60 Ways to Save More Money in 2024

In a world filled with constant expenses, unexpected challenges, and dream vacations waiting to happen, the importance of saving money cannot be overstated. Saving money is not just a financial habit; it’s a powerful tool that can empower you to take control of your future, providing stability, security, and the freedom to pursue your aspirations. 

Whether you dream of traveling the world (like me!), buying a gorgeous new home (also me!), finally starting that dream business (me again!), or simply enjoying a worry-free retirement, the ability to save money in as many ways possible is the key that unlocks these possibilities.

Whether it’s learning how to save money monthly, figuring out ways to make extra money, or trying out new money-saving strategies, be sure to check out these 60 money saving tips to save more in 2024. 

Money Management Strategies

1. Budgeting and making small changes

One of the most important money saving tips is to start a budget. 

I know that this is the most tired, worn-out way of saving money, and you’ve probably heard it about 1,000 times and counting. But, that doesn’t mean that it can’t still be a useful tool and technique for monitoring your cash flow. And the best way for how to save money quickly and easily is to start with your budget.

The key for how to budget money, and maintain your personal savings plan is to keep it simple, and sustainable. You may also struggle with how to budget money on a low income, but using the 50/30/20 rule on budgeting tips, you can easily follow the different methods of saving. 

So, what is the 50/ 30/ 20 rule? 

This rule means that 50% of your income will cover necessary expenses, 30% of your income will be discretionary, and 20% will be put in savings, like a high-yield savings account, or an emergency fund.

So, if you need to start saving even more money back this year, you can adjust your budget and make small changes. Instead of 50% in necessary spending, you can try to cut this down to 45%, and only 25% in discretionary. This way you can save 30% each month instead of 20%.

2. Use a High-Yield Savings Account

A high-yield savings account is an excellent way to make some passive income, and is a great trick on how to save money each month without working extra hours. The difference between a high-yield savings account (HYSA) and a regular account is that the HYSA has a much higher return yield than the national average. 

For example, I use SoFi’s HYSA with an APY of 4% or higher to store my savings and to also make a few extra bucks each month. While I don’t have a large amount of money in my account, I earn a decent chunk of change each month without having to do anything extra. 

So if you decide to keep more savings in your account, you are sure to start making a nice nest egg for yourself.

Some great savings account tips is to always start with a little research, and compare the results. For example, a great question to ask would be “what banks have the best interest rates on savings accounts”? 

Currently, I use SoFi for both my HYSA and my high-yield checking account. As of January 2024, my savings account is at 4.6% APY, and my checking account is at 0.50% APY. 

3. Pay your credit card off in full every month

While this may seem like a no-brainer for most, you’d be surprised by how many individuals choose to pay only the minimum amount each month. Credit card companies will usually set a very low minimum rate, but they also have a very high-interest rate. 

You can save money by avoiding the high interest rates that credit companies have set, simply by paying off your credit in full. If you have a large amount of debt, you may need to work at bringing your total debt down. This may require adjusting your budget a bit and setting aside an additional amount each month to whittle down that credit debt. 

High-interest debt should become a priority in your monthly budget as well, so keep this in mind next time you update your budget or find extra cash at the end of the month.

4. Prioritize high-interest debt first

High-interest debt can be a killer in your journey of financial independence. While most young adults have multiple kinds of debt ranging from student loans, car loans, and home loans, at some point in life everyone will typically experience debt of some kind. 

But, not all debt is equal, and some kinds of debt can even be beneficial, depending on your situation. The most dangerous kind of debt is high-interest debt. This kind of debt is usually 7% or higher and should be your first priority of payments.

If you have 3 different kinds of loans with 3 different interest rates, you will want to focus on the highest-rate loan first. So, if you have extra money set aside in your budget, use this additional amount to pay down the principal of your highest-rate debt first. 

Don’t confuse higher cost with a higher rate. An example of this is loan A with $10,000 at 3% interest with Loan B at $9,000 and 9% interest. If the minimum monthly payment of these two loans is the same, which loan will end up costing you more over time if you only pay the monthly minimum for the same term? The answer is going to be Loan B.

5. Pay off loans early

Paying off your loans early may not seem like it’s saving you any money, but when you start paying off extra towards your principal amount each month, you can end up saving hundreds, thousands, and more over the life of your loan.

One of the best money management tips that you can take advantage of is the ability to pay extra towards your loan principal each payment. Creditors are all out to make money, so they always offer the lowest, “most affordable” monthly payment. But, over the term of your loan, this may mean paying as much as 2-3 times or more of the original loan, just in interest. 

While there’s not much you can do for the interest rate you have, the one thing you can easily do is to pay a little more towards the principal. But, be aware that when you do this, those extra payments will typically go toward the current interest first, or towards your next month’s payment instead. 

