8 Less Common Ideas to Spend Less and Save More Everyday 

One thing I have started doing, is to make myself an errand beverage. I would previously stop and get a drink and or a snack while I was out doing errands. Now I make a coffee at home and eat a snack before I leave. Seems like a small thing but twice a week it was 10.00 that is 40.00 a month.

Every day i check my bank acct and anything over an even number i transfer to a separate savings. So if my balance was 143.27, i would transfer 3.27. it builds quickly and without any sacrifice.

My "weird" thing is pretending to have a vice. My mother smoked like a chimney even though we weren't affluent enough to pay for it and she somehow always found the funds. I tell myself I "need" it, crave it so bad it needs to be my first priority, and put $20 in a savings account. I set a reminder to tell myself it's time for a "smoke break" and send that money there and then, I need to pay for the vice and live on what's left. Not smoking saves me thousands but I wouldn't even notice if I wasn't pretending to pay.

One good guideline for me to save money is to have water as the default drink if I do choose to eat out. Cocktails, coffee, soft drinks or other beverages add up more than we think and I prefer to eat vs drink my calories.

I actively use my change rather than drop it in a jar. Using up my change keeps me from breaking bills be they $1 or $20 dollar bills. The bills count up better and once broken they seem to spend all the faster too.

One thing that I have done is, in January, I pay a bit extra on my bills each month. I do this every month. by the time December comes round I have a free month and can pay for Christmas. Another is, if I go out to eat or spend money ... what I call frivolously, I put the same amount in savings. Both of these tactics are then also available if an emergency occurs or a forgotten bill.

Never ever grocery shop with an empty stomach! Temptation makes you buy more! Always use a list and stick to it.

It's so refreshing to hear new and different frugal tips that aren't the same ones we've heard over and over on a million other channels. The one about filling a leftover container BEFORE eating a meal is genius!

That first tip is awsome. Not just for savings, but for the portion control. I think we all need that❤

I always keep a little snack in my purse, and in my car. So to avoid unplanned shopping when I’m out and about.

#9 Catch the flu, like I have right now. I haven’t spent 1 penny, because I’m too sick to leave the house and to tired to online shop. I’m saving all kinds of money this week.

This may look tacky....but you can hide it too. When I find a place that has the cheapest price on something....instead of trying to remember where I got it, I use a sharpy and write on the bottle or container the name of the store. Saves my brain cells time from trying to remember or making lists. Also...as it is getting empty, I had that store to my list and what it is I need from there.

You're right about convenience food. I spent a lot buying take out because I had a long commute for years. I'm retired now and see my daughter with a long commute who meal plans her lunch and has Costco convenience foods for whenever she doesn't want to spend a lot of time cooking dinner. She prioritizes exercise after work. I never did any of that and she certainly has a healthier life than I did.

One thing that has saved us thousands of dollars over the years is having our teeth cleaned/xrayed by students at a dental hygiene school. It takes longer, but they do a better job and the savings is crazy. In NC, we went to GTCC in Jamestown and paid only $5 each. They did sealants on my kids too. Now we are in Maine and go to the dental clinic at UMA in Bangor. The cost is $50 each for cleaning and xrays, but that is still way less than I pay at my dentist!

This may be a little strange, but when hubby and i go out to Mexican food, we get full on salsa and chips, and take our food home and it lasts us for a couple of days.

Use a washcloth to dry off on when getting out of the shower. Use two if needed or a handtowel. It makes less towels in the laundry. Saves water.

I thrift for home decor, crafts, clothing, furniture and if new, gifts. I have cut back on laundry by using the same bath towel all week. I’m clean when I get out of the shower so the towel is clean when hung after to dry. I don’t eat out other than about once every 6 months, I don’t buy drinks like coffee, I make my own and when I do eat out I don’t buy drinks, I drink water. I often take snacks or fruit in the car if I know I’m going to be hungry before I get home. I put less laundry detergent in washing. I look for food on half price if I can eat it right away or freeze it.

the convenience food part is so important. I cannot count the times i used to mess up an entire 2 weeks of frugally saving money by just one "weak moment" after an exhaustive day or when i got ill and could not bring up enough energy to cook a meal from scratch so i ended up ordering one vegan pizza from a delivery service ....and 30 Euros of money saved gone.....

