Last updated on August 9, 2023
It’s important to note that some of these tips may not be relevant to your particular situation and budget constraints.
So, feel free to choose the most relevant tips for your current financial situation.
Let’s begin.
What you'll learn:
⓵ Top 10 general tips
- Make a budget and stick to it.
- Cut back on unnecessary subscriptions or memberships.
- Cook at home instead of eating out.
- Use coupons and shop sales when grocery shopping.
- Use public transportation, carpool, or bike to work instead of driving alone.
- Reduce energy consumption by turning off lights and unplugging electronics when not in use.
- Refinance loans or credit card debt to lower interest rates.
- Consider a cheaper cell phone plan.
- Cut back on entertainment expenses by renting movies or using streaming services instead of going to the theater.
- Avoid impulse buying by making a list before going to the store and sticking to it.
⓶ Best 10 food tips
- Meal planning: Plan out your meals for the week and make a grocery list based on those meals. This can help you avoid impulse purchases and overspending at the store.
- Cooking at home: Preparing meals at home can be much cheaper than eating out or ordering in. Try to cook in bulk and freeze leftovers for another day.
- Using coupons: Look for coupons in your local newspaper or online and use them to save money on your grocery bill.
- Buying in bulk: Items like rice, pasta, beans, and nuts are often cheaper when bought in bulk, and you can use them for a lot of different dishes.
- Planning to use leftovers: Plan to use leftovers from one meal in another dish the next day, that way you make the most of your groceries,
- Shop at a discount grocery store: Many discount stores offer lower prices on food items and it’s a great way to save money on your food budget.
- Grow your own fruits and vegetables: Starting a small vegetable garden or container gardening can provide you with fresh, healthy food at a lower cost.
- Compare prices: Compare prices at different stores and choose the one that offers the best deal.
- Buy generic or store brand products: These products can be just as good as the name brands, and they’re often cheaper.
- Take advantage of sales: Keep an eye out for sales on items you use often and stock up on them when the price is right.
⓷ Best 10 housing tips
- Rent or buy a smaller home: A smaller home typically has lower monthly expenses, including lower mortgage payments, property taxes, and utility bills.
- Cut back on utility bills: Try to reduce your energy consumption by turning off lights and unplugging electronics when not in use, sealing drafty doors and windows, and setting your thermostat to a higher temperature in the summer and a lower temperature in the winter.
- Refinance your mortgage: Refinancing your mortgage can lower your interest rate and monthly payments, saving you thousands of dollars over the life of your loan.
- Look for ways to reduce your rent: Negotiate with your landlord for a lower rent, share a house or apartment with a roommate to split the cost, or consider moving to a cheaper location.
- Make home repairs and upgrades: Make small repairs and upgrades to your home to increase energy efficiency and decrease energy costs.
- Get renter’s or homeowner’s insurance: Having insurance can save you money in case of damage to your property or personal belongings.
- Utilize budget-friendly home decor: Consider thrift store finds, DIY projects, or rearranging your furniture to refresh your living space
- Take advantage of tax deductions: Some housing expenses, such as mortgage interest and property taxes, may be tax-deductible.
- Take advantage of government programs: Look for government programs that help with housing expenses, such as the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Maintenance: Regular maintenance of your home can help prevent costly repairs in the future. Keep up with regular cleaning, painting, and landscaping tasks to keep your home in good condition.
⓸ Best 10 transportation tips
- Take public transportation: Public transportation such as buses and trains can be cheaper and more efficient than driving (whenever available).
- Carpool: Arrange to carpool with coworkers or friends to save money on gas and wear and tear on your car.
- Walk or bike: Walking or biking to work or other destinations can be a free and healthy way to get around.
- Use ride-sharing services: Services like Uber and Lyft can be cheaper than owning a car or renting a car, especially if you’re traveling alone
- Use a bike-sharing program: Many cities offer bike-sharing programs where you can rent a bike for a small fee, or even for free.
- Look into telecommuting: If your job allows it, working remotely can save you money on transportation costs.
- Consider car-sharing services: Car-sharing services like Zipcar allow you to rent a car for a short period of time instead of buying one.
- Consolidate your trips: Try to combine errands and appointments in one trip, rather than making multiple trips
- Keep your car in good shape: Regular maintenance can help keep your car running well and prevent costly repairs in the future.
- Compare prices for gasoline: Compare prices at different gas stations and buy gas at the station with the lowest price.
