Ching Ching: 60 Ways To Save Money

One of the earliest pieces of financial advice I learned from my aunt was the importance of saving; I was a little girl when she took me to the bank to open up my first savings account.  I still can vividly remember the joy of walking into the bank and the excitement of getting my little bank book and looking at all of the money (not that much) on my account.

Sadly, not a lot of people are taught from a young age the importance of saving and many times we are stuck in impossible situations because of this. I thought now would a great opportunity to encourage those who do not have a financial plan for their lives to think about drafting something or hiring a financial advisor.

I also wanted to provide some valuable ways to save money, many that have worked for me and I continue to use in my daily life!  These 60 money saving tips can be implemented as soon as….right now, while others might take a while to flush out! If you’re saving money for a specific goal, or you just want to reevaluate your spending habits, give these a go!

1. Create A budget: How are you going to save money if you don’t know how much money you’re spending or how much money you’re actually making? The first step to saving is creating a monthly or weekly budget outlining all of your expenses and your earnings. By doing this you can see exactly where your money is going or not going.
2. Stick To Your Budget: One of the hardest things I’ve had to learn is how to stick to a budget. It takes discipline and strong will, but once you’ve passed the first two or three months, it gets a bit easier. Start off with a simple budget that isn’t too strict to seamlessly get you into a groove.
3. Meal Prep: Save not only money but time by prepping your meals for the week or month. You will be less tempted to buy fast food or dine out.
4. Cook: At the beginning of the year, I cooked breakfast, lunch and dinner, almost every day. Was it tiresome and tedious and annoying? Yes! But, I saved tons of money.
5. Use Ebates: While saving, you’ll have to keep your shopping to the bare necessities, and while you do this, you’ll have the opportunity to earn cash back by using Ebates, a service that gives you cash back when you shop! Yes, it is real and I do use it! If you’re interested in learning more and signing up, use my link! 
6. Pack Your Lunch: Always pack lunch. My budget for lunch meals was pathetic and I cringed when I began to follow my dollars. I spend hundreds of money every month “fellowshipping’ with my coworkers over food and drinks during lunch hour. Pack your lunch the night before so you won’t forget it in the morning!
7. Stick To The Grocery List: Are you one of those people who roam endlessly in the grocery store picking up random things, just because? That was me. Stick to the list! Before you go, write down everything that you will need, grab it and get out as fast as possible. Don’t go through aisles that you don’t need, don’t get sidetracked.
8. Buy Wholesale: Buying household items in bulk have proven to be a cost-effective strategy for me. The prices are much better for cases but you’ll end up with a surplus of goods that you may not need. BUT, you can always ask a friend or family member to go half on wholesale items and simply split it up.
9. Say No To Starbucks: Do you know how much coffee costs? I’m not a coffee drinker but I know that it is super expensive because I always seem to end up there with my coworkers and their bill is usually almost $10 bucks! That is insane. So, if you’re a coffee lover and you drink it every day that’s almost $40 a week, $160 a month or $1,900 ish a year! That’s a plane ticket to somewhere exotic!
10. Cut The Cable: Let’s be honest, do you really watch cable tv? The channels these days are super basic, there is never anything good on to watch and many things are available right on the internets. Also, Netflix is a much cheaper option if you need some entertainment.
11. Stick To One Streaming Service: Do you need Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, and HBO streaming? I’m sure you don’t. Decide which one provides the best value for money and stick to one, if you can go without it, then don’t do any.
12. Cut Out Impulsive Shopping: We live in a world where we are constantly marketed to. Fight the urge, don’t give in to impulsive shopping. Stay away from malls or places you know will cause you to open your wallet.
13. Start Couponing: I was once ashamed to coupon. I can not tell you why, but I probably will just blame it on age. But these days, if I can pay for my entire bill with a coupon, I’m here for it! Sign up for email alerts from your favourite companies, or read the newspapers. There is always a way to get a discount.
14. Batch Services: If you can’t eliminate certain services, try to buy them in a series. My brow lady offers a brow series that allows me to pay for a set amount of brows in advance, because of this I’m able to get three free services, which saves me almost $100.
15. Have An Accountability Partner: Saving is hard. It will get hard and you will want to quit. These times are when you call up your accountability partner and let them help you and be your personal cheerleader. It can be anyone you trust, like a best friend, significant other or mentor.
16. Cut Apple Music, Spotify or Tidal: Ask yourself, do you really need a streaming service. You probably don’t. While I love, love Apple Music, I honestly don’t need it. When saving, any bit counts and that extra $10 a month adds up.
