![Stop Spending!! [8 Practical Ways to Save Money]](http://brandonseyl.com/cdn/shop/articles/DIY.webp?crop=center&height=666&v=1730637642&width=1000)
I swear, whenever I leave the house, someone or something always wants another dollar from me.
It’s a sad reality. Most of us work a 9–5 job, counting down the days until the family vacation at Grammy P’s.
Eggs cost $14, clothes cost $35, and the phone bill costs $80. Rent prices are rising every second. It may be an exaggeration on my part, but it’s maddening and discouraging. My point is that so many things are trying to hold us down financially.
If you’ve been pondering how to stretch your budget further, fret not! In a crazy world where expenses can pile up quickly, being mindful of where your money goes can make a difference.
It’s a constant battle, so I’m here today to remind you of eight easy yet effective ways to grow your savings.
But I want to encourage you to do more than follow these 8 steps. I would like you to focus on why you make your decisions and what you gain from them. Saving money is essential, but why are you doing it? Is it to become financially free? Is it to save for a much more considerable expense?
Bottom line: Make conscious decisions when it comes to your financial future.
Please post/share in the comments if you have other ways!
1. Meal Planning and Cooking at Home
Eating out will quickly add up. We spend our lives between meals. If you think about it, food is something we will always need, so if we can tailor what we eat to healthy and affordable food, we will come out on the other end better.
But seriously, what the heck is going on with food prices? For one person to eat, it costs nearly $10 — $15, and I’m not even talking about a high-quality restaurant. Once you spend that money…it’s gone. Your full belly will be gone and ready to eat again in a few hours.
By taking the extra time to plan and prepare your meals at home you will save hundreds of dollars each month.
Imagine saving $300 extra a month? You could invest that toward your education or into the S&P500. The choice is yours!
Not a cooking guru? That’s okay. Websites like Budget Bytes and Mealtime offer delicious recipes that won’t break the bank, making home cooking affordable and enjoyable.
I’ve come to enjoy meal prepping. Turn on some tunes and have fun with it.
Here are two of my healthy meal prep posts:
2. Use Coupons and Cashback Apps
As a child, my mom would have my sister and I cut coupons for 1–2 hours every Sunday. It was miserable, and we used to make fun of our mom for being so cheap.
Fast forward, she got the last laugh, and I must publicly announce that my mom was right. Coupons are the way to go.
Luckily, we don’t have to cut coupons if we don’t want to physically. Apps such as Fetch, Ibotta, Rakuten, ReceiptJar, and Pogo make it effortless.
My personal favorite is Fetch. It’s super easy…you take a picture of your receipt. You can also link your shopping apps to it so it can automatically sync your rewards.
Think about it like this…you are going to spend money regardless. Why not get back a couple of dollars here and there? Most coupon apps provide gift card rewards from Amazon, Best Buy, etc.
Searching for deals before purchasing can lead to substantial savings over time. It’s a simple way to cut costs without sacrificing the things you love.
3. Review and Cut Subscriptions
Take a critical look at your subscriptions — streaming services, magazines, or gym memberships. Are you utilizing all of them to their full potential? Cancel any subscriptions that you don’t need or use frequently. This straightforward action can save you a significant amount of money each month.
I had to cut my Amazon Prime membership. It was $14.99 a month, and I needed to utilize it, which meant spending more money.
Cut the head of the snake!
4. Buy Second-Hand and Sell Unwanted Items
One person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Whether it’s yard sales, garage sales, or platforms like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Poshmark, allow you to declutter your space while earning extra cash by selling items you no longer need. Shopping for gently-used items can save you money on everything from clothing to furniture.
Goodwill and local thrift stores are great places to find cheap and affordable clothing. Pro tip: Get a couple of neutral colors to mix and match. The less you have, the better.
5. Reduce Energy Consumption
You don’t realize how much your energy bill costs because it’s a pleasurable part of today’s lifestyle.
Automatic bill paying helps numb the pain, but if you look at your energy bill, you spend over $200 each month.
Simple actions like turning off lights when not in use, unplugging appliances, and using energy-efficient bulbs can lead to noticeable savings on energy bills. Consider investing in a smart thermostat to regulate your home’s temperature efficiently.
Energy.gov created an “Energy Save Guide” with a laundry list of things you can adjust/incorporate to save energy costs. One valuable item is weathering your house by sealing key areas.
Pro-tip: I turn my A/C off while I’m at work. This saves me 10–11 hours a day in savings.
Is it hot when I open my door? Yes, but the house only takes 20 minutes to cool down, considering it’s the evening anyway.
Oh, one last thing! Blackout curtains can help keep the temperature down.
6. Challenge Your Impulse Buys
Before purchasing, ask yourself whether it’s a necessity or a fleeting desire. More importantly, remove yourself from the situation and establish a waiting period before buying non-essential items. This pause can help you differentiate between impulse purchases and items that genuinely add value to your life, potentially saving you money in the long run.
It’s also easier to challenge impulse buys if you use cash for anything not budgeted. For example, you use your credit/debit card to pay for groceries, routine bills, etc., but you use money for any remaining items. There is a feeling of loss when you use cash vs. a card.
7. DIY Whenever Possible
Yep! I know you knew this would be on the list. You can save so much money by doing home repairs and beauty treatments; consider tackling tasks yourself instead of hiring a professional. Websites like YouTube and DIY blogs provide plenty of tutorials to guide you through various projects.
Think of each issue as a new challenge. For example, my truck’s center console had an issue where it would no longer close. Toyota quoted me $500 for labor and repairs. You know what I did? I spent 3 hours on YouTube and $25 for some parts on eBay. Boom, problem solved, and I’m not a Tacoma center console expert.
You can do it too. You have to weigh your options and make sure it’s worth 1) your time and 2) it saves you money.
8. Bank on Generic Brands
I once was that punk kid who would only eat Captain Crunch cereal. Looking back, I wish someone would have punched me square in the face. Why? Because I cost my parents an extra $2 when we could have gotten a cheaper brand that tastes the same.
Be smart and choose store brands over popular brands, as this will lead to substantial savings regarding groceries and household items. Most generic products offer the same quality as their pricier counterparts and typically provide more quantity.
Small decisions add up.
I’m proud of you for choosing to save money, whether you are living paycheck to paycheck or trying to maximize your investments/savings.
When you start incorporating these eight strategies into your daily life, you will strengthen healthy financial habits that pave the way toward financial freedom. Don’t forget — every penny saved is a step closer to achieving your financial goals.
Keep fighting the good fight.
Stay frugal, stay savvy, and watch your savings soar!
Happy Reading!
Brandon
