This is a compilation for some of the ways I've come across to save money. Some our mine, some are borrowed, hopefully they will start you thinking of other money savings ideas. I'll continue to add to this list as I come up with more ideas.
Save Money with Credit Cards
Cash Back Deals - Look for the the best cash back deals on cards. I'm getting 5% back from Amazon, Kohls, Target and from my Bank of America cart on select categories. Remember make sure there are no annual fees and you pay off the card monthly.
Write Notes on Cards - If you have different cards for different discount categories, write the discount amount right on the credit card.
No Annual Fee - Make sure you find cards that don't have annual fees.
Pay off your balance - Do not carry a balance on your credit cards, make they they are paid off every month.
Save Money on Food
Eat Left Overs - Don't through out that extra food.
Farmers Markets - Visit these on a Saturday and look for fresh items for lower costs.
Homemade soup - Save you left over chicken or turkey carcass for some great homemade soup.
Vegetable Stock - Collect your veggie scams and simmer in water to make stock for soup.
Save Money in your House
Borrow what you need - Need a saw, tent or extra table and chairs. Borrow them from a friend or neighbor. Reach out on social media with your request.
Concentrated Cleaners Save Money - Add the water to the concentrate and save money. These can be huge savings.
Craigslist - Buyer beware, meet the seller at a police station or public place. I've bought and sold many of items on Craigslist. Again they are way less expensive then new. For example my $300 IR Sauna. Just be patient.
Make your own cleaner - 8 oz of water, 2 oz of vinegar and a tablespoon of dish soap will work great on most surfaces. Make sure you test it first to make sure it doesn't harm the surface.
Estate Sales - Look for household goods on the cheap at estate sales. Negotiate for a better price.
Facebook Marketplace - Find local items for sale that are more affordable then new
Garage sales - Shop, negotiate and save for household items.
Free Wood Mulch - Check with you local tree, utility or city. Sometimes you can find much for free.
Lumber Yards - Check out a lumber yard instead of Home Depot or Lowes. You may get better lumber for a lower price.
Refurbish you old furniture - Strip the old paint off your patio or wood furniture in your house and repair. Add some new cushions to make them look like new.
Efficient Lightbulbs - Are you still using incandescent or fluorescent light bulbs? Switch to LED to save money.
Make your own rags - Old socks and t-shirts make great cleaning rags. Also see microfiber below.
Reuse microfiber towels - Instead of throw away cleaning products use microfiber towels to save money over cleaning products. Just wash and reuse.
Sell your Stuff - Have a garage sale or sell you stuff on Facebook or Craigslist to bring in a little extra cash.
Toothbrushes - Save your old ones for cleaning tools
Save Money Investing
Custom Bank Accounts - Create multiple bank accounts to save money for specific purposes. For example a vacation account or new car account.
Budget - Plan ahead and create a monthly budget you stick with.
Cash Envelope Budget - Create an envelope for each budget category. Every pay period, put your budgeted amount in each envelop. When the envelop is empty you don't spend anymore on that category until it's got money in it on your next payday.
Checking Account - Investigate ways to link you checking account to an investment account.
Force yourself to save - Every month commit to savings 10% of your income for retirement. Best to have this auto withdrawn and moved to a separate retirement investment account.
Fractional Shares in Stock - More companies are making portions of shares available for purchase. So instant of trying to buy 1 share at $2000 for expensive stocks, they let you buy a percent of a share. So for example 5% costs you $100 and you still can leverage the gains of that company.
Mutual Fund Fees - Review your investments and make sure you choose the ones with lower fees. Savings 1% over time cane be significant. finer.org can help you review the yearly fees.
Go on a Spending Strike - Make yourself a commitment to not spend money other then for essential purposes for a hole month.
Refinance you home - How are interest rates compared to your current loan? Be careful of extending your loan or you may never get that house paid off.
Savings Account Balance - Banks no longer pay much interest on savings accounts. Move you extra cash to an investment account that can be invested in conservative bonds. You can have your cash in a few days.
Save Money Shopping
Amazon Shipping - If you are prime member opt for the longer shipping to get a little cash back or discount on books.
