This post contains affiliate links. We may earn compensation when you click on the links at no additional cost to you.
Just about everyone can use a little more money. The old adage is true… “A penny saved is a penny earned.” I really like to challenge myself and my family to find simple ways to save money. Just because you don’t have a ginormous savings account doesn’t mean that you can’t be an expert saver. Start simple with these easy ways to save money. Don’t get discouraged and keep at it. You will be surprised how quickly those “pennies saved” will add up!
1. Make a Budget. You can’t save money if you have no idea where your money is going in the first place. Write down your monthly expenses and set up a simple budget to follow for the month. Know how much you have to spend before you spend it. Make a goal to come in under budget for the month!
2. Coupon There are those extreme “Couponers” out there that spend 20 hours a week gathering coupons and making crazy shopping trips. You don’t have to do that to save money with coupons. Clip a few coupons from your newspaper or print some right from home to use with your favorite products. The savings from those coupons will definitely add up!
3. Pay Bills on Time Keep track of your bills and when they are due. Don’t waste money by paying late fees! Set up a calendar or reminders on your phone to pay your bills.
4. Add a little more “Homemade” to your life. Take a sack lunch to work. Watch a movie at home. (For great Netflix suggestions CLICK HERE.) Make your own Take-Out for dinner. Brew your own coffee. All of these and more can save you LOTS of money and help you make some great memories with your family.
5. Price Check Before you buy, shop around. Sometimes what seems to be a great deal is not. I have saved big money just by doing some simple research before buying a product. Be aware that some stores will price match!
6. Avoid Impulse Buys Stick to your list! Plan before you buy. Don’t buy something just because it is a good deal. Make sure that you really need it and that you have the budget for it before you buy.
7. Make a Change Jar This is a fun way to get the whole family involved. Recycle a large glass jar and drop your coins in it at the end of each day. When the jar is full, plan to use all that change for a fun family day or purchase something special!
8. Make a Menu Plan Budgets can easily be blown when you are HUNGRY! Plan ahead with a Menu Plan for the week or month. This will help you to have your pantry and freezers stocked and keep you from wasting gas by doing any last minute shopping. Menu plans don’t have to be elaborate. Just knowing what is for dinner can keep you from the drive thru. I believe Menu Plans save both your wallet AND your waist!
9. Negotiate Your Monthly Bills & Look for Hidden Charges Don’t just pay your bills. READ them! There are times when you are charged for unnecessary or unused services. Don’t pay for them! You can also negotiate some of your monthly bills for lower rates. Call and find out.
10. Plan for Splurges Reward yourself for working hard at saving. Plan to have a night out. (With a set budget, of course) There are times to take a break and relax. Enjoy those moments and be proud of what you have accomplished.
I really should meal plan, but I just don’t have the motivation lol. These are all great tips.
Paying bills on time is really key to saving money.. sometimes its not easy to pay it all off at once, but get rid of debt as soon as possible..
I agree, always on time to avoid late fees. Pay with our credit card for the rewards too!
We always tracked our monthly budget on spreadsheet before having kids. I have to agree that after kids this has taken a back seat. Time to start again – thanks for reminder and some other awesome tips on how to save money!
Impulse buys are definitely my sore spot. They seem so cool until I get home and realize they just take up space and make my account shrink!
Very good advice. Sounds like a great plan.
#9 is my biggest challenge. I need to make time to sit down and really budget. It’s kind of like, when bills come in, I pay them. If I took the time to look at them, get on a payment schedule, and negotiate better rates, we’d be rolling in the dough! Thanks for the inspiration!
I need to practice my menu planning more often, i think that’s where we can save the most money – I spend a fortune on groceries!
I save so much money when I menu plan. I’ve gotten out of the habit recently but I really need to get back into it.
Great tips! I am always looking for ways to save.
We do all of these. The change jar is a great idea though, can help you be a little spontaneous without putting a debt in your budget.
My husband really needs to learn the one about impulse buys. He is terrible about it.
Great tips! Menu planning helps me.
