I’ve picked up a lot of money-saving tips over the years, many during the time when all four of our kids were little and I was at home with them while Dave worked to support all six of us. From that experience, I realized that a lot of of money-saving tips cover the same things: cut back on monthly subscriptions, buy groceries when they’re on sale, buy things secondhand when possible, etc.
But when you really need to save money (or even if you just really want to in order to achieve a specific goal), those basic measures will only take you so far. But as I’ve found out, there are plenty of “out of the box” ways to spend less money and save even more, and it’s those sort of tips that we’ll be focusing on in today’s post!
Whether you’re struggling to keep up with monthly expenses, saving up for a major purchase, or hoping to take a dream vacation in the future, these simple tips will help you get creative with how you save and get you one step closer to achieving your financial goals.
13 Creative Ways to Spend Less and Save More
1. Get More Sleep
Having a regular, reasonable bed time will lower your monthly expenses. You’ll spend less on electricity, cut down on late-night snacking and drinking, and you’ll enjoy all the health benefits that come along with getting enough sleep. It’s a win-win-win!
2. Take “Navy Showers”
This technique was invented by the Navy to save precious water rations, and it uses just 11 gallons of water instead of the typical 60 gallons used during a typical shower. Turn the water on just long enough to get yourself wet, then turn it off, soap up, and only turn the water back on when you’re ready to rinse.
3. Potty Train Your Cat
It may sound ridiculous, but training your cat to use the toilet instead of a litter box can save you a lot of money. According to PetEducation.com, you can save up to $1,650 in litter costs over your cat’s lifetime. And apparently teaching your cat to use the toilet is a very doable process. Who knew?
4. Put Something Back Every Time You Shop
If you find yourself with a cart full of stuff at your favorite store (much like I do every time I shop at TJ Maxx), put one item back on the shelf before you head to the checkout stand. Every little bit adds up, and it may save you some buyer’s remorse too.
5. Paint Your Roof White
Did you know that around 16% of all electricity consumed in the U.S. is used for air conditioning? You can reduce your own A/C costs and save money by doing one simple project: painting your roof white.
Covering a black tar roof with solar-reflective white paint will immediately help reduce temperatures inside and out. On a 90°F day, a black roof can reach a sizzling 180°F, while a white roof will stay relatively cool at 100°F. This can reduce your cooling costs by 40%!
6. Unplug Everything
Many of our modern gizmos and gadgets are “energy vampires,” meaning they continue to consume energy even when they’re turned off or aren’t currently in use. So even when you’re not streaming your favorite shows on your TV or charging your cell phone, your electronics like your TV, streaming devices, and phone charger are still using energy and ultimately costing you money!
The easiest way to spend less on energy vampires is to unplug things whenever you’re not using them. (Surge protectors can make this easier because you can quickly cut power to several things at once.)
7. Cut Your Hair Short
Water, shampoo, conditioner, and even the energy needed to power your hair dryer all cost money. A simple way to spend less on these things is to just have less hair! Get your hair cut short and start saving on hair-related expenses instantly.
8. Use Professionals-in-Training
If you’re in need of a massage or a haircut, odds are good you can find a student or trainee who can provide the service for a fraction of the cost of a fully trained professional. Check out local cosmetology schools, dental schools, massage schools, and other schools and training programs to see if their students offer discounted services.
9. Get Rid of Grey Charges
If you don’t regularly check your credit card and bank account statements, you should really start. “Grey charges” consist of small fees, subscriptions, renewals, and other charges that many of us don’t notice, and they can cost you hundreds of dollars each year!
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Grey charges can become even more of a money drain if they happen across several of your accounts. The best way to address them is to inspect your statements carefully, and when you identify a grey charge you want to get rid of, call the customer service line of the company responsible.
10. Save It for Later
When you’re browsing online and come across something that you feel compelled to buy right that second, save the item by pinning it to one of your Pinterest boards, bookmarking the tab in your browser, or whatever method you use to keep track of things online.
After 30 days, or however long you deem suitable, revisit the item. If you still want it, go ahead and buy it, because you can feel fairly confident at that point that you won’t experience buyer’s remorse. But don’t be surprised if you end up deciding you don’t actually want the thing as much as you thought you did a month ago!
11. Get Inspired to Save
Delaying instant gratification can be difficult, but it’s a lot easier when you’re properly motivated! To keep yourself inspired to spend less and save more, make an inspiration board that captures the motivation behind your decision to save money (a vacation, your kid’s college fund, retirement, etc.), then hang it up in a place you’ll see it often to keep yourself inspired and motivated.
12. Drink More Water
The simple act of drinking more tap water throughout the day instead of sodas, energy drinks, or coffee drinks can save you a surprising amount of money. Plus, drinking more water will also improve your health, which can help keep your health care costs down too!
13. Slow Down While Driving
According to the Department of Energy, the fuel economy of the average vehicle starts dropping rapidly above 50 mph. In fact, for each 5 mph you go over that speed, that’s like paying an extra 20 cents per gallon for gas!
