Skipping your morning coffee is a classic, but isn’t there something a little more creative out there? If you’re ready to get weird and save cash, check out these six slightly offbeat strategies that most people haven’t even thought about.
Rent More
Our consumerist culture is always telling us to buy more. But renting is often a viable option for many things, particularly if you’ll only use them once or a handful of times. Renting items like cameras, camping gear, or bizarrely specific power tools saves you from dropping a bunch of cash for one-off needs. And as an extra perk, you’ll have less clutter in your home.
Find Your Freebie-Loving Community
It turns out, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” is actually spot-on, and many people are thirsty for the hunt.
Buy Nothing groups are hyper-local communities (usually on Facebook) where people give away things they don’t need—no strings attached. You don’t have to be a card-carrying member to take advantage of this, though; many websites offer up freebies without a catch, so check those first before you buy anything.
Maximize Cashback Apps Like a Pro
We all know about Rakuten and Ibotta, but let’s be honest—how many of us actually remember to use them?
Scan as much as you can through these apps before you buy. You never know just how much you’ll save or get back. You can often stack cashback with coupons and in-store deals, saving you even more in the long run. It doesn’t seem worth it in the short term, but every little bit helps, especially when you look back.
Try Clinical Trials
This one’s not for everyone, but participating in clinical trials can actually pay off. Research facilities offer compensation for folks willing to take part in studies. Sometimes it’s surveys, sometimes it’s new meds or health gadgets. Either way, there’s much more money to be made by being a voluntary “lab rat” than people realize, and it doesn’t always require much time or effort to capitalize on it.
Tinker With Your Thermostat
Comfort should be king at home, but we’re a lot more resilient than we think when it comes to our indoor climate. Increasing your thermostat temperature by even just one degree during the summer can lead to significant savings.
This is even more beneficial as summers and winters become more unpredictable. Sure, it might mean throwing on a sweater or taking a quick cool shower, but the savings often outweigh the temporary minor discomfort (at least in the long term).
Unplug Your Electronics
Every night, go around and unplug electronics you won’t use. Fair warning: this will be most of them, and it will seem annoying at first. That is, until you get your next electricity bill. “Phantom energy” is something that appliances drain from outlets even when you aren’t using them. So even if it feels strange at first, this is a seriously simple way to save on utility costs.
