There aren’t many better options to get ahead financially than finding some great ways to save money!
No matter where your financial priorities lie, saving money will help everyone to improve their finances.
And in most instances it doesn’t take a whole lot of effort to make a difference!
In today’s world, there are many tools and resources out there to help you save extra money, which should be used no matter what situation you find yourself in.
Even beyond those resources, there are quite a few money saving philosophies and little tips that will go a long way in putting more cash in your pockets!
Check out the list below of over 50 creative ways to save money!
Best Tips
1. Save on Groceries
Weekly grocery bills are probably the most annoying expense that no one can avoid.
But they are also one of the few expenses where, with a little effort and a smartphone, you can save hundreds!
Ibotta is THE tool you need to have if you want to save money on groceries (use this link or enter in code aqeivdx for up to a $20 sign up bonus)!
All you need to do is download the app, and start searching for offers at the stores you shop at.
Once you’ve finished your shopping trip, just scan your receipt and your cash back will be loaded to your account.
Related: Learn how to maximize your earnings with Ibotta right here!
Aim to use the app frequently and you might even earn some extra bonuses!
Then when your balance grows large enough you can withdraw real cash via PayPal.
And while Ibotta got started in the grocery game, they’ve expanded to over 1,000 participating retailers to give you cash back on everything from baby clothes to beauty products.
Say hello to the new age coupons!
2. Save Extra Money Made Through Online Surveys
Everyone wants to save money, but in many cases you simply just don’t have the room in your budget to put some extra cash away each month.
To help change that, start taking online surveys!
Related: Get access to the 4 best survey sites out there!
With Survey Junkie or Swagbucks, you can take online surveys using a computer, tablet, or smartphone for easy cash!
Both survey sites are very highly rated by Trustpilot, and you can be paid out in cash via PayPal so you can stock up your savings account.
You could even earn up to $50 for some surveys!
AND you can get some killer signup bonuses just for getting started!
For even more awesome survey sites and to learn how to maximize your earnings, check this out!
3. Get Cash Back When You Shop Online
Online shopping continues to replace shopping in person as time goes by.
Sure, it might be a little inconvenient if you want to try something on or see it in person before making a purchase, but the good news is there are tons of easy ways to save money and get cash back when you shop online!
When it comes to cash back, Rakuten is your best option!
With deals at thousands of stores (sometimes over 20% cash back!), it’s not too hard to save a lot of money!
And don’t forget to check out the double cash back stores and BOGO (buy one, get one) deals to further increase your cash back balance that you can withdraw via PayPal.
Sign up today with this link or enter in the email ekron2738@gmail.com for a $20 bonus!
In addition to Rakuten, it’s also worth checking out Swagbucks!
You’ll find more great cash back deals among other ways to earn “swagbucks” that you can redeem for cash!
You can also get a $10 sign up bonus when you sign up for Swagbucks using this link!
4. Find a side hustle
Sometimes the best defense can be a good offense.
That’s how you should think about side hustles when it comes to saving money!
Rather than waiting around for money to accumulate while you find and try ways to save, you can be aggressive and start a side hustle to supplement your 9 to 5 income.
Some examples of a great side hustle you can start from home include:
- Virtual Assistant
- Remote Bookkeeper
- Tutoring
- Blogging (learn how to start a blog here!)
- Freelance Work
- Proofreading
There are endless online opportunities out there both online and beyond a computer screen.
And sometimes, with a little hard work and determination, a side hustle can blossom into a new and exciting full time career!
No matter what you want out of a side hustle, any extra income will go a long way in helping you save money.
Check out this list of high earning side hustles!
5. Get Automatic Cash Back
Trying to hold off for the best deal when eyeing something up online can be frustrating, especially if you’re impatient.
But when you sign up for Paribus, you can make those purchases whenever you want, and get cash back if and when the price drops.
That’s right, you’ll save money even AFTER you buy something!
Paribus watches for email receipts from all of your online shopping, and if there is a drop in price after you’ve already made your purchase, they’ll let you know and help you get some money back!
With over $29 million in potential savings discovered for users, you’ll be sure to save money if you are frequently buying things online!
6. Save and Invest Spare Change
Saving some extra money each week or month takes discipline, and saving enough money to invest takes an even larger commitment.
But with Acorns, you can start investing with just a few dollars and no effort at all!
