Let’s be honest—most of us don’t mean to waste money. It just sort of…happens. a few small habits here, a little “treat yourself” there, and suddenly your bank account’s looking at you like, Really? Again?
The good news? Fixing it doesn’t require a complete lifestyle overhaul or giving up the things you love. In fact, it usually comes down to a handful of simple moves you might not even realize you’re skipping.
If your wallet always feels a little too light or your budget never seems to stretch as far as it should, this list is for you. These are the 10 things smart savers actually do—and if you’re not doing them yet, there’s a good chance your money’s slipping through the cracks.
Create a Budget
It might seem like common sense, but sometimes, the biggest thing you can do to implement frugal living is simply create and stick to a budget. Getting organized with your finances starts with ensuring you know exactly what you’re spending and where your money is going.
Creating a budget that plans out how much you make and how much you’ll spend on specific items and ensuring that you don’t stray from your budget can save you a great deal of money.
Cook at Home
One of the easiest things you can do to save money is to cook at home. Planning your meals out a week ahead and making a grocery list before going to the store can save you a lot of money. If you plan out meals, you can assess what ingredients you already have at home to afford to purchase extras. By having a list that you stick to, you can avoid impulse purchases and spending more than your budget allows.
Buy Generic Brands
You’d be surprised at the difference it can make in your expenses if you simply buy generic or store-brand items instead of the name brands. Usually, name brands are more expensive, and you’re spending more money to receive the same item.
Use Coupons and Discounts
You can almost always find a coupon or discount for an item you’re planning to purchase if you’re just willing to look a little. Finding a coupon or discount can help you save on purchases and will save you money in the long run. Download coupon apps on your phone so you can easily get all the discounts you need.
Shop Secondhand
You can often find secondhand items for less than half the price if you bought them new. No matter what you need, you can usually always find it secondhand, and many times, you don’t even have to sacrifice quality.
Cancel Unnecessary Subscriptions
Many people are paying for subscriptions and memberships that they aren’t actively using, and they don’t even realize that their money is going toward them. You can save money by assessing what subscriptions or memberships aren’t getting used or if you have duplicates. You can also look at your subscriptions and see which ones you aren’t using as often as others to save money.
Cut Back on Dining Out
Dining out is expensive; even when you think it isn’t much, it can add up over time. You’d be surprised at what the costs can be at the end of the month when you’ve been eating out, even just a few times. You can save immensely by eating at home and not ordering in or eating out.
DIY Cleaning and Beauty Products
You might want to DIY your own cleaning and beauty products for many reasons, but one of the best reasons is to save money. Most DIY cleaning products cost less than a dollar to make and can save you substantial money.
Comparison Shop Before Purchasing
Don’t just accept the first price that you see when making purchases. You can find a cheaper price almost every time if you’re just willing to look around for it. You can call insurance, internet, and cable companies and ask prices until you find the cheapest.
Limit Impulse Buying
Impulse buying gets the best of all of us, and it can end up costly. Usually, you’ll spend money on something you don’t need and regret it later. Telling yourself to wait a specific period of time, think a day, before purchasing something you want can help you think if the purchase is necessary.