To make sure you avoid this, check with your creditor or loaner and see what steps you need to take to put additional money towards just the principal. 

When I was paying for my car loan, I was able to go into my online banking account and choose where my additional payments were going. This allowed me to easily bring down my total payment, so I paid off my car almost 6 months early and saved hundreds of dollars.

6. Monitor your credit and debit spending

While it’s easy to ignore your spending, it’s important to keep an eye on it on a regular basis. Regular tracking of your spending is the best way to avoid overspending, analyze your spending habits, and check for any fraudulent charges. 

You can easily check your spending by logging into your bank or creditor to view your monthly and recent charges. If anything looks amiss, call your bank and let them know of any incorrect charges. They can hold and prevent any future charges on your card to protect your hard-earned money.

Simply checking every once in a while can help you to avoid overcharges, and even find identity theft.

7. Monitor your credit score

Just like when you monitor your spending, it’s important to also monitor your score. Occasionally, when you pay off a loan, get a new credit card or loan, or have some other event, you may notice a change in your score. This is normal and is nothing to worry about. 

However, if you notice that there is a sudden, or even gradual, change to your score without something of your doing, it’s time to check what’s going on. If you’re suffering from identity theft, you can have credit reporting companies like Experian, put a freeze on your social security number to avoid any new cards from being opened. 

Additionally, when you monitor your credit score, you will notice when you’ve been improving your score, or when it falls. If your score has been improving, it means you are doing well with paying off your credit.

8. Set bills to autopay

Many banks allow you to set up billing autopay through your account. This sometimes includes a discount but also helps you to avoid any late fees and other expenses. 

This is usually easy enough to set up through your bank or billing company, but if you are having difficulties, make sure to contact your bank.

9. Set up automatic deposits for savings accounts

Some banks offer bonus savings (like SoFi), cash incentives, and other means of encouraging you to set up automatic deposits for savings accounts. They may even offer some bonuses for a checking account, though this is usually less common. 

So if your bank is offering you any bonuses, simply by setting up automatic deposits, you may want to check out what they are offering to take advantage of these great savings opportunities.

When I first opened my savings account for SoFi, I was able to get an extra 0.5-1.5% APY on my savings account if I set up automatic deposits. Plus, when you automatically save, you won’t end up spending what you don’t see. 

10. Take advantage of tax breaks and other savings

Tax breaks can be a great way for you to not only save money but to get money back. Taxes seem to change every year and there are always new breaks that are available for you to take advantage of. You can check this year’s tax adjustments to see what you can expect to get back.

How to Save Money on Insurance

11. Comparison Shop for Insurance Rates

Chances are, you may be using your workplace health insurance benefits if you work a typical 9-5 job. In most cases, it isn’t a good idea to change your health insurance benefits around simply to save a few extra bucks. 

However, when you compare shop for insurance rates for your car or home before your next pay cycle, you can end up saving hundreds of dollars by choosing to switch to a new insurance company. Alternatively, you can also use those better rates as a way to negotiate the price of your current insurance company. Add that to your money saving tips!

12. Pay for your Insurance all at once

While not everyone can afford to pay for 6 months to a year of insurance at a time, if you can, doing so may end up saving you a few hundred dollars over that period. My car insurance typically runs around $450-500 for 6 months for my 2013 Corolla. If I pay monthly, it costs closer to $500 or more over that 6 months. But when I pay the entire 6 months at a time, it has saved me around $62 and more in the past. 

This may not sound like much, but an extra $120 and more a year can make a difference.

For those who have newer vehicles than mine (less than 10 years old), you most likely have a higher insurance rate than I do. So, paying for 6 months at a time may not be an option. But, if you love saving money, you can use the budgeting tips you’ve learned to save enough to pay for the full 6 months at a time. 

And, in turn, this can save you that extra few hundred each year.

13. Take advantage of ways to Lower Insurance Rates

Many insurance companies offer incentives to help lower your rates while also encouraging you to be a better driver. Companies like Progressive have their Snapshot devices that you can plug into your car to record your driving habits for 6 months. 

If you are what they consider a “safe driver”, they will lower your insurance rates for you. 

I chose to use the Progressive Snapshot device when I first got my car and I was able to save around $60 or so that year. Not a huge amount, but it was $60 I didn’t have to pay. 

However, if you typically are a bit of an angry driver, this may also backfire on you and can increase your rates if you’re not careful. So be mindful of this when you decide to sign up for those “good driver” incentive devices that your company may offer. 

14. Purchase life, disability, and long-term care Insurance

Not all insurances are for everyone. Someone who has no dependents or beneficiaries who may benefit or need financial assistance after an event, won’t likely need these types of insurance. 