⓹ Best 10 entertainment tips
- Rent movies: Rent movies instead of buying them or going to the theater, many streaming services like Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu allow you to rent or buy movies at a lower cost.
- Use streaming services: Streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu offer a wide variety of TV shows and movies at a lower cost than cable.
- Read free eBooks: Many books are available for free on electronic devices, such as Kindle, or through apps like Project Gutenberg.
- Find free activities: Many communities offer free activities such as concerts, movies in the park, and festivals. Check your local newspaper or community calendar for events in your area.
- Attend free events: Local libraries, museums, and schools often offer free lectures, classes, and events.
- Listen to free music: Many websites and apps like Spotify, Pandora, and YouTube Music offer a wide variety of music for free.
- Have a game night: Instead of going out to play games, gather your friends and family for a game night at home.
- Watch TV for free: Instead of paying for cable or streaming services, you can get most major network shows online for free.
- Try DIY projects: Many DIY projects can be a fun and creative way to spend time, it can be a good alternative to expensive hobbies
- Enjoy the outdoors: Enjoying nature is free, plan a hike, bike ride, picnic or go swimming. Take advantage of the natural resources around you.
⓺ Best 10 shopping tips
- Shop during sales: Look for sales and clearance items to save money on the things you need to buy.
- Buy used items: Consider buying used items, such as clothes, furniture, and electronics. This can save you a significant amount of money over buying new.
- Compare prices: Compare prices of items you want to buy before making a purchase, both online and in-store
- Use discount and cash-back apps: Download apps that allow you to earn cash back or discounts on purchases you make.
- Make a list before you shop: Make a list of items you need to buy, and stick to it. Avoid impulse purchases.
- Take advantage of loyalty programs: Many stores offer loyalty programs that can give you additional discounts and rewards.
- Opt for store-brand products: Store-brand products can be just as good as the name brands, and they’re often cheaper.
- Buy in bulk: Items like toilet paper, cleaning supplies, and snacks are often cheaper when bought in bulk.
- Avoid buying on credit: Use cash or a debit card for your purchases, avoid buying on credit as it can accumulate interest and make the total cost more expensive.
- Be mindful of warranties: Be mindful of what warranties come with your purchase and weigh the cost of the warranty against the price of the item. In many cases, a warranty is not worth the cost.
⓻ Best 10 personal care tips
- Cut your hair at home: Many hairstyles are easy to maintain and can be cut with scissors at home, or you could learn to cut hair by yourself.
- Use makeup samples before buying: Many department stores and beauty supply stores offer makeup samples. Try the samples before buying a full-sized product.
- Find cheaper alternatives for personal care products: Look for generic or store-brand products that are similar to the brand-name products you usually buy.
- Learn how to do your own manicure and pedicure: Do your own nails at home instead of going to a salon, you can buy nail polish and tools for a fraction of the cost of a salon visit.
- Use coupons and discounts: Look for coupons and discounts on personal care products, both in-store and online.
- Use multi-purpose products: Buying multi-purpose products like baby oil which can be used as a moisturizer, hair conditioner, and makeup remover, etc can save you a lot of money in the long run
- Shop at a discount store: Many discount stores offer lower prices on personal care products than other retailers.
- Use eco-friendly personal care products: Eco-friendly products are not only better for the environment, but often less expensive in the long run.
- Learn how to make your own personal care products: Learn to make your own scrubs, face masks, and other personal care products using natural ingredients like sugar, honey, and olive oil.
- Use a subscription box service: Try out a subscription box service for personal care products, these services send you a box of sample-size products for a lower cost than buying full-size products.
⓼ Best 10 insurance tips
- Compare rates: Compare rates for car and home insurance from multiple providers to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
- Take advantage of discounts: Ask your insurance provider about any discounts that may apply to you, such as good driver or multi-policy discounts.
- Raise your deductible: Raising your deductible (the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in) can lower your monthly payments.
- Bundle policies: Bundling multiple policies like auto, home, and life insurance together with one provider can lead to savings on your premiums.
- Keep a good credit score: A good credit score can make you eligible for better rates on insurance
- Maintain a clean driving record: A clean driving record can make you eligible for discounts on your auto insurance.
- Consider the coverage you need: Don’t purchase coverage you don’t need and make sure to have enough coverage for what is important to you
- Review your coverage periodically: Review your coverage periodically and adjust it as needed to make sure you’re not overpaying for coverage you don’t need.
- Review your liability coverage: Review your liability coverage to make sure you have enough coverage in case of an accident.
