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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One of the most ‘interesting’ ways I’ve saved money lately is to purchase a Diva cup. If you don’t know what that is, do yourself a favor and research it. Personal hygiene products can represent a HUGE expenditure, and this $30 investment will end up saving me literally hundreds of dollars over the course of my lifetime.
Also–I recently jumped on the bandwagon of ditching cable and switching to a Roku, with an Amazon Prime subscription. I also called my Internet provider and negotiated a lower monthly fee. In one year’s time, I am saving over $1200 on television watching.
I LOVE your site, and by using so many of your tips, I am proud to say that I am no longer living paycheck to paycheck, AND have been able to purchase some beautiful new furniture with my savings! Thanks, Jillee! :-D
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have a bit of a problem with the put one thing back idea. Your money saving efforts should not cost someone else effort, only you. The cashier should not have to restock your “money saving return”, YOU SHOULD.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you!!!! I am a cashier. I always have to pick up after sloppy, rude and selfish customers.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m a cashier as well but in a grocery store and I say “Please, Give it to ME!” Nothing worse then finding $25.00 worth of sliced deli meat stuck in a magazine rack 3hrs too late. Give it to your cashier they will be grateful to put it back!
As a grocery cashier I have some other tips …
Save Your Back … ask first before you put heavy items on the conveyor belt your cashier might not even need them. Also shop heavy first and put those items in the highest basket on your cart. Reduce the amount of distance you have to lift and reduce the strain to your most important muscles! Bonus your less likely to squish your bread!
Checkout 51 is a new app out in Canada that gives you coupons after you shop… just buy the item (if you need it!) and scan the receipt they’ll send you a cheque when you get to $20.
Don’t build towers on the conveyor belt! It really slows the cashier down (we look over the groceries to try and put like items together and what we can’t see ends up a scattered mess…if you ever got home and found your butter packed with your canned goods that could be one of the reasons why!) also belts move jerkily and your towers of stuff ends on the floor. Please be patient and let the conveyor belt give you more room.
Which leads me to my next tip don’t choose your line by what’s on the belt but by 1. How many people in line (evaluate if a large group is together) and 2. Who’s the cashier (is she/he reasonably fast?) 3. The customer (does she/he seem lucid and organized). We can scan on average 20 items an minute. Thats 100 items in 5mins! The longest part of most transactions is processing the payment!
The stuff on the belt doesn’t matter because the bigger the order the more likely someone will help me pack which really speeds us up.
Don’t shop on autopilot! Read the signs and the expiry dates, don’t be brand loyal, and always bring a list. If you forget your reusable bags don’t sweat it… grocery store bags are very useful and It’s better than buying something headed straight to the landfill anyway.
Outside of the grocery store drop your cable! Check tutorials out on youtube on how to cut the cord. Bonus no commercials to tempt u. If you wear glasses check out Zenni Optical. ($40 for Photochromic (no name Transitions) Glasses)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.In my garden this year, I’m using empty, rinsed 2 liter pop bottles. Before inserting in the ground, punch holes along the sides and bottom. Then fill with water. This is supposed to water the root system and save water from evaporating. After filling with water,barely screw on the lid to avoid evaporation as well. It’s also great if you’re going to be gone for a few days and don’t have anyone to water your garden. You’ll want to stagger the bottles when burying them……………….I have a raised garden (small) 6’by 4′ and I hope this works…………..best of luck to all…..
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Stacey, I’ve been doing this and it has worked very well for me. In addition to conserving water, that takes much less time than watering plants or trees every day.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have been going to thrift stores a lot more lately.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I also keep repeating to myself: reduce, reuse, recycle, repurpose. This helps me think about what I already have at home that I could use, instead of buying something new.
I do stock up on favorite products when they are on sale.
Buy generic.
Borrow from friends.
My current favorite ways to save money are 1) composting all vegetable peels, eggs shells, etc and 2) taking my re-cycling and trash to the recycling center myself.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.The compost goes into my garden and helps quite a bit. Egg shells and banana skins get mashed together and put under the roses bushes.
Trash pick up in my area costs about $60/quarter and even with gas at $3.65/gal, I am saving money.
Once a week I take a weeks worth of newspapers to the local thrift store to use as wrapping paper.
It all adds up!