Life insurance is meant to cover the expenses of funeral costs, debts, and many other payments, and is also a great way to financially protect your dependents if you pass away. Life insurance is usually the most beneficial for young families with one or more children.

Disability insurance is meant to cover some or most of your earned wages should you become disabled and are no longer able to work. This type of insurance is particularly beneficial for individuals with or without dependents who work a fairly risky job. Some employers may include this in their benefits package which covers injury outside of work, but most will have workers comp (covers injury that happens at work). 

Long-term care insurance is designed for those who have or are expecting to have more medical problems later in life and will likely have difficulties caring for themselves or loved ones. This insurance can help cover what Medicaid, Medicare, and other insurance might not cover, like extended time in a nursing home, residential care facility, home health care, adult day care, respite care, homemaker services, and more. 

Again, not all of these insurances are going to work or be necessary for every individual, but if you believe they are right for you, ask around and do some research. Even though there are monthly premiums to having these insurances, they may end up saving you a ton of money down the road and help you avoid significant debt.

How to Save Money on Living Expenses

15. Refinance your Mortgage

If you’re wondering, “How do I make an extra $1000 a month”, depending on your current monthly payment, refinancing your mortgage may be one of the answers.

We are all familiar with how dynamic and scary the housing market can be. In some situations, you may not have much choice when you have to buy a new house. Consequently, you may not have many options when it comes to shopping for the best mortgage rates either. 

So, when you can take advantage of a much lower mortgage rate when it becomes available, this can be a game changer, saving you thousands to tens of thousands.

According to Investopedia, dropping your mortgage rate by as little as 1-2% is a good enough incentive to consider refinancing. You can use a mortgage calculator to determine if the difference is worth it to you. 

However, before you just jump into refinancing, you should consider any other fees and hidden costs as part of the refinance process. With these additional costs, you may not end up saving as much as you would like, depending on your current situation. You should talk with your bank or lender to determine what those additional costs are before you decide to refinance. 

16. Negotiate your Rent

According to Financial Feminist Tori Dunlap, negotiating your rent is a great way to avoid spending more on your monthly costs than you have to. Lowering your monthly rent simply by negotiating with your landlord can help you save money monthly, and stay within your budget. 

So if your landlord is raising the rent on their tenants next month, write them a letter and explain how you’ve been a great tenant. You’ve been very clean, easy to work with, timely with monthly rent, and whatever else makes a great renter. 

Then, you will want to use some data and numbers to your advantage. If the prices of rent in your area have been going down, use this information. You can also explain that you’ve fallen on hard times, and won’t be able to continue renting with them if their prices are raised, and will have to move elsewhere. Most landlords hate having to find new tenants and are usually willing to adjust their prices a little to keep current tenants.

17. Find a roommate

This may not be the best option for everyone, and isn’t always the favorite in the list of money saving ideas. But, it can be a fairly easy way to save hundreds each month, and thousands each year. 

Finding someone to share your living expenses with is one of the easiest ways of saving money fast. So, if you are comfortable with having a roommate or even renting a room simply for storage, this can end up saving you a significant chunk of change every month. 

Since you are saving every month, this can also be a great buffer for your budget.

18. Move to a cheaper apartment

If you find that your living expenses are still too high, even after finding a roommate or attempting to negotiate your rent, it may be time to downsize. Downsizing doesn’t mean you have to get rid of everything you love, it just means you may have to become a bit more minimalistic for a while. 

As tempting as it can be to live in an upscale, gorgeously large, and extravagant abode, living in an apartment you can barely afford just isn’t really worth it. After all, if you have to work an extra 20-30 hours a week just so you can afford to live there, you won’t get to enjoy it as much. 

How You Can Save While You Shop

19. Use coupons and codes

The quickest way to save money is to take advantage of coupons and codes.

Coupons and coupon codes are an excellent way for you to get a little bit of cash back anytime you’re shopping. While coupon clipping used to be a favorite pastime of homemakers, it has become more of a competitive hobby where shoppers can get hundreds or even thousands of groceries and other items for as little as a few dollars at times. 

While this level of couponing requires a significant amount of time, you can take advantage of apps, Chrome extensions, and sites like Groupon, or Rakuten to save yourself time and energy and automate your coupon clipping. 

20. Take advantage of Holiday Sales

The holidays are always chock full of sales from stores all around. However, if you are an impulse buyer, like me, you will want to be very mindful not to buy things you don’t actually want or need. 

But, taking advantage of these frequent sales to snag great deals on products you’ve been wanting or needing for a while can be a great trick on how to save more money. 

