3 days Ago
One thing about me is that I love a good money-saving tip, and I'm often posting lists full of crowd-sourced tried and true frugal advice. Now that 2024 is coming to a close, here are the best money-saving ideas I rounded up this year: 2. "Another thing that helps is making purchases on your supermarket website/app.
It's kind of a game, you keep adding stuff and make sure it doesn't go above your allocated budget. Here in my city, there are stores where doing a purchase online and doing a curb pickup won't charge you any additional amount. And this is an extra advantage because there will be no temptation to buy extra items if you just go and get everything loaded up in your car!" — u/romcabrera 3.
"I don’t allow myself to buy anything unless I am willing to let something go. Goes along with my anti-clutter and anti-consumerism." — u/momentofclarity_2022 5.
"Using rewards credit cards. We actually hurt our credit by never using credit cards. We had no history of regularly paying them off.
So, now we use a card that works for us and pay it off every month." —u/ cappotto-marrone 6. "Make an email address just for stuff you know you will be attacked by spam.
And then request insurance quotes/bids. You’ll get a ton of offers that you can choose from. But will be nailed with emails for the rest of your life.
Use this same email for similar things over the years." —u/ HulaMonkee 8. "Use the envelope method for groceries and my fun money.
It makes me pay attention to how much money I'm spending and what I'm spending it on when I have to count out the cash." — u/neverenoughgalbi 9. "I switched my savings from my account I've had literally forever to a high yield savings (4% apy or something).
It's not an account I can easily withdraw from, so that money is sitting safe. I went from getting like a single cent from my money every month to $30 or so." — u/evangelinetheodora 11.
"I have started to go through all drawers, cabinets, wardrobes, etc, having a clear out. Not only have I discovered things I'd forgotten and organized things in such a way that I know how much of everything I have, but it's illustrated to me where I was making impulse purchases that I regretted. That's helped me stop repeating those same mistakes.
For example, I am done with eyeshadow, I've never really 'got' how to do it, I end up looking awful, and I've chucked the lot out; it wasn't a matter of finding the 'right palette,' it's just not for me!" — u/ilovewineandcats 12. "I often met up with friends at restaurants, just by default, and that got really expensive, even when they weren't that special. I started volunteering ideas of just meeting for dessert (instead of a drink and meal), going for a hike, or just meeting at a park to sit and chat.
The whole point was to just be together, so no one really paid attention to the switch, and they were actually a little glad not to have to plan the outings themselves. My budget is happy about it!" — u/naturalbornoptimist 14. "Get an electric blanket and put it under you on your bed this winter season.
Saves a shitload on heating the whole house. Just make sure to read the blanket safety instructions." — Dew_Lewis "I took someone’s advice on here and bought a heated mattress topper.
So damn nice." — EffortCareless 16. "Take care of your teeth!! I can't emphasize this one enough: brushing and flossing regularly will save you tens of thousands of dollars in later dental care.
" —u/ chekovs_gunman 17. "For online shopping, leave it in the cart. If you come back to it multiple times and think, 'Yes, I need/want that,' get it.
Most of the time it’s not necessary and I’ll remove it or orphan the cart." — u/teegee0005 19. "Pay in cash when I'm hanging with friends.
Automatically limits my drinking and spending to what's in my pocket." — u/321applesauce 22. "I sat down and made a budget.
I realized I had been lying to myself for decades. I am now getting back on track, and it’s painful and joyous all at once." — u/frithar 23.
"Community events, for sure. My city library offers fun adult craft nights for free once a month. It's fun to meet new people and just relax.
So far, I've taken a canvas painting class, a clay project class, and also a free sound bath/yoga class. Also, if you have a city library card, there's an app called Cloud Library to rent audiobooks and ebooks for FREE." — u/ynicole22 "I haven’t heard of Cloud Library, but I use Libby, and it’s great! I highly recommend taking advantage of getting a library card.
" — u/cucumberappleblizz "Kanopy and Hoopla come with many libraries, as well. Movies and more e/audiobooks. Also, city passes to cool places.
" — u/emu30 26. "It's better to buy used old quality stuff than new quality stuff. Because new stuff isn't meant to last, even if it's good quality.
It doesn't mean the same nowadays. Quality jeans now last maybe 2-3 years, while jeans bought 20 years ago still hold up." — u/zosmie 27.
