22 Little Things You Can Do Every Day To Save Money (2024)

There's a lot of financial advice out there to give up on small purchases like coffee if you want to save money in the long run. But you don't always have to give up the small things you love if you can be creative. "I like Starbucks, but how can I afford it without paying out of pocket?" Kassanda Dasent, founder and CEO of BridgeTech Enterprises and financial wellness engineer, asked herself when she was trying to save money. The answer? She used her credit card's rewards points to get Starbucks gift cards, so she could have her coffee and drink it too.

"To take a family of four to the movies is over $50 with snacks," Dasent tells Woman's Day. Instead opt for a movie night in. Buying snacks at the grocery store and renting a $3 will save you loads. Plus, the wait time between a movie being in theaters and available to screen keeps getting smaller, so you'll still be able to catch new flicks.

It's one of the oldest tricks in the book, but it holds up because it works. If you don't want to worry about packing a lunch in the morning, make an extra portion the night before when you're cooking dinner, and set it aside for the next day's lunch, advises Dasent. And if you want to be able to treat yourself, choose one day every couple weeks, pay day for instance, to buy a lunch out with co-workers.

"A lot of local venues and festivals are always looking for volunteers," Dasent says. "Once you help them with your volunteering duties you can attend the event for free." It's a great trick for concert-lovers who can't afford high-cost shows.

"If you're going to a restaurant, the biggest markup is on alcohol and beverages," Dasant says. "So just drink water." Although it might seem like a boring choice, remember that it's a healthy choice too, so it has an extra benefit on top of saving you money.

Next time you're hit with the urge to buy a big-ticket item without careful deliberation, keep the 30-day rule in mind. Waiting 30 days to decide on a purchase allows you to consider whether you really need it. This also gives you the chance to hunt for better deals and coupons.

If you head to the grocery store without your handy list, chances are you're going to give in to impulse buys and unplanned purchases. Take the time to look through your pantry beforehand and make a list of only the groceries you need for the week; it'll help you save money and reduce food waste.

Besides the detrimental side effects smoking has on your health, cigarettes are expensive. If you're still not convinced, use this quit calculator to determine how much you'd save a year if you ditched the costly habit.

Take advantage of your town's best free resource: the library. New hardcovers can cost up to $3o, which adds up if you're a voracious reader. Next time you're jonesing for a fast-paced thriller, spend time browsing the stacks — and don't forget, most local libraries also lend out CDs and DVDs, too.

Installing a programmable thermostat will help you cut down on energy costs. Many come with wireless connectivity and mobile apps that easily allow you to regulate the temperature throughout the day to make sure you're using energy as efficiently as possible.

You can't save when you're out of sync with your partner. Put a monthly money chat on the calendar so you and your spouse can accomplish key goals. Instead of squabbling over whether to save for a new sofa or a vacation, spend the time discussing how to save for something you both want.

Why shell out for a mower, power drill, or kayak if you can rent or borrow one? Community apps like iLend help connect folks who need big-ticket items with people willing to rent or lend them.

If you're in the market for a new piece of furniture, like a bookcase or a dining room table, check resale apps and websites first. You can find people in your area selling the items you're looking for on sites like LetGo and Facebook Marketplace.

Instead of splurging on a bottle of wine at dinner, you can save money on date night by frequenting BYOB eateries. Do a quick Google search to find bottle-friendly restaurants in your area or call your favorite bistro to ask about their policy. Even with the $5 corkage fee some places might charge, you'll still come out ahead when the check arrives.

The vast majority of big companies offer flexible spending accounts but less than 25% of eligible workers opt into FSAs, leaving all kinds of money on the table. Not only does your FSA help you pay for health needs that range from ordinary (annual checkups) to unorthodox (Lasik surgery), but the money you put into your FSA isn't taxed. That's like having 25% or 30% more to spend.

Over the next seven days, try buying only strict necessities and pass up things like gum or that caffe latte. Then pocket those savings. If you survive the week, go for two!

One study found that the longer you hold something, the greater your desire to own it — and the more you are willing to pay for it. Worse, those possessive feelings kick in after a mere 30 seconds of holding the item. Keep your hands in your pockets unless you're reaching for something on your list!

The Department of Energy estimates that every 5 mph you drive over 50 mph costs you an extra 19¢ for every gallon of gas in your tank. Speeding tickets are pricey, too, so take your lead foot off the pedal.

Credit card late fees are typically around $25 a month, so call your card provider to set a due date that's convenient for you. That way, the bill isn't due when money is short, and you can pay all your bills at a sitting without one slipping through the cracks.

Just about everyone has stuff laying around that they can sell for cash. Those dresses hanging at the back of your closet? Thredup.com will pick them up, sell them, and send your chunk of the profit through PayPal. A well-preserved set of Beanie Babies? Try Decluttr.com. A handbag in perfectly good shape that doesn't jive with your style anymore? Find it a new home on Poshmark. NeverLikedItAnyway.com is where you can dump that ring your ex once gave you — and save the money for something more meaningful.