The online equivalent of putting items back at checkout: Stores I frequent online, I shop, add things to the cart that I like, but I don’t buy them then. I wait for notification of sales, then go back and look in my cart. I am then able to remove a LOT of items from the cart then still get a savings on what’s left in the cart. Of course, there are a few online stores where the cart disappears every time you log off-those stores I don’t shop as often.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Our big money saver is the way we cool our house. Practically everyone in our area has the AC running already (hot, S. California). The nights are about 60 degrees. We open our windows up at night and have a big fan that pulls in the night air. By 10 am we close everything up and cruise through our day nice & cool. When I put dinner on, it begins to heat up so I turn the fan the other way and draw the hot air out. By the time dinner is on the table we have passed the peak heat of the day and can enjoy the breezy evening. By sun down the fan in turned around and drawing cool air back into the house. The fan runs on low and costs only pennies per day.
Something else to save big money DIY projects and MYO convenience foods/mixes and of course cleaning products (OGT has scads of how-to’s & recipes). Also You Tube has everything imaginable for DIY repairs/maintenance/salvaging.
More ways you can save on college: 1. Double major so you walk away with multiple degrees. My 4 years gave me 2 degrees and 7 certifications. 2. Check text books from libraries, share with someone or buy used. Also the latest edition of the book may not be needed (talk to the instructor). 3. If living off campus, cluster your classes together to cut travel expenses. 4. The hardest thing to do that will save you the most–don’t switch majors–choose something of interest that you are good at; get a general degree in that area. 5. If you start at a 2 yr college make sure your credits/degree transfers to your 4 yr college. 6. Pack your meals and snacks and drinks.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.We purchased stainless steel cups from Starbucks (one for me, one for hubby, and one for my sons to share – they’re still pretty young) about two years ago. They were $19.99, and seriously one of the best purchases we’ve ever made. We drink a LOT of iced tea year round, but especially in the summer, and were spending $2-5 a DAY on it out and about. Now that we have reusable cups, we make our tea at home and bring a jug of it with us when we go out for the day. Then all we need while we’re out is ice, and if you have your own cup, a lot of places will give you ice for free – especially Starbucks, since the cups are from there. A lot of restaurants are even okay with you bringing the cup in since you’re buying food. And if they’re not, you can still use the cup to put your “to go” refill in. Then you’re not saving only but money, but the environment too!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Don’t know why this ended up as a reply. I meant it to be its own comment…
I have not quite worked round to this, but a good principle to save money is to PAY CASH. If you have to run off to the bank machine and actually handle real money, you may rethink that particular purchase. Of course you have to balance that against the convenience of being able to snap up a good bargain, especially if the item is on sale.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Yes to starting at a community college! I did it and it worked out great! Also, having your own garden is a great way to save money and eat healthy!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Another great way to save money on college is to send your kids to a community college for the first two years. The savings is HUGE and then they can transfer to a university. Their bachelor’s degree will be from the university, but without paying full price for four years. So many parents and kids want the prestige of getting into a prestigious school, but I can’t see spending all that money to impress people. Also, the big universities give too much temptation to “party” instead of studying.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Think twice about the “if it is yellow let it mellow” statement in flushing toilets. There are better ways to save water — and we are all concerned about water here in the extreme drought area. Look up “urine salts” and see what happens when you don’t flush —- and how hard it is to clean out of a toilet trap.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Not only that–urine etches the toilet bowl if left unflushed overnight, and once etched, can never be cleaned again. Ask me now I know…
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Exactly … Savings goes out the window when you have to replace an impossible to clean etched toilet. I was wondering when someone would mention this. Thanks!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Here in northern Arkansas, I am near several lakes – Bull Shoals, Norfork, etc., I learned that my doing the “yellow” thing was harming the lakes! By cutting down on the water from houses entering the lakes, the lake levels go down even more in the summer heat which permit harmful algae to grow. I had no idea. I do save “sink” water to water my plants and get some savings there. I do love this site for all of the good information that I am able to use.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.All these ideas are great. The only one I have a issue with is the going vegetarian one. Anyone who decides that they want to live a vegetarian lifestyle deseves a lot of credit. And we all need to eat more veggies (me). But the reasons for it you gave are some what bogus. If you are quoting the AMA, you need to check the research. The AMA says that meat is bad because of a one time research of some guy in the 60’s. The research he did wasn’t done correctly, and every test to prove what he said since has proved just the opposite. But for some reason the medical profession has taken hold of this idea and won’t let it go. Considering meat as more of a side dish for most meals, instead if the main focus may be what we need to think about. And wether it is organic or not.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.And the push for soy…bad idea. If we fermented the soy and ate it in the amounts as they do in the Far East, then yes, it is okay…but the amounts it is consumed here and the fact that it is not fermented…bad health decision. It screws up our hormones BIG time. And no just us, our families also.
