30 Life-Altering Money Hacks

Looking to get some extra cash in your pockets? Whether you are saving for a long overdue vacation or trying to stash more away for retirement, it can be challenging to know where to start when you need extra money.

It’s so easy to get overwhelmed! That’s why you need to take a good look at all the areas of your life where you might be wasting money unnecessarily. 

To help, we’ve compiled a treasure trove of 30 money-saving tips that can help you boost your savings. From budgeting basics to clever tricks, these tips will get you on your way to saving more in no time!

Let’s get started!

1. Create a Budget

Glass jar with coins, with a sticker saying Budget, on a blue background..
Image Credit: Aleksandr Grechanyuk/Shutterstock.

Before you can save money, you need to know where it’s going. As the first of our money-saving tips, budgeting plays a critical role in gaining control. Create a monthly budget to track your income and expenses.

2. Cut Unnecessary Subscriptions

Hands holding a tablet with major streaming logos, Netflix Hulu, amazon video, HBO, And Disney Competing video streaming subscription.
Image Credit: Sadie Mantell/Shutterstock.

Do you really need that streaming service you barely use? Cancel those subscriptions you can live without.

3. Cook at Home More Often

funny three years old child and woman mother with beige apron, in teamwork, cooking a sponge cake at kitchen home, laughing happy together.
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Eating out can be costly. Cooking at home not only saves money but also allows you to enjoy healthier meals.

4. Use Cashback and Rewards Cards

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Get rewarded for your spending by using cashback and rewards credit cards. Earn cash or points with every purchase.

5. Buy Generic Brands

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Generic products are often just as good as name brands but come with a lower price tag.

6. Shop for Groceries With a List

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Plan your grocery shopping in advance and stick to your list to avoid impulse purchases.

7. Cancel Unused Gym Memberships

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If you’re not hitting the gym regularly, it’s time to say goodbye to that monthly fee.

8. Sell Items You No Longer Need

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Declutter your home and make some extra cash by selling unused items online or in a garage sale.

9. Reduce Energy Consumption

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Lower your electricity bill by turning off lights when not in use and unplugging appliances.

10. Compare Prices Before Buying

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Take a moment to check prices online or in-store to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

11. Use Public Transportation

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AllaSerebrina via DepositPhotos.com.

Save on gas and parking by using public transit for your daily commute.

12. Pack Your Lunch for Work

Lunch box meatloaf, bulgur, nuts, cucumber and berry.
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Bringing lunch from home is not only cost-effective but also lets you control your meal choices.

13. Buy In Bulk

Idaho Falls, Idaho, USA June 6, 2016 The interior of a modern grocery store showcasing the bulk food section.
Image Credit: B Brown/Shutterstock,

Purchase non-perishable items in bulk to take advantage of lower unit prices.

14. Set up Automatic Savings

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Use automatic transfers to save a portion of your income each paycheck easily.

15. Avoid Impulse Purchases

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Think twice before making impulse buys. Stick to your shopping list.

16. Plan and Prioritize Big Purchases

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One of the most obvious of our money-making tips is also one of the most important. Before making a big purchase, take time to plan and prioritize your needs and wants.

17. Shop Secondhand or Thrift Stores

Thrift Store for the Second hand Used pans ,shirts,
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You can buy clothing, household goods, and even furniture at a major discount at thrift stores.

18. Use Coupons and Discounts

Coupon Purchase Order Discount Concept.
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Clip coupons, download coupon apps,  and take advantage of discounts to save on everyday purchases.

19. Negotiate Bills

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Call your service providers and negotiate better rates for your cable, internet, and utilities.

20. Avoid ATM Fees

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Use ATMs from your bank’s network to avoid those pesky fees.

21. Cut Out Expensive Habits

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Not only is it healthier, but quitting costly habits can save you a significant amount of money.

22. Carpool or Rideshare

Happy Man Looking At Female Friends Shaking Hands Inside Car.
Image Credit: Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock.

Share rides with others to save on gas and reduce wear and tear on your vehicle.

23. Switch to Energy-Efficient Appliances

KitchenAid stand mixers on display.
Image Credit: Tinxi/Shutterstock.

Upgrade your appliances to energy-efficient models to save on electricity bills.

24. Buy Used Cars Instead of New

Portrait of attractive blonde young woman in sunglasses, who is looking out of a convertible car, smiling broadly, shooting from the bottom up. Active and luxurious city life.
Image Credit: Masarik/Shutterstock.

New cars lose value quickly, so consider purchasing a reliable used vehicle instead.

25. Brown Bag It Instead of Eating Out

Healthy School Lunch. Mother Packing Food For Daughter, Crop, Closeup.
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Bringing your lunch to work is a simple way to cut down on dining expenses.

26. Use a Programmable Thermostat

Mother At Home With Son Adjusting Smart Central Heating Thermostat
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Program your thermostat to automatically adjust temperatures when you’re not home, saving on heating and cooling costs.

27. Refinance High-Interest Loans

Payday Loan
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Do you have high-interest loans eating away at your income? Take a look at refinancing

28. Repair Instead of Replacing

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Fix broken items instead of buying new ones whenever possible.

29. Use a Reusable Water Bottle

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Ditch single-use plastic bottles and save money while helping the environment.

30. Buy Discounted Gift Cards

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Purchase gift cards at a discount to save on future purchases.

12 Frugal Hacks That Make All The Difference

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A Reddit user who started the frugal journey with his wife a couple of years ago wanted to know the frugal hacks people had that made all the difference.

According to the OP, shopping grocery sales every week and planning their meals helped cut their bill from $250 to $100 per week. Other users shared their stories about frugal hacks they had that made some difference in their lives. Here are some of the best ones.

12 Frugal Hacks That Make All The Difference 

12 Items Frugal People Proudly Exclude From Their Shopping List

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Frugal people are known to spend their money wisely. They live within their means and don’t spend a lot of money. According to a thread on Quora, here are some common things frugal people never buy.

12 Items Frugal People Proudly Exclude from Their Shopping List

23 Side Hustles You Never Considered That Make More Than Your 9 to 5

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Have you ever wanted to make a lot of money from a side hustle and quit your 9 to 5? You may know about the typical side hustles, but I bet you never even heard of these lucrative side hustles!

23 Side Hustles You Never Considered That Make More Than Your 9 to 5

9 So-Called “Frugal” Habits That Are Actually a Waste of Time and Money

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Not everything is frugal! I am sure you have read articles and tips that promote frugal living and give some ideas that are just not frugal! These frugal myths float around and sometimes even cost people a lot of money!

9 So-Called “Frugal” Habits That Are Actually a Waste of Time and Money

10 Stupid Scams People Won’t Stop Falling For

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It seems like every day there is a new scam popping up, promising to make you rich or solve all of your problems. Yet, despite the prevalence of scams and the numerous warnings about them, people still fall for them.

10 Stupid Scams People Won’t Stop Falling For

 

Hi! I am a millennial mom with a passion for personal finance. I have always been “into” personal finance but got inspired to start my blog after a period of extended unemployment. That experience really changed the way I viewed my relationship with money and the importance of accessible personal finance education.