Used Cars - Consider Carvana, CarMax or even you local dealership for a used car.
Comparison Shopping - Always check items and multiple locations online. I usually compare Amazon and Wal-Mart to others.
Comparison Shop for your drugs - Consider a site like GoodRx.com
Coupons - We all know what they are, look for them and use the to save a significant amount on your grocery bill.
Buy Groceries on Sale - bulk up and adjust you menu accordingly.
Wait to make big purchases on holiday weekends - Wait for the 4th of July, Labor Day or other holiday to make bigger purchases.
Pair Your Clothes - Only buy clothes that work well and match other clothes. This ensures you'll wear them more and get more use for your money.
Rent a dress (or tux) - Don't buy a dress you'll only wear once, rent the dress for a day.
Price Checking - use free price tracker apps to track cost of items on Amazon and other Sites.
Shop at ethnic food stores - If you like Mexican or Indian food, use specialty stores for those foods and save. Items are usually cheaper then at a normal grocery store.
Shopping Cart Hold - Leave items in your shopping cart for a few days. You may receive a coupon enticing you to complete the purchase.
Use a smaller shopping cart - The bigger the cart the more you'll put in it. Use a smaller cart and be more selective.
Sign up for text coupons - from your favorite stores. You may get different and better details.
Shopping List Needed Items - Make shopping list of needed items and wait for them to go on sale before you buy.
Grocery Shop During the week - Less people means more competitive prices. Shop midweek for the best deals.
Use Store Credit Cards - Target, Amazon and others give you 5% back of you use their store credit card. Just make sure there are no yearly fees and that you payoff the full balance every month.
Buy Frozen Seafood - It's usually less money then the fresh on ice version at the meat counter
Refrigerate left over red wine - it will last longer and it's better then throwing it away.
Shop at Costco without a membership - Non members can buy glasses, use the optical center and pharmacy. If you receive a gift card they also let you in to spend it.
Shop at Sam's Club without a membership
Subscribe and Save - Many retailers offer subscriptions for items you use often. You can sometimes save 10-15% for you loyalty. Try Amazon and Target.
Wine you like versus expensive wine because a critic said so - my neighbor considers it a challenge to find an $8 bottle of wine he likes. The $25 bottles are easy so save some money and look for the $8 bottle.
Warehouse Brand Wine - Buy a bottle and try it, often times it's the same wine as branded.
Wine in a box - Again try it you might like it.
Use Technology to Save money
Apple Care Insurance instead of your phone company - Even if you buy your phone from your wireless carrier, the Apple Care insurance can be added through apple. Do the math the Apple solution is less expensive.
Cell phone data plans - Are you paying for the best plan considering your usage. Call you cellphone company and ask for advice.
Used Cameras - Looking for a DSLR, consider buying a slightly older used model. You can save hundreds by buying a camera only a couple of years old. The picture quality will still be phenomenal.
Used Lenses - I buy and sell used lenses all the time. They hold their value and others have already taken the depreciation hit.
Don't Rent your Cable Router - You can buy one and save the monthly charges.
Protect your mobile phone - Buy a new case and add a screen protector to save you the cost of a damaged phone.
Smart Plugs - They can help you lower your electrical bill by smartly managing your lights
Save Money on Travel
Airline Travel Card - If you fly a lot and often check a bag, use one of these cards to get a first bag free. Make sure you understand the year fees.
Compression Bags - Literally squeeze the air out of your luggage and fit more in.
Credit Card Benefits - Often times credit cards offer travel insurance, auto rental insurance and other travel benefits. Call and ask.
Foreign Fees - Find a card that doesn't charge international transaction fees
Don't check a bag - Figure out how to consolidate what you back and make a carryon work. My wife and I went to Italy for 12 days with carryons.
Timeshares, book and unused one - Sometimes owners can't use their time share. You can often book them at a significant discount.
Buy a used RV - I've owned 5 used trailers and don't ever expect to buy a new one. Let someone else take the depreciation hit.
Save Money on Utilities and Bills
