Everyone needs to save money. With prices of everyday items rising and paychecks staying the same, every dollar you can save can help you find stability and pay for the things you need.
Whether you need to pay down debt from student loans or healthcare, save up for a house, or just save some money so you can actually pay your bills, money-saving hacks can help you put your money where you need it.
Some of these money-saving tips are great for everyone, while some will only work for certain people, but it’s worth reading through all of them to make sure that there isn’t one that you miss. Even if you only saved a few dollars, you can start a new money-saving habit that will improve your life.
Get Cash Back With Ibotta’s App and Browser Extension
With over 2,250 retailers available, Ibotta’s mobile app and browser extension for Google Chrome and Safari rewards you with cash back for everyday items you plan to purchase. Partnering with many popular national grocery chains, Ibotta will get you cash back from Aldi to Whole Foods- and even offers cash back from our favorite Dollar Store chains!
Use Ibotta to make your grocery list, and you will always maximize your cash-back potential.
Save Those Receipts
For over a decade, “Fetch” has rewarded consumers for submitting their receipts.
Available in the iOS and Google Play stores, Fetch is an app that allows you to take an image of any receipt to receive points on the Fetch app. (Yes, digital ones, too!) As receipt points accumulate, consumers may cash in their points for online gift cards at their retailer of choice. With over 500 retailers to choose from- snap away!
Wise Up With Waze
Waze is an app well-known for its real-time geo-location-based GPS services, offering live updates on traffic jams and alternative routes. However, Waze also locates your location’s cheapest gas prices in real time. Next time you need to gas up, wise up, and find the cheapest gas with Waze!
Layer the Cold Away
Saving money in the winter can be a challenge with increasing energy costs and aging infrastructure. It can be hard not to punch that thermostat up a few notches at home when the sun goes down.
Do not let the thermostat win! The onion method calls for multiple layers of clothing and more money in your pocket when it is time to pay January’s energy bill. Socks, hoodies, blankets… be like an onion and layer up!
Be Your Own Barista
K-cups have exploded as the modern way to get your coffee fix at home, and for good reason. But those neatly packaged caffeine bombs are disposable and costly for the frugal caffeine lover. Beat the K-cup craze by investing in your own reusable K-Cups for under $10! Saving while you sip has never felt so good.
Sell Your Aging Technology
As new iPhones debut each year and technology continues to evolve, many of us find ourselves with a drawer full of old cell phones or devices. Consider trading in old devices for a discount on new tech or selling your old devices on Amazon or eBay. Remember, one person’s trash is another’s treasure!
The Squeaky Wheel Gets the Discount
Seniors, students, residents, and club members like to inquire about discounts! From the movie theatre to the airports, do not miss out on available discounts companies do not advertise. Be the squeaky wheel and ask about available discounts!
Refurbished Gadgets
Is it time to upgrade or replace your device, but you experience sticker shock every time you try and shop the newest tech? Fear not! Refurbished devices are the best way to upgrade your tech without breaking the bank. Often sold at lower prices, consumers can trust the quality of their manufacturer-certified refurbished device while saving money.
Reconsider Streaming Services
Are you spending bundles on bundled services you are not actually using? Peacock, Disney, Hulu, Netflix… streaming services have begun to dominate the at-home entertainment scene at an ever-increasing cost. As 2024 unravels, re-assess your active subscriptions, and consider which ones you really value. Stop the streaming spending, and let less give you more money.
Prepare Your Own Meals
Convenience is everywhere in the modern world but at a cost. Drive-throughs and advertisements are everywhere, enticing our mouths and pocketbooks with expensive treats! Cut down on costs and pack your own lunches and snacks for the week, and the savings will multiply.
Free Workouts
New Year, new body! No new expenses. It does not have to cost you money to get in shape in 2024. YouTube is a gold mine for free workout routines and inspirational content. Build an effective and free workout routine at home without spending a dime, all on your own time.
