You never have enough to save & everything seems expensive now. But saving doesn’t have to mean giving up things you love. As you’ll see over the years, there are ways to save that aren’t a complete cut-off. If you are saving for something large or just want to be as budget-friendly as possible, then these will really help you out. Today, let’s get into 13 Money-Saving strategies that most of us don’t think about!
Featured Image Credit: NewAfrica /Depositphotos.com.
Check Out Your Credit Card Perks
Do you know your credit card may have perks you aren’t taking advantage of? There are cards that offer travel insurance for free, purchase protection & even rewards points on a few things. A friend of mine saved hundreds simply by taking advantage of her card’s price protection — she was refunded the difference when an item went on sale after she bought it. Spend some time researching your card perks; you may be surprised at what you find.
Shop Clearance Sales at Odd Times
Have you ever considered buying winter coats during summer or swimsuits during winter? The shops discount the seasonal pieces way down to make room for new products. If you get ahead of it, you can get the best quality at a very cheap price. Y’all know I got a $200 winter jacket for only $50 in July last year!
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Use Store Loyalty Programs
Many stores have rewards plans where you get discounts, cashback or points that you can redeem later. Register for the ones at places you shop regularly. My local grocery store has saved me tons of money just from their rewards card. It might not seem like much at first, but those little savings make a huge difference in the long run.
Stick to a Cash Envelope System
This one’s an old-school one, but it works. In case you are a frequent spender, try using cash to pay for some things, such as groceries or dining out. Put the money in labeled envelopes & only spend what’s in them. When the money’s gone, that’s it! And that’s an easy way to cut your spending without checking your bank account every minute.
Buy Generic Instead of Name Brands
You’d be amazed how often generic brands are just as good as the brand-name products. Medicine, pantry items, cleaning products are all of the same quality but cheaper. I recently, for instance, replaced my coffee with store-bought coffee & it not only tasted great, but I was also saving almost $10 per month!
Unsubscribe From Marketing Emails
You know those emails from stores offering “limited-time deals” or “flash sales”? They’re made to get you to pay for things you weren’t going to buy. I was in love with them & then I stopped subscribing. Since then I only buy when I need something and it’s saved my budget so much.
Ask for Price Matches
If you’re at a store and see the exact same thing for less elsewhere, don’t be embarrassed to ask for a price match! A good number of stores will match the discount if you have proof.
GET Discounts on Subscriptions!
You are paying the full price for streaming services or online subscriptions? See if you are eligible for discounts. Students, teachers, military personnel & even some employees receive discounts for Spotify, Amazon Prime and more.
Look for Free Products Around You — Find Them in Your Neighborhood
You’d be surprised what people give away for free. Freecycle, Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace all list things like furniture, clothes or electronics. I once picked up a worn desk that someone was donating because he was moving. It’s a great money-maker & keeps stuff out of the garbage dump.
Save Money on Utilities with These Simple Tricks
Did you know you can save money on your energy bills just by switching to off-peak hours? Most utility companies are cheaper at night or in the morning. Every little thing, like running your dishwasher before going to sleep, saves you hundreds of dollars.
Use Gas Apps to Find Cheaper Fuel
It is a waste of time to drive around searching for cheap gas, when apps such as GasBuddy do the work for you. They show you where to find the cheapest gas stations in your area so you save a couple of cents a gallon.
Rent Instead of Buying
For things you only need once in a while—like tools, party supplies, or formal wear—consider renting instead of buying. Why spend hundreds of dollars on something that’s going to live in a closet or garage? It is cheaper & convenient to rent one-time.
Automate Your Savings
Hopeless at saving? Then create automatic transfers from your checking account to your savings account. Whether it is just $10 a week, it adds up without you even noticing. This is something I started doing last year & without any worries I have a decent emergency fund.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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