17. Shop Around: When shopping or making purchases always shop around for a cheaper price. Those $5 and $10 difference add up!
18. Do Your Own Hair: I know people that spend hundreds of dollars in the beauty salon every single month on their hair. I personally can’t afford to go to the hair salon, so I don’t. I wash and treat my hair at home and as a treat would go to a hair salon to get a mandatory trim. If I need a fancy style for a special event, I watch Youtube, vloggers are my friends!
19. Carpool: Save on gas by hiking a ride with a neighbour or friend that lives in your area.
20. Throw Your Own Parties: There is nothing I love more than a house party! I don’t have to get dressed and I don’t have to go out and spend unnecessary money. When you’re saving you’re going to have to cut back on things like going out; in order not to lose your mind, throw your own house parties. Ask everyone to pitch in and bring a bottle or a bowl of something!
21. Think Before Spending: This may seem simple, but do we really think before we make purchases? I have things in my closet that I KNOW I shouldn’t have bought and I know you do too. Ask yourself one question before spending. Do I REALLY need this? If it’s a want, put it back.
22. Cut Up Or Hide Your Credit Cards: Credit cards are great IF you use them properly, but let’s face it, not everyone is disciplined enough to pay them off immediately. When you don’t pay your cards off in time, you incur exorbitant interest rates which are a major no-no. If you can’t use them properly cut them up or give them to someone you trust.
23. Sign Up For Reward Credit Cards: If you must have a credit card, ensure that your card is working for you. Sign up for credit cards that reward you with cash back or with points that can be used toward goodies like travel, hotels, or car rentals.
24. Quit Vaping Or Smoking: Saving requires cutting back on expensive habits, smoking has got to go!
25. Say No To Alchohol: You don’t need to worry about your credit card bill after a night on the town because you’re going to say no to alcohol. It’s expensive and probably don’t really need it. If it’s a must, buy something and keep it home. It’s far cheaper to drink at home.
26. No Online Shopping: My vice. Online shopping is my favourite past time. When I get bored, I shop. When I’m sad, I shop. I online shop because I love the thrill of receiving packages. I know, it’s awful and expensive. My remedy to this is to stay off of shopping websites. I can’t love or want to buy something if I don’t visit these websites.
27. Do Your Own Manicures & Pedicures: *Looks down at hands and feet.* I’ve been giving myself mani’s and pedi’s and I think it’s going quite well. Head to Amazon, get a nail kit and some top coat and save yourself about $120 a month.
28. Cut Out Sugaring & Waxing Services: I must confess, I love me a good wax or sugar but it’s pricey. I spend about $135 a month on the essentials and I can NOT live without it. I have learned to cut back though; instead of full-body hair removal, I cut back and break out the shaving creme and razor!
29. Eliminate Facials: I know a friend that gets facials every month because she has super oily skin and pays almost $200 a month. Are facials every month necessary? Probably not. Cut back to perhaps every other month or every three months and save a few hundred dollars.
30. Cancel Gym Memberships: Change up your routine. Go running around the block, find some at home exercises that work for you and stick to it.
31. Create Your Own Weekly Uniform: Eliminate as much shopping from your life as possible by creating a weekly uniform. Steve Jobs wore the same outfit every day, you have no excuse. Buy two or three suits and switch them up.
32. Bank Online: Every penny counts and this is why you should always opt to bank online if you can. Banks are trying to encourage more people to use the internets and because of this going into the bank for transactions will likely costly more than banking online or at the ATM.
33. Audit Your Debit/Credit Card: Do you truly know where your money is going? Print out your statements for your debit or credit cards and track all of your payments. Many times we forget that we’ve signed up for services and automatic payments. If you don’t even know you’re making these transactions, you probably should cancel those services.
34. Take Public Transportation: If you live in a country where public transportation is organised, think about taking it more often. I lived in New York City for three years and had no use for a car.
35. Sell Your Car: I love my car, so I know what you’re thinking. I’m not that crazy though. I promise. If your city has great transportation, why not. It will free up parking costs, car insurance, car services and other miscellaneous headaches. You can also use Uber or Lyft.
36. Pay Bills Yearly: Some companies will give you a discount if you pay your bills by the year. Always inquire if this is an option and see how much it will save if you pay yearly.
37. Drive A Smart Car: If you must have a car, buy something that is economical. It costs about $30 for me to fill up my car with gas and that lasts me about three weeks.
38. Don’t Try To Keep Up With The Kardashians: When you are saving you can’t focus on what other people are doing. You don’t know their life or their finances. What you do know is your goal and your mission. Don’t buy things to impress people or keep up appearances.
39. Buy Generic Brands: When shopping, shop the ‘no name’ brands. They’re always cheaper and just as good as the original. It will also leave a lot more money in your pocket.