If you’ve never heard of Lush, they are an ethically sourced, handmade cosmetics company. Kathleen recommends some great tips to get the most out of Lush sales.

Some easy ways to save money during the holidays is to plan what you want to get and know what you want to avoid. Prioritize which items are the most important on your list, how much you are willing and able to spend, and whether or not you might get a better deal during another sale.

Don’t forget the 24-hour rule when it comes to these sales as well. If you are seeing something for the first time and decide you want it, wait 24 hours to see if you still want or need it. 

21. Leisure shop using only cash

Leisure shopping, commonly known as retail therapy, is an excellent way to unwind from life’s stress and get a quick dopamine hit from buying something new. But, retail therapy can quickly and easily become a toxic habit. 

So, if you find that you visit your retail therapist a bit too often, try switching to only shopping on a cash budget. You may even find it more enjoyable to schedule a day every once in a while for some retail therapy with friends. 

22. Shop at only thrift or consignment stores

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The best strategy for how to save money on household items is to go thrifting.

Not everything should be purchased from a thrift store (life underwear or socks), but in most cases, quality everyday clothes, kitchen items, decor, and more can be easily found at your local thrift store. And, some thrift stores even carry brand-new items with labels still on the product or item. 

I view thrift shopping as car shopping. You should never buy a brand new car straight from the lot, because the second you drive off the lot, your car value immediately depreciates. The same concept pretty much goes for most items that you can find in a thrift store. 

While the items may be gently used, you can find some hidden gems that are more than worth what they are priced at. 

23. Follow the 24-hour rule of purchase

This rule is a great way to avoid impulse purchases. Anytime you see something you just really want to get, try waiting for 24 hours before you decide to get it. If you still want it just as badly, and you can’t see yourself living without it, then chances are you’re going to really enjoy that purchase. 

Contrarily, if you don’t seem to be as moved by that item 24 hours later, this is a good signal that you didn’t actually want it in the first place. You can set a lower budget for your own 24-hour rule, and in most cases, this is around $100.

24. Follow the 30-day rule

Just like the 24-hour rule, the 30-day rule is essentially the same thing. If you find something or want something that is on the higher end of your purchasing budget, likely over $100-500, and you can’t wait the full 30 days without thinking about it non-stop, then you are okay with making that purchase. 

Again, if you decide that you don’t want that purchase after all, or it hasn’t really been on your mind during those 30 days, then you probably don’t actually want that purchase. 

25. Take advantage of free things 

This one is an obvious way to save money. But, some people choose to ignore the free things because they think the quality is so poor, the time commitment will be too high, or whoever is offering this free thing will try to sell something to you anyway. 

While, yes, all of that is true at times, it isn’t always the case. 

During an amazing cruise with my mom, we attended an art show, and at the end, everyone in attendance received a free print of art. Was the free print very good or worth the time invested? Not really, but the experience itself was the fun part and we both had so much fun. Plus, the print was something unique that we could enjoy for years to come. 

During another vacation with my family many years ago, we attended a marketing lunch for this new hotel brand. This lunch was free and in exchange for our time, we would receive a sizeable discount on some tickets for places we were going to attend during our vacation. 

While this particular experience left a sour taste in our mouths, we were able to get a pretty decent discount on our tickets.

Not all experiences will be negative, not all will be positive, but if you have a knack for discerning the difference, chances are you will walk away with a pretty great freebie.

26. Clothing swap

If you have a group of friends or family members who all wear similar-sized clothing, you may want to try hosting a clothing swap. This is a great way to keep your wardrobe fresh by getting rid of clothes you no longer want to wear while getting newer clothes to change up your look. 

So rather than donating your unwanted clothes, swap with a friend and try out a new look.

How to Save on Entertainment and Experiences

27. Travel on a budget

Traveling can definitely be an expensive way to enjoy a holiday. But it doesn’t have to be if you find ways to save money, cut unnecessary costs, and avoid inflation. Sophia from the Organized Family Blog has some great money saving tips for families in her post on how to save money on your next family vacation.

You can also save up for your next vacation by making a few extra bucks on the side. Maryanne has some unique suggestions for making money for your next holiday that you may want to check out.

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28. Do a budget wedding

The cost of weddings has become so inflated, and unaffordable for most young couples. Many girls have a dream wedding in mind, but unfortunately, the cost doesn’t always allow that dream to happen. However, there are ways to get married on a budget.

If you are doing the bare minimum of a wedding, you can easily get married at your local courthouse. But, if you want a little more flair to your big day, you may want to consider a backyard wedding, church wedding, or just a much smaller crowd. 