I am horrible with impulse buying… even on big things. I will see something and just get it… arg, then I kick myself when I see something better or less money elsewhere…
GREAT tip! I have been doing all of these for years and started tracking my progress. It has made a huge improvement.
These are all great ways to keep your budget on track. Impulse buys can really wreck a budget!
Those are all great tips. I never thought to look for hidden charges.
I use coupons when I can and do stick to a budget! I love these tips for those who are looking to improve their finances!
You can never save too much money! These are all great tips – especially to pay your bills on time. There’s no sense in wasting money by paying late feels.
Adding homemade and avoiding impulse shopping can make a huge difference. At least for me it has!
I started menu planning and find I do save at the grocery store (of course I use coupons too). We save our money in a jar and at the end of the month, roll it and put it into our savings account.
We used to be SO much better at budgeting. I need to get back into that. Also, I must make myself a change jar! I have change lying around, and it just clutters up the place.
These are great points to remember. Impulse buys are hard for me. Tracking the due date of bills are key to not getting those unwanted late fees. I think sticking to a “shopping list” definitely help save money.
Stop. Spending. My friend complains all the time about not having money and not “getting anywhere” in life. Yet she eats at restaurants at least 6 meals a week. With cocktails.
We’ve been meaning to make a budget for the longest time and I think this is the perfect kick in the rear to finally do it.
Great tips. Couponing up here in Canada I have found to not be worth the time I invest. I refuse to grocery shop though without price matching.
Impulse buys are my biggest downfall. I now have a Paypal debit card and I deposit $30 a month to it for splurges and that includes going out for lunch.
I just started this so wish me luck!
I love all these tips!
I am an impulse buyer sigh. I have been working on it, but least I can admit it. Hubby gets on to me. I have been getting better lately. These are great tips.
Great tips. Never underestimate the power of the coupon!
The home made tip is the best. Sack lunches, home made cleaners, anything you can make for yourself is better, really.
Great tips. I have a ginormous change jar. I have no idea how much is in it, but it’s got to be a lot. It’s a BIG jar.
I think my husband and I are pretty frugal, we have to because we are a family of 7. I know there is room for improvement. Great tips.
I love these tips! I’m always watching our pocket book. More money saved is more money to put towards the kiddies.
Great tips. Budgeting is a great way to stay on track and know where your money is going! No spur of the moment purchases either!
Great tips. We have had a change jar for years and everyone in the family puts money into it.
Great tips! It’s hard to save when medical bills come piling in, but a tip for that is asking how much a lump sum could save you!
Great tips on ways of saving money! Thanks for your help!
I love these ideas. I especially love the handmade idea.
Great tips. I look for ways to save money whenever possible.
I do all of the above. The top three that REALLY helped me were, couponing, cutting out cable and meal planning. Saved so much money!
Great tips, we’ve been trying to start being more budget conscious
I love all of your tips. And I often feel like I’m not always in control of my money. But after reading your list I’m definitely more on the right track than I thought! Cool! I would love to hear more from you on budgeting tips, categories, how to invest/ save. So great!!
These are all great tips. I personally LOVE to clip coupons. It has become a game for me that I try to “win” by getting 50% or better off the original price.
These are great tips. I need to really get back into meal planning. Fortunately, my crock pot saves me a lot of time…and I guess money too!
It’s important to take the best deal available. Avoiding surcharges and interest by paying on time and spending only within your means also helps.
I need to print this out for my husband to read. I’m great at budgeting. Him? Not so much.
It is so hard to respect your budget and avoid splurging. This is all great advice but very difficult to execute!
Luckily #4 & #8 are the way I stay healthier, too! Love being healthy AND saving a little money. Love your whole list of tips.
Nice post, lots of classic wisdom here!
These are FANTASTIC tips! The one I have a love/hate relationship with is couponing. I finally have to come to terms with the fact that if I don’t normally buy it, I don’t need the coupon. Thanks for sharing!
A great way to double your money is to fold it over and put it back in your wallet.
I like the tip to read your statements. There are sometimes charges on there that shouldn’t be, and they’re not always cheap charges either!