"Buy the sample size first before you commit to the full product. This has saved my ass on shampoos I didn't like, makeup, sunscreens, and even food. Buy the small portion size first, then, if you like it, buy the bulk saving size.
" — u/meatballbusiness 29. "I grow micro plants and herbs in my kitchen when veggies are expensive in winter. I invested in a plant table, which also allows me to start my own seedlings for the garden.
" — sweetghost37 30. "On payday, I put away for savings in an instant- or easy-access savings account. I spent a bit of time working out how much of my paycheck goes on regular bills and expenses and then set up a standing order to put most of the rest into an instant-access savings account the day after payday.
" "I find I spend less on impulse buys because there's less in my account, but if I have a big or unexpected expense, I can easily move money back out of savings to cover it using online banking. "Before I started doing that, I'd find myself spending my whole pay every month and relying on a credit card even for big costs I knew were coming up (e.g.
, car insurance)." — hannahh43 32. "Start to see trash as your money.
You pay for everything in your garbage, whether it’s landfill bound, recycling, or even compost." — westofillinois 33. "Adding insulation to my attic and air-sealing my house.
Yeah, it certainly helped our power bill, but the increase in comfort is much appreciated as well." — u/_name_of_the_user_ 35. "Menstrual cup and menstrual underwear.
I never even feel that I'm on my period anymore." — u/floriish 36. "Cutting the tops off tube containers like face wash, lotion, etc.
, and scooping out the rest of what is left has been a big money saver! You’ll be amazed at how much is still left once it stops squeezing out. To keep the product from drying out, slide the cut piece down onto the area where you made the cut." — u/Icy-Tomatillo-7556 38.
"I have been able to keep my grocery costs down by only buying what is on sale in the weekly ad or for which a digital coupon is available. This is especially handy for produce — this week there were great deals on oranges and apples but not grapes, so that’s what I bought. I can’t always get what I want each week, but if I am patient, then it will eventually go on sale.
I also make a lot of stuff from scratch like breads and pizza and cookies, which saves a ton of money." — u/pepmin 39. "Go through your receipts and look for patterns — packaged foods, treats, impulse buys, etc.
Keep notes of your food waste. Gather all the food clutter in your home and eat your way through it. By the end of these steps, you'll know exactly what your non-frugal food habits are.
" — u/__under-scored__ 40. "Whenever I grocery shop, I ask for a receipt, and I evaluate the five highest-priced items. I ask myself whether it was necessary and worth it.
Usually, those higher priced items are proteins (meat) or a gluten-free food. Also, consider that sometimes buying the bigger thing is cheaper." — u/damn_fine_coffee_224 41.
"Look for staples in cheaper places. For instance, buy rice in 25-kg bags at an Asian market — way cheaper than the grocery stores. The key to saving in the modern capitalistic market is to have the willingness to walk away, and to do that you need to be flexible.
If you just have to have a specific item a specific way on a specific day, you will pay dearly for it." — u/kndyone 43. "Watch who and what you follow on social.
I unfollowed a lot of influencers who were overconsuming. I love following the ones who teach you to shop your closet." — u/dcmom14 44.
"I have learned to repair almost any home appliance. YouTube is a lifesaver and has literally saved me thousands of dollars. Furnace, AC, dishwasher, oven, washer, dryer, and sump pump — I have fixed them all.
" — u/Gibbons74 46. "If you're thinking about buying a new appliance (like an air fryer or a slow cooker), check the local thrift stores and garage/yard sales first. You can sometimes pick up an expensive appliance for just a few dollars.
'Used' often means they tried it once and didn't use it after that. I've gotten a brand-new air fryer still in the original box for $5." — u/TheFairyingForest "Facebook Marketplace is a nice spot for slightly used appliances.
" — u/k-c-jones 48. And finally, "If you’re a sucker for fast food, make sure you have options at home that are easy and good. My go-to is Trader Joe’s freezer section.
At ANY time, I can have decent orange chicken, chicken teriyaki, Indian food, chicken wontons, or a variety of other options. Yes, they are more expensive than making them from scratch. But they are easy, fast, and delicious, and in the throes of my hungry cravings, I will actually choose them.
" — u/fiftycamelsworth Did you start a new money-saving habit or try a new frugal tip in 2024? Are you making a money-related resolution in 2025? Tell us all about it in the comments!.
