Top 10 Everyday Ways to Save Money

If you’re a big reader, you know how expensive it can be to support your habit. Especially if you like grabbing the latest bestsellers right when they come out, your monthly book budget can easily reach the triple digits. These days, most libraries have great online systems for checking to see if the book you want is in stock and they also have reservations protocols so you can snag that new release before anyone else. Not only that, libraries also stock DVDs, CDs and video games, so even if you’re not a bibliophile, there’s probably something there for you.

We’re not saying you necessarily have to embrace a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, but by cutting down on meat in your diet, you’ll save a ton on grocery bills. Meatless meals are for the most part less expensive to create because all you need are vegetables, grains and legumes, all of which are pretty cheap. Also, because it’s easier to cook veggie meals with non-perishable ingredients, you can buy in bulk and save even more. Try only eating meat for dinner or pick a couple of days a week to go meat-free and watch your food budget plummet.

Not only will this tip save you money, but it’ll also up your gift giving cred. Buying gifts year round for holidays and birthdays can really add up but if you’re crafty, you can create something special and personalized that will be way more memorable than something you could buy at the store. What kind of gifts you decide to make depends on your skillset as well as who the gift is intended for. A quick Pinterest search on the topic garners thousands of results ranging from soaps and bath bombs to home decor and jewelry. No matter what your level of experience is, your homemade gift will be appreciated for the effort you put in.

While it’s easy to be swayed by advertising, for the most part, store brand or generic products are almost exactly the same as their brand name counterparts. Whether you’re at the drugstore or grocery store, you’ll always save a few bucks by buying generic. There will always be a few products where a true connoisseur will be able to tell the difference, but especially for items like pantry staples, cleaning products and bottled water, the differences probably won’t make a big impact on your life.

While for many people seeing friends means meeting up at a bar or restaurant, you can save a ton of money by entertaining at home instead. If you’re eating out a couple of nights a week, your monthly food budget can easily skyrocket. Instead, invite friends over to your place for a potluck dinner where everyone contributes something. That way the experience isn’t too pricey for anyone. You can also try hosting board game nights or other themed evenings that can be even more fun than hitting the town.

If you’re someone who tends to spend a lot of money on material things, one pro tip is to give yourself a waiting period before making a purchase. Maybe you want that new pair of jeans today, but if you pass on them, will you be thinking about them a week or a month from now? Especially for online shopping, it’s so easy to just click the “order” button without a second thought, but if you leave items in your shopping cart for a few days, you’ll probably be more conservative with what you actually end up buying. And, you won’t end up with useless items that you never wanted that badly to begin with.

While there may be dangers to shopping online, in the end it’s much more economical than making your purchases in-store. Obviously you can get huge discounts by using sites like Amazon, but even businesses with brick and mortar stores will sell the exact same items for less online. There are also tons of couponing sites and apps that can find discounts and deals for you. The Internet is also a great place to look for used products on eBay and Craigslist, which will save you loads of time compared to digging through second hand shops.

These days, many people don’t have a reason to carry cash regularly as the majority of businesses accept cards. It’s easier to do everything with cards and not have to worry about pesky change, right? Actually, if you’re trying to spend smarter, research has shown that people are much more thrifty when paying in cash. When you pay with a card, you’re not actually experiencing the financial transaction that makes it easier to forget about it. So when you get your paycheck, take out the money you want to let yourself spend for the week and leave the credit and debit cards at home.

If you buy your lunch while you’re at school or work every day, you’re spending thousands of dollars in a year that you could easily be saving. Not to mention, the food you grab on the go probably isn’t the most healthy. Try to make it part of your routine to do some meal prep on Sundays so that you have inexpensive, nutritious meals ready to go for the rest of the week. Don’t let yourself get bored and switch up your lunchtime recipes every week for some variety. For an even easier way to save a few bucks everyday, make your coffee at home too.



Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Setting a Weekly Spending Limit


Sign Up for Loyalty Programs


Have "No Spend" Days

Any car owner knows that driving is an expensive habit. Between fuel costs and maintenance alone, you could save trunk loads of money by ditching your car and taking public transportation instead. Of course, many people live in areas where this isn’t possible, but for city dwellers, taking the bus or train should be a no-brainer. Not only is it more economical, but it’s also more relaxing and gives you time to read, work or just browse the internet. If public transit isn’t an option, carpooling is another possibility. Aside from all the personal benefits it can afford you, it’s also better for the environment and will reduce your carbon footprint.