Looking for new ways to save more? Here is my list of things to cut from your budget to save money and still have a great time in your city.
This list is not exhaustive, but it should give you some ideas on how you could save money and still enjoy life to the fullest! Also, see our post on saving household energy to help you manage costs.
Table of Contents
1. Eating Out at Lunch
If you’re eating lunch at work, consider bringing your food and packing it up in a cooler. You probably don’t realize the amount of money you spend on lunches out each month. You won’t have to pay for expensive restaurant meals if you bring your food. Plus, you’ll avoid spending money on drinks.
2. All Forms of Cable Television
Cable television isn’t cheap. Some people don’t even realize they are paying for cable TV until they get their first bill. The average cable package costs $100 per month. That’s about half of what many Americans spend on groceries. So why do so many people still subscribe to this pricey service? Because they think it’s necessary.
They believe they must have cable because everyone else does. But there are alternatives. For example, you could watch local news online for free. Or you could use Netflix instead of cable. It’s time to make a change. Consider dropping these services and relying on streaming content instead.
3. Pet Treats
Pet treats aren’t just tasty; they also help keep your pet healthy and well-behaved. Unfortunately, they are often high in fat and sugar. And when you add them to your dog’s diet, they might cause him to gain weight.
Instead, try making your homemade treats using carrots, apples, celery, raisins, peanut butter, and honey. They will provide your dog with essential nutrients your pet needs to stay fit, happy, and healthy and also save you money at the same time.
4. Professional Memberships
Professional memberships can be costly. For example, a membership to a gym can run hundreds of dollars a year. Some professional associations charge thousands of dollars annually. Why pay for something you don’t need?
Look around your community. Can you find other means to your goals? Maybe you can volunteer for a nonprofit organization. Or maybe you can join a club or association that meets your interests.
5. Clothing Shopping
Clothing shopping can be fun. It helps you feel great about yourself and gives you an excuse to dress up. But clothing shopping can also be expensive. Some women spend over $1,000 per year on clothes they don’t need. That’s a lot of money!
Fortunately, you can still save money while still looking fashionable. Here are three tips:
First, shop consignment shops. Consignment shops let you buy quality clothing at affordable prices. Plus, you can even make extra cash selling your gently-used items.
Second, shop thrift stores. Thrift stores have amazing deals. They often carry high-quality clothing at low prices. And because these stores aren’t always well-stocked, you could find something you love for less than half its original price.
Finally, don’t pay full retail prices. Look online for sales and promotions. Some retailers will give you coupons for free shipping or other special offers.
Check your local newspaper for ads. Or visit websites like Groupon and Living Social. These sites feature daily deals that allow you to score incredible savings.
6. Magazine Subscriptions
Buying subscription magazines can be a source of recurring expenditure on your budget. These unnecessary subs can be pretty problematic to manage after a while.
Also, many magazines offer discounts for multiple subscriptions. You can try multiple subscriptions, but you should only purchase one magazine subscription. When you receive your first issue and like it, cancel the rest.
This way, you won’t end up paying for issues you never read and paying multiple bills each month.
7. Prepackaged Meals
Prepackaged meals are convenient but usually loaded with preservatives and additives. These items can be unhealthy and expensive. Instead, prepare your meals. You will be healthier and will save more.
8. Specialized Cleaning Products
Specialized cleaning products can be very effective. However, they can cost a lot of money. You can save money by purchasing generic brands instead.
Be careful, though. Generic cleaners may not contain all the chemicals found in branded specialized ones. Therefore, you may want to test out a few different types before deciding which brand is best for you.
9. New Cell Phones
Cell phones are expensive. Most people spend more than $200 each year on their phone bills. If you plan to replace your current phone every two years, you’re spending too much money. Instead, look into leasing options. Leasing allows you to upgrade your phone without breaking the bank.
Also, if you’re considering getting a new cell phone, consider waiting. Wait until you upgrade to a newer model. Then, you can trade in your old phone for a discount.
In addition, you can also get a good deal if you buy a used phone instead of a new one. There are secondhand stores around you that you can sell off your current phone to or buy a used one.
10. Vacation
Vacations can be fun. But they can also be expensive. A vacation can easily cost thousands of dollars. So, it’s vital to keep costs down while still enjoying yourself. Here are some ways to do this:
First, book your flights early. This way, you can take advantage of pre-booking and avoid expensive last-minute fares.
Second, try using travel apps. Apps like Kayak and Hipmunk can help you compare airfares. Plus, some apps let you search for hotels at discounted rates.
Third, use an app called Trivago. It searches over 500,000 properties worldwide. And it compares them based on price, location, and amenities.
Fourth, look for package vacations. Package tours often include hotel rooms, transportation, and activities. They can be of great value because everything is included.
Fifth, avoid tipping. Tipping isn’t required in most countries. Tipping is considered rude. So, skip the tip altogether.
Finally, consider skipping the vacation entirely and find fun things to do in your city instead.
11. Dry Cleaning
Dry cleaning can result in quite a hefty bill depending on various factors like the type of materials, the location of the service, and more. But there are many other ways to get your clothes cleaned at home.
Use laundry detergent, color catchers, and more to make washing more effortless, and use a nearby washing machine instead to do the washing. It works pretty well and costs less. Some detergents even come in bulk packs. So, you can cut back on the cost of dry cleaning.
12. Household Paper Towels
Paper towels aren’t cheap. On average, households spend about $100 a year on paper towels. That’s why it makes sense to find alternatives. For example, you can use cloth napkins instead. Or, you can invest in reusable cloth towels. Reuseable towels will save you money in the long run.
