Everyone is looking for the opportunity to save more money these days. In a recent online discussion, the topic was how to save more.
Here are some ways that you can save money that you might not have already tried that can make a real difference to your monthly bottom line.
Table of Contents
Stop Drinking
Stopping drinking alcohol is not only better for your budget, it’s better for your health. One person said, “I quit drinking alcohol years ago for health reasons, and the financial aspect of it hit me later in life.”
Another said, “I was already frugal and didn’t spend much already but I know it saved me a ton of cash.”
Cut Your Own Hair
You can save a considerable amount of money over the course of a year by learning how to cut and style your own hair without a pricey salon visit.
The original poster said, “I began cutting my own hair rather than going to the salon because the place I had been going no longer has well trained people. The last time I went they royally messed up my hair so I decided I was going to learn how to maintain it myself.”
Spend More On Your Shoes
You might be thinking that this is supposed to be about saving money. Trust us, you will save money by spending more on your footwear.
One commenter said, “Spending a bit more on quality shoes, means more upfront cost, but they last longer and need less replacing.”
Another said, “This took me a while to figure out, but once my feet stopped growing I started buying shoes in the 100-150 range (which I still cringe at when I buy) but I have shoes that are over 10 years old that look new, but I also clean them regularly.”
Stop Eating Out
The cost of eating out can add up fast and wreak havoc on your budget. You can make anything you want at home with a little practice.
One woman says, “I stopped eating out because I am lazy and and don’t feel like leaving the house in the evenings after I’ve changed into sweats. And it turns out I save a lot of money that way!”
Another commenter agreed, saying, “I basically stopped going out because it’s usually a negative experience for me. I either get mediocre food, bad service, or both.”
Quit Smoking
You already know that smoking is horrible for your health, but have you ever considered how much money you are wasting on tobacco? One man said, “I quit smoking for health reasons, a pack a day is $7. I ended up saving around $220 per month.”
Another person replied, “I quit smoking because wanted to have kids and it saved me a bunch of money. Didn’t have the kids so that saved me even more money.”
Buy a Deep Freezer
It may seem counter-intuitive to spend money in order to save money, but in this case, that’s exactly what will happen. One woman said, “We got a dedicated freezer so we could have more food on hand. It turns out when I know I’ve got $1,000 worth of food in the freezer. I don’t eat out as much.”
Another said, “I bought a freezer for savings – it may sound strange but it makes sense how it saves you money in the long run. You can take advantage of sales at the grocery store.”
Start Using Grocery Delivery
Having your groceries delivered is an excellent way to save yourself both time and money. You get exactly what you need, and you aren’t tempted by items that you don’t.
One lady said, “I love grocery delivery because I buy exactly what I want and don’t forget or pick up extra nonsense, like donuts. I can meal plan better and the $7 delivery fee is well worth the hour I would spend shopping. I am a big fan!”
Another woman said, “I 100% agree about grocery delivery. I search for exactly what I need from my list, and cut my impulse buys down to almost nothing.”
Buy a Bidet
Many people bought a bidet back in 2020 when toilet paper was scarce. For those who haven’t gotten one yet, it’s still a great way to save money. You’ll still spend money on toilet paper, but you won’t go through nearly as much.
One lady said, “My husband and I love ours. We recently went on vacation and he complained about how much we missed it while we were gone.”
Someone else replied, “We bought a travel bidet for that reason. A little practice at home before the first trip with it and got the procedure down. It’s almost as pleasant as being at home.”
Change Your Hygiene Products
Changing your hygiene products to more sustainable options can save you hundreds of dollars each year. Just think how much you can save over the course of your life.
One woman said, “I make my own cloth pads and I am never going back. I did the math and they paid for themselves in about a year and that was factoring the cost of pads what they were seven years ago, they’ve gone way up so I am saving even more now.”
Borrow Video Games Instead Of Buying Them
Don’t rush out and buy the newest video games as soon as they are released. You can check them out from your local library instead.
One person said, “My library loans out PS5, Xbox series, and Switch games. I’ve probably saved over $1,000 by never buying a single player game anymore. I also get to test out multiplayer games before I commit to buying.”
Another said, “I started renting video games from the library to see if I liked it enough to buy it. For the past few years I only end up buying only one or two games a year. The other games I end up either finishing and don’t need to replay, or end up not liking it.”
Change Your Own Oil
Sure, not everyone has the space or means to change their own oil, but plenty of people do. It can save you quite a bit on car maintenance costs.
One commenter said, “I started doing my own oil changes because I’m rural and I’d have to wait with the car for the shop to do it. It’s both quicker and costs only 1/5 of what the shop charges. Main tool that makes this easy is an oil transfer pump, slurps the old stuff right from the dipstick tube, just keep the empty container from previous change to fill it and take it to the parts store next time.”
How to Save Money On a Tight Budget
Saving money feels impossible when you’re struggling to make ends meet, but you can do it. Use these tips to save money each month, even on a tight budget.
How to Save Money on a Tight Budget
35 Proven Ways to Save Money Every Month
Many people believe it’s impossible to save money. Or, they think saving $20 or $50 a month won’t amount to much. Both are incorrect. There are many simple money-saving tips that can add up to big savings. You just have to start one, then another, to increase your savings.
Ways to Save Money Every Month
How to Cut the Cord On Cable Or Satellite
Record numbers of Americans are cutting the cord on cable and satellite. This guide shows the best way to end your contract and replace it with a top streaming service.
How to Cut the Cord on Cable or Satellite
15 Best Coupon Apps to Save Money
Saving money at the store is as simple as using your phone. Better yet, you can redeem savings for free PayPal money or gift cards. That’s a win-win.
15 Best Coupon Apps to Save Money
13 Things You Should Never Buy at Walmart
Love them or hate them, Walmart is a good choice to save money. However, not everything is a good deal. Here are 13 things you should never purchase at the store.
Things You Should Never Buy at Walmart
This thread inspired this post.
I’m John Schmoll, a former stockbroker, MBA-grad, published finance writer, and founder of Frugal Rules.
As a veteran of the financial services industry, I’ve worked as a mutual fund administrator, banker, and stockbroker and was Series 7 and 63-licensed, but I left all that behind in 2012 to help people learn how to manage their money.
My goal is to help you gain the knowledge you need to become financially independent with personally-tested financial tools and money-saving solutions.
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