🔎 Disclosure: Heads up, babe: some links here are affiliate links, which means you might throw a tiny commission my way if you buy (zero extra cost to you). Only things you’d actually use and love get shared on this site.
1. Cut Unnecessary Subscriptions You Don’t Use
You know that feeling when you check your bank account and realize you’ve been paying for six streaming services but only watch one? Yeah, that.
Cancel the ones you don’t use, and you’ll instantly free up cash each month.
Check bank statements for sneaky auto-renewals you forgot existed.
Use your phone’s settings to see active app subscriptions you can ditch.
Replace paid apps with free or one-time-purchase alternatives.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Go through last month’s statements and cancel one subscription you haven’t used in 30 days.
Make It Easy: Use Rocket Money to automatically find and cancel unwanted subscriptions in seconds.
2. Cook at Home More Often
Eating out feels easy, but your wallet disagrees every time the check arrives.
Cooking at home lets you eat better, save more, and feel like a chef (even if it’s just pasta night).
Plan meals, so you’re not tempted to order in.
Batch cook once or twice a week to save time and money.
Use your freezer for leftovers instead of letting them die in the fridge.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Cook three simple dinners this week instead of eating out. You’ll instantly see the savings.
Make It Easy: Grab a nonstick skillet set that makes cooking and cleaning a breeze.
3. Bring Your Own Lunch to Work
You’re not “saving time” by buying lunch daily. You’re slowly feeding your money to the drive-thru.
Packing your lunch can save you hundreds each month and tastes better anyway.
Cook extra dinner portions and pack them for tomorrow’s lunch.
Keep snacks handy to avoid impulse food buys when hunger hits.
Invest in cute containers so packing lunch feels more fun than a chore.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Bring lunch from home three days this week and stash the savings in your “treat fund.”
Make It Easy: Try a bento-style lunch box to keep your meals fresh and organized.
4. Shop with a Grocery List Every Single Time
Walking into a store without a list is like walking into Target “just for toothpaste.” You know how that ends.
A grocery list keeps you focused and stops you from impulse-buying snacks you’ll regret later.
Plan weekly meals and make a list based on ingredients you actually need.
Stick to the list, no matter how good that “buy two, get one free” deal looks.
Shop your pantry before making your list. You might already have what you need.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Write your list on paper or your phone and refuse to buy anything not on it.
Make It Easy: Use a magnetic fridge planner to keep your grocery list visible and updated.
5. Choose Store Brands Over Name Brands
You’re not betraying your taste buds by choosing the store brand. It’s usually the same thing without the fancy label.
You’ll save a surprising amount every trip, and your wallet will thank you (loudly).
Compare ingredients side-by-side. Most are nearly identical.
Start small by swapping staples like pasta, rice, and cleaning products.
Try store-brand paper goods. You’ll barely notice the difference.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Next grocery trip, replace three name-brand items with store-brand versions and track the savings.
6. Brew Your Coffee at Home
That $6 latte habit adds up faster than you can say “extra foam.”
Making coffee at home gives you the same energy without draining your wallet.
Buy ground coffee in bulk instead of daily coffee runs.
Use a cute mug to make it feel like your own café.
Experiment with creamers and syrups to find your favorite combo.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Skip the coffee shop three times this week and make your drink at home instead.
Make It Easy: Grab a programmable coffee maker that brews your cup before you wake up.
7. Use Public Transportation Instead of Driving Everywhere
Gas prices are giving everyone trust issues lately.
Taking the bus, train, or even carpooling can save you hundreds a month.
Map your route to see where public transport actually saves you time.
Buy monthly passes for bigger discounts on rides.
Use the time commuting to listen to a podcast or audiobook.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Swap two drives a week for public transportation and track your fuel savings.
Make It Easy: Listen to Blinkist during your ride to make commuting feel productive.
8. Buy in Bulk for Everyday Staples
Buying toilet paper one roll at a time? That’s chaos, not strategy.
Bulk buying for household staples saves both time and money.
Focus on non-perishables like rice, pasta, and paper products.
Split large packs with friends or family if storage is tight.
Keep an inventory list to avoid overstocking.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Stock up on three staple items in bulk this week and calculate your per-unit savings.
Make It Easy: Use stackable storage containers to organize bulk goods neatly at home.