That additional cost can add up over time, so stick to the speed limit to keep that cash in your pocket. And avoid excessive accelerating and heavy breaking too, which can both make your car less fuel efficient.
What are your favorite creative ways to save money?
NEW! Can you guess the 5-letter word related to today’s post?
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Here in UK we have £2 coins as soon as they became currency I and my late partner vowed not to use them. Helped by a 3 year old we knew announcing they were 2 millions. Who could spend 2 millions :~) we saved them for something for us that we could not justify spending on normally.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Since he’s died I have continued the habit and it is a great way to have a treat and to save for it.
Soon they are going to change our £1 coin from round to 6 sided, when they do I won’t spend the new shape it will get saved. Some days that’s going to be expensive when I get several in change but it will be worth it.
I just pretend they are invisible until I can get them out of my purse and into the savings pot.
Such a great idea!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It’s impressive that you are getting thoughts from this piece of writing as well as from our dialogue made at this time.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.best money I never spent was going to beauty school. My high school paid for my tuition and supplies for beauty school (considered vocational school) but that was back in 1975.( I don’t think that they do that anymore ) I, not only cut my husands hair, but my childrens, grandkids and friends. Definitely, well worth my time and I did work as a cosmetologist for about 2 years after graduating…………………….
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I cut the hubby’s and our boys hair myself. My hair grows fast so that means monthly trims for it to be short so letting it grow is cheaper for me. It’s below my waist now and only needs washing three times a week in summer unless I get hot and sweaty. In winter, I only wash it when it needs it and I use baking soda and apple cider vinegar.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.We used to do that too when the boys were all at home.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.We also dye our hair at home. I’m not paying the salon price until I get more gray. Saves lots of money. Used to do the home perms. I can have a salon one last 1- 1 1/2 years. It’s expensive but will save me money in the long run.
I agree about the short hair being expensive because more haircuts are needed to keep it in shape. Also, if I unplug the cable box and TV, it takes them nearly 20 minutes to boot up so I can watch TV. Not worth it.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Short hair requires more trips to keep the haircut up and always looks bad unless you use a lot of products and the short hair leaves no wiggle room for repairs when the stylists screw up. I have had my guy trim my hair for me for a number of years. Does a great job, price is right: FREE and no making an appointment, driving and then wasting a morning or afternoon at the salon. I have him color my hair with henna now that I have silver streaks. Low cost under $40 and results are better than you can get from the harsh salon dyes that not only destroy your hair, but contain carcinogens. I tried a perm once 20 years ago, it fried my hair and it just frizzed despite having it done at the salon. Perms destroy your hair and they went out in the 1980’s. I don’t see anyone under 70 wearing one these days. Needless to say they are a waste of money.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I rarely spend change–it goes into jars to be rolled and turned in for $1 coins and which are then stashed in a safe.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Ok. I let the yellow go mellow but when I was training my cat, he fell in!!! :-)
Ya can’t go mellow if you have to leave the lid up for the cat. It’s too heavy for him to lift!
I’m just so funny….. :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.In the deep south, we need trees for shade on the north side of our homes. The sun is on our north side during the summer.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Shopping at the local farmer’s market for your produce can save you a lot of money over shopping at most chain grocery stores. Aldi may have the lowest weekly prices on their sale produce – shop for everything else at the farmer’s market. Scan all the produce stalls first to see who has the best product at the lowest price and shop at several farmer’s stalls. Of course, shop seasonally for the best deals.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I wish that were true in my area. The local farmers market is very high compared to the grocery store. I do shop there sometimes anyway to support the local farmers and buy fresher produce.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Same here – but if you go right st the end it’s cheaper. Less selection though. Also, we have a thing here called Bountiful Baskets. You go online and choose baskets – regular or organic, and they usually have other choices like bread, etc. They tell you what kinds of stuff will be in it. On pickup day you go to the site (mine is a nearby park) and bring your own bags. They have it all divided into laundry baskets and you pack it into your bags. It’s a fantastic deal. You can save even more by showing up early to help sort — you get to divvy up the leftovers with the other helpers.
Wish that were true in our area too. Yesterday peas were $2 a pound!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Good ideas. I would never do the if it’s yellow let it mellow. It s
Please log in or create a free account to comment.nasty. I’ve been doing the shower trick for years. I rinse the shampoo and conditioner- so the soap doesn’t get in my eyes and then suds up. I agree short hair isn’t cheaper. That $25 monthly is expensive. I wear my hair long in a style that gets trimmed every 2 months. We dye our own hair. I can get a perm to last for a year and a half in my hair. And if you have the microfiber towels that will speed up air drying time.