Second-Hand Spending
While Pantone has announced “Peach Fuzz” to be the trendy color for 2024, you do not need to shell out pennies for prime peach this year. Your local thrift shop is bound to have your next outfit waiting for you at a much more affordable cost. Go thrifting and save your clothing dollars this new year.
Refillable Water Bottle
The bottled water industry has exploded, touting the freshest tastes and the perfect PH levels. Stop! The smart sipper knows to carry their own reusable water bottle to save their money. Since 1949, this company has offered affordable and durable bottles for water drinkers worldwide.
Perform Your Own Car Maintenance
Despite gasoline vehicles slowly giving way to the modern electric vehicle, there are certain maintenance aspects that will remain the same. Air filters, brakes, tires, bulbs… Learning how to perform these maintenance tasks will save you a serious coin on the road. Check out the Car and Driver’s YouTube Channel for a free maintenance video showcasing Ben Wojdyla.
Be Your Own Hair Stylist
Those with steady hands and a desire to save may decide to snip their own strands at home. For those bold enough to take the cut, WIRED gives excellent step-by-step guidance on cutting your hair without spending safely. You can put those salon dollars into your savings account by offering videos and detailed instructions for each hair type.
Browser Extension Savings
Online shopping has revolutionized the way we spend and the ways we can save.
“The Camelizer,” available on multiple browsers, utilizes price-tracking technology across multiple websites to deliver historical and current pricing for your desired purchase. When the time is right, spend less for the best!
Create a Budget
It has been said a million times, “you need to make a budget”, but have you actually done it? “Rocket Money” is an excellent way to digitally craft your budget at no cost while enjoying bank-level security encryption. “Zeta” is another free budgeting app tailored specifically for families and couples wishing to adhere to a household budget.
Actually Use the Budget
Whether you decide to make your budget digitally or prefer to put pen to paper, actually using your budget is essential to saving money! Creating a Budget for the first time may be daunting for the beginner. Thankfully, A Dime Saved offers a wonderful intro article for how to write your first budget. Use it!
Consider Downgrading Your Cell Phone Plan
From dial-up to 5G, the internet has evolved so quickly that just about every aspect of life is tethered to the internet. But does it really need to be? Cut your monthly expenses by downgrading your monthly cell phone plan. Consider pay-as-you-go cell phone plans and utilize the abundance of public Wifi in shared spaces. Stop overpaying for plans you do not need!
Sober Savings
In addition to possibly cutting out calories, reducing or giving up alcohol consumption can save you some serious cash! If you are afraid to commit to this saving strategy long-term, try a “Dry January” and see how much money you are saving by replacing or reducing your regular alcohol purchases.
Follow a Trusted Financial Advisor
Consumer insight and financial advice do not have to be costly; in fact, they can be entirely free! Jeff Rossen is always posting timely, money-saving insights the average consumer may not be aware of. For instance, do you need to return a Christmas gift you just received? Find out what you need to know about returns in 2024 and more!
Use Bartering and Trading Apps
As the issue of electronic waste and the excessive accumulation of “stuff” in our lives accelerates, consumers now have a more environmentally conscious choice. Without spending a dime, TradeMade offers a platform for users to swap items, goods, or services without exchanging money. That extra casserole dish sitting in your cabinet may get you that vacuum you have been needing to replace! Swap and save your cash.
Use Credit Card Points
This saving method is best for the responsible spender. If you plan to pay your entire balance off each month, then the Blue Cash Preferred credit card will score you some serious savings. Specifically, this American Express card will give consumers 6% cash back on any Grocery or Streaming Subscription charges. While that can yield some hefty savings, this card comes with a $95 annual fee after the first year. If you spend a lot on groceries or streaming services, this card is your ticket to savings.
Fakespot Browser Extension
Yes, this is another money-saving browser extension, but it stands out from the crowd. Fakespot is most helpful when shopping on a platform such as Amazon. This extension will help identify any bogus reviews for a product or seller, saving you from ordering misleading or low-quality products. In the age of anonymity and screens, Fakespot harnesses the power of AI to put your money to its best use.
