Are you tired of wasting money on traditional savings methods? Here are seven more unique ways to increase your monthly savings.
1. Try Going Meatless More Often
You don’t have to go full vegetarian or vegan if you want to save money — even just a few days a week where you swap out meat for more vegetables will do wonders. You can even try meat substitutes like seitan or tofu, which can be cheaper than meat but still pack that protein punch you need.
2. Swap With Friends and Family
Instead of buying something new, see if someone you know would be interested in trading. Bartering is a lost art but has seen a resurgence in the past few years. Let’s say you’ve upgraded your coffee grinder recently, but you’ve been eyeing up a food processor your friend has. Maybe check and see if they’re in the market for a coffee grinder before you toss the old one away and buy a new food processor. It can’t hurt to ask!
3. Remember to Cancel Automatic Renewals
It’s not unorthodox to cancel your automatic subscription renewals, but it absolutely is unorthodox to remember! Set reminders when trying new services so you’ll cancel before your card gets charged. Companies rely on your forgetting to squeeze even the tiniest bit of money out of you before you go—don’t let them!
4. Use a Water Filter
Many people swear by bottled water and would rather stay thirsty than touch tap water. That’s a costly way of life, and it can be easily rectified by investing in a water filter. There are multiple options, too. You can find one that attaches directly to your tap so you can have fresh, filtered water whenever you want. Or you can try the filtering pitchers and keep your water frosty in the fridge if that’s what you prefer.
5. Have More Potlucks
You don’t have to sacrifice dinners with loved ones, even if you try your best to be frugal. Instead, see if your friends would be interested in having people over for a potluck dinner! It’s a fantastic way to entertain without overspending. And unlike throwing a dinner party yourself, the effort gets more evenly distributed, and you’ll have lots more unique dishes to try!
6. Freeze!
A spending freeze isn’t a bad idea, but that’s not what we’re referring to here. Cooking in bulk and freezing your meals saves you money and time! One of the biggest hurdles people experience when cooking at home is when they just don’t feel like making anything. They lose to the delivery apps, spending a fortune on food that would have cost a fraction to make. But with the power of your freezer, you can keep tasty soups, sauces, and many other things on hand and ready when you are.
7. Unplug
Turning off your electronics is a good start, but unplugging your electronics is even better. Remember to unplug things when you aren’t using them to save on energy costs. You don’t necessarily have to be diligent about this for it to work; even just remembering when you’re out of the house for long periods or unplugging things that suck a lot of energy frequently is better than most people realize!
20 Frugal Tips From the “Grandparents Generation” That Still Apply Today
Many of today’s grandparents had parents or grandparents who lived through the Great Depression. They adopted many of the frugal living tips they learned and passed them on to their own children.
Grandkids sometimes think that they know everything and that their grandparents are out of touch with today’s world and reality. And while there might be a kernel of truth to that, grandparents still have a wealth of knowledge that can really help. They may need to be tweaked to fit the current world but they are still valuable.
20 Frugal Tips From the “Grandparents Generation” That Still Apply Today
13 Signs You’re Financially Better Off Than the Average American
Achieving financial stability where you can meet your current financial obligations comfortably and still plan for the future is a goal everyone strives to attain.
However, while you may be able to pay your bills, save for vacations, and afford to dine out occasionally, you may feel left behind, especially if you compare yourself with your peers or others with higher salaries. You may be doing way better financially than the average American.
13 Signs You’re Financially Better Off than the Average American
14 Companies That Will Give You Free Food and Products Just for Asking
More companies are now offering free samples to get customers to try a new product. Over time, these companies gain loyal customers and can increase their sales. As a customer, you also get to test out free products and sample foods you’ve never tasted.
Read on as we explore some companies that will give you food and products for free just by asking.
14 Companies That Will Give You Free Food and Products Just for Asking
14 Powerful Frugal Living Tips for Middle-Class Americans
Inflation is high. This means that we don’t all need to understand, but we do understand that prices are high on basically everything. Everything costs more, and things are tough. Basic necessities like housing and healthcare are becoming increasingly unaffordable for most people.
As middle-class Americans adjust to the new reality, here are some powerful frugal living tips that can make our lives easier and better.
14 Powerful Frugal Living Tips for Middle-Class Americans