9. Compare Prices Before Making Purchases
You’d be shocked how often the same item costs less at one tab over.
A quick price check can mean keeping an extra $20 or losing it.
Compare store prices online before heading out.
Use price-matching policies whenever available.
Add items to wish lists to wait for discounts.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Look up any item over $25 on three sites before buying it. You’ll likely find it cheaper.
Make It Easy: Use Capital One Shopping to auto-apply coupons and find better deals instantly.
10. Track Your Spending with Pen and Paper
Old school, yes. But wildly effective.
When you write things down, you actually see where your money goes (and where it shouldn’t).
Jot down every expense at the end of the day.
Highlight spending categories that surprise you.
Review weekly totals to find easy areas to cut back.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Keep a small notebook in your bag and record every purchase for seven days straight.
Make It Easy: Use a leather pocket journal that feels nice to use every day.
11. Cancel Gym Memberships and Work Out at Home
Let’s be real. You’re paying monthly just to walk past the gym on your way to Starbucks.
Home workouts can save you hundreds a year and still get you toned.
Stream free workout videos on YouTube or fitness apps.
Use household items like water bottles or chairs for resistance training.
Create a mini routine you can do in 20 minutes or less.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Cancel your gym membership today and commit to three short home workouts this week.
Make It Easy: Get a set of adjustable dumbbells to replace your gym equipment easily.
12. Borrow or Rent Instead of Buying New
Why buy a drill for one project when your neighbor already has one?
Borrowing or renting saves you money and storage space.
Use local sharing apps to rent tools, gear, or party supplies.
Borrow from friends for occasional-use items like ladders or blenders.
Check libraries that lend more than just books. Some offer tools and gadgets.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Next time you need something for a one-time job, borrow or rent it instead of buying.
Make It Easy: Check Fat Llama for short-term rentals from locals near you.
13. Turn Off Lights When Leaving a Room
It’s simple, but it’s money-saving gold.
Leaving lights on when you’re not there is like donating to your power company.
Switch to LED bulbs to use less energy, even when you forget.
Use natural light during the day instead of lamps.
Add smart plugs to control lights remotely.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Turn off every unnecessary light right now. You’ll see the savings on your next bill.
Make It Easy: Install a motion sensor light switch so lights shut off automatically.
14. Wash Clothes in Cold Water
Your clothes don’t need a hot bath. They just need soap and movement.
Cold water cleans just as well and keeps your power bill lower.
Switch washer settings to “cold” for most loads.
Save fabric life since heat fades colors faster.
Use cold-water detergent for extra efficiency.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Set your washer’s default temperature to cold before your next load.
Make It Easy: Grab a concentrated cold-water detergent that works perfectly at low temps.
15. Air-Dry Clothes Instead of Using a Dryer
Dryers are great… until you see your electric bill.
Air-drying saves cash, energy, and your favorite jeans from shrinking.
Hang clothes on a rack, balcony, or shower rod.
Use the sun as your free natural dryer.
Shake out wrinkles before hanging to skip ironing later.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Skip the dryer for half your next laundry load and air-dry instead.
Make It Easy: Get a foldable drying rack that fits anywhere and dries fast.
16. Limit Eating Out to Special Occasions
You know what’s more satisfying than another $60 dinner out? Seeing that $60 is still sitting in your account.
Eating out should feel special, not like your default dinner plan.
Pick one night a week or month to eat out guilt-free.
Plan simple meals at home for busy nights to avoid the “let’s just order” trap.
Keep easy freezer meals for days when cooking sounds impossible.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Choose one “restaurant night” per month and cook at home the rest.
Make It Easy: Stock up on microwave glass meal-prep containers for quick dinners.
17. Avoid Shopping When You’re Hungry
Hungry you is not a rational shopper. It’s a snack-seeking missile.
Shopping on an empty stomach is a guaranteed way to overspend.
Eat before shopping to stay focused on your list.
Bring a snack if you’ll be out for a while.
Skip the samples unless they’re free (because you know how that ends).
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Eat a small meal before every grocery trip. Your cart and budget will thank you.
Make It Easy: Keep a small insulated snack pouch in your car or purse.
18. Try a No-Spend Weekend Challenge
You don’t realize how much you spend until you stop spending for two days.