It allows you to invest money in a completely hands-off way, which may leave you amazed at how quickly your portfolio will climb!
- Related: Learn how to take full advantage of Acorns!
Just link your credit card, then every time you spend money, Acorns will invest your spare change rounded up to the next dollar!
For example, if you buy a cup of coffee for $3.25, Acorns will invest $0.75 into your account.
So not only is Acorns completely hands-off, but it’s also incredibly easy to get started since you don’t need to save money beforehand!
7. Download Coupon Web Browser Extensions
In just about all online shopping carts, you’ll find a promo/coupon code field.
And anytime you are making a purchase online, you’d be silly to not take advantage of any codes that may be out there.
Only problem is finding the best code that saves you the most money…
That’s where money saving web browser extensions, like Honey, come in!
When you download extensions like these, they’ll do the grunt work of finding you the best possible coupon code.
Just go about your online shopping like you normally would and once you get to the checkout page, the extensions will try all the coupon codes they can find on the web!
They’ll even compare your price to other sellers to make sure you’re getting the best deal!
Save on Fun
8. Find Cheap and Free Entertainment
Don’t ever think that you can’t find free or cheap entertainment around town!
There are plenty of ways to have fun in your community without having to dig deep into your pockets.
For the kids, check out some playgrounds, find a local swimming spot (that’s safe of course!), or head to the public library where there are often free programs that the little ones will love!
For you, find some free local live music for a fun night out, head out for a walk on a local trail, or check out a play performed by a local school or organization.
The key to finding cheap and free entertainment is doing a little research, especially on social media.
There are plenty of options out there, you just have to find them!
9. Vacation during low-travel periods
Finding a fun-filled vacation destination at a good value can be a tough task.
Especially when you limit your search to stereotypical traveling times like spring break and holidays.
To help save money, consider planning a vacation during area off-seasons or non-typical travel times.
You’ll save on flights, hotels, and other activities, which could cut the overall costs of your getaway to a fraction of what you might spend during the busier travel months!
10. Do Some Vacation Research
Being frugal and saving money is great and all, but you have to find ways to put a portion of your money towards joy and happiness.
And going on a vacation is a great way to spend a little money for some fun filled memories!
Now there’s a right way to plan a vacation, and that includes doing your research to ultimately make your trip as cheap as possible.
Checking multiple airlines, researching the best places and times to travel to maximize value, and looking into package deals are all good ways to begin your research.
Apply that frugal mindset towards vacation planning and you might be surprised at just how cheap an awesome vacation can be!
11. Find Inexpensive Hobbies
Everyone deserves to have a fun filled life, and finding hobbies you enjoy is crucial to making that happen.
But that definitely doesn’t mean that you have to spend a lot of money!
There are many hobbies out there that are either free or require just a little up front cost to get the proper equipment.
Just a few ideas of cheap hobbies include:
- Biking
- Fishing
- Painting
- Hiking
- Disc Golf
- Any form of exercising
- Photography
Some hobbies may be more expensive than others and how you spend your money on equipment definitely matters.
But you can for sure save money by choosing to get into inexpensive hobbies over money sucking ones!
12. Live Healthy
Living a happy life will be easier to achieve if you choose to live a healthy life.
And not only will you be happier, but you will also save money if you prioritize your health!
It might not seem like much, but simply eating healthy and exercising will keep you away from the hospital and reduce health expenses over your entire life.
Now don’t think you have to go crazy and become a cross fit maniac, although you should go for it if you are interested!
Simply going for some walks, limiting your junk food, and sticking to good habits will improve your long term health and help you avoid trips to the doctor.
As an extra bonus for choosing to live healthy, you could make up to $10,000 for setting weight loss goals and betting on your success with HealthyWage!
Sign up as an individual or in a group, and if you hit your weight loss goals that you place a wager on you could walk away a big winner!
13. Buy a Membership
If you have a favorite spot where you go to spend money frequently for a fun time, a simple sign up form could make it much cheaper for you!
To save money, see if you can sign up for a membership so you can pay a cheaper rate up front, rather than the normal rate every time you go.
Some places may offer different packages that allow for a certain number of visits, and many will allow for unlimited access for a good price!
It’s always worth it to check into membership options at any place you are a frequent customer.
Some common places to sign up for memberships include golf courses, public swimming pools, and theme parks.
