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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All great ideas. More like this, please.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.When you’re talking about accelerating your car and “breaking”, I think you meant to say “braking”.
Hope this helps.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.A note about donating hair… it won’t be accepted if it is dyed, or more than 25% gray. But you can save by giving up salon products and buying drugstore brands.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Don’t keep your hair too short…what you save, you will spend in upkeep!
I have a tin for 20p another for 50p & £2.00 coins. Also a old huge whiskey jar for 1, 2, 5 & 10p coins. We get our petrol from a garage that gives you points. I get £2.00 of saving stamps at our local shop. All this totalled over £300 this year.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Because our wages get paid into bank account a few days earlier in December it makes January’s paid day seem ages away. So this money helps a lot. For example we have managed to fill the car with petrol and stock up on meat & fish for the month.
I never spend my change. I put it into piggy banks I have all over the house. It is amazing how fast it adds up. If I run out of cash before the end of the month I have some stashed in those banks. If I do not need to use it it goes into the bank savings. I find I can save several hundred extra dollars this way. Also, if you do not have change you are less likely to impulse buy as who wants to break a twenty just for some little thing you do not need?!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.When making a purchase with cash, siphon off every $5 bill you receive in change to a “$5 fund”. You won’t really miss the them once you are in the happy groove of seeing those fives stack up!
For example, the purpose could be Giving, Entertainment, Investment, or even Self-Insurance for your iPhone, so you can drop the monthly insurance fee.
What can you invest in with a pile of five dollar bills? Go to your local gold and silver dealer, buy a few ounces of silver bullion or a Morgan Silver dollar or two and stash it away until prices go up, then sell.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great post with good ideas and advice. I especially like the photos to add interest. Now to just put some of these 29 tips into action. Lol – really I will try!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Love the site Jillie ! Found you on Pinterest and immediately signed up for emails ! Every little bit counts when you’re trying to save money and I think these ideas are great ! I to am tired of the same ole same ole ones we tend to see over and over !!!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Save the cost of a ticket for an expired license plate.
IL no longer mails a renewal notice for a new license tag. The change was not advertised.
Online, I contacted the Secretary of State office and got on their email reminder list.
IL plates expire the last day of the month that is on the sticker.
I got my tag online, but remembering is the concern
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I found that having short hair has been both a huge time & money saver. I have to wash my hair even day due to a medication that makes me sweat profusely. A huge bottle of Suave Morocco Oil shampoo cost about $5 & last me about 3 months. When I had long hair I would go through 3 bottles a month!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.While cutting hair short may save on products but the upkeep of getting it cut more often costs more. My short hair needs a haircut at least every 8 weeks, when I had longer hair I could go 4 to 6 months without one.
Finishing a year early for college is wonderful on paper, having a nervous breakdown trying to juggle it all may not be worth it.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have been looking through money saving blogs and While some of these are good ideas, Potty training a cat is not a good idea. It is not natural to a cat to do this. If you can not afford car litter then I would not recommend getting a cat.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I don’t think “cutting” your hair is a good option for saving money.
If one can spend on designer stuff, if one can spend on eating out, if one can have pets , if one can go for a holiday why cannot one have long hair?
Having a hobby, having a pet, throwing a party, going out to eat, going on a holiday everything costs money. lots of money.
Caring for long hair does not cost that much. and one cannot save so much with this tip.
The idea itself is not so great.
And people for whom long hair is a religious thing will get offended.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve got one for ya that is actually saving the money! On the day before payday or the day of, I make sure everything is subtracted out of the checkbook. I’ll even check it online just to make sure a receipt didn’t go astray. (Can you tell my sweet husband just lays them down wherever?) Then I see a total. Let’s say I’ve got $52 leftover from the previous payday. Now, I add in the deposit. Take that $52 and transfer into your savings account! We also have work automatically deposit $50 into the savings. I think we started out with $10 or $20. Now, I’ve got $102 in just two weeks. Multiply that times 26 (approx.) paydays in a year and $2,652. Sometimes we only have about $14, but hey, every little bits does add up.
I’m also crazy about a “bill paying schedule”. I don’t call it a budget…when we were young and broke and trying to pay off our tens of thousands in debit; in my head, it implied that we had extra money to work with. I have a calendar and I use the notes section to make out the schedule. It’s kind of like a check register. Payday total at top, what bills and how much each will be or their rounded up approx. is subtracted along the way. Then I can see what we’ll have to work with for groceries, gas, etc. Also, this helps me figure out about how much next years fluctuating bills will be (gas, water and electric). I write down the actual amounts due and I don’t have to dig through a file cabinet to get that total for the next year’s “budget”.
