60+ Ways to Save Money

Trust me, there are lots of creative ways to save money. Here's my top 60:

Rent and Housing

If you're buying:

• Airbnb your place when you're not there (i.e. family visits, trips)
• Negotiate, negotiate, negotiate. Always ask to lower the sticker price for either renting or buying
• Refinance your mortgage to a lower interest rate
• Buy a multi-floor/family unit and rent out the other space
• Sell your parking space if you don't need it
• Try to save up more for a down payment if you're buying, rather than paying the minimum down payment. This will lower your mortgage bill.

If renting:

• Consider a roommate. You can often find a way nicer 2 bedrooms than just 1.
• Sign an extended lease (upwards of 12 months) to lock in your price for longer
• Give up your parking space in exchange for cheaper rent, if your landlord allows
• Try to move in the winter, rent is often much cheaper during this time
• If you're feeling very adventurous and really have nowhere to stay, work at a hostel for a month in exchange for free housing
• Airbnb (same as above), if your landlord allows
• Negotiate, negotiate, negotiate (same as above)

Groceries and Food

• Limit shopping to twice a month. Studies show that the more often you go, the more you spend even if the loads are smaller
• Buy items on sale, even if it's not your usual brand
• Buy from Misfits Market or Imperfect Foods. They say the food is strange looking, but in my experience it looks the same as most regular produce and is 40% cheaper.
• Limit eating out to once a week, or even once every few weeks
• Find restaurant deals on https://www.restaurant.com/ or Groupon
• Pick up your order instead of doing delivery
• Try to buy fewer snacks. They're expensive and don't fill you up.
• Try a farmer's market. You can sometimes find great deals on good and healthy produce.

Clothing and Home Goods

• Buy and sell consignment. It's more sustainable, and you can pretty much eliminate clothing expenses but trading in your clothes. Gross or trendy? We think trendy :)
• Get a library card rather than buying books
• Amazon is actually more expensive than other retailers. Try comparing with Wal Mart or Target, or even Marshalls/Home Goods/TJ Maxx/Ross if you have one in your area
• Use Honey or Price.com to make sure you're getting the best price
• Buy only on sale dates and out of season
• Buy fewer items that are more expensive, but better quality. If you take good care of them, they will last a long time. Shopping for cheap quality items may lead to constant repurchasing
• If you're small, shop the kids section. Some of the larger sizes can actually fit adults
• Don't buy it if it doesn't fit well. We all have that one dress that's meant to be motivational, but really it just hangs in our closet and makes us feel sad about our size.

Transportation

• Utilize your company's commuter benefits, if it's offered (i.e. pre-tax dollars for transportation)
• Carpool whenever you can to save on tolls and gas
• Take a bike to work
• Debate: electric vehicles may be cheaper over the long run, if you include gas, maintenance, repairs etc.
• As with buying a house, try to save up more for a down payment. This will limit your auto loan bill.
• Shop around for car insurance - don't take the first rate you see
• Try to maintain a uniform speed. Speeding or breaking often reduces your gas efficiency, making your gas bill higher
• Wash your car yourself

Utilities

• Use energy efficient lights and appliances. They can be more expensive upfront, but will save you a ton over time
• Wash your clothing on the cold setting
• Run your AC on auto rather than cool, or set it so that it turns on and off automatically at specific time intervals
• Airdry your clothing
• Seal up doors and windows to keep out the cold and the heat

Medical

• Get an itemized list of your medical bill. Very often things are double counted or mislabeled.
• Negotiate with your doctor if you had an expensive procedure
• Set up a payment plan. They're often interest free and help you break down the cost into smaller chunks
• DO YOUR ANNUAL CHECK-UP. Preventative medicine is way cheaper than emergency medicine
• Ask for generic presicriptions
• Ask for the cost before having a procedure. It shouldn't stop you from doing important procedures, but this will help you manage the bill and avoid surprises. It can also help to negotiate
• Research procedure prices online
• Use in-network doctors
• Make sure any tests or procedures that are done are medically necessary, and whether they will be included in your deductible
• Establish an HSA to put away pre-tax dollars towards medical care

Personal Care

• Buy personal care items in bulk (toilet paper, paper towels, shampoo, etc)
• Work out a home with Chloe Ting!
• Go for a run outside instead of using a treadmill
• See if your employer has a "health and wellness" reimbursement

Entertainment

• Check out free events and block parties in your neighborhood
• Start a family game night
• Go on a hike or spend time outdoors
• Go to a museum

Retirement, Savings, Investing, Etc.

• Put your 401k or Roth IRA on auto-pilot every month so that money is set aside and you can't spend it
• Set up an emergency fund. Better yet, set up multiple funds in different places so it's harder for you to dip into your cash at a moment's notice.

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