The largest costs of a wedding are the venues, food and alcohol, and entertainment. So, if you can remove or greatly reduce the costs of these big expenses, you can easily still have a great wedding. Consider asking for more help with these big costs, or have your guests contribute their wedding gift as part of the wedding day. For example, if your uncle absolutely loves to grill or barbecue, his wedding gift could be providing the food for your big day. 

Additionally, with weddings, there are many hidden expenses that you won’t think about until after you’ve paid them, or until they pop up out of nowhere, such as flowers and decor. Consider purchasing your smaller items from thrift stores, Facebook Marketplace, and other bargain stores.

29. Take advantage of your local library

Libraries offer some of the best free entertainment, and even tools. Nearly every library offers a computer, and most include movies, CDs, video games, and other forms of easy entertainment. My local library even offers access to Hoopla, which is an app that includes a library of digital content. 

So, if you ditch all of your streaming services and gaming subscriptions, you can save a good chunk of your monthly budget simply by using your library’s free resources. 

Some libraries even have other supplies like sewing machines, crafting machines (like a Cricut), audio/video equipment, and more. 

30. Cancel unused subscriptions or memberships

Subscriptions and memberships are the quickest ways to suck the life out of your budget. Whether this is an unused gym membership or a rarely visited streaming subscription, it’s time to cancel any unused monthly budget killers. 

For me, Spotify is an easy ‘keep’ item on my subscription list. I use it almost every day, I get good value out of it, and I even used to get Hulu with it as well.

Another service I have that I don’t use anymore I purchased almost a year ago, but have hardly used it since. This is a great example of the kind of monthly cost that you can cut from your budget.

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31. Cancel your Cable 

If you still have cable, you will definitely want to consider these 16 cable alternatives. Most everyone I know has already made the switch to one or more streaming services, but for those who haven’t, the benefits of cable just aren’t what they used to be. 

Cable is not only more expensive than the cost of 2-4 streaming services combined, but it doesn’t even offer nearly as much as Netflix, Hulu, HBO and more do. Plus, most streaming services don’t have any commercials, so you are getting more bang for your buck.

How to Save on Daily Expenses

32. Do grocery pickups 

Grocery pickups can be a great option on how to spend less money on daily necessities.

Every time I see a big flashy sales sign on food that I don’t actually want, I tend to walk in that direction and drop it in my cart anyway. 

But, if I’m not in the store to get distracted by flashy marketing tactics, I can save hundreds each year by being more intentional with my purchases. 

So, consider installing your local grocery store app and start adding your grocery items to your cart. And when you’re ready to check out, you can pick up your next week’s groceries when you get off work. This is one of my favorite smart ways to save money on a regular basis. Plus, nothing is likely going to waste since my purchases are all intentional.

33. Take your lunch to work

As tempting as it can be to just grab a meal from the cafeteria at work, doing so adds up very quickly and can cost you quite a bit more. Even with employee discounts, chances are you aren’t actually saving as much as you might think you are.

However, depending on how your workplace charges for food, you may actually be saving more by eating at the cafeteria. When I was working at the hospital near where my parents live, I was able to save about as much by eating from the cafeteria as I would have if I had packed a lunch. Because that cafeteria charged fairly low for their food prices and with the employee discount I was actually spending less.

So, if you want to cut back on the cost of your lunches, you may want to do a price comparison of the two. It may save you hundreds of dollars each year.

34. Meal prep

Meal prepping is one of the most common things that can help those busy bees out there and is one of my favorite ways to save money around the house.

While it does require a bit of upfront investment in time, once you have cooked and prepped all your food, you have a meal ready to eat that usually costs much less than discounted food. 

The great thing about meal prepping is you can measure out your calories per meal, and your cost per meal. This makes it a great method of saving money for those on diets, or tight budgets. Kathleen even suggests cutting down on the amount of meat in each serving as a great way to trim the cost of each meal.

35. Plan out your meals

Planning your meals may seem very simple and overstated, but when you plan your meals, are you also planning for how many servings go in each meal? Are you planning on having leftovers or cooking just enough for you and your family?

When it comes to planning your meals, you can also plan to limit the amount of calories in each serving by packaging the excess leftovers. This not only extends the life and dollar of your meals but is also a great way to prevent you from overeating. 

So the next time you are getting groceries, or preparing your next meal, you may want to consider packing up leftovers before you even dish out tonight’s dinner to limit calories and stretch your budget. 

36. Opt for water instead

Having a refreshing bubbly soda every once in a while can certainly be a treat. But, if you are like me, who is unfortunately a bit addicted to soda, you will notice that you tend to drink more soda than you do water some days. 

While this can be a hard habit to kick, you may be able to save a few bucks when you opt in for water the next time you get a craving for your favorite drink. Add up those saved bucks a week, and you’ll find that you’re saving a few hundred dollars a year. Especially when you only drink water at restaurants. 