I’ve got great ideas for using credit cards in a SMART way. We’re saving our miles as we speak to go somewhere far away for our 20th anniversary and I’m not going into debit to do it either. How to give your kids a new paid off car…so you are the only owner and they get it slightly used. How to increase your 401k and it won’t hurt a bit! Maybe I need a blog. LOL!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I put everything on my credit car: gasoline, food, doctor, etc. and toss the receipts. I have the credit card paid automatically by my checking account each month. I go on vacation and not worry about missing a bill. I get my credit card statement and check for irregularities once a month. At the end of the year, Feb. 1, I go online to my credit card bank and get a spread sheet of all purchases grouped together. For example, there is a heading for health, which could be a tax deduction. I just drag, click and get a total. Then print so I have documentation for the tax man.
I just carry enough cash to cover tips and maybe an emergency.
I have two cards, but only carry one in case the one I have gets lost or it gets hacked.
I’ve had my cards hacked 4 times. They were hacked from the banks (millions of cards), not me. I get a new card free with over night mail if it is their fault. I don’t even have to report it to my personal bank as the bank automatically accepts my new card with a new number.
Balancing the check book is a snap as there is most often only one charge….my credit card.
Of course all my income is automatic deposit.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Joe, this is a great idea. How do you keep track of what you have charged so you don’t have any BIG surprises? When it was just me (before I married) I – not being a spender – would keep track in my head and would know approx. what my credit card balance was. With a husband, I have a hard time keeping track of his charges.
I also would love to quote you on my biog http://moneymattermeasurers.com. May I?
My partner and I stumbled over here from a different web address and thought I might check things out.
I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to exploring your web page repeatedly.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You can Navy Shower w/o feeling rushed. Just purchase a shower sprayer that hooks to your shower head and uses an on/off button. This way you can keep the water on, but only hose yourself with it when you need to (taking time in between to do the rest of your business). I bought a cheap one for like $10-20 at a hardware store. You unscrew the shower head, screw the sprayer attachment part on, then screw the shower head on the attachment part. There’s a little spot on the side of the attachment part where you can hook the shower sprayer. When it’s not hooked in, the shower head works as normal. When it’s hooked in, the shower head diverts all water to the sprayer. And, the sprayer is trigger action. So, I get in, hose down, fill a plastic cup with some water, then do the following…
1) brush teeth w/ small sip of mineral oil if not too nasty or I’ll dab the toothbrush in a little salt or baking soda if teeth are really nasty. If it’s mineral oil I’ll swallow it at the end. (acts as a laxative and keeps me regular). If it’s salt I’ll spit-n-rinse using some water from the cup.
(afterwards I sip the water to spit-n-rinse)
2) shave … Beard has softened after brushing, but to condition the skin I put a little mineral oil on my hand and rub it into the beard. Doesn’t take much. I use the rest of the water in the cup to rinse the razor without having to run more water.
3) hair cut (as needed). I used to use some Wahl clippers to cut my own hair. Got tired of hefting them out and standing outside or on a plastic floor covering (*cough* shower curtain *cough*) to keep hair from going all over. I shave with a safety razor that uses saftey razor blades. So, one day I tried holding a fresh safety in the wahl clipper adapter guards and tried cutting my hair. Turns out it was a great haircut. I do the top dry, since it’s long (#6 or #7). Then after wetting down I’ll use a #1 on the sides and back. I use a #2 to blend around crown. This gives a nice, high-n-tight, military-style hair cut. All the hair ends up in the shower and down the drain when rinse occurs. I’ll rinse down and run the hair down the drain if I do this, b/c a hair cut is long enough for my skin to dry out making the rest difficult. So, another good rinse.
4) shampoo’ing … I do this after a hair cut and about every other day … 1 tsp salt or baking soda in some water … swirl around and pour over hair. I let that sit the rest of the time. Saline solutions break down dead skin while leaving natural oils behind. If my hair is a bit oily I’ll just brush it before the shower with a little toilet paper to remove excess oil.
5) body wash = dirt. Yes, dirt. It’s a natural exfoliant, odor-neutralizer, it’s free, abundant, recyclable, and good for the environment because it IS the environment (that humans evolved in). I gather some, run it through an old blender I have that I use just for grinding up dirt for bathing/showering, and keep a bit in a tuperware so it’ll stay dry in the shower until I need it. I rub it on dry, b/c it exfoliates better that way. The mud in it conditions the skin while exfoliating. I don’t use much… usually 1 tsp for just pits and crotch or 1 tbsp for whole body… it doesn’t take much. Your shower will look a mess afterwards (which is why the shower sprayer is so good).
6) Rinse! All the salt & dirt water goes down the drain while rinsing off. Rinse off the walls of the shower & shower curtain, too.
7) hair conditioner … only if I “shampoo’ed” … I have an old plastic juice container I load up with the peels of about 2-3 lemons + 1 tsp vinegar and fill to the top with water. It sits in the shower all week. The vinegar helps draw the oils and organics from the lemon peels and it gets in the water. The slight acidity counters the (base) salt in the hair and the lemon oils are wonderful for the scalp. I pour about 1/2 cup full of it, then fill the rest of the cup with hot water from the sprayer (otherwise it can get cold pouring it right on you, especially in winter). Pour that over head. Let it sit for a few seconds, rub all over. Doesn’t take long.