A no-spend weekend resets your habits and shows how fun “free” can actually be.
Plan free activities like beach days, hikes, or DIY spa nights.
Use what’s at home. Cook meals, watch movies, and relax.
Put the money saved into a mini “fun fund” for later.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Pick one weekend this month to spend $0 and see how creative you can get.
Make It Easy: Get a whiteboard planner to schedule your free weekend activities.
19. Use a Water Filter Instead of Bottled Water
Bottled water seems cheap until you realize you’re drinking your budget.
A water filter saves you cash, plastic, and endless trips to the store.
Filter tap water instead of buying cases every week.
Refill reusable bottles to save hundreds per year.
Get cleaner, fresher water with zero waste.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Buy a filter pitcher and use it daily instead of bottled water.
Make It Easy: Try a refrigerator-friendly water filter pitcher that’s easy to refill and clean.
20. Use Cash Envelopes for Monthly Spending
If you can see the cash leaving, you’ll spend less. Simple psychology.
Cash envelopes keep your budget visual and impossible to ignore.
Label envelopes for groceries, gas, dining, and entertainment.
Take out only what you need for the week or month.
Stop spending once the envelope is empty. No exceptions.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Withdraw your monthly spending cash and divide it into labeled envelopes today.
Make It Easy: Get a cash envelope wallet binder to organize categories neatly.
21. Switch to a Cheaper Phone Plan
If your phone bill looks like a car payment, something’s off.
You can get the same service for half the price. Without the fancy carrier name.
Compare prepaid options that use the same networks as major carriers.
Cut unlimited data if you’re mostly on Wi-Fi.
Ask your provider for new-customer promos. They’ll match to keep you.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Call your carrier and ask about cheaper plans or loyalty discounts today.
22. Cut Back on Impulse Purchases
That “add to cart” button is way too easy to love.
Waiting 24 hours before buying almost always saves you from regret.
Leave items in the cart overnight. You’ll forget half of them tomorrow.
Unsubscribe from store emails that trigger FOMO.
Use the 30-day rule for anything over $50.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Before buying anything today, wait one full day. You’ll know if you actually need it.
Make It Easy: Keep a small notepad to jot down impulse items instead of buying right away.
23. Do Simple Repairs Yourself
Calling a handyman for every squeaky door? That’s your grocery budget, leaving the chat.
You’d be surprised how much you can fix with a YouTube tutorial and a screwdriver.
Search tutorials for small repairs like leaks or loose handles.
Buy a basic tool kit and learn the essentials.
Tackle one minor fix per month to build confidence.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Watch one how-to video and fix a small thing around your home this weekend.
Make It Easy: Keep a compact household tool set for quick, easy repairs.
24. Carpool or Share Rides with Friends
You don’t have to be the designated driver of inflation.
Carpooling saves gas, cuts wear on your car, and makes traffic less boring.
Split driving days with coworkers or friends.
Use carpool apps to find trusted local rides.
Share costs for gas, parking, or tolls.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Coordinate with one friend this week to ride together twice.
25. Shop Secondhand for Clothes and Furniture
New doesn’t always mean better. It just means pricier.
Thrift stores and online resellers are goldmines for deals.
Browse thrift or consignment shops for unique finds.
Check Facebook Marketplace for furniture steals.
Use resale apps for gently used clothes at a fraction of retail.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Buy one secondhand item this month instead of new. You’ll love the savings.
Make It Easy: Keep a fabric steamer to freshen up thrifted clothes instantly.
26. Reuse and Repurpose Instead of Replacing
You don’t always need new. Sometimes a little creativity does the trick.
Turning “trash” into treasure saves money and makes you feel like a DIY legend.
Repurpose glass jars as storage for pantry staples or pens.
Use old T-shirts as cleaning rags or reusable wraps.
Upcycle furniture with paint or new knobs instead of buying replacements.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Look around your house today and repurpose one item you’d normally toss.
Hey, I'm Lily! I'm a mom who's really good at two things: stretching a dollar and talking about stretching a dollar. I created Money Vice after one too many grocery trips where I watched my total climb and thought, "There's gotta be a better way." Spoiler: there is. Think of me as your money-savvy friend who's always got a tip (and coffee in hand).
