If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it: here are 15 money-saving methods that were good enough for granny back in the day — and still plenty helpful today.
Watch Those Utilities
Close the door. You’re letting all the hot air out! Sound familiar? You might want to turn that energy inward because you could save a lot by paying more attention to your HVAC, electrical, and water usage.
Stick With Water
A fun beverage or cocktail now and then is fun, but nothing quenches your thirst for both hydration and savings quite like letting your server know water is fine, thanks.
Careful With Food Waste
You’ve probably noticed the astronomically high prices of groceries these days; who can afford to throw out food? You probably can’t, or at least shouldn’t, if you want to save money. Freeze food to save for later, and make soups and smoothies with food that will go bad soon.
Learn Some DIY
Do you want to learn how to fix a leaky faucet? You can probably teach yourself in as little as twenty minutes and save yourself a house call by going online and watching a DIY video. So many costly services are easier than you think to handle yourself.
Pay in Cash
Is cash eventually going to be phased out of society? Only time will tell, but it’s legal tender for now, and paying in cash can help you reign in your reckless spending habits.
Shop Second Hand
You’d be surprised at the things people are willing to part with. Just because it was someone’s trash doesn’t mean it can’t be your treasure — and for much less money.
Be Creative
Sure, you could go out for dinner and drinks again, but wouldn’t it be nice to have coffee and go ice skating in the park? Use that creative side of your brain to make spending adjustments without sacrificing your happiness.
Recycle
Those old t-shirts you were planning on tossing are great for dusting. A mason jar your jam came in would be perfect for taking soup to work. The list goes on, but there’s so much you can reuse instead of throwing away.
Learn To Cook
Cooking can take time, but it’s undoubtedly one of the best ways to save money. And who knows? Maybe you’ll find yourself a veritable Julia Child and fall in love with it!
Pack Snacks
So much impulse spending could have been curbed had we just remembered to throw a granola bar in our bag this morning. Put down the costly doughnut and pack snacks to keep your body fueled and your bank account green.
Buy What You Need
What you want and what you need are often significantly different. And just because you can afford something doesn’t mean you should buy it! Be more discerning about whether or not you’ll ever wear that turtleneck in your shopping cart.
Dry Clothes Outside
Nothing dries clothes quite like sunshine, and since dryers can be enormous money sucks, hanging your clothes up on a line could leave you with more for a rainy day fund.
Make Coffee at Home
Avocado toast was the martyr for the real thing burning a hole in everyone’s pocket: costly coffee drinks. Make coffee precisely how you like it at home first, and you’ll be shocked at how much you save.
Buy In Bulk
It’s not just for general stores and Costco — buying in bulk is a tangible way to save. Just make sure it’s something you actually need or would use!
Plant Your Food
It’s worth mentioning again that grocery prices are eye-bogglingly high, but a fun way to curtail those expenses is by growing a garden of your own. Don’t have the space? Opt for a small herb garden in a window, or grow some tomatoes on your balcony. It’s easier than you think!