For years I have saved gold coins and $5 notes and put in a money tin that we cannot get into. We usually take a trip in December for a few days, the money in the tin (usually anywhere between $1000 - $1300) pays for our expenses whilst away, it's a great treat for us and something we look forward to :)

When it comes to eating, it also helps to use smaller plates and cups. Here in Central Europe, children's dishes are the size that an adult should take. I myself have put my large plates away so that I don't automatically grab them. In general, I would suggest slowly reducing the portions until you reach the "child size". Eating half as much is not only healthy, it also costs half as much.

You really don't need convenience foods. Broccoli takes five minutes, pasta takes 10 minutes, sprinkle on parmesan and you have a meal. Minute rice takes 5 minutes. While it's cooking saute chopped onion and peppers, sprinkle parmesan or put a little mozzarella on and run it under the broiler. If you have some leftover meat, shred it and add. Convenience foods take time to heat too and aren't as good

All year long I save any $1 & $5’s that I receive. At the end of the year all funds saved go to Christmas gifts. I don’t count it out until after Thanksgiving. I also save all my coins throughout the year and my grandsons help me roll them up. We cash them in and they use the funds to buy their mom a Christmas present. My bank does the save the change automatically whenever I use my bank card.

I always keep stuff to make a quick chili on hand. I keep ground beef, chili seasoning packets, canned tomatoes, canned beans, and tomatoe sauce stacked together in the cabinet. It's not a slow cooked chili, but a good dinner that can be thrown together in about 15 minutes in one pan.

I recommend looking at the convience food on your shelves but also taking a check upon what you actually reach for THEN borrow from the prepper and frugality folks to make your own. Many years ago now when the Jiffy cornbread mixes both went up in price and got smaller (its not a new phenomenon) I got incensed enough to find a recipe that produced a similar cornbread. Then I saved some (6 in my case) glass spaghetti sauce jars, washed them, let them dry completely, and spent about a half hour in total to make my own dry ingredient mix. I got out and lined up the ingredients, lined up my jars, got out my funnel and measuring tools. Then I went down the the line of jars measuring 1 ingredient into each, came back and measured the 2nd into each jar down the line, and so on. For myself, I use permanent marker on glass jars (rubbing alcohol or also acetone takes it off if needed) and tape with perma marker on plastic containers. Getting put the ingredients, measuring, labeling, and putting things away took me at most 1/2 hour. Try it, you'll like it. Identify things like gravy packets, taco seasoning mixes (pick a recipe that includes cornstarch), boxes with a starch (rice, pasta, potatoes), salad dressing packets, and the like. Google some recipes using: the words "copy cat", "diy", "from scratch"; maybe the brand you prefer; and the food you want to create. Decide which is doable skill, time, tools and equipment, and existing pantry shelf ingredient wise. Work with one, then add a second, and the next thing you know you'll be cooking from scratch with convience.

When going out to lunch/dinner and then to another activity (concert, etc) we bring along an ice chest with ice blocks for any possible leftovers. It’s also great for storing cold drinks or snacks when running long errands with kids or yourself.

If you start canning your own foods then you don't need to buy convenience foods either. Yes it costs a little up front if you don't have any supplies but everything is reusable except for part of the lid. Plus you have control over what goes into your jar, no strange chemicals, etc.

Weigh myself before grocery shopping. Track my costs every morning over my coffee (pairing a less appealing task with a much-anticipated cuppa).

Hi. New to your channel. Great video! My tip: Buy only quality clothes, like you mentioned about the per wear use. I used to only buy from clearance sections and had a closet full of clothes. But I was never happy when I looked in the mirror. Now I only buy things really enjoy wearing, that fit me, are comfortable and flattering. Now, instead of 10 pairs of $15 dress pants, I have 2 pair of $100 dress pants that I feel fabulous wearing. To me that’s being frugal versus cheap.

Never ever leave the house without food and water. If its late morning then an iced coffee too. I have an insulated lunch box and even if it's just an apple and a string cheese, edible calories come with me. It's not infrequent that one or two errand turns into a long wait or having to take a detour somewhere else. Resist those open road calories and always be prepared :)

thank you for saying it's ok to eat out once in a while. so many of these videos that I watch are so frugal that it takes all the joy out of life and gives me very little to look forward. Anytime I eat out, I order something that I know I can get two meals out of it.