40. Buy Used Goods: There’s usually a stigma when it comes to this but it’s absolutely normal and fine to buy something that was preowned. I’m sure you’re driving a pre-owned car! So why not buy some used furniture or thrifty clothing.
41. Open A Savings Only Bank Account: Open an account that is specifically for saving. I have a savings account that does not have a bank card attached to it. This means if I were to get money from the account I would have to go in the bank which I hate. The way my account is set up discourages me from withdrawing.
42. Consolidate Your Loans: It is very common to accumulate multiple forms of debt like credit cards or student loans. Consolidating allows you to bundle your debt and make one payment across the board. This helps to eliminate missed, late payments or penalties that will cost you more in the long run.
43. Pay Off Your Loans ASAP: The longer you take to pay off a loan the more interest you pay. Save money, pay off your loans as soon as you possibly can.
44. Ditch Your Cell Phone Plan: I barely use my cell phone to make calls. I use wifi 95% of the day and therefore I don’t have us for a cell phone plan. With the advancement in technology and apps, I can make my calls over wifi.
45. Find A Roommate: Living expenses take up a bulk of your income, finding a way to cut that cost can be as simple as finding a living mate. It will take some time to adjust to sharing your space, but your pockets will love it.
46. Airbnb: If you have an extra room in your house or you can stay at a family members house as needed, why not rent out your home. You can earn a lot of extra cash by renting out to out of towners and tourists.
47. Repurpose Leftovers: Everyone hates leftovers, but you can always jazz up that chicken and rice and make a tasty chicken wrap! Need some inpso, tune into an episode of Chopped!
48. Have A Yard Sale: Get rid of the things that you don’t need and earn some cash at the same time. It’s also a great way to declutter your life and you probably will feel inspired after.
49. Turn Your Hobby Into A Side-Job: While you’re not actually saving by getting a side-job, you’re earning additional income which is the goal in the long run. Write out all the things you are really good and then start charging for it. My side jobs are blogging, social media consultation and website design!
50. Work Over-Time: Make some extra cash by going the extra mile at work.
51. Drive Uber/Lyft: A good way to save money is to earn more money! If you live in a country where you can earn money in your spare time driving Uber, do it! Just ensure that you’re not expending more money than you are making, i.e. on gas, or Uber favours like candy and water.
52. Sell, Sell, Sell: If you just can’t part with certain items during a yard sale because they’re just too valuable, try using Ebay or Poshmark where you can get top dollar!
53. Barter With Friends For Necessities: Do you need a dress for a function but you’re saving and can’t afford it? Ask a friend to give you an old dress in exchange for something in your closet that they love.
54. Read More: You’ve cut off your cable, stop partying so what is there to do? Read. Get back to basics. Learn something. Master a skill that can make you money. There are lots of free books online or at the library. Yes, they still exist.
55. Vacation Less: While I will be the first to amplify the need for travelling the world, I will also be the first to let you know it’s costly and if you are actively looking to save for a major goal, its ok to take a break for a year or two in order to prioritize.
56. Start A Savings Challenge With Friends: Saving can get pretty boring, so make it fun. Ask a group of friends to get in on the action with you. See who can save the most in a certain time frame. It’s always good to have people around who understand the struggle.
57. Make Your Own Gifts: It’s inevitable that you’ll have a birthday party or wedding shower or something special to attend, instead of spending money purchasing a gift, make one! Personalized gifts from the heart are always special, try your hand at some cookies, candles, signage, quilted blankets etc.
58. Go To The Doctor: Doctor?! Now, this might sound strange but always being on the top of your health is so very important. Small and inexpensive health problems that can easily be caught if you went to the doctor early can avoid costly medical bills and surgeries later. Health is wealth, let’s not forget that!
59. Treat Yourself: This goes against everything we’re trying to achieve, or is it? While we are saving toward our goal, and we should exercise discipline, it’s always good to have a cheat day. Buy yourself a new book, treat yourself to a nice meal, purchase a new dress. Treating yourself is a way to reward yourself for your hard work and should motivate you to keep going to reach your end goal!
60. Stay Motivated: No one said it would be easy, but saving is worth it! Remember to stay motivated, remember why you started. You have a goal and you shouldn’t stop until you accomplish that. Whether you are saving for a trip or a mortgage or the future, saving is extremely important. There are so many people that do not save and refuse to, don’t be that person.

I hope these valuable tips help you along your savings journey and I hope that you accomplish those major goals!

If you don’t mind, I’d like a favor! Would you be so kind to share this with a few friends on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter or your favourite social media network! Gracias!

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