Stressed about saving money? You’re not alone. Most Americans feel that same way. In fact, a recent Harris Poll said that nearly two in five (38%) Americans even said their overall financial situation is more stressful than 12 months ago when most Americans said inflation is causing them to save less for unexpected expenses.
That’s a lot of stress!
But saving money doesn’t have to be stressful; setting a plan and being intentional about saving money will help you feel less stressed about your financial situation. Who knows? Maybe you’ll even be able to feel good about your money!
Here are 28 life hacks that will help you feel better about your money than ever before.
1. Use Financial Apps
Several financial apps out there can help you save money, invest, and more. Choose an area of finance that interests you and research some popular apps to get started. Get a good budgeting app to help you see where your money is going, and use an investing app to start making your money work for you- easily.
2. Negotiate Bills and Fees
From insurance to utilities, some bills and fees are negotiable. It doesn’t hurt to ask for a cheaper rate – and who knows, you might get lucky!
3. Make Your Own Laundry Detergent
Laundry detergent is a common expense that you can eliminate by making your own! You can find an easy formula online, for the perfect natural laundry detergent.
4. Cancel Unused Streaming Services
With so many streaming services out there, it’s likely that you don’t use all of them. Make sure to cancel your subscriptions for any that are unused.
5. Use Cashback Rewards
Many retailers offer cashback rewards with your regular purchases. Often, all you need to do is sign up to start earning. Why not start getting rewarded today?
6. Repair Shoes Instead of Replacing
Sometimes even great quality shoes can get worn out, fast. Try repairing them at home instead of replacing them entirely. A great way to do this is by changing out the laces, or cleaning scuff marks.
7. Buy Clearance Clothing
The clearance section in clothing stores often offers clothes at its cheapest price yet! Clearance clothing is often the same as full-price clothing, so make sure to check there first.
8. Use a Bike Trailer for Groceries
Don’t want to drive every time you go grocery shopping? Consider investing in a bike trailer, so you can bike and shop with ease!
9. Host Movie Nights at Home
Going out to the movies can be fun, but movie theaters are expensive these days! Instead of going out, host a movie night at home. It will be just as fun for a fraction of the cost.
10. Buy Used Sports Equipment
If you’re athletic, you likely know how expensive sports equipment can be. Consider buying your equipment used in order to save money.
11. Use Prepaid Debit Cards
Prepaid debit cards are cards that you load with a certain amount of money. Since you can’t spend more than the set number you deposited, they’re great for budgeting.
12. Cancel Unused Club Memberships
Many clubs, from sports to nonprofits, require a paid membership to join. If you aren’t attending the club, that’s a good sign you should cancel your membership.
13. Borrow Tools From Neighbors
Working on a project but don’t have one specific tool that you need? Consider asking neighbors or friends if you can borrow theirs!
14. Shop at Outlet Stores
Outlet stores often sell their merchandise at discounted prices compared to elsewhere. This makes them a great place to shop when trying to save!
15. DIY Car Wash
It’s possible to make your car shine, all from the comfort of your driveway. With a few good cleaning supplies, you can avoid car wash fees and do it yourself!
16. Buy Store-Brand Pet Food
Store-brand pet food is inexpensive and is often made with the same ingredients as more high-end brands.
17. Cancel Unused App Subscriptions
Looking for some simple life hacks to save money? Look no further than your phone. It’s all too easy to forget about app subscriptions that we never use. Scroll through your subscriptions and cancel any unused ones today!
18. Learn How to Garden
Gardening is a fun and reliable way to grow your own food without having to spend money! Plus, if you have a large garden, you can share fruits and veggies with your community.
19. Make Your Own Beauty Products
You deserve to look and feel confident – without breaking the bank. Learn how to make your own beauty products at home to save money!
20. Use Public Wi-Fi
Cellular data costs money, but what if you need the internet while you’re away from home? Many stores offer public Wi-Fi for free, so take advantage of this helpful perk.
21. Shop at Discount Online Retailers
It’s easy to be impulsive when shopping online and spend too much money. A good way to prevent this is by shopping at discount online retailers. No matter how much you buy, it’ll still be cheaper than full price!
22. Repair Small Appliances
From toasters to kettles, it’s tempting to buy a new one when an old one breaks. Try repairing your small appliances instead. They’re often a quick fix, and it’s much cheaper than buying brand new.
23. Swap Childcare With Friends
Babysitting and nannying fees are expensive, and it can be scary leaving your kids with someone you don’t know. Talk to your friends or neighbors about swapping childcare responsibilities with each other.
24. Utilize the Library for Media
Instead of paying for music subscriptions or streaming services, consider browsing the library. Most local libraries have a wide variety of books, music, movies, and more.
25. Cancel Unused Online Memberships
From newsletters to social media, there are several paid online memberships. It’s easy to forget what you’ve subscribed to. Consider going through and canceling subscriptions or memberships you no longer need.
26. DIY Holiday Decorations
If you’re big into decorating, the holidays are bound to be an exciting time! However, constantly spending money on new decorations can get pricey. Consider making DIY holiday decorations that will last for years and contain precious memories.
27. Plan No-Spend Weekends
Who doesn’t love the weekend? It’s easy to spend all your paycheck in one weekend, but sometimes it’s wise to cut back. Schedule a no-spend weekend or two per month where you have a limited budget you have to follow. We promise: you can still have fun without breaking the bank.
28. Cancel Unnecessary Insurance
You can get insurance on practically everything in life, and some of it is absolutely necessary. However, sometimes you may forget to cancel an unneeded insurance policy. Or maybe your insurance coverage is more than you really want.
Cancel any insurance policies that you no longer need and clear up space in your budget.
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