Uk here. Not a savings tip but definitely helps with budgeting, I asked my local council to change my council tax bill to 12 monthly payments rather than the standard 10 that is normally arranged. Same amount of tax but smaller portions spread over the whole year.

I stopped drinking soda, juice and other expensive beverages. Instead, I brew a huge pot of plain black tea which I drink a cup (hot) in the morning with lemon and honey. Then I chill the rest and mix with other fruit, herbs, spices or seasonings throughout the day. Making your own flavored tea cost next to nothing, keeps you hydrated and allows you to control the ingredients. You can also freeze to make flavored tea ice cubes.

Great video. Straight information and no annoying music or attempt at being a comedian.

When its payday look at a frugal living RU-vid video before you spend anything to keep your mind on track.

One thing me and my boyfriend do is drink at home. Wine is so expensive when you go to a bar so we just buy a $5 bottle wine at our local grocery and drink that before we go out or after we come home

Some of mine: utilize the library instead of buying books. I invested about three or four years ago now in cloth pads from a local company 😊 and while it isn’t for everyone, it means I haven’t bought feminine hygiene products in years. I also keep my heat lower especially at night, use lower lighting when possible, and make sure my dishwasher and washing machine loads are full. I bought a brita not too too long ago again because my city’s tap water tastes pretty bad, but I definitely didn’t want to be buying bottled water or a huge container thing. I try to buy essential but shelf stable products only on sale, I can’t remember the last time I bought full price shampoo or deodorant/antiperspirant. I don’t go out to movies, haven’t been to one not for work (I worked as a daycare worker for five summers, so a couple of times we had the kids out to a movie) for 18ish years-so the last time was when I was 15. I can either rent it online or find it on a streaming service soon enough. I never really liked going out to movies anyways. A new one I’ve started doing is getting books digitally IF I can’t source it from my local library. As it is often several dollars less than the physical copy, and also takes up less space! I shop food seasonally as much as I can, so in the winter the only berries I’m eating are from the freezer section. I have a small amount ($1500) of credit card I am paying off, so right now I am always putting back the money I spent plus 1-3 dollars more. Gradually chipping away.

We always pack a drink cooler and a bag of snacks when we know we'll be out and about for a while.

sometimes it is cheaper to stop by the 7-11 convince store for that gallon of milk you need than go into Walmart for it... last time I went into regular grocery store for a gallon it cost me $22. Of course it was at the back of the store...Impulse buying along the way is a budget killer

Navy shower... quick water, then shut off. Lather, shave then quick rinse. Water is EXPENSIVE in California, so this helps save water and $$$. Also, no running water while brushing teeth... only to wet brush and rinse.

I haven't bought bread in 30 years. I buy like-new bread machines at thrift stores for just a few dollars and make bread. Easy to use the timer for overnight baking or set to bake while you're at work and return home to fresh made bread. Very inexpensive.

I have window "quilts" in my north and east windows. Between the curtains and the blinds. I have insulation board from Homw Depot in my West windows. This keeps the cold and the heat out of our home. With the blow in foam insulation in our house, out heating and cooling bills are ultra low.

I started using the Earthling Co. shampoo bars. At first I thought the bars were pricey, but then I realized one bar lasts me about 3 months! I have thick medium length hair, too. It shocks me how much hair care products have increased in price. Btw, I love how the shampoo bars make my hair feel and look! Worth a try 🎉

just found you ,, subscribed , I like your content. My money saving tip is ...stay home. Every time I walk out the door without a plan it costs me at least $50 maybe more. I have been working to stop this habit. I invited people over for lunch. I organize card games, I have organized a tea and book reading club. I stack books and magazine on the table and my friends and I leaf through them and chat about pretty things we see or great ideas we just saw. twice a year I organized a swap party....we bring things that we just would hate to drop off at the charity shop but know we aren't using we put numbers on a a piece of paper in a crystal bowl to correspond to the number of items we have on the table..we roll dice to see who has the highest number and they get to pick first and it goes from there. Anything left gets dropped off at charity shop. Keep foods simple when entertaining..I serve vanilla waffers , cheese spread and crackers, sliced apples....very rarely do I make anything "fancy" because if you make it look fussy and difficult other women will not want to host anything at their house. I use any pretty saucers and cups I have ...don't get fussy it will discourage other hostesses. Use your pretty things but it should look easy and pretty to pull together.Having fun activies that don't involve shopping and spending money are my "money saving hack". Staying home is fun if you can relax enough to be a hostess.....if your dishes aren't done drape a pretty tablecloth over the sink to tidy it up. people will come over believe me.the mrs. widow of bigjac

