Saving money on your day to day expenditures doesn’t always have to require drastic changes. With a bit of planning and creativity, you can trim your expenses without having to worry about sacrificing your quality of life. (Yes, that means you can still get your morning $6 coffee everyday!) Remember, everybody is different so feel free to change these tips up for your own needs!

1. Create a Budget: 

• This is always the #1 priority when it comes to saving money. I bet you are tired of hearing it… but it works. Understanding where your money is going each month is crucial to starting to save. Make a list of your fixed and variable expenses. Set a goal for yourself on how much you can spend on your variable expenses each month and how much you would like to save, whether you put it in a savings account, an investment account, or an emergency fund.

2. Embrace Meal Planning: 

• While meal planning does not work for everyone, create a plan that WILL work for you. Don’t force yourself to adhere to a goal you cannot accomplish. For example, only eat out once or twice a week, and try to eat at home for the rest of the time.

3. Explore Generic Brands: 

• Many generic brands offer the same quality (if not better) as name-brand counterparts. Decide which items you are okay with spending less money on. When it comes to non-food items, such as makeup, toiletries, and appliances, do some research on different brands and compare! 

4. Cut Cable and Explore Streaming Services: 

• Cable bills can be hefty… especially as time goes on. Consider getting rid of cable completely and switching over to a streaming service. Some streaming services also include bundles and go on sale throughout the year.

5. Optimize your Subscriptions: 

• Review all of your monthly subscriptions. Cancel any subscriptions you aren’t using regularly. This could be magazines, streaming services you signed up for for a free trial, gym memberships, or any other recurring expense. 

6. Use Cash-back Apps or Automatic Coupon Apps: 

• Look into some cash-back apps / websites and utilize them when making purchases. Sites like Honey, Rakuten, and Karma are user-friendly and can save you hundreds of dollars on purchases you were already making.

7. Take Advantage of Loyalty Programs: 

• Some of the places you may already go to regularly have great loyalty programs. Look at your past 6 months of purchases and look up the places you frequent most. You may find that they have amazing loyalty programs! (If you don’t want to be bombarded by their daily emails… simply unsubscribe at the bottom of the email! You will still be a loyalty member!)

8. DIY Whenever Possible: 

• Embrace a do-it-yourself mindset for tasks like home maintenance, simple repairs, or even beauty treatments. There’s a YouTube video for everything! 

9. Negotiate Bills: 

• Don’t be afraid to negotiate bills with your service providers. They are working for you and will want to keep you as their customer! 

10. Buy Second-Hand: 

• Utilize platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist to make purchases. The free section on Facebook Marketplace has a lot of hidden gems, but remember to always be careful when meeting up with a stranger. Always travel in pairs! There are also many groups on Facebook of local “Buy and Sell” groups.

11. Plan No-Spend Days: 

• Designate specific days where you commit to not spending any money. With kids, this may be a challenge; if a no-spend day is not possible for you, plan a “minimal-spending day”. 

12. Explore Investment Avenues: 

• Investing can be scary, but these days there are many applications / platforms that will do it for you. There are also many guides and tools online for smart investing! 

13. Utilize Amazon Subscribe and Save: 

• If you are regularly making the same purchase, whether it be weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, etc., utilize Amazon’s subscribe and save. This allows customers to receive a regular shipment of your selected product at a discounted price. You can pause it at any time, cancel it, or move your delivery to a different date.