40 Easy Ways To Cut Back On Spending

39. Set Up Automatic Savings

You have the option to automatically save money from your paycheck into a saving account. Sometimes, you can set this up with your Human Resources department. You can fill out paperwork so that they deposit a certain percentage of your paycheck into your savings account. If your employer does not give you this option, you can go into online banking to transfer your money, or call customer service to help you.

38. Make a Budget

One of the very first things you need to do when cutting back on saving is make a budget. Write a budget of monthly expenses, and make goals for saving and spending. If you haven’t done this step yet, it is very difficult to even have a number in mind of what’s okay to spend each week without having any guilt.

37. Buy Timeless, Not Trendy

Trends come and go, and within just a few months, you might get sick of a style that was popular for a short amount of time, and it becomes necessary to buy new things again. But then you think about something that is “timeless”, like a nice suit or solid wooden furniture, that never goes out of style. Whether it’s clothes, a car, home decor, or just about anything else, try to pick something that will make you happy for the next 10 years, not weeks.

36. Carry Cash

If you are using a debit card, it becomes all too easy to just keep spending, and if you aren’t careful, you might even overdraft the account and owe fees to your bank. It become easy to stick to a budget if you only spend whatever cash you have in your pocket. This way, when the money’s gone, you know it’s gone, and there is no guessing involved.

35. Maintain Your Car

Did you know that if your tires and low on air, it can hurt your gas mileage? Skipping your oil change may mean that your engine is not running as efficiently, and forgetting to check the water in the radiator can lead to a car overheating. Just be mindful of taking care of your vehicle, and you will save money on repairs and gas mileage.

34. Double-Check Your Cart Before You Check Out

When you go to the grocery store, Walmart, or Target on pay day, it’s so easy to just keep grab everything that looks good. This is where most people waste a lot of money. Before you leave the store, do a once-over in your cart and ask yourself if you really need something. Put a few things back, and you’re automatically spending less than you would if you gave into your original impulse.

33. Delete Shopping Apps From Your Phone

If you find yourself browsing through shopping apps at the end of the day and spending money on random stuff, you’re not alone. But if you want to save money, delete those apps so that the option is no longer there. You can always download them again later.

32. Skip the Cocktails, Apps, and Dessert

Most restaurants charge $5 to $10 per cocktail, and the appetizers and desserts cost just as much. Try to resist the urge to buy all of these extra add-ons to your meal. If you are really craving dessert or an after-dinner drink, it’s cheaper to go to the store and buy them afterwards to enjoy them at home.

31. Ask for Discounts

Sometimes, you can save money just by asking if they have any discounts available. A cashier might be willing to slip their employee discount onto the order for you, or there may have been a coupon that you are not aware of. It doesn’t hurt to ask.

30. Cancel Amazon Prime

For some people, the mere thought of canceling Amazon Prime sounds like blasphemy. Many people (especially busy moms) cannot function without the convenience of Prime, and they truly do get their money’s worth. However, Amazon still gives free shipping for orders $25 or more. If you can just wait until your total is over $25, you can save $100 a year on the subscription fee.

29. Negotiate With Your Cable Company (Or Cut the Cord)

You have probably heard of “cutting the cord” and relying totally on streaming services like Netflix or Hulu. But for people who really love watching live sports or news coverage, they prefer to keep their TV. The good news is- sometimes, cable companies are willing to lower your monthly payment just by asking them nicely. Comcast has a “customer retention department” that does nothing but renegotiating plans in order to keep you from leaving the company.

28. Make Coffee at Home

This probably sounds like a no-brainer, and yet so many people still stand in line for Starbucks almost every day. Nearly every coffee brand offers K-cups and bags of coffee. Not only will you save money, but it also saves a lot of time.

27. Eat Your Frozen Food Reserves

If you’re like most Americans, your freezer might be stuffed with meat and meals that can be popped in the microwave. Your pantry might look the same, as well. If you are trying to cut back on saving, try to use up what you already have.

26. Wash Cold, Hang Dry

Most washing machines have the option to choose the temperature, so if you wash your clothes in cold water, you won’t have to spend money on a water heater. And if you have the option, hang your clothes to dry, because it will save money from not using the dryer.

25. Make Handmade Gifts

If you have a talent for crafting, why not make a handmade present for your friends and family? Sometimes, a handmade gift can be far more sentimental, and better than anything you could find in the store. Pinterest is full of great ideas of things you can make for free with things you already have around the house, or for cheap.