Thank you for the tip about convenience food. Even if it's not the healthiest, money can be saved. Heating frozen pizza often stops there - stick it in the oven, eat when ready. Ordering pizza might include fries or onion rings added on. And maybe a timing to the pizza.

I love idea number one. I thought I knew just about every money saving tip but I never thought of this. Thanks!

I buy packs of bar towels. They are cheap. Six for $5. I stopped using paper towels. Wash and reuse.

Barter with people who have various skills. For example haircuts, snow removal, lawn services babysitting, house cleaning, cooking/baking, running errands...For Christmas give consumables and service gifts...extra firewood, pie a month, home cooked meal coupons, babysitting, house cleaning, house repairs. Family and friends favorite gifts have been things like replacing a light fixture, fixing a leaky faucet, homemade peanut brittle, driving them to appointments or doing errands, Grandkids singing a song, free babysitting, making a meal. Be creative.

I live in a colder climate so I am not sure if this would work for everyone....but I buy a case of my favorite flavored waters and keep them in the trunk of my car. I also bought a sippy cup type lid to fit the one liter sized bottles. So I always have cold water to drink and it is sippable as I drive without screwing and unscrewing the cap.

I save a ton of money by buying greeting cards from the Dollar Tree. They have beautiful name brand cards that normally cost $4-$6 at the other stores.

I’m quick to take on extra work offered. I teach part-time, but if they call and ask me to sub for an hour, I’m there. My former boss asked me to help him at a seminar he was hosting at my school. I took him up on it. Neighbor asked me to clean out her fridge before the open house. I did it. I’m not one to seek out a lot of extra work, but if someone asks, I’ll do it.

Love the tips :-) Getting out storage containers and putting dinner in, is genius!

For the covenience foods, they are usually frozen.......so, when you make a meal like in your first suggestion, make it into a tv dinner and treat it like one. It is homemade convenience food. Good on a night when you don't feel like cooking, too tired, etc.

I save a ton of money by setting my thermostat at 55 degrees F in the winter and 80 degrees F in the summer. Uncomfortable, but not intolerable. I also stopped buying meat a few years ago to reduce my grocery budget.

Budget for impulse spending 😊

Good tips. If you freeze leftovers you will have homemade “convenience food” available. Frozen vegetables are a convenience food AND healthy and nutritious, many times more nutritious than fresh.

Cook from scratch, but also get some convenience items. Its shocking how the food expenses add up in a month. I did a cost comparison for an entire year and average savings when you plan ahead and food prep is 62%!!!!

I make ravioli from scratch. It's my convenience food as all I do it boil it from frozen and then bake it with sauce and cheese. Takes almost no energy but is still homemade and healthier

I started using an online app this year to make daily to-do lists for myself. This has saved me a ton of money. Among the things I put on the list are meal planning, grocery shopping, defrosting, and meal prep. If I have a busy week ahead of me, I know I need to do my meal prep ahead of time, or I will fall back into the unhealthy habit of ordering food delivery. I also need reminders to move meats from the freezer to the fridge to thaw so I don't have to defrost them in the microwave, which wastes time, money, and energy.

Good thought about having guilty convenience foods at home. If you do that, itight not always be the best choice, but it will probably end up cheaper and better quality than going out at the last minute or ordering in of fast foods.

Convenience food - sick - Can of Hearty Beef Vegetable Soup + beef Ramen noodles = 4 servings with bread and butter, or 2 hearty servings. Tip from Frugal Fit Mom YTer. All is microwaveable. Soup on sale $1.50 + ramen $0.33=$1.83 + bread and butter .40 x5=$3.83 Ask restaurants to bring leftover’s box when meal is delivered. You can immediately portion it out. Also be sure to join any loyalty program they have and pay with a discounted gift card for best savings.

I always carry a bottle of water and almonds.