In all cases, you should be getting a much better deal per visit!
14. Make Memories Over Giving Too Many Gifts
Birthdays and other holidays come and go year after year, as does the gift giving.
New toys for the little ones, new tech or video games for the teenagers, and usually some clothes make up the gifts that are unwrapped.
Many of these gifts will be forgotten within weeks, and parents who have spent a lot of money on them will be left frustrated.
So instead of buying too many material gifts, spend your money on a fun trip to create memories with your family and friends.
You’ll save money by not chasing your childrens’ frequently changing desires and demands, and you’ll likely end up happier and closer as a family!
Best Ways to Score Easy and Fast Money!
Survey Junkie is your best bet to make a few bucks really quick by taking simple online surveys!
Rakuten will bring cash back to your pockets whenever you buy something! No matter where you spend money, Rakuten will help you save!
Swagbucks is your one stop shop for all things easy money! Take surveys, shop online, watch videos, and play games for cash!
Cut Costs
15. Get rid of Unused Subscriptions
Subscriptions and bills for various things in our lives can pile up in a hurry and leave us wondering where our money goes each month.
Between cable, internet, streaming services, cell phones, and even medical bills, your monthly budget can suffer much more than you realize.
That’s where Trim steps in as your very own personal assistant to get into the weeds of your monthly expenses.
When you sign up for Trim, it will analyze and monitor your bank accounts and credit cards for recurring monthly expenses to help you identify ways to save money.
Trim will even negotiate with companies to make sure you’re getting the best rate possible!
16. Limit Happy Hours and Eating Out
Sometimes an ice cold beverage after a long day of work sounds like a great idea.
But if you make a habit out of happy hour drinks and weeknight restaurant tabs, it could put some serious strain on your wallet.
Now I’m not saying that you should never enjoy an evening out for food and drinks.
And if going out for happy hours with co-workers or friends is something you truly love to do, then you will just have to be smart about it and reasonably fit it into your budget.
So find a balance that works for you, and understand that the more you can limit those outings means more money saved!
17. Save on Filling Your Gas Tank
Having to gas up your vehicle, no matter how often it’s needed, is never fun.
The number on the gas pump screen just keeps going up while you hope for the tank to reach its limit any second.
For many that have long work commutes or have no other way to get around town to run errands, the trip to the gas station can come as often as every week.
To ease the burden on your wallet and save money, download the GetUpside app to save up to $0.25 per gallon!
Simply scan your receipt in the app or check in to log your purchase, and you’ll earn cash back to make your gas bill a little less painful!
18. Learn How to Fix Things Around Your House
Owning a home can be very rewarding, but also very stressful!
Without any notice, the bathroom sink can become clogged or your air conditioning can go out.
And you often have a long list of projects, some small tasks and some intimidating ones, that you want to get done.
So if you want to save money, take the time to learn how to repair things and complete home projects yourself with the help of the internet!
I’ve found Youtube to be my best friend when trying to figure out how to do something around the house that’s new to me.
And in most cases, you’ll be able to find a video of someone with the exact same problem or project that will walk you through step by step how to get it done.
Fixing something yourself is actually pretty rewarding, plus you won’t have to fork out a lot of cash to hire the work out.
Check out these awesome DIY home projects to give your home a facelift!
19. Consider Other Modes of Transportation
Driving a vehicle as your primary way to get around can get spendy in many different ways.
Filling up the gas tank is the main expense that comes to mind, but there’s also oil changes, routine maintenance, and the surprise leak that could end up costing hundreds.
Depending on how far away your destination is, there are many other modes of transportation that can help you save money!
Just a few options include riding a bike, riding a scooter (try Lime or Bird!), walking, or taking public transportation.
20. Exercise at Home
I already talked about the money saving benefits of living a healthy life above, but you can take it even further and find ways to save money with your exercising choices.
Instead of shelling out too much money for a gym membership, consider investing in some home gym equipment or doing simple body weight exercises at home.
Taking up jogging or bike riding are also easy and cheap ways to get some great exercise without having to pay a monthly fee.
Now if you enjoy the community of a gym or you know you’re going to get your money’s worth, it can absolutely make sense for you to pay for a gym membership.
But if you don’t see yourself staying committed to going consistently, it may make more sense to skip the membership and just exercise at home.
