30 Things You Can Do To Create a Better Budget and Save Money

If you’re like me, you probably have a lot of things on your list to do this year. You want to travel more, save money for retirement and maybe even get that new car or house. But how can you possibly afford all these things? Well, I’ve got some good news for you! It doesn’t have to be impossible if you cut back in certain areas. Here are 30 ways to save money:

1) Stop buying clothes at the mall.

I know it sounds crazy but there is no reason why you should spend $100+ dollars per month on clothing when you could make your own stuff or stop by your local thrift store. The thrift store has name brands also for much cheaper.

2) Don’t eat out as much.

You may not think about it but eating out costs a lot of money. If you’re going out with friends or family then go ahead and splurge once in a while. Just don’t do it every day.

3) Get rid of cable TV.

Cable TV isn’t really necessary anymore. There are so many great shows online now that you can watch without paying any extra fees.

Plus, you will be saving tons of cash by canceling your subscription.

4) Cancel your gym membership.

It seems like everyone has a gym membership nowadays. But did you ever think about just walking around the neighborhood? Or better yet, use the stairs? Not only will you burn calories, but you will also be getting in a great workout.

5) Take public transportation.

Instead of driving everywhere, take the bus or train instead. You’ll save gas money and you won’t need an expensive vehicle. Plus, you’ll get to see what’s going on in the city which is always fun.

6) Use coupons.

This one might seem obvious but using coupons can actually help you save a ton of money. 

Coupon codes are even offered by retailers to give customers a discount on purchases made online. It’s easy to see why coupon codes are so popular.

They’re free, they work well with most websites and they can really add up over time.

7) Buy generic products.

When you go shopping, try to look for generic versions of items rather than brand names. They usually cost less than the original version.

8) Bring lunch to work.

You already spend enough money on gas each week if you’re not taking public transit. Why pay for expensive lunches when you can bring something healthy from home?

9) Make your own snacks.

Homemade treats are usually healthier and cheaper than store-bought junk food. Try making your own trail mix or granola bars.

10) Start an emergency fund.

An emergency fund is basically a savings account that you set aside money into each month. 

You may think that saving money is difficult but with an emergency fund, you don’t need to worry about your finances. It’s a great way to save up money for unexpected expenses.

11) Start meal planning.

If you’ve never cooked before, start by cooking simple meals like soups, stews, and casseroles. They’re easy to prepare and don’t require any special equipment. Then move on to making one or two dishes per week that involve some form of baking (bread, cakes, cookies).

12) Plan ahead.

Make sure you plan your meals for the entire week. That way you won’t be tempted to grab fast foods on your way home from work because you don’t have any groceries in the fridge. 

13) Clean out your closet.

Go through your old clothes and donate them to charity. You can also sell them on eBay or Craigslist.

If you want to make some extra cash, consider selling your old clothes online. There are lots of ways to go about doing this. You can try eBay, Mercari, or Facebook Marketplace-those are just to name a few.  

14) Do laundry once a week.

Washing clothes every other day increases energy consumption. So, if you do laundry once a week, you will save money and energy.

If you wash your clothes every other day, you’ll need more detergent than if you washed them once a week. And washing clothes every other day uses more water than washing them once a week.

In fact, washing clothes every other day requires about twice as much water as washing them once a week, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

15) Keep track of your expenses.

Write down everything you spend money on every day. You can then see which areas of your life cost the most money. Once you find out what those areas are, you can start cutting costs in those areas.

16) Have a garage sale.

Sell all of your unwanted items at a garage sale. It could make you some quick cash and it’s fun!

17) Look for free things to do.

If you want to find free things to do, look at local events, festivals, and community centers.

Many cities offer free activities such as art classes, dance lessons, and music lessons. Also, check out museums, parks, and libraries. 

18) Learn how to cook.

Cooking doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, learning how to cook basic meals will allow you to eat healthier and save money.

19) Take advantage of sales.

Sales happen everywhere: grocery stores, clothing stores, furniture stores, etc. Make sure you take advantage of these deals when they come around.

20) Sell stuff online.

You can earn extra money selling your used electronics, books, games, CDs, DVDs, etc. online.

21) Buy second-hand.

Second-hand shops are full of great finds. And you can buy almost anything second-hand.

22) Turn off lights.

Turning off lights when you’re done using them can save you energy and money.

23) Walk places.

Walking is a great exercise and it’s free. Plus, it’ll help you burn calories and improve your health. 

24) Cancel unnecessary subscriptions

Cancel subscriptions to magazines, one of the five streaming services you have, and any websites that you no longer read. This will save you money and keep you organized.

25) Use cash for certain budget categories that trip you up.

For example, if you use debit cards for everyday purchases instead of cash, you might not realize how much you’re spending until you get a statement in the mail.

26) Skip the coffee shop.

The average American spends $1,600 a year on coffee. If you’re like most people, that figure is more than enough to cover your morning caffeine fix. But it doesn’t have to be this way. You can get all the benefits of drinking coffee without spending a dime. Here are some tips for cutting costs:

Buy whole beans

Coffee shops sell pre-ground coffee, but it takes time to grind the beans yourself. Buying whole beans means you don’t waste money grinding coffee that won’t brew well.

Make your own coffee

It’s easy to make your own coffee at home. Just fill your favorite mug with hot water, add two tablespoons of ground coffee, stir, and enjoy.

Use a French press

A French press makes coffee taste better because it lets the coffee grounds stay in contact with the hot water. 

Skip A Vacation

Make your own gifts

Make small changes to your budget across all categories

Practical Budgeting Tips

Put a Freeze on Your Credit Cards

27) Try an online budget tool

If you’re looking for a free budgeting app, try Mint.com, You Need A Budget (YNAB), or Every Dollar which is the one I personally use. All are great tools and have been around for years. They both offer the same basic features: track your spending, set up budgets, and see how much money is left in each category of your budget.

You can also use apps like Personal Capital to manage all of your investments. It will help you keep track of where your money goes, what types of investment vehicles you should invest in, and even provide financial advice.

28) Set savings goals for yourself and your family.

If you want to save money, you have to set a goal. The first step is to determine how much you need to save each month in order to achieve that goal. Then, write down the amount of money you will need to reach that goal.

You can use an online calculator or just make a rough estimate based on your current spending habits. Once you know what it takes to get there, you’ll be able to see if you are actually

 29) Consolidate your debt and lower interest rates.

The first step in consolidating your debt is to find out how much you owe. You can do this by using a credit card statement, or by calling the creditor directly to get an estimate of what you owe. 

Once you know how much you owe, it’s time to consolidate your debts into one loan. This will lower your interest rate and help you

30) Take advantage of pretax savings options.

If you can, set up a traditional IRA or Roth IRA and contribute the maximum amount each year. You may also consider contributing to an employer-sponsored retirement plan like 401(k) or 403(b).

If your company offers a match on your contributions, take full advantage of it.

Let me know how you save money in the comments!

Talk soon,

Andie 🙂