Pay attention to sales and take notes. You will forget next year when you found something the cheapest. If you shop a couple of stores and have a purchase in mind, watch the price. Even if you purchase the item, continue to watch the price. You will learn when items at that store are actually the best price.

Local college drama department lets senior citizens go to plays free! Tickets are pretty cheap anyway. Check local high school and college for inexpensive intertainment.

Restaurants serving these huge portions are serving low, low, low quality food. It's basically a plate of garbage and you paid $25 for it.

Check with your stylist about how frequently you need to shampoo your hair. Unless you have excessive oily hair you only need to wash it once a week or every other week. Otherwise just rinse it with water when you shower. I wash mine every 2 weeks. It helps keep your color longer if you have colored hair and shampoo lasts longer. Also, you only need a dime size amount of shampoo. Another tip I learned a long time ago I’d clothes can be washed in cold water. Saves on your utility bill. To help clothes last longer I use a drying rack to air dry my clothes. Check online for a list of how often clothes need to be washed. Jeans for example (Torrid clothing brand recommends) they can be worn at least 5 times unless excessively dirty & washed inside out. Socks, graphic tees, and sweatshirts should also be washed inside out.

Thanks for the video. A video on how you use the google notes app will be useful.

I started eating / cooking at home mid August and I still get together and go out with a few friends to eat on occasions. Not only has this helped me stick to my budget ( which my budget is tight) but I’m loosing weight too . And yes I would love to stop and eat at fast food places .

Cost per use is interesting. I used to buy toilet paper a brand that i thought was good but I was using 2-3 rolls in ny bathroom. I got another brand for double the price and I am using 1 roll for 6 days. All these tips work. But you need to be prepared. I went through a difficult financial situation that I stopped having cash. I read a bit about financial independence and I found building behaviour takes time but it works. I am more focused when I shop. I plan and budget. I shop veggies once a week and i shop all other things once a month

I have sealed cooler in my vechicle that I stock with snacks and water. That way, if I am out and delayed from having a meal, I have something healthy and know I won't over eat when I get home.

One video idea would be about if you did à home made budget planner out of à cheap notebook...something To simplify budgeting..

I cook all my dinners, however it’s only recently that I’m putting away the leftovers before I over eat them. It’s been difficult cooking for 4 children and spouse to just me.

I keep the fast food coupons (that I get in the mail) in my car. Yes, it is not very healthy....but if you are GOING to stop anyway...save yourself some money. I also keep ANY coupons I collect in an organizer stored IN THE CAR.....car repair coupons, grocery receipt coupons....all of them stay in the car....so I never forget them at home.

My daughter just had her hair cut, and I'm noticing that it's exactly the same style as yours and exactly the same color....very pretty! As usual you have fantastic ideas.

With restaurant meals, I think how leftovers will be used. Also how well they will reheat. So I'll often eat the veggie, pasta or potato, salad and a little of the protein and take home just a piece of meat. Also my husband and I will sometimes combine leftovers in one container wth an eye for it being the base for lunch for both of us.

Firstly- your sweater is GORGEOUS!! What brand is it? One of the best ways we save money (we have five daughters) is we keep snacks in our suburban. This has knocked those trips thru the drive thru to zero. Snacks include bags of cheez it’s, beef jerky, granola bars, fruit snacks, bel-vitas. Also bottled water. Utilizing these snacks just one time pays for it all. As a trip to McDonald’s for even a couple of my girls was north of $15.00!!

Liked “the age well” advice. Great quality tip.

Rainwater collection. Travel beverage hot or cold. Fruit snack. I ask a family member to trim / blow dry my hair. Feels like a pamper. Take a coolerbox with drinks & snacks for kids. We make and take popcorn as a driving snack.

One of the things that I do, is I only have big bills because if I have small bills then I know I'm gonna spend it very easily. For example in my apartment building we have a vendor machine. If I carry small bills for example if I carry dollar bills or change then I'm very tempted to go and get some snack or or drink. However when I have big bills then I'm not easily tempted to actually get anything from the vending machine. It kind of helps when it comes to going getting groceries because smaller bills like $20 bill even, I'll still be tempted to break the $20 bill. For some reason I don't like breaking big bills, so if I'm carrying a $50 bill on me after payday or something, then it's a lot better because I wont spend it as i would a 20 or 10.