Either way, don’t forget about trying to win thousands by beating your weight loss goals with HealthyWage!
Dealing with Debt
21. Earn All the Credit Card Points You Can
It may sound crazy, but using credit cards can be a great way to earn some free money!
As long as you’re disciplined with your spending to avoid paying interest to the credit card companies, using a credit card can provide free rewards in many different forms!
Tons of credit card companies offer awesome reward programs where you can earn points redeemable for everything from travel to electronics to straight cash!
NerdWallet has a good comparison chart of the best credit cards for rewards here.
I personally use the American Express Delta credit card for basically every purchase I make (don’t worry, I pay off my balance in full every month!) to earn points that I can redeem for flights or other vacation packages that Delta offers.
I like to think of my credit card points as an extra bonus that I deserve to spend on something fun.
Whatever your situation is, there are many different options out there so you can pick what’s best for you!
22. Refinance Student Loans
According to Forbes, the average student loan debt in the U.S. is over $32,000, and has continued to increase over the years!
Student loans are a burden on millions of college attendees, and unfortunately too many people have just accepted that payments will last the majority of their working lives.
Refinancing those student loans with SoFi can help lower your monthly payment and reduce the life of your loans, which could mean you’ll pay a lot less interest!
I’m here to tell you that you don’t have to be strapped down by your student loans for the rest of your life!
Plus, when you use this link you’ll get a FREE $100 towards your student loan balance when you sign up!
23. ALWAYS Pay off credit card balance in full
Nothing frustrates me more than paying way more for something than I have to.
But that is exactly what you’ll do to yourself if you use a credit card irresponsibly, something that way too many people seem to be alright with!
Credit cards are great to have for earning rewards (see above) and in case of emergencies, but if you plan on going on a spending spree by swiping your plastic, you may want to reconsider.
Most retail credit cards that sucker you in with special perks (again, if you are disciplined you should take advantage of them!) charge 25% – 30% APY, which could end up costing you thousands in interest.
So to make sure to avoid those extra charges, make sure you don’t spend more than you can pay for and ALWAYS pay off your entire monthly balance!
It’s as simple as that!
24. Pay more than the minimum (save interest)
Paying debt down as quickly as you can is a very easy way to save money!
You might notice every time you make a monthly debt payment, whether it be on a mortgage, car loan, or some other consumer loan, a portion of your payment goes towards the principal of the loan and the other portion goes towards interest.
If you can work out the space in your budget, paying more than the minimum payment on loans will help you pay off that debt faster which results in less interest paid over the course of the loan!
Some extra debt eliminating motivation can knock down your loan principal much quicker than you might think!
25. Automate Your Monthly Payments
Don’t EVER let yourself get stuck having to pay pesky late fees.
There’s just no excuse for it these days when you can automate most, if not all, of your monthly loan payments.
We all live busy lives, so we need to take advantage of any little thing that can make it easier to keep up.
Automation in your life will help you save money and time!
26. Always pay off loans in no interest periods
Buying a new set of bedroom furniture or a brand new 80” TV with all the bells and whistles won’t come cheap.
That’s a lot of cash to fork over all at once, even if you can afford to pay upfront.
But the good news is you can usually pay off your new purchase over time!
Typically, stores will offer some financing options, and in many cases they will have a promotion for 0% interest for the first year or so.
You should take full advantage of these opportunities, and do whatever you need to do to make sure you pay off the balance before the interest kicks in!
27. Compare Interest Rates
When taking on debt, it’s always important to make sure you are getting the lowest possible rate.
Even half a percent difference can result in paying hundreds or even thousands more than you have to.
So to make sure you are getting the best rate, head over to Lending Tree to compare all of your options!
Lending Tree is America’s largest online lending marketplace and will make sure that you get the best interest rate out there!
Simply answer a few easy questions about the type of loan you are looking for and Lending Tree will lead you to the best choice!
Frugal Moves
28. Pack a lunch for Work
Breaking up the work day with a trip to your favorite lunch spot can make any day better!
But unless you’re getting your lunch paid for by your manager, you’d be wise to think twice about leaving the office for a meal.
In just a single day of choosing to pack a lunch for work over going out to a restaurant, you could easily save at least $5 – $7.
Compound that over a month or a year and it’s easy to see just how much money you can save!