I happen to love milk, raw milk and almond milk is great on cereal. I was quite surprised. Makes a great smoothie also.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Loved this post. I think maybe I’ll try the sailor shower! Also I’ve been taking my own polish for years to save money and I like a certain type of polish. My saving money tip that we use is paying cash for groceries and our “blow” money by doing that any coin change goes into our counting jar and then we use that to purchase gift cards for vacation spending money! Right now we have a $40 gift card for Disney and $35 waiting to be cashed in! It gets everyone involved in saving, even my two year old likes to put change in the jar!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.True that. I am Canadian, so my change is one- and two-dollar coins. That builds up incredibly fast!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.For all you girls who like to have a relaxing manicure once in awhile as a treat to yourselves, did you know you can bring your own nail polish to the salon with you and they’ll be happy to use that. It saves them money and you get to use the brand and color of polish you prefer. I also bring my favorite top coat with me, no problem.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I do the same thing (spending cash, saving coins) and also live in Canada with the $1 and $2 coins. Hubby and I started this when we found out I was pregnant with our first son and by the time I was 7 months, we had enough saved to buy an entire new bed room set (crib, dresser, and change table) for him. Cha-Ching!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.These are all things I have tried, but I will say that over the last 18 months OGT has been my lifesaver. Up until October 2012, I was working 2 jobs. There was week in there that I decided to back to work for a company I enjoyed working for. Three days later, I lost the part time job I had held for 5 yrs. It was part time, but represented 30% to 40% of my income. Because I had been saving half my take home pay for years by being frugal, several months before what would have been a terrible loss of income, I had bought the land under my trailer home and I already owned the home. I sat 100% debt free. I had not tried to live on one paycheck in 10 yrs, could I do it? About that time I had found OGT. With the time I was not going to be spending at a second job, I would have time to delve into more money saving ideas from OGT, and I did. About that time too I started making crockpot freezer meals, picking only those that are gluten free and contain loads of veggies. I simplified cleaning and cooking (not to mention cleaning up after cooking) and found myself with more free time, plus I was still living on half my take home pay.
Fast forward to my tax forms from my employer for 2013. I saw the huge drop in income, felt a stab about being lazy and that I should have worked harder. Then, I looked around and realized that I didn’t want for a thing, hadn’t gone hungry and didn’t have any sensation that I was deprived. The first thing I ticked off in my mind was my gratitude for Jillee and OGT. Not only had I saved money, I had done a lot of things more easily and I felt better about the way I live.
I’m exactly to the day one year older than dear Jillee. I’m going to semi-retire before we have another birthday. Frugality bought me time to pursue my art and my writing, so I can publish another book next year. Thank you, but that doesn’t cover it!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you Lynne! How inspiring. I make an excellent salary (I am almost embarrassed yet oh-so grateful to God for this wonderful job), but save just about zilch. I spend everything I make. I try putting a good portion into savings when my paycheck is deposited, but it seems I always have to transfer it back to pay bills. Jillee’s site, as well as others, have really encouraged me in my spending when I go to the store. I already HATE shopping at the evil Wal-Mart, but where I live they are just about the only choice, so the less money I give them the better. I have vowed to buy American wherever I can, so will be doing much more online shopping. Items will definitely cost more, but worth it in the long run if we would all start doing it. Another bonus – you can actually save money shopping online because you won’t be as likely to buy the impulse items that you stack up on your cart. I found this to be the case when I was an Amway distributor 20 years ago.