Eggs are one the best/cheapest convenience foods to keep available.

Good evening jennifer , my first tip about no spending more money consists with not thinking about food , that's not hard to do and i only spent 30€ last friday , i only eat between 12-20 o clock and i feel so relax by eating vegetables 😊

One of the grocery stores I'm regularly in, marks down discontinued items by 50%. That's when I buy the frozen dinners (all that they have or I can afford that day). Just be sure it's something your family will eat.

When I first heard the idea of keeping money in your bank account as a cushion I really didn't know how I would accumulate money to have some just sitting in the bank account (Kate Kaden talks about a budget buffer too). Then I realised that it's just a question of perspective. I already allocated money into different savings/sinking funds each payday so now I keep one lot of the savings (£100 towards a new boiler) in my current account until my next payday. I know the money is for savings so i don't spend it, and it still goes into savings - it's always just one month late. This prevents my going overdrawn.

You are right about convienence foods at home.

We use some convenience foods/drinks too...for my highschool student to take drinks and have quick breakfast...saves me money instead of the jiffy store (convenient store).

Have some leftovers in the freezer for days when you don't have time to cook. Soup and sandwich is my favorite 'fast food '

I always round up my checking spending. It adds to my cushion and I like round numbers. 😆

In the evening when you're feeling worn out a pressure cooker is your best friend...frozen vegetables...a few beans or lentils. In 30 mins max you've got your minestrone in your plate. Had a shower too. No convenience food necessary.

"Save until it hurts"

We do the cooler thing anytime we even go to the next town for specialist appointments of any kind - ob/gyn, cardiologist etc I checkout grocery sales for any store NOT in my hometown while I’m waiting and hit those on my way out of town

I would like the information on how you organize your notes. I agree reinforcement helps

Make convenience food ahead from scratch.

This will sound very improper but really works. #1. Don't flush your toilet everything you tinkle. If it's yellow let it mellowed. If it's brown flush it down. It keeps your water bill way down and doesn't waste water. This is also good for your septic tank. Flush once or twice a day so your bathroom stays fresh. .

Outstanding

I also round up. It provides a cushion for my checking account. I withdraw it a few times a year to pay extra on something.

Don't buy breakfast cereal! Serving for serving it's as expensive as beef. Even when you buy it on sale, it's still a lot of money for the amount of nutrition you get. Use grits or oatmeal, homemade granola sprinkled on yogurt; batch cook muffins on the weekends, pop them in the freezer, and microwaved them for breakfast. My kids loved them. Ditto waffles. I have a square waffle iron so it's easy to pop them into the toaster and have hot waffles in seconds. Use the old Great Depression trick: crumble up graham crackers in a bowl and pour milk over, sprinkle with a bit of brown sugar. Virtually anything is going to be better than breakfast cereal which pencils out to about $3 or $4 [er breakfast. I read that same study and portion size expansion did not start in the 1900s, it started in the 1970s, so 50 years, not 150 years.

I use a GP Dr that still only charges the bulk bill fee. So it's free through the Australian Medicare system. (Some GP Dr's charge higher that the Medicare rate so you're out of pocket around $30 - $40 each visit). For any xrays, ultrasounds, CT scans or cortisone injections under CT scan, I get these done at the local Public Hospital. These are all bulk billed so are free. If you get them at a private company, you pretty much are always out of pocket. Maybe $100 to $250+ depending on the service done.

I eat out less often, and make my own cookies, cakes, and quick breads, etc because they are healthier, cheaper, and taste better. My sister and I live close, so we trade off driving to do errands together.

Great job ❤❤❤😮😮😮😊😊😊

Never buy coffee out for $2.00 to $4.00 . I make great Starbuck's coffee at home for about 25 cents. I leave the house with a 12 oz cup. If I am out for longer time I bring the coffee in a larger thermos. Also, every time you stop for coffee you waste 10 minutes . Five times a week for 50 weeks means that you spent 40 hours a year buying coffee or $15.00 a week for 50 weeks that equals $750.00 a year. To have $750.00 cash in your hand one must earn about $1,000.00 gross . Do the math - the small everyday expenditures add up.

Order ice water with lemon when eating out. Make your own lemonade at the table with a sugar packet.