37. Make your own coffee

For those who cannot function without their morning cup of joe, it’s a necessity to have that caffeine kick. But, when you are always buying your coffee from a shop, you end up spending so much more over the year. 

If you are not particularly picky about how your coffee is done, making your morning cup every day can save you hundreds each year. But, if you’re not a big fan of plain black drip coffee, you can add your favorite creamers, and sugar, and even use a milk frother to give it a bit of texture. 

38. Stop eating out as much

I have to confess that this has been a big struggle of mine at times. When I am especially hungry, feeling lazy, or it just seems like an inconvenience to cook tonights dinner, I often opt in to eat out instead. Not only is this an unhealthy habit, that I am definitely guilty of (if this is you, you’re not alone!), but it also costs me 2-3x what I would’ve paid for a homecooked meal.

So, if this is something you struggle with too, consider planning your meals more, or having more pre-prepared meals ready to eat. You can also buy some TV dinners on your next grocery list for those days when you just want convenience.

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39. Turn down the thermostat

Turning down the thermostat is one of my favorite money saving strategies. Simply adjusting your thermostat by a few degrees or more can end up saving you hundreds in your monthly bills throughout the year. 

Your electrical bill can really add up during the peak hours of summer and winter. And while not everyone can afford to adjust their thermostat, there are ways that you can turn it down without sacrificing your comfort. 

But, to stay comfortable while doing this, consider purchasing blackout curtains or thick curtains that can help to insulate your windows. And then open those curtains or windows when the outside temperature is more comfortable. 

For example, in the summer, when I open my windows at night it helps to cool down my home, and then close the windows and curtains in the morning before I leave for work. This helps maintain a comfortable climate. And I do the opposite in the fall and winter (if it’s tolerable) to open the curtains during the day and close them at night.

40. Reduce water usage

Reducing the amount of water you use can help shave off your monthly utility bills, just like adjusting your thermostat. You can save time and money simply by shortening your daily showers down to 5-10 minutes or less. Or opting for showers every other day can mean saving money on your monthly bills, and overall yearly utility costs.

Additionally, you can choose to use cold water (in the summer), to shave even more off your electric bill. Running any appliances, like your dishwasher and washing machine, at night during non-peak hours can also lessen your bill. Utility companies often charge more during peak hours.

41. Turn off the lights

Another one of my monthly utility-saving strategies is to just turn off the lights. Turning off your lights when you aren’t actually in the room can help reduce your overall monthly cost. Switching to high-lumen LED lightbulbs can also greatly brighten up your room. And, taking advantage of natural light can be a great way to brighten up a room too. 

You can also use candles, and if you have one, a fireplace to help brighten up your room during the dark hours in the evening. Plus, candlelight and firelight also set a great mood for reading and spending time with your family. And, it’s also a great way to minimize screen time. 

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42. Make DIY laundry detergent

Making your own laundry detergent isn’t as intimidating as it sounds. By following my DIY laundry recipe, you can save hundreds each year if you do a lot of laundry. 

Plus, you know exactly what you are using to wash to clean your clothes. Commercial detergents often put a lot of unnecessary chemicals into their detergent, like dyes, formaldehyde, phosphates, and more. These chemicals are known to cause allergies, irritation, reproductive health issues, and more. So it may be time to switch.

Kathleen goes into more depth on how she was able to cut her laundry costs in half simply by using less detergent than she thought she needed. You can also completely cut out the cost of using a dryer by hanging your clothes to dry. 

Not only does having a clothesline protect a lot of your clothes from damage done by dryers, it also sterilizes and destains them from the sun’s UV rays, and leaves your clothes smelling like fresh air. 

43. Make DIY dishwasher detergent

Similar to making your own laundry detergent, you can also opt to make your own dishwasher detergent. Many of these ingredients you may already have, or you can buy the ingredients in bulk to save on the cost per load of dishes.

You can try out my DIY dishwasher detergent recipe to get started. You can also choose to make pods, powder, or even liquid dish soap. Plus, when you make it yourself you get the extra little bit of satisfaction knowing that each load of dishes is being cleaned from your own detergent.

44. Make DIY Cleaners

Making your own DIY cleaner is a great way to not only save money but also avoid the dangers of toxic and harmful chemicals that are unnecessary for a good clean. Catering recommends using simple and natural ingredients to make your own cleaners. 

Jodi from Pristine Clean has some great recipes for all-purpose cleaners that are made from many of the ingredients you already have in your kitchen.

Creating your own cleaners not only saves you money and is better for your health, but it also prevents another plastic bottle from going to the landfill or floating in the ocean or other waterways. 