Check out the deals on Ibotta (use code aqeivdx to get a $10 BONUS!) to save even more money when buying your lunch food!
29. Give Homemade Gifts
Between birthdays, Christmas, and other holidays, you can spend a lot of money on gifts for your loved ones.
Add in a big family or other gift giving events like weddings or baby showers, and you could easily spend hundreds of dollars without realizing it.
To ease the financial burden of spreading joy to your friends and family, consider giving homemade gifts if you have special artistic skills!
And chances are that if people you know love your homemade gifts, then you could probably start a sweet side hustle selling your crafty gifts on Etsy!
30. Share Streaming and Other Subscriptions
Join the ranks of cord cutters all across the world and get rid of all those extra channels that you probably never watch.
And to save even more money, when you go to sign up for streaming subscriptions to replace your cable, consider teaming up with some friends and family by sharing accounts!
More and more streaming services have joined Netflix and are trying to fight for your viewership, so rather than pay for multiple streaming services on your own, you can share the accounts and cost with others!
And this doesn’t just apply to streaming services either!
You can save money by sharing accounts for services like Amazon Prime, Spotify, and basically any other online subscriptions.
Just make sure you aren’t the one footing the bill for all the services!
31. Turn Off Electricity When Not in Use
Any time you leave a room or leave the house, make sure to shut the lights and any other electronics off.
It might not seem like simply shutting everything down will make a big difference, but a few dollars every month could add up to over $100 per year.
Every good habit you can work on to help save money is important, big or small, and could help you save thousands over the course of your life!
32. Opt for Open Windows or Layers and Blankets
How you manage your thermostat can fall in the category of shutting off electricity, but it definitely deserves its own spot in this list!
This might be more applicable to my fellow midwesterners out there, as well as anyone else in the northern part of the US, since we experience more seasonal changes than southern parts of the country.
Basically, whenever you think you need to turn the heat on as winter approaches or the air conditioning on as summer is around the corner, force yourself to hold off just a little longer.
It’s just as easy to throw on some extra layers and use blankets to combat dropping temps, and that could help you save upwards of $50 per month on your energy bill!
And the same applies for when the weather heats up. Open your windows and let the cool nightly breeze drop the temp inside your home.
All in all, reduce your thermostat adjustments when the seasons are changing and you will save money!
33. Learn to say NO!
Pressure to spend money comes from many different directions in a single day.
Staying true to what you value most and not succumbing to outside influences can definitely help you save money!
In today’s world of trying to keep up with everything and everyone you see on social media, it can be easy to spend too much money on things that actually aren’t important to you.
Never be afraid to say no to spending money on something you don’t want to or know you shouldn’t.
Your wallet and future self will thank you!
34. Raid your family members’ closets
Sometimes you don’t need to spend any money at all to find your new favorite outfit!
Take a spin through your family members’ closets, with permission of course, to see if there’s anything that catches your eye.
It’s worth the look if you can find a few items that you would otherwise pay good money for!
And if your parents or grandparents tend to be pack rats, you’ll probably have a higher chance to find some really sweet stuff that’s just been collecting dust for years!
This is the treasure hunt that your wallet has been waiting for!
Shop Smart
35. Buy Used Stuff
One of the easiest ways to avoid overpaying for something is to shop used rather than brand new.
And in many cases, you can find items that weren’t hardly used at all!
For clothes, check out Poshmark.
For any tech items, check out Decluttr.
Then for anything you could imagine, Facebook marketplace, Craigslist, Mercari, OfferUp, and eBay are all great places to check out.
And don’t forget about checking out good old fashioned garage sales and thrift stores!
In many instances, something might look like its best years are in the past, but a little TLC or minor replacement parts are all it takes to become basically brand new!
Some of my personal best hauls include a fancy treadmill that was less than a year old for $400 (over $1500 new!) and a nice grill for only $30!
36. Always Search Online for a Price Match
Whenever you find something you want to buy, ALWAYS check online to see if you can get a better price at a different store.
And in most cases you can still shop where you want since many stores will match the lowest price you find to make sure they are the lucky ones to get your business.
It’s such a quick and easy way to make sure you get the best deal possible!
I once saved over $150 on a chair by simply showing the furniture store salesman, using my smartphone, where I could get the same chair for cheaper. No questions asked and they decided to match the price!