13. Extra Groceries
Groceries can cause you to exceed your budget quickly, especially if you eat out frequently. You probably don’t realize how much you’re spending on groceries each week. To reduce your grocery bill:
- Shop only when you need something specific.
- Don’t stock up on things you know you won’t use.
- Work with a list and go shopping when necessary.
See more tips in our post on top tips on lowering your grocery bill.
14. Bottled Water
Bottled water is convenient. But it’s also costly. According to the EPA, Americans pay more than $1 billion every year on bottled water. If you want to save money, switch to tap water. Not only does it taste better, but it’s free.
15. Buying Gifts For Others
Buying gifts for others can drain your savings. However, it doesn’t have to be. Instead of buying gifts, consider giving cash, gift cards, or offering your time instead.
Giving cash is always appreciated. Gift cards are easy to buy and use. And helping someone out by doing their chores is a beautiful present.
16. Gym Memberships
Gym memberships can be unnecessary, not just expensive. Exercise should be part of everyone’s lifestyle. However, you don’t need to work out at a gym to lose weight.
There are many other ways to stay fit. For example, you could walk around the neighborhood. Or, you could join a local sports team.
17. Music Downloads
Music downloads can be expensive. Luckily there are cheaper options available. Many people download music from iTunes. But you can also stream music online using services like Spotify that are more are affordable or skip the downloads altogether until you are more financially stable.
18. Car Washes
Car washes can be expensive. But you don’t necessarily need one. Wash your car regularly by yourself and keep it clean by wiping it frequently.
This wiping routine will help prevent rusting and extend your car life. Also, you don’t need to wash your car every time you drive it. A good rule cash-conscious people follow is to wash after two weeks of driving.
19. Transportation for Short Distances
Transportation for short distances is often overpriced and an expenditure you can easily avoid. Walk or take public transportation instead.
Walking is less expensive and more efficient. Plus, it allows you to avoid traffic jams. In addition, you can improve your fitness level by walking or biking these short distances. The savings can add up quickly.
20. Expensive High-Quality Coffee
Coffee can add flavor to your morning routine. But it can also make your budget go up fast. The average person spends about $3 per day on coffee. That means you could be spending hundreds of dollars each month just on coffee alone.
Start brewing your own instead of buying to cut back on coffee expenses. Buy a coffeemaker. With this device, you can brew multiple cups of coffee at once and get a portable flask to put it in and take it with you when going out. Also, don’t waste money on fancy coffee beans. Buy whole bean coffee. Grind it yourself. It will give you better results.
21. Mobile Apps
Mobile apps can be expensive. But if you aren’t using them, then why spend the money? Some apps even have recurring fees monthly.
Look into getting rid of some of these apps. For example, you might think that a research app is useful. But you probably don’t use it. So why pay for it?
Take a few minutes instead to visit the browser and search yourself. You can find similar information without paying for it.
22. Pet Grooming
Pet grooming can cost a lot. It’s necessary, but not having to pay for it can save you a lot of money. If you want to keep your pet groomed and happy:
- Brush your pet daily.
- Trim your pet’s nails regularly.
- Buy a good clipper kit to trim hair.
These things won’t cost much, but they will make your pet feel great and delay trips to the groomers.
23. Going Out to the Movies
Movie tickets can be costly. A single ticket to see a movie can cost anywhere from $10 to $50. Even worse, some theaters require you to buy snacks and drinks before entering the theater. This expenditure can add up quickly!
There are many ways to avoid this expense. Here’s how to see a movie for less than 10 dollars!
– Free Movie Nights – Many libraries hold free movie nights once a week. Bring something like a blanket or a lawn chair so you can relax while watching a film.
– Drive-In Movie Theaters – These theaters show films on large screens from inside trucks. Admission is usually only a few dollars.
– Drive-Ins – Most drive-ins offer double features (two feature-length films back to back) every weekend. They are a bit cheaper than other options.
24. Mobile Data
Mobile data plans are another thing that we all pay for without realizing it. Most mobile phone users pay between $30-$50 per month for data usage alone. Some companies charge as much as $200 per month for unlimited data.
While those prices sound good, it’s important to remember that you could be using less than 2GB of data per month if you were only making calls or sending texts.
Also, most of us have data at home or work. You can save a lot by ditching your mobile data plan entirely or just going for a much smaller plan.
25. Professional Hair Care in a Salon
Haircare is important. Otherwise, how would you feel if someone cut off your hair without asking? But spending lots of money on a haircut isn’t necessary and will not allow you to save more.
Since you are on a low budget, consider cutting back on salon visits. You can easily style your hair at home by watching a youtube video. You even try new things like coloring your hair to save on expensive salon visits.
Also, try natural remedies to save on hair products. Try one of these three options:
• Wash your hair with water only. Water is gentle enough to wash your hair without damaging it. If you want to add a little bit of shine, try using a clarifying shampoo.
• Use olive oil. Olive oil is rich in antioxidants. It keeps your hair shiny and strong. You can apply it before drying or use it as a leave-in conditioner.
• Use coconut oil. Coconut oil is made from fresh coconuts. It is natural and will moisturize your hair and protect it from heat styling tools.
Bottom Line
The items above should help you cut down on expenses. As you can see, there are many things to cut from your budget to save money that you thought you couldn’t do without purchasing.
Hopefully, after reading this article, you’ll follow the tips and start saving more money. Good luck with your budgeting, and don’t forget to share this post!