Buying just about anything today costs more. One trip to the grocery store and a night out could leave you with little cash in your wallet. Keep some more of your hard-earned cash where it belongs – in your pocket, with these money-saving tips.
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Unsubscribe and Unfollow
It might sound cold, but you can’t buy what you don’t see. And you won’t see what you don’t know about. Spend some time going through your inbox and unsubscribe from all marketing emails from vendors you don’t regularly buy from.
Changing your habits here may help you avoid FOMO buys and put some money back in your pocket. You can always resubscribe later if you find you really miss those marketing emails.
Change Your Life Insurance
Life insurance is an essential financial product many people use to protect their loved ones. But not all life insurance is the same. Whole life insurance policies are more expensive than term life insurance policies. Many people find they can meet their needs with lower-priced term insurance.
If you have an expensive life insurance policy talk with a professional or compare prices online to see how much you can save and still have your needs covered.
Automate Your Saving
A common problem when it comes to saving is that we forget to do it. One of the best ways to save more money every month is to automate your savings at a no-fee bank.
This lets you reach your savings goals without thinking about it and can be a big part of trying to save $500 a month or more. You can start with as little as you want, even $10 a month. Little by little the savings will add up.
Ditch Cable
Cutting the cord on cable is one of the best ways to save money every month. The average household spends over $200 per month on cable.
With the availability of cable alternatives, there’s no need to spend that much money. A streaming service can save you at least $100 per month. Best of all, there’s no contract and you can leave when you wish.
Find Cheaper Auto Insurance
Comparing rates from multiple insurers is one of the best things you can do to reduce expenses. Reports indicate that 40 percent of drivers have not compared rates in at least three years.
If that’s you, you could be leaving hundreds of dollars a year on the table. Sites like The Zebra let you analyze dozens of carriers simultaneously. Select a more affordable choice and pocket the savings.
Save Your Spare Change
Most lists of tricks to save money tell you to save your spare change. While this is an effortless way to save money, why not grow that change instead?
Micro-investing apps like Acorns round up all your purchases and invests the money in a low-cost portfolio of your choosing once you reach a $5 balance. This saves you money and grows your net worth at the same time.
Spend Less at the Pump
Rising gas prices can make it exceedingly difficult to reach your savings goals. Cheap gas isn’t readily available, but there are ways to reduce your spending.
Thanks to apps like Upside, you can get a rebate back every time you visit the gas station. Once you reach a $10 balance you can cash out to your bank account or redeem for a gift card.
Get Cash Back at the Grocery Store
Couponing is a fantastic way to save, but who has time for that? You can still save at the store with rebate apps like Ibotta. Do your shopping like normal and take a picture of your receipt.
The app then identifies active rebates and credits your account. When you reach the minimum withdrawal amount you can take earnings in cash or free gift cards.
Buy Used
Waste doesn’t just impact food costs. It also affects how much we spend on items like clothing. If you have a growing family, consignment stores often offer savings of at least 50 percent on what an item would cost new.
Furthermore, you can sell clothes you no longer need to defray costs.
Save on Your Prescription Costs
Medicine can be expensive. Fortunately, there are ways to save on prescription medication. You can use a free app like GoodRx to find lower drug prices.
The app is accepted at over 70,000 pharmacies nationwide. It claims to help you save up to 80 percent on prescriptions. Give it a try and pocket the savings.
Switch Phone Carriers
Similar to cable, switching to a no-contract phone plan is a terrific way to start saving money monthly. Analyzing your needs could help you save up to $100 per line per month.
If you’re commonly on Wi-Fi, you can switch to a cheap phone plan without sacrificing reliability or your data needs.
Exercise Outside
Do you work out at the gym? If you’re paying for a pricey gym membership, one way to put some cash back in your wallet is to cancel your membership and work outside instead.
Simple exercises, a jump rope, walking or hiking are all things you can do for free outdoors. When the weather is bad, consider a circuit workout in your home.
All Pain No Gain
Life is full of money-saving opportunities. Here are 11 of the most frugal things you can do to start saving cash today and keep more in your wallet.
How to Save Money on Groceries
It can be a challenge to keep grocery costs under control. With a little planning you can cut costs and not sacrifice what you want.
How to Save Money on Groceries
Signs You’re Financially Stable
Financial stability is the foundation to achieving financial freedom. Learn how financially stable you are and where you can improve.
33 Signs You’re Financially Stable
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
Best Prepaid Phone Plans
Legacy carriers trick us into thinking we need a contract to get what we need. That’s a lie. A prepaid phone plan can give you the data you want for significantly less.
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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