8) Final rinse (hair mostly).
9) When shower is done, I push in the little toggle thingy, an water drains out… I let that fill up the lemon hair conditioner bottle.
This all sounds nuts, but my skin is softer & my hair is healthier than it’s ever been. I used to have seborrheaic dermatitis. It was so bad it caused a rash on my face that was embarrassing. I saw a dermatologist, and his solution was for me to put steroid cream on it for the rest of my life when it flared up. I didn’t like that answer. I got online and found out that shampoo & soap were over-drying my skin. Then body oil would form under the dead, dry skin the soap caused, and natural bacteria & yeast on the skin would eat the oil and cause irritation under the dead skin… the dead skin would flake off and I’d get this itchy rash underneath.
First time I tried baking soda, a lot of dead skin sloughed off my face and scalp. It was insane. But, after the shower I had fresh, clean skin glowing through. I got rid of the harsh shampoos, and did that from the on. I switched to salt, b/c it’s cheaper and does the same thing (the saline action is what does the work, which can come from anything salty… like salt or baking soda… salt is cheaper).
Next, since I have a bit of an anthropological experimental nature in me, I decided to experiment with using dirt in the shower in place of soap. Modern tribes in Africa and South America use dirt and mud as cleansers and styling agents. I tried it on body and hair, and while it worked great on the body it didn’t work so good on my hair. But, I stuck with it as “body wash” ever since.
As a bonus, I never have to clean my shower. I don’t get soap scum, b/c I don’t use soap. I don’t get mildew, b/c the residual saline from the salt / baking soda prevents bacteria from growing in the shower. I also barely have to clean my sink, b/c I do all my business in the shower (no shave or toothpaste nastiness in the sink). Guests comment on how amazing my bathroom looks. When I started dating my current gf, she was amazed that my bathroom was cleaner than hers. She also became a convert to my salt + dirt body care program when she realized how soft it made her skin and hair. Her hair started a bit frizzy from all the junk she was putting in it. Now it’s beautiful, lustrous and natural.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Wow, some of that stuff does sound weird, but I’m sure it does work. I’ve recently been converting to a natural lifestyle and I am fascinated by what I’ve learned! I use water method on my hair now and had to let it grow out so it would be easier to manage. I brush with a commercial sensitive toothpaste (bc I can’t seem to find a natural one that works for sensitive teeth) but use only 1/2 a peasize amt and it works just as well as covering the whole brush. I can make a tube last over 6 mos now! Also, drink Bragg’s acv mixture 2-3 times daily for energy and for me, it works as an appetite suppressant. Making soap and cleaning products is fun and healthy and saves so much money. I stopped working last July and we live on one salary now and don’t spend as much as we did with 2 salaries. Amazing. This site has valuable info!! Also, if you haven’t tried Jillee’s deodorant, you should. So much better for you than commercial antiperspirant and it works!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.What about not using your dryer and hanging your clothes outside to dry? Dryers use so much power and actually aren’t good for your clothes. There’s nothing better than clean, crisp sun-kissed sheets straight from the line!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Even your posture and stance can be customized, you can realize the stooped and
Please log in or create a free account to comment.wizened wizard you always wanted (for you or your pawn).
Read also wonderfully inspiring articles on the death and amazing legacy of Damanhur’s founder Falco and on urban homesteading and self-sufficiency on very small urban farm.
You can still pre-order the game as a holiday gift, which I’m sure
will be much appreciated.
Hi, skip the nails, cook at home and use the sun instead of dryer. With home made detergent and shampoo I hope to improve my financial situation. Carpooling please I am from Europe and when I see one person in almost every car it’s make me sad
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have two more tiny ways I save money:
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Once a week I clean out my purse and toss all the coins into a container. When it’s full, I take it to the bank or one of the coin machines in the grocery store and I’m constantly amazed at how much money I’ve accumulated. Whenever I’m on line at the store, I DO NOT give them the exact amount. I want them to give me change that I can add to my coin container each week. This has a side benefit: I don’t hold up the line by counting coins to get the exact change.
Another method concerns dollar bills. Every bill has a circle in the left side of the bill, with a letter in it. Every time I get a bill with a “savings” letter, I put it in a side pocket of my purse. Once a week I put these dollars in a container. My “savings” letters are initials of my daughter and her family. These dollars add up so quickly!
Both the coins and dollars are deposited into a special savings account which I use for Christmas gifts, charitable donations and the occasional emergency.
These are painless ways of saving!
I have long hair and trim it myself.I cut the boys hair and my husbands.I went shampoo free( make your own and rinse with AC vinegar)and make my own laundry detergent. We use the little ones bath water to flush the toilet and my hubby’s old work t shirts for cleaning rags.I love the no grate detergent recipe.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hang your laundry out on the line. Stop using paper towels and use old towels cut up.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I miss being able to hang laundry out. Living in a condo now means following HOA rules and that means no laundry outside ever. Using a dryer does save me time and electricity because I hardly ever iron anymore.
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