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Most people have been under financial strain at some point in their lives, feeling the pinch. Being forced to spend less money and find ways to save can be discouraging.
However, saving money does not mean sacrificing fun or having nice things.
There are many ways to save money on everyday items, vacations, fashion, and food. Think outside the box, get creative sometimes, become more flexible, and remember there’s no shame in having a budget.
1. Buy Clothes From Secondhand Stores
Secondhand online clothing stores can be a treasure trove of goodies. Some shoppers may be reluctant to buy used items, but places like ThredUP and Poshmark offer many choices.
The trick to buying from places like this is searching for specific items. You have to filter search results by size and various styles.
On ThredUp, you can use many filters to search for brand-new or like-new items. Even though many pieces are technically used, they’ve never been worn, and they’ll be significantly cheaper.
2. Buy in Bulk, Store, or Freeze Food
Warehouse club stores like Costco and Sam’s Club have yearly memberships, but most would agree it’s worth it to save on food items. Shoppers can buy anything from meat and snacks to canned goods and condiments in bulk.
After saving money, the benefits continue with foods that have long shelf lives or can be frozen. In truth, this can give consumers a sense of control and accomplishment. However, frequenting these stores doesn’t save money if you don’t have the storage space for bulk goods.
3. Buy Generic/Store Brands
Not every product has a comparable generic brand, but most do, and these can save money. One good example is over-the-counter medicines. Meds like anti-inflammatory or cough medicines can quickly rack up those receipts. Choose the store brand for a less expensive version of the same product.
Also, most grocery or chain stores have their own food brands. Shoppers typically spend much less on store-brand items without sacrificing quality.
4. Shop at Dollar Stores
Dollar Tree, Dollar General, and similar stores have a reputation for being junk stores. But that’s a serious misconception. Most people only do some of their shopping there, and they look for certain products.
Some of the best things to buy at these stores include greeting cards, candy, toothpaste, school supplies, cleaning supplies, and soda. These stores carry name-brand goods and store-brand products of the same quality but charge a fraction of the price.
5. Make A” “Fun Budge””
Living on a budget often means giving up non-essential things such as going out to eat or on vacations and outings. When working with less, we should remember that mental health matters, too, and that doing fun activities helps keep our spirits up. It’s important to have a “fun budget.” Whenever possible, put money aside in this budget and leave it untouched. Save up for one big thing or several smaller things.
People can also make saving more fun by keeping track of their money using a chart or setting up an alert on their smartphone.
6. Buy Moderately Priced Fashion and Home Decor
Some people want designer clothing or high-end home decor. However, they should never underestimate the allure of less expensive items. For the Disney fan who wants a handbag, purchase something from a discount outlet instead of Kate Spade or Dooney & Bourke. The quality varies little, but the prices vary greatly.
Instead of buying the expensive couch or entertainment unit from West Elm or Restoration Hardware, try places like Wayfair and IKEA. If shoppers on a budget keep an open mind, they can find everything they could want.
7. Use Travel Sites to Book Hotels
While the tendency to book hotels directly from the website seems obvious, it also can be more expensive. For the savvy budgeter, travel sites like Expedia and Priceline can save you a lot of money.
Travel can be tricky, especially if one has to consider possible emergencies and the option to cancel. Using these sites is a no-brainer if you read each deal carefully.
8. Go out to Eat on Promotional Nights
We all love eating out at restaurants, but doing so too often can get pricey. Giving up restaurants altogether is no fun, either. Instead, one solution is to look out for deals and promotions.
Restaurants frequently have special nights with discounted entrees, drinks, and other items. Taco Tuesdays have become popular in the U.S. Also, look out for coupons. These can save money at a favorite restaurant while staying within the budget.
9. Go to Movie Matinees
Although matinees aren’t an option for everyone, don’t rule them out. The availability of streaming services and increased theater prices have made seeing movies outside our homes much less frequent.
Matinees don’t save a great deal of money, but it can add up for couples, groups, and families. Paying less for tickets leaves more money for treats like popcorn and candy.
10. Shop for Holiday Items After the Holiday
Those who love decorating for Christmas, Halloween, Easter, and Valentine’s Day often frequent stores like Michael’s and Hobby Lobby. They also know these stores release new decor months ahead of time each year.
However, what most people don’t think about is that these stores put their decorations on sale and clearance the day after the holiday. You can find items from 50% to 90% off. One example of that strategy is buying your holiday wrapping paper on clearance the day after Christmas and saving it for the following year.
11. Buy DVDs and Eliminate a Streaming Service
Streaming services offer an abundance of movies and television right at our fingertips. However, with so much to choose from, we may spend too much. Moreover, these services frequently and with little warning remove features, even digital downloads that users pay for.
Instead of breaking the bank each month and spending more than necessary, a good investment is physical media. DVDs and Blu-rays still have their place for film and TV fans. Shop for DVDs at low prices on Amazon and eBay. That way, viewers get what they want without fear of it disappearing.
12. Shop for Groceries Mid-Week
It’s common for grocery stores to offer discounted items or start sales in the middle of the week. Buying anything at full price feels like a waste of money. Check out the sales circular and the store’s website to see what’s on sale that you use. Buying something that sounds like a good deal but goes uneaten is still wasting money.
Getting deals always feels like winning a prize and alleviates that penny-pinching mentality. You’re not being cheap; instead, you’re being smart with your money.
13. Buy for Meals With Leftovers
Foods that can be turned into multiple meals for the week are always game-changing money savers. This may seem obvious to some, but wasting food is a common practice for others. They throw food away without thinking of another meal for it.
Preparing meals in large quantities and then freezing them is often helpful for families if the freezer space is available. Likewise, eating leftovers or re-purposing meals into something different is a fun and creative way to save on the grocery bill.
14. Get a Library Card
Although libraries seem like a thing of the past, they still offer so much, especially for those with smaller budgets. The best thing about libraries is that they are free to patrons.
Getting a library card and checking out books and movies is still free. Depending on the library, late fees may apply if you do not return them by the due date, but otherwise, there is no cost.
15. Buy More Than One
Finding clothes we love, from shoes to shirts to undergarments, can feel like winning the lottery to some. The right outfit can boost our confidence and make us happy. Finding these items at affordable prices only adds to that positive feeling.
So why not buy more than one? Buying multiple items at a lower price is easier and more practical than purchasing one expensive piece. This way, you’ll have a backup that you love once the original wears out.
Buying more than one of the same products is useful, practical, and fun because it feels like you’re getting something for free even though you paid for it a while back.