37. Take Advantage of Cash Back Tools/Resources
It can’t be stressed enough how important it is to utilize resources and tools that help you save money.
Related: Check out the Top 10 Money Saving Apps that I recommend!
Simply putting forth a little effort to find deals when you shop can help you save hundreds over the course of a year!
In some cases, uploading a receipt to an app will do the trick to save on groceries or other frequently bought items.
And in other cases, you can shop directly through different money saving platforms for everything from travel to spendy electronics to save loads of cash!
In addition to Rakuten and Swagbucks like I mentioned above, there are tons of other apps to take advantage of, which you can find here!
38. Buy from Outlet Stores (Don’t spend full price!)
Outlet malls are all across the nation, and if you ever need to add some fresh clothes to your wardrobe they should be one of the first places you check.
Sure, you can find good deals at most stores, but it won’t be easy sifting through all of the clearance racks to maybe find one shirt that you like.
At most outlet stores, the entire store is discounted and sometimes they’ll even pile on more savings!
Paying full price for any clothes or shoes is just silly, since you can usually find great deals and save money at outlet stores.
39. Opt for Generic over Name Brand
Take a stroll through all the aisles at the grocery store and I’m willing to bet that the products you notice are the popular name brands.
Now probably right next to the brands that have commercials and fancy slogans are the generic goods that look and taste just as good, and are much cheaper.
Take a gallon of milk for example. In my shopping experience, you can save up to $1.00 PER GALLON just by choosing the generic gallon over the name brand.
Apply this principle to the rest of your shopping and you could easily save over $10 on a cart-full of groceries!
40. Shop Sales and Special Offers
Like I mentioned above, paying full price for most things you need to buy over the course of your life is just downright silly.
You can always find sales and special offers if you’re willing to put forth a little effort and show some patience to find them, both in stores and online.
Many businesses have recurring sales every year too, so you can know when to strike on some potential great deals and save money!
41. Avoid Impulse Purchases
Sometimes when you walk past something amazing in a store, or, in today’s ever growing ecommerce world, scroll past a social media ad for a hyped-up product, you can’t help but think that you need it.
You don’t need to feel guilty about wanting stuff, but if we all immediately bought everything that caught our attention we’d be broke!
If you come across something you want to buy, take a step back and ask yourself these 3 questions:
- How will it affect my financial situation (budget, debt, etc.)?
- Will I use it enough to make the purchase worth it?
- Is this the best deal that I can find?
Especially for bigger purchases, you should definitely take some time to think it over since buying something that you ultimately can’t afford, whether you admit it or not, could be detrimental to your finances.
You’ll thank yourself later.
42. Buy in Bulk
If you spend hundreds of dollars every month on groceries and other life essentials, you’re probably leaving the store at least 4 times a month with a full cart load.
Especially if you are shopping for a big family, you need a lot of whatever you get.
One way to save money and time is to buy in bulk at stores like Costco or Sam’s Club!
Rather than buying multiple boxes or bags of a single item at a normal store, a large quantity store will be cheaper long term since you’ll be getting a much better deal on each individual item.
Plus, you can knock out your monthly demand with fewer packages, which reduces the frequency that you need to to replenish your cupboards.
43. Use Coupons and Loyalty Cards
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with a good old fashioned coupon!
Many larger and more popular companies have kind of strayed away from printed coupons over the last decade.
But you won’t have a hard time finding local shops that will send out coupons in the mail, newspaper, or simply hand them out.
Some spots will offer loyalty cards or stamp cards to encourage you to spend more by giving you special deals and perks too!
It may be old fashion, but that doesn’t mean you can’t save money!
44. Don’t Buy The New Model As Soon As It Comes Out
Trying to keep up with the latest tech trends can be exhausting.
Between smartphones, laptops, gaming systems, and many other electronics, you barely have enough time to get used to your current tech before a newer model comes out.
While it may be tempting to have the latest and greatest, you’ll save a lot of money if you don’t jump the gun and buy the new model right after it’s released.
And in many cases, there aren’t any major changes from previous models so a simple software update can provide you with the same new experience with an old device.
Wait a little while for the dust to settle from a new release, and you might be able to get the new model a few months later at a discount.
Preventative Moves & Being Prepared
45. Use the Best Bank Accounts
It’s easy to think that your bank will always have your back and that there’s no better place for you to keep your money.
