t have it. Money that isn’t spent is money that isn’t spent.
