Due to recent events and changes in the economy, you may be looking for ways to slash your spending — but even small adjustments can add up. Cutting back and even saving can be surprisingly simple, though. With this compilation of 31 easy-to-incorporate tips from Cheapism, there’s a new way to save every single day of the month.
Related: 7 Steps to Creating a Monthly Budget
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Think Before You Drink
It is all too easy to buy bottled water or order a drink with a take-out meal. This adds up to no small cost over time. Consumers spend about 800 times more for bottled water than plain old tap water. The average worker also shells out more than $1,000 annually on coffee, according to a survey by the staffing firm Accounting Principals. Start filling up on tap water in a go-anywhere bottle and making coffee at home.
Related: I’m a Coffee Snob. This Cheap Coffee Is the Best, IMHO
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Keep the Thermostat in Check
With more people staying home instead of going to work, electricity bills for almost everyone are rising. Every degree you lower a programmable thermostat for at least eight hours a day can shave 10 percent off your heating costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Keep the temperature at a maximum of 68 and bundle up in a sweater or drape an extra blanket on the bed if necessary. In warmer weather, cut the AC and use fans to create a cross breeze. Leave windows open at night, when it’s cooler.
Related: Best Smart and Programmable Thermostats
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Cancel the Gym
Your gym may have put a pause on your membership during the pandemic, but you may want to cancel altogether. The average gym membership costs $58 a month and 67 percent of Americans never use theirs, according to data compiled by Statistic Brain. Instead, explore cheap home fitness ideas and take advantage of activities such as walking and running (all you pay is the price of shoes). Sit-ups and push-ups in the living room also don’t cost a thing.
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Use Cash-Back Programs
Make money every time you make an online purchase with cash-back programs. Shoppers can often get up to 8 percent back, which is basically free money in the pocket if the item was a necessary purchase anyway.
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Use the Library
While many libraries are still closed during the pandemic, that doesn’t mean they’re not open for business online. Check out your local library to see what they’re offering, which could range from pick-up to streaming videos, and more. Curious? There are amazing libraries in every state.
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Use Deal Sites
Groupon, Woot, LivingSocial — the list of sites that offer discounts on services and goods is long. Deal sites take away the need to spend full price to try something new, and they often feature deals on popular or well-known items and places, as well.
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Get Pretty for a Penny
Save big bucks by beautifying on a budget with items already in the home. Cheapism suggests DIY beauty ideas such as using sugar, baking soda, and olive oil for various beauty treatments.
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Turn Off the Lights
Turn off the lights when leaving a room or going out for the day and save money over time. Electricity costs average about 13 cents per kilowatt-hour, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Think in terms of hours of use day after day, and this adds up to significant wasted cash.
Related: 25 Energy-Saving Products You Need in Your Home
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Turn Off the Faucet
Grandpa was right: It pays to turn off the water when brushing teeth or washing dishes. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, just turning off the tap while brushing saves up to 8 gallons of water a day, or more than 200 gallons a month. Do this every day of every month and see a dip in the water bill.
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Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Swap Instead of Buy
Head to social media and create a group for friends so you can make swaps online, then execute them in real life using social distancing. This is the cheapest way to get new stuff and get rid of old stuff. For those looking to broaden their selection, Swap Style is one good online source for swapping fashions.
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Find Free Virtual Activities
Because of the pandemic, many concerts and sporting events are on hold — but that doesn’t mean you can’t find ways to enjoy “live” events. Some plays (like “Hamilton”) now have filmed versions online, and movies that were debuting in theaters are now streaming online for less than the cost of movie tickets and popcorn.
Related: A Virtual Weekend Vacation in London
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Visit Free Museums Virtually
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Share to Save
In this so-called sharing economy, it’s possible for two or more people to go in together on passwords and memberships and share everything from tools to lessons to dog-sitting or baby-sitting services.
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Pay Less for Prescription Drugs
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Cut Back on Prepackaged Goods
Convenience in dining comes at a cost that’s usually much higher than making the same item at home. For instance, it’s surprisingly simple to concoct granola, salad dressing, and chicken stock at home. Spending on precut produce, which is always marked up, is another waste of money. Instead, spend some time every Sunday afternoon prepping veggies and fruits for the week.
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Stop Paying for Others to Do It for You
Yard work, pest control, even simple car maintenance — with a little extra effort, these can often be done for less than it costs to pay somebody else to do the work. Yes, time is money, but if money is tight, carve out hours during the week to take care of tasks typically turned over to professionals.
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Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Make Cleaning Supplies at Home
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Know What to Buy at the Dollar Store
A whole host of items are even cheaper at the dollar store. Yes, the stores may not be packed with the highest quality merchandise, but if you know what to buy at the dollar store, it’s worth stocking up every now and then.
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Cook Seasonally
Eating the foods of the season is less expensive than buying imported produce, and shoppers can find plenty of local fare now that summer is starting. Summer recipes featuring tomatoes, zucchini, and berries are budget- and taste-bud friendly.
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Winter-Proof Fruits and Veggies
Freezing fruits and vegetables when they’re in season saves money compared with the expensive selection of produce available in winter months, and lets your family enjoy local foods longer. Everything from berries to peppers can be frozen with the right process.
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Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
Save at the Veterinarian
Bills for Fido and Fluffy can add up fast. Giving a pet the right food, enough exercise, and preventive treatments is just the start of saving money on pet health.
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Stop Buying Things You Don’t Need
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Be Smarter About Grocery Shopping
Shopping smart means being aware that it is all too easy to get sidelined at the grocery store by eye-catching packaging and premade snacks. Shop on a full stomach and tempting treats will be less likely to make their way into the cart. Always shop with a grocery list — and stick to it.
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Never Pay Full Price for Shoes
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Track Prices
Keep an eye on the price of items you need with tracking tools such as CamelCamelCamel. They monitor price swings and send alerts when a price changes on Amazon and other ecommerce sites.
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Stop Buying New Toys
Children don’t need all the latest toys and a home doesn’t need all the extra clutter. That doesn’t mean depriving kids of fun. To save money on toys, buy used, swap with other parents, and even try renting toys that can be returned when kids lose interest.
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“Donors, activists and leaders on the left want Warren” in the role, more than six of them told NBC’s Alex Seitz-Wald. “And people Warren has spoken to are under the impression that she wants the job if she is offered it.” Other activists tell me they are at least as […]