Thanks to the internet and the hair-cutting diagrams available free of charge, my daughters and I have been able to cut our own hair in any style we desire, long or short. The diagrams are very easy to understand and follow, and the only expense we have occurred is the purchase of the highest quality cutting shears we could afford. My daughters and sons all now consider hair cutting shears and electric shears (for men’s cuts) standard tools to own before going out on their own. Even though we are also able to give each other perms or colorings, we have decided the convenience of having these done at a salon far outweighs the savings of diy-ing. Though the savings are considerable, we rarely receive perms and never get coloring done so both have been relegated to the once in a while extra special treat category. Sometimes the savings of time and hassle are of greater value than financial savings. One note I would like to add about the home perms is that if you have extra long hair and are considering giving yourself a perm, please make sure there is someone else there to help you out should you get in a bind and not have long enough arms to reach the end of your hair to roll up in the curler. Experience truly is one of the best teachers:)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I stash away every $5.00 ( mostly) that I get in change. It adds up to a week end away quicker than you would think.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.this is in response to having the same nail polish at home after your manicure. Do your manicure at home yourself and really save some money.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Some of us are not good at this task. When I used to paint my own nails it always looked like a 5 year old did it. And I was always filing my nails because they were thin and ragged all the time. Now I spend $12 to $15 a month to have the job done professionally and it is well worth it to me. They look great and I get many compliments. I also feel as though I am helping the pros out as I know they could use the money.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great ideas….the only thing about short hair is keeping it maintained. When I stopped working, I had to forgo my trendy short cut because the $40 a month cut plus tip was too much. Grew my hair long and now only get a trim every 3 months and save quite a bit. There’s no is no way I am spending $40 a month on products or water to wash my long hair.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have a certain amount automatically transferred to my savings account.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Yes, so do I….. I’ve read and heard quite a bit to save 10% of your income which I’ve recently been doing. I feel so good about that!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Following through on warranties saves money on replacing small appliances, electronics, tools, even cookware. I keep a file for receipts for items that include warranties so I can easily access and verify purchases. I also use credit cards that double manufacturers warranty. One of my credit card companies also guarantees price matching for qualifying purchases. Key is KEEP RECEIPTS!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It’s easier for me to say “no” to impulsive spending when I use cash instead of debit card.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I know you wrote this quite a while ago, but it is something I am trying to tell people on my blog, http://moneymattermeasurers.com. Would you mind if I quoted you?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.When you get a receipt that says at the bottom “today you saved x amount”, actually take that amount and put it into savings. Unless you do that, you really didn’t save that amount, you just did not spend that amount.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Like that!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I like this. I am doing the “money challenge” $1.00 per week only in reverse. Starting out in January to save $202 is challenging. (week 1 – $52.00 + week 2 – $51.00 + week 3 – $50.00 + week 4 – $49.00 = $202.00). This month is the most challenging right after Christmas – so your idea will help me get to my goal. The end result of saving this way for 52 weeks is $1378.00. Money for Christmas next year!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.That’s an interesting trick, thanks Annie!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Really smart!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I “steal” all the change hubby takes out of his pockets and leaves laying around. I pit it in a cookie jar. To be fair I contribute too ;) It didn’t take long to fill up my first juice jug. It’s probably not that much but it makes me feel happy.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I think you should re-read this, “According to the Department of Energy, you pay about 20 cents more per gallon for each 5 mph you go over 60. Over time, that’s a lot of extra fuel, and cash!” Where I live, the price per gallon of gas does not go down when you drive slower.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Your car uses less when you drive slower. As well as the added braking and accelerating when you encounter slower cars or “see” a cop.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.“…20 cents more PER GALLON….” Gas price per gallon doesn’t change because you drive fast. That’s why I suggested she re-read this (two years ago!)
the plan going around to save 1 penny today, 2 tomorrow etc until the end of the year you put in $3.65 …not a big deal, right? BUT at the end of the year you will have saved $668.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.To save money I do a pantry challenge with Jessica on good cheap eats, she walks us thru it every January and July so whatever meat is lost in the bottom of my freezer gets used because we only eat from the pantry and freezer so I minimum the grocery store I can save more than 1/2 that months grocery expenses. $500-$600 twice a year.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.What does the “if it’s yellow, it’s mellow” mean? The pict looks like there are two flush handles, is that what the article is to suggest? But then it says to shut the lid if the yellow bothers you. So is the point to NOT flush if it’s just “yellow”? Either way, you should always put the lid down to flush to help contain the mist caused by flushing. *Think about public restrooms with high pressure self flushing toilets. The higher pressure creates more mist and it’s all contained in a little stall that your standing in! Now you’ve inhailed it and are covered in it!! Talk about DISGUSTING!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.The saying goes, “If it’s yellow let it mellow. If it’s brown send it down.” That means if it’s just urine don’t flush each time. If it’s more go ahead & flush. I can’t do it. Instead we replaced our toilets with ones that use less water & have a dual flush button. One flush uses less water. If it’s yellow that flush only uses half the water in the tank to flush it out. If it’s more the button in the middle of the large one uses the full tank of water to flush it out.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.What is OGT?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.One Good Thing
Please log in or create a free account to comment.One Good Thing :-)
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