45. Swap for an eco-friendly alternative

Being eco-friendly doesn’t always seem to be the most cost-effective method, but over the long term making eco-friendly swaps can actually save you a ton of money. Eco-friendly swaps are among my favorite money saving tips and tricks.

Using reusable water bottles or even thermoses for soda fountains, switching to refillable glass soap dispensers, switching to reusable ziplock bags, cloth diapers, menstrual pads or cups, reusable paper towels, using a bidet, and more. 

Making the switch to more eco-friendly choices doesn’t have to just be products. It can also be how you do things. For example, hanging your clothes to dry instead, lowering your thermostat, thrift shopping instead of buying new, and so much more. 

46. Use the same towel one more time

This is something my husband and I had different opinions on at first. He used to use his towels just one time before washing, whereas I would try to use them at least 2 to 3 times before washing. 

Everyone has different opinions on their personal hygiene because it’s personal, but if you are really wanting to cut down on your expenses, using your towel just one more time can make a difference over the next year. Now if your towel is starting to stink, just wash it. 

But, imagine how many loads of laundry you would have to do if you used towels only once. If you shower daily, that’s 7 towels every week. Most washers don’t have the space for that many, so chances are you are doing 1 1/2 – 2 loads of just towels, every week. Add that up over a year and you get anywhere from 72-96 loads of laundry just for one person’s towels. 

Now if you have a family of 4 you are already looking at a much larger bill for a year of laundry. So, before you toss your towel in your laundry basket, check how many times you used it and see if it can last just one more use.

47. DIY home repairs and renovation

Home repairs and the cost of renovation can add up so incredibly quickly. Rather than always opting for professional help, consider learning a new skill and doing it yourself. 

But, if you are not savvy, or the required repair or renovation is way beyond your ability to learn or complete, then make sure you are getting professional assistance if you need it. 

However, simple repairs like fixing small patches or holes in the wall, touching up landscaping, re-tiling the bathroom, installing a bidet, switching the shower head, and other simple and easy-to-learn tasks can be great DIY projects. 

My mother and father-in-law recently moved, and rather than paying professionals to complete every task of their renovations, they opted to do it themselves, saving thousands in labor costs and more. 

This is one of my favorite smart ways to save money because I am a bit of a creative and handy person myself, and I absolutely adore the satisfaction of completing projects like this and fixing things.

How to Save Money From Work

48. Match employer retirement savings

Employers that have retirement accounts set up for their employers may offer what’s called an “Employer match”. This means that up to a certain amount, whatever you contribute to your retirement account, they will match that. 

This “employer match” usually varies between 3-6%. Essentially, this is free money, so be sure to take advantage of this.

49. Retire a little later

Retiring a little later in life may not be an option for everyone. But, for those who actually enjoy their job, retiring a year or two later can end up saving you more money in the long run. Whether it is receiving more in Social Security, or simply contributing more to your 401K, you can retire with a bit more padding to your nest egg. 

If you really want to retire, but this just isn’t an option, consider switching from full-time to part-time. Many in the Baby Boomer generation have started doing this as a buffer to reduce their yearly impact on their retirement accounts. Plus, if you can maintain a part-time job, you can still opt-in for the health care benefits offered by your employer.

Just be aware that if you are currently taking out of Social Security and you want to continue working, you may be limited on how many hours, or how much income you can earn each year. 

50. Ask or negotiate for a raise

Your workplace should be a positive environment that nurtures your growth just as much as the companies. So, if you have been contributing hard work and long hours to your company, and it’s been a while since you’ve gotten a raise, it may be time to ask for one.

Everyone should be getting paid what they’re worth, and you deserve no less. If you are hard-working, and you have been benefitting your company more than you’re being compensated for, ask for a raise, or negotiate for one. 

Performance evaluations occur typically once per year and are a great opportunity for you to leverage for a bump in your pay. If you can use numbers to back up your arguments on why you deserve an increase in compensation, use them. 

For example, you have increased the company’s sales by X% over the last 3 quarters, or you have maintained over 100% productivity for the last 6 months. These are some strong numbers that show the company just how valuable you are to them. Most companies would much rather keep a good hard-working employee than try to search for a new one. 

The cost of hiring a new employee can range from anywhere between $2,000 to as much as $20,000. So, this number alone can also be a great way to help you leverage for that much-deserved pay raise.

51. Take advantage of paid-leave buyback

Paid-leave buyback is something that some companies allow you to do if you exceed your limit of time off accrual. In most cases, a company just wants you to take advantage of your time off as this usually makes you a happier and better employee. But, for those who aren’t able to, or who just don’t want to take a vacation this year, you may be able to get paid those hours.