- Make sure your insurance is up to date: Make sure your insurance is up to date and that your contact information and vehicle information are correct. This can ensure that your policy doesn’t lapse and that your claim is processed correctly.
⓽ Best 10 vacation tips
- Travel during the off-season: Prices for flights, lodging, and activities are often lower during the shoulder season or off-peak times.
- Plan ahead: Book your vacation early to get the best deals on flights and lodging.
- Be flexible: Be flexible with your travel dates and destination to find the best deals.
- Look for package deals: Many travel agencies and online booking sites offer package deals that bundle flights, lodging, and activities together at a discounted price.
- Use rewards points: Use rewards points from credit cards or loyalty programs to pay for flights, lodging, or activities.
- Consider alternative vacation options: Instead of staying in a hotel, consider camping, renting an RV, or staying with friends or family.
- Cook your own meals: Eating out can be expensive, instead cook your own meals or try street food and local markets
- Take advantage of free activities: Many tourist destinations offer free activities and sights that can be enjoyed at no cost.
- Use public transportation: Use public transportation or walk to get around, it’s cheaper than renting a car and you get to see more of the local area.
- Be mindful of currency exchange rates: You can use online tools or currency converter apps to compare exchange rates and plan your spending accordingly. Also consider using credit cards or travel cards that don’t have foreign transaction fees, to avoid additional charges. Avoid changing currency at the airport or hotel, they usually offer a less favorable exchange rate. Instead, try to exchange currency at banks or local money changers, or withdraw cash from ATMs with your bank card.
⓾ Best 10 taxes tips
- Make the most of deductions and credits: Take advantage of deductions and credits that you qualify for to lower your tax bill.
- Contribute to a retirement account: Contribute to a retirement account such as a 401(k) or IRA, as these contributions may be tax-deductible.
- Keep good records of your expenses: Keep good records of your expenses throughout the year, in case you need to prove them to the IRS.
- File your taxes electronically: eFiling is faster, more accurate, and can get your refund sooner.
- Use tax software: Use tax software to help you file your taxes, it can help you find deductions and credits you may have missed.
- Check the status of your refund: Keep track of the status of your refund using the IRS’s Where’s My Refund tool
- Plan for estimated taxes: If you’re self-employed or have other income that isn’t subject to withholding, be sure to plan for estimated taxes.
- Take advantage of free tax preparation services: Many organizations offer free tax preparation services for low-income individuals.
- Keep an eye on changes in tax laws: Keep an eye on changes in tax laws, they may affect your deductions and credits.
- Hire a professional: If you find taxes confusing or have a complex financial situation, consider hiring a professional tax preparer or accountant to help you file your taxes.
⑪ Best 10 debt tips
- Create a budget: Create a budget to help you track your income and expenses, and stay on top of your finances.
- Pay off credit card debt: Try to pay off credit card debt as soon as possible, as credit card interest can add up quickly.
- Consolidate loans: Consolidate multiple loans into one loan to simplify payments and potentially lower your interest rate.
- Prioritize high-interest debt: Prioritize paying off high-interest debt first, such as credit card debt, as it will cost you more in the long run.
- Make more than the minimum payment: Make more than the minimum payment on your loans and credit cards, to pay off the debt more quickly.
- Negotiate with lenders: If you are struggling to make payments, try to negotiate with your lenders for a lower interest rate or a payment plan that you can afford.
- Avoid taking on new debt: Avoid taking on new debt, such as car loans or personal loans, until you have paid off your existing debt.
- Look for low-interest debt consolidation options: Look for options like balance transfer credit cards, home equity loans, or personal loans with low-interest rates that can help you pay off your debt more efficiently
- Consider debt management plans or credit counseling: Consider working with a credit counseling agency or debt management plan that can help you pay off your debt and manage your finances.
- Stay informed about your credit score: Stay informed about your credit score, credit reports, and monitoring for any suspicious activity, as having a good credit score can help you qualify for better terms on loans and credit cards.
⑫ Bonus tip
Have an honest talk with yourself as to why you want to save money. Usually, the bigger your why is, the bigger the motivating force to go through with it becomes. Once you do this, you’ll see what really motivates you. And what doesn’t. And most times, this is all you need to get going. The rest you can figure out along the way.
Final thoughts
Saving is fun (sometimes). But make no mistake, saving alone won’t get you that far. Because you can only save that much. Even if you cut your expenses to zero. There won’t be much left if your income (earned or passive) is low. So focus on increasing your income so that you can save and invest more.
