If you have chairs that are starting to wear, reupholster them instead of buying new ones. If you’re trying to get rid of old furniture that’s still in good condition, don’t just leave it on the curb. Put up on add on craigslist and you’ll quickly find someone who will take it off your hands.
The next time your friends ask you to come out to a bar, invite them over to your place for a few drinks instead. Try to eat at home as often as possible. Make a goal of ordering takeout just once or twice a week if you can. If your friend proposes a dinner date, invite her over for a delicious meal or ask if she wants to cook together instead. Do you really have to see every new movie the second it comes out? If you have the patience to wait for it to come out on DVD, you can have a cozy movie night at home and save money not only on the tickets, but on snacks. Skip your $4 morning latte and make a habit of making coffee at home. [3] X Expert Source Benjamin PackardFinancial Advisor Expert Interview. 11 March 2020. You can save a lot of money every week just by doing this. [4] X Research source
Carpool. Carpooling to work or to a party with friends is a great way to save money as long as everyone pays his share. [5] X Research source Save money on gas. Check out the gas stations in your area and see which one has the cheapest gas. You may only save 10 or 25 cents a gallon, but that will quickly add up. [6] X Research source If it’s a nice day out, don’t waste money by running your car’s AC. Roll down the windows instead. [7] X Research source Wash your car yourself. Instead of spending a lot of money at a fancy car wash, get a few friends together with some sponges and a bucket of soap and water. You’ll have fun and save money.
Get to know your local bus schedule. The bus can get you somewhere just as fast as a car, and you’ll save money because you won’t have to pay for parking. If you take the train, get a monthly pass. If you use it often, this will save you a ton of money. Try to avoid cabs as much as you can. If you know you’ll be out drinking and won’t be able to drive, arrange for a responsible DD to get you home in advance.
Don’t wait until the last minute to book your flight. Your ticket will be much more expensive. Don’t book your flight too early. If you book a domestic flight over four months in advance, it may actually be more expensive because the airlines haven’t started opening their big deals yet. If you’re just going on a weekend trip, try to only pack enough for a carry-on bag to avoid the pesky fee for checking your bag.
You may be able to bike to places that seem far away. It can take just twenty minutes to bike one or two miles. Switch up one of your weekly workouts for an hour of walking instead. You can spread this hour out over the course of a week.
Write down everything you need for the week. The less times you go shopping, the less likely you’ll be to pick up something you don’t really need. [11] X Research source Plan to shop for an hour or less. Try to race the clock when you shop so you don’t spend time wandering around picking up things that look appealing. Plan to go shopping shortly after you’ve eaten. Everything will look less appealing if you’re shopping on a full stomach. If you shop when you’re hungry, you’ll be more ambitious about what you can eat. [12] X Research source
Use everything you have. Make a goal of cooking everything you’ve purchased by the end of the week, and don’t buy more groceries if you still have fresh produce in the fridge. [14] X Research source Store your items smartly. Make sure to put away refrigerated items that you’re done with before you eat and they will last longer. Strawberries will last longer if you store them on a paper towel in open Tupperware containers and dill and other herbs will last longer if you store them in paper bags. Freeze your bread and toast it when you make a sandwich. This will keep you from having to throw out half a loaf of bread every week. Make sure to cook items that will expire soon, like pasta that’s been sitting in your cabinet for a while.
Find an affordable store where you can still find great outfits. Don’t think you’ll only look good if you shop at the fanciest stores. Wait for items to go on sale. You don’t have to buy that amazing dress the second you see it – come back to the store in a few weeks, and buy it when it’s 50% off. Some major department stores will give you back the difference on an item you purchased that went on sale, so keep all of your receipts. [15] X Research source Learn to love the thrift store. You can find some funky and exciting clothes at your local thrift store instead of at the local mall.
Run outside. If the weather allows for it, running is the one of the best workouts you can do and it’s absolutely free. If you’re taking yoga or dance classes, buy a monthly pass to save money, go to donation-based classes where you can pay only what you can afford, or use a Library book and create your own yoga routine. Buy online videos or DVDs that will give you a great workout from the comfort of your own home. Work out at home. You don’t need a home gym to do push-ups, sit-ups, and serious abdominal exercises. Invest in some weights and do a full-body workout right at home.
If you’re going out to eat, eat a little something at home first so you aren’t so hungry that you order everything on the menu. If you’re eating dinner with a bigger group, see if you can get a separate check. This will be a small pain, but it will save you the hassle of figuring how much you owe to a big group and inevitably overpaying. If you’re hitting up the bars with a group of friends and you’re not the one driving, have a drink or two at home first so you don’t end up spending so much money at the bar. If a friend asks you out for drinks, pick a place with a happy hour so you can save some money.