But chances are your money would be better off somewhere else!
There are thousands of different choices when it comes to bank accounts, and it’s important to do your research to make sure you choose the right one for you!
And don’t forget about online options, since nowadays you don’t have to be limited to what’s near your home.
Things to consider include interest rates, required minimum balances, fees, and customer service.
Bankrate has great comparisons of checking and savings accounts to help you decide, among other account comparisons.
Ultimately, you have to choose the account that’s best for you and that should help you save money!
46. Budget and Track Your Net Worth
Taking control and making the effort to be knowledgeable is a good way to ensure success with anything in life.
Knowing your financial situation inside and out is no different.
Budgeting is not only important to make sure you have all of your expenses accounted for, but it also allows you to take a closer look at what money you might have left over to invest or build future wealth.
Try out Personal Capital if you want an user friendly budgeting tool!
With the ability to track spending, build budgets, and create savings plans, utilizing Personal Capital is a must!
If you want some more detailed advice on how to achieve financial success, check out the 4 Keys to Take Control of your Financial Life!
47. Take Good Care of your Vehicle
Want to know the best way to avoid car maintenance costs from piling up?
Take care of your vehicle BEFORE it needs fixing!
Yea, it can be a little inconvenient to take the time to get your oil changed, tires rotated, or filters and fluids checked.
But if you are responsible and take the right steps to keep your vehicle running smoothly, you’ll greatly reduce the chances of having to take it in for a much more expensive fix.
Being proactive will save money in the long run!
48. Plan Your Meals Each Week
Ending up with too much or too little food in your fridge and pantry can have some consequences on your wallet.
That’s why it’s important to think about and plan your meals each week.
Planning your meals every week can help you save money in two different ways!
First, your trips to the grocery store won’t end up with you throwing random stuff in your cart because you thought you might need it.
And second, you won’t have to throw away spoiled food that you forget about.
You’ll also avoid overeating and grabbing too many snacks, which is a plus!
49. Avoid Consumer Debt (Unless You Get 0% Interest)
It can be easy to justify buying some big ticket item when you just focus on the super reasonable monthly payment that a business will advertise.
But you should definitely take a little time to dig beneath the surface of any offers to take on consumer debt.
In many cases, businesses will charge a crazy amount of interest, or have other fees or restrictions that they hope you won’t notice initially.
So unless you are able to score a zero interest period where you plan to pay off the entire loan before the period ends, it’s best to steer clear of consumer debt.
And as always, no matter the debt you are debating to take on, it’s important to take a hard look at the fine print
50. Build Up an Emergency Fund
Life has a tendency to throw quite a few curveballs.
And sometimes those curveballs unfortunately can affect your finances quite a bit.
To be prepared for any surprises that might require hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars to fix, make sure to have an emergency fund built up!
In Dave Ramsey’s Complete Guide to Money, Dave recommends starting with an emergency fund of $1000.
Then, once you have a chance to get your feet under you a little better financially, he advises to have three to six months worth of expenses saved up in an emergency fund.
Having the cash saved to be used in an emergency will help ease the financial and emotional strain of unexpected expenses.
It might not be a flashy use of your money, but you’ll thank yourself when you can take care of out of the blue medical, vehicle, or home costs.
51. Plan Ahead For Big Purchases
All big purchases from new TVs to vehicles or any other big, expensive toys can leave your budget stretched pretty thin.
That’s why it’s important to plan ahead for any big purchases!
Make sure to take a look at any financing deals (especially if interest-free options exist!) to help make it easier to pay for your big ticket item.
Locking in advantageous financing or taking the time to save up enough money for your purchase will help you save money through avoiding high interest costs that you might otherwise pay without a good plan.
52. Set Up a 401(k) or Other Retirement Account
Saving for retirement is the best long term move that you can make to set yourself up for a comfortable life after your working days are over.
It can be hard to think 30+ years in the future and to plan for that, but you’ll thank yourself if you take the right steps when you’re young.
Your first step should be to check into any retirement plans your employer offers.
Going with an account through work is super easy since contributions usually just come right out of your paycheck, and in many cases your employer will even contribute some money towards your retirement!
If you want to look for a retirement account outside of what’s offered by your employer, a good place to start is checking into accounts offered by Fidelity.
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