24. Buy Non-Perishables In Bulk

If you buy non-perishable items like toilet paper in bulk, you are likely to save money compared to buying one, or just a few rolls. Even if you are getting 4 to 6 rolls at the dollar store, the number of sheets per roll is significantly lower than the type you get in a bulk pack. However, food items are usually not very good to buy in bulk, because they are likely to go bad before you can eat it all.

23. Lower The Temperature

Maybe your parents have already lectured you about keeping the heat low in the house, but there is so much truth to that. The higher your keep the thermostat, the harder your HVAC system has to work to maintain that in the winter, and it ultimately costs so much money. If you think the temperature is comfortable, turn your system off. If your house or apartment is well insulated, it will probably maintain that heat. Practice habits like wearing a sweater and socks around the house, and only turn your heat up at night, so you don’t catch a cold.

22. Cut Up Your Credit Cards

Are you trying to pay off your credit cards in full, but you can’t hold back the urge from spending on it? The solution is simple- Enable online payments, and cut up the card. This will save you money in interest, as well as stop you from buying frivolously. If there comes a day when you really do need a that card again, the credit card company can send you a new one.

21. Get Insurance Quotes

There is a very real possibility that you may be overpaying on car, life, and home insurance. It doesn’t hurt to shop around for a quote to see if another company can offer you a better deal.

20. Cancel Unused Monthly Subscriptions

Sometimes, it’s easy to get carried away with online subscriptions, especially since we get hooked in with a free one-month trial. If you are not using one of your services, cancel them or put them on “pause”. Most companies will save your information, just in case you decided to come back later.

19. Buy Higher Quality Items

Usually, when we are trying to save money, we think that means buying cheap things. However, cheap usually goes hand-in-hand with poor quality. For example, a Parisian style striped shirt from Forever 21 may be made out of thin fabric that will shrink or look bad after a few washes, but an almost identical blouse from a department store will be made out of higher quality fabric that could last 5 years, and you’re only paying $10 or $20 more. Think about all of the items in your life that you are constantly replacing because they keep breaking, and upgrade that to a luxury-level item that will last you a lifetime.

18. Analyze Your Bank Statement

Have you ever gone to look at the balance of your checking account, and you are shocked at the number you see? Everyone’s spending habits are different, so you need to look through your bank statements and come face-to-face with where your money is actually going. Based on where you waste the most money, you should be able to come up with a customized plan on how to cut back on spending.

17. Refinance Your Credit Card Debt

Sometimes, the interest you are paying on a credit card is so high, your minimum monthly payment just gets absorbed into the interest. This makes it really, really difficult to actually pay off the debt. Look for a credit card that has a 0% interest promotion, and request a balance transfer. This usually only lasts for the first year you have the card open, but if you can aggressively start paying down that card, you will save money in the process of trying to pay it off.

16. Find Cheap and Free Entertainment

Movie theaters are packed every weekend with people who are willing to pay the steep $10 to $15 movie ticket prices, on top of the cost of snacks. But most theater chains offer a discount night on Tuesdays or Wednesday, where tickets are just $5 to $7, and popcorn is half price. There are also free events in most communities at nearly every time of year. For more ideas, check out our 30 romantic date ideas that are free or cheap.

15. Meal Prep and Portion Control

Meal prepping is the process of making your food ahead of time for the next few days and putting them into containers. This can help with dieting, but it can also be great for saving money. Through meal prep, you can feel confident knowing that you are only spending $1 or $2 per meal.

14. Stop Buying Bottled Water

A big case of bottled water may be less than $5, but it creates a lot of extra waste in your house, and it’s not the best thing for the environment. If you just buy a Brita water filter and a reusable water bottle, they will pay for themselves after a few weeks of not buying water bottles. If you spend $5 a week on water bottles, there are 52 weeks in a year. So that’s a savings of $260.

13. Find A Local Farmer’s Market

When people hear “farmer’s market”, they sometimes imagine a play filled with hipsters who are paying a fortune for organic vegetables. While some of them are like that, the vast majority of farmers markets are actually a lot cheaper than buying produce in a grocery store. You also get to feel good knowing that you are supporting a small business owner, instead of giving your money to a big grocery chain.

12. Stop Going to Retail Therapy.

People will joke that they have a “shopping addiction”, but many people actually do have that condition. For most people, shopping gives them a rush. They feel good when they get something new, and it can help cheer them up.

11. Cancel Your Gym Membership

Are you one of those people who pays for a gym membership in hopes that maybe someday you’ll get up the motivation to actually go? If you aren’t using it, cancel it, because it’s just a waste of money. There are plenty of other ways to get exercise for free, like taking a walk or riding a bike. Try to find a fitness activity you actually enjoy, and you are more likely to stick with it.