You are so fortunate to be debt-free. It’s my goal. I might just print off your post and read it whenever I need inspiration! Don’t feel lazy – how awesome that you have free time due to being debt-free!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Oh my gosh Lynne!! Thank you so much for your comment! It makes me feel so good to know that I helped you in a small way :) You sound like an amazing woman!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Buy gasoline Monday thru Wednesday as prices tend to hike on Thursday for weekend travelers.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My car has a gauge to give me average miles per gallon. Over 11 years, I’m wondering if it really work well because of the wild readings. I’ve not found anyone on the net that has commented on their gauge. But, just by my own estimating, it seems to be correct. My mileage has been as low as 9mpg on city gasoline in a cold winter. Then as high as 32mpg on rural out of state gasoline in the summer. I’m told by the dealership that the difference is due to the different formulations in urban, rural and the seasons. I agree. Next, cheaper gasoline means lower mileage, so it makes no sense to go out of my way to save a few cents per gallon of fuel. I took several 60 mile trips from Chicago to Wisconsin. On the way north with city gasoline my miles per gallon was 18. A 1/2 tank fill in Wisconsin coming back was immediately 24mpg on the same route. (25% difference) I’ve noticed higher miles per gallon every time I fill the tank outside the city. Basically, the further away I’m from the city for a fill the more mpg, even if it is to another county. The price per gallon is always less outside the city.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Price per gallon is not related to miles per gallon. If you are looking at a mpg number it is showing your mpg at that exact moment. It calculates how fast you are going, whether you are using gas to speed up or saving gas by coasting and is not meant for any info other than that exact second. The only certain way to know is to record your mileage when you fill up, subtract that from the milage when you fill up again and divide that number by the gallons needed to fill up.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have a short hair cut now but it costs more money to mainstain than when I had longer hair. Frequent haircuts and an increased use of hair products for this style, mean it’s not a money saver for me.
My kids saved thousands on tuition by earning college credits in high school and by taking 18 credits per semester so they could graduate in less than 4 years. It can be done!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Instead of rounding up or down, move the differences into a savings account, so you know where and how much you saved. And your checking account will balance with ease. That’s how I do it and I have been able to pay for a vacation with the savings. Now, I’m saving toward a trip to Hawaii.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Nice!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.There are checking accounts offered now at some banks that round your withdrawls up each time you use your debit card or pull cash from the ATM and transfer that small amount to your savings automatically. Check with your bank to see if they offer this type of account.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Oh! Kathy A. you are asking for trouble if you’re simply turning off the power strip….
There is a huge difference between a power strip, used for convenience in plugging in multiple power cords, and a surge protector, which in addition to holding multiple power cords also protects your electrical gadgets from…..power surges! Those pesky electrical charges that can burn up your appliances, TVs, etc.
A power strip is convenient, whereas a surge protector saves you money by protecting expensive electrical items from burn outs. Don’t turn it off. Simply unplug the strip from the outlet….one plug to remove multiple items…now they’re safe…and reducing phantom electric use.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.With online banking I no longer use the check register (and yes I’m not sure that rounding up a deposit is a good thing) but what I do is transfer a set amount of funds over to savings the day my direct deposit comes in. Before I pay a bill or withdraw pocket money…something goes in savings.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great ideas. I do my own nails. Mainly because my feet have ugly stuff on the soles. I would hate to gross anyone out. The saving flushes I wouldn’t recommend. We have one family member who does it overnigh’. Tuck stinks
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Up the bathroom big time.
I’m not trying to be annoying but I think you meant a deposit should be registered to $11000 or some other amount under. The actual. That aside, I really enjoyed reading your article and am going to start sleeping life-long many more things. Thanks!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Yes! You are right! My bad. :-) Thx Emily!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.An addition to the “unplug everything” idea: Use a power strip to plug in, then just turn off the power switch on the strip. I do this for tv’s, and all electronics, since everything seems to have a digital clock on them too. At night you can just go around and hit the switches off, instead of unplugging everything. This also helps with the idea of getting to bed at a regular time, besides taking less time than unplugging would, it also darkens the room you are sleeping in if you have a cable box in the bedroom that has a digital clock on it – allowing for better REM sleep!
I’ve been flushing less for several years now, and save money by not cutting my hair – just trimming it myself when needed. Showering like a seaman is a lifelong habit – since both my dad and husband were in the Navy! But rounding on the checks and deposits, and the deposit to savings each time I use the ATM? Those I gotta try! Thanks, Jillee.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I used to work in a bank too. However, if you are good at keeping up with your checkbook, then rounding up on checks and rounding down on deposits should work. So if I deposit $81 and log in my check register a deposit of $80, and I write a check for$25.41 and write in my register $26, then at the end of the month the overage can be transferred to my savings….
I do understand about Janet’s warning, you have to already be good at managing your check book for this to work.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks Kathy!
Great list. You have inspired me to get in there and organize my freezer today. Thanks.
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