My mother works at a hospital, and she frequently works overtime because her department is short-staffed at times. So, her paid leave vacation hours have sometimes accrued to the point where she has reached the maximum limit. 

Typically, towards the fall season or end of the year, companies will offer the option to simply get paid for those unused vacation hours, rather than use them. If you haven’t used them by then, chances are you won’t be able to use them up before they max out. 

My mother is actually planning on finishing her career by using those extra vacation hours before her final retirement date. Essentially, she is retiring weeks or months earlier but is still getting paid her usual salary. Perhaps this option can work for you too. So, take advantage of this opportunity.

52. Take Advantage of 3-Payday Months

For those who are paid every other week, there are a couple of months throughout the year that have an extra payday. Chances are, you have already budgeted your month based on having just those two paychecks. 

Well thankfully, that extra paycheck is a great opportunity to not only save back a good hunk of cash but to also pay off any high-interest debt.

Other Unique Ways to Save Money

53. Regift unwanted items

Regifting unwanted items is an age-old classic method of avoiding the ‘bad present toss’ while also saving money. These unwanted items can even become white elephant gifts, or gag gifts for future holidays. 

So, if you don’t want to use that unpleasant smelling candle that you got for your birthday, consider regifting it as a gag gift.

54. Hold a garage sale

While having a garage sale doesn’t just save money, but makes you money, it’s a great way to clean out your unwanted items and tidy your home without taking a trip to the dumpster. Selling your extra junk also keeps your living space clear, which can also boost your productivity, and save you time throughout your day. 

Because in a cramped and untidy home, you may spend valuable time trying to find your favorite shirt in an overpacked closet. Instead, sell any clothes that you haven’t worn for at least a year, or that no longer fit.

55. Start a garden

Having a garden is such a fun way to spend some time in the sun during the summer. Until it involves weeding. But, when it comes to harvest time, if you efficiently plan your garden layout, you can easily harvest some great fruits and vegetables for weeks to come. 

Plus, the great thing about gardening is that you will easily can and preserve the extra produce you get. While there is something of an upfront cost to gardening, if you choose heirloom seeds, you can harvest seeds and plant those during the next season completely for free.

56. Can your own food

While on the topic of gardening, canning your own food can be an excellent way to save up your extra produce without letting any food go to waste. But, is canning worth it? 

According to Catherine from the Frugal Nook, it is. Canning, like gardening, comes with an upfront cost. But, because nearly all the materials involved are reusable, the initial investment pays for itself. Plus, you don’t have to use your own homegrown produce. You can even hit your local farmers market, or grocery store and can the excess goods for a rainy day. 

57. Pack a snack

Are you an impulse buyer, or do you buy more when you feel hungry? 

I know I do, and it is very common to buy more groceries when you are hungry. So, next time you are planning to get groceries, pack a snack and eat it right before you hit the pavement.

Additionally, if you have long work days, or your meals just aren’t lasting you through the end of your workday, consider bringing a snack to work to get you through the end of your shift. 

Rather than splurging and buying an expensive and unsatisfying snack from the vending machine or cafeteria, consider bringing a filling and tasty snack to last you until your next meal.

58. Brush your teeth

This probably sounds like a silly or unusual way to save money, but let’s be honest. Having a cavity filled, paying for whitening treatments, or having to get expensive surgeries because your teeth are not in good health is expensive. 

And not only is it expensive, but no one really likes going to the dentist. At least no one I know of. So, to save your dollars and avoid costly medical bills, simply maintaining this hygiene habit can definitely go a long way. 

59. Get more sleep

Over time more and more studies have shown just how incredibly beneficial sleep is for so much of our health and wellness. Sleep improves our body function, our brain function, and our performance throughout the day. 

So if you can maximize the amount of sleep you get every day, chances are, you will see big improvements in all areas of your life. 

For example, not enough sleep can end up in a fender bender because you are too tired to notice the stop light change. Or lack of sleep made you sluggish at work, and instead of landing 

a big-ticket client, or having a productive day, you miss out on the opportunity to get a big raise, bonus, or commission.

So, as simple as it may seem, getting your needed 6-8 hours of sleep every night really can save you money.

60. Go on a “cheap date”

Dating can get to be very expensive, very quickly. And while it’s tempting to want to try something new every time you go out with your partner, the cost can really add up. 

So, rather than trying out every new restaurant in town, going to watch all the latest new movies, or even checking out all the latest entertainment, consider some cheaper options. 

Check out these 9 amazing and inexpensive fall date ideas to help you save money.

Opting for a picnic, random movie night in, star gazing, game night, hiking, baking or cooking together, and checking out any local and free entertainment can save you a lot over the next year. If you want some more ideas for inexpensive dates, you can check out these great inexpensive fall date ideas.