10. Pay Attention to Sales and Coupons

Every single week, sales flyers come out in circulars and newspapers, but some people choose to throw away the “junk mail” without even looking at it. These papers are filled with coupons and valuable information about items that go on sale every week. Websites like TheKrazyCouponLady.com will go over the weekly sales from all of the major retailers, plus they let you know which coupons to use to get the best deals possible. If you get into the habit of doing this, you will begin to know when a great opportunity arises to stock up on household essentials for free or cheap.

9. Stop Playing Games On Your Phone

Smartphone games like Pokemon Go and Candy Crush can be seriously addicting. They are designed to make you want to achieve the next level so badly, you are willing to pay real money to get the in-game items. Go through your purchase history and add up how much you have spent on the iTunes or Google Play store to see how much you have spent. If you can give yourself a budget to stick to, that’s great. But if it’s too much of a temptation, delete the app. Most games will save your game data through your login information, so you aren’t really losing any progress, in case you want to go back to it later.

8. Go to the Library

Libraries sound kind of old-school, and some people haven’t been back since they graduated. However, local libraries have the newest books and DVD’s that you can borrow for free. There is also an option to listen to free audio books online with your library card number. If you are spending $20 here and there on new bestsellers, going to the library can help you save a lot.

7. Skip The Name Brand Items

When it comes to food, name brands often do make a difference in how something tastes. However, cleaning supplies and so many other things we use in our day-to-day lives often have the exact same ingredients, and the non-name brands are a lower price. Always check to compare, and ask yourself if the name brand item truly is any better. Dollar Tree has almost everything you could possibly need for cleaning your house and personal hygiene for just $1. Even if you only save $1 or $2, those small decisions add up over time.

6. Cut Back On Eating Meat

Meat is often the most expensive part of a meal. There are some people who feel that they need several servings of meat if they want to eat a healthy, balanced diet. In reality, you don’t need a lot of protein in your diet, unless you’re trying to be a bodybuilder. Eating too much red meat will cause high cholesterol, and it also means you are consuming more fat. If you can cut back to only eating meat once a day instead of 3 times a day, you are likely to save money, and your wallet (and waistline) will thank you.

5. Keep Your Credit Cards at Home

In #22, we suggest cutting up your credit cards to resist the temptation. But a lot of people still like to keep their cards intact, just in case they run into an emergency situation. If this is the case in your situation, try keeping your credit cards at home, and only use them in actual emergencies.

4. Consider Converting to Solar Energy or a Hybrid Car

If you own a home, you should consider getting solar panels installed. Many states have grants and programs that will help pay for the up-front costs. While it’s usually not free, it’s like paying up-front so that you can get free and discounted electricity for the rest of your life.

And while they may not be the sexiest cars in the world, hybrid cars like the Toyota Prius gets an average of 50 MPG. If you research how to optimize your mileage, you can even make trips that average 80 to 100 MPG. Electric cars like Tesla might be more stylish and great for the environment, but the amount of money you are paying for the energy and monthly payments actually makes it far more expensive than a normal car, and you won’t really be saving any money at all.

3. Stop Using Shopping as a Form of Entertainment

So many people go shopping with their friends and family as something to do when they are bored, and they end up spending money simply because they are in a mall. When you go a store, you should have a goal in mind of why you want to be there in the first place.

For example, Target is one of those stores where they are constantly changing their interior design, which makes it new and exciting. They even have a place to sit down and have a cup of Starbucks coffee. It’s genuinely enjoyable to be there, because their brilliant marketers designed it to feel that way. But if you go in without any actual reason to be there, you are almost guaranteed to waste money, because they sell almost anything you could possibly want or need.

2. Pack a Bag Lunch to School or Work

This sounds like a no-brainer, but making a sandwich at home costs just a few cents, and it will cost a few dollars at a shop. If you have a microwave at work, you can also bring leftovers from last night’s dinner in a glass container. Stick with easy meals you genuinely enjoy so that you are looking forward to your bag lunch, instead of feeling like it’s a burden or that you are somehow missing out on something. If you hate doing it, you won’t stick with the habit.

1. Meet Friends for Lunch Instead of Dinner

Generally speaking, dinner is way more expensive than lunch. Not only is the food lighter, but most restaurants have great prices on lunch specials, because they are trying to attract more people to come in earlier in the day. It also takes away the temptation to drink alcohol, since it’s before 5PM.