101 ways to save money every day

AT HOME

1. replace all light bulbs with LED bulbs
2. raise A/C to 78F at night
3. set timer on air conditioning to raise temperatures while you are at work to 83F
4. use sponges instead of paper towels
5. cancel cable / satellite TV and purchase an indoor antenna instead
6. enjoy home-cooked meals
7. review all subscriptions and cut out the ones you don’t truly need / use
8. purchase certified refurbished electronics
9. shop your cell phone provider and consider everything on the bill
10. keep your electronics an extra year
11. clean your own home
12. turn fans off when not in the room
13. turn off porch lights
14. check all lights are off before leaving for work
15. pack lunch for the office
16. do not trash food as soon as they reach the date since it is a sell by date in most cases
17. add an extra bed cover and lower the heat at night
18. take care of your own yard
19. clean your own pool
20. pack home-made sandwiches for day trips
21. fill up hard bottles with water for day trips
22. make your own thank you / invitation cards, especially true for kids (ie, Valentine’s Day, birthdays…)
23. turn off the television when not actively watching
24. turn off the television during meal times
25. unplug unused appliances
26. have friends over instead of eating out
27. drink water
28. get books from your local library
29. get DVD’s from your local library for a night-in
30. quit smoking
31. purchase a new car air filter online and replace it yourself
32. exercise at home
33. go for a run outside
34. replace your air filters monthly
35. reconsider club memberships (ie, gym, golf)
36. store all leftovers and enjoy a night of no-cooking with re-heated leftovers
37. think of ways to repurpose furniture before getting rid of it
38. start a cheap hobby (ie, crocheting, gardening, nature walking, reading)
39. limit your use of make-up, cologne, hair products, etc. to what you truly need
40. let your hair grow another month between hitting the salon
41. color your own nails
42. have a no-spending weekend once a quarter
43. tackle home projects yourself
44. reevaluate your home internet plan
45. do not automatically wash your clothes at the end of the day
46. only run the washing machine when you can fill a full load
47. maximize your dishwasher space and only run it when full
48. think of free gifts for your partner’s birthday (ie, morning duty/wake up with kids, massage from you, home-cooked meal, favorite cake)
49. organize stay-at-home dates (ie, board game nights, movie nights)
50. invite your friends with their kids and let them fall asleep in your guest room – they’ll return the favor
51. lower your blinds when you’re not home to keep hot and cold out
52. in case of a non-life threatening emergency, consider urgent care instead of heading straight for the ER
53. turn on the oven as you get closer to using it than when you start the recipe
54. substitute one bath for a shower each week
55. raise A/C temperature and turn on the fans when needed
56. keep all doors and windows closed when heating or cooling your home
57. check all doors and windows are properly sealed
58. plant fruit trees
59. clean your home with sponges and detergent instead of pricier wipes
60. shop all of your insurances when up for renewal
61. drink faucet water instead of bottled water (invest in a Brita if necessary)
62. turn faucet off while brushing teeth

ON THE ROADS

1. drive your most efficient vehicle
2. be gentle with the gas pedal
3. consider itineraries with no tolls
4. walk or cycle whenever you can
5. look around and fill up on gas at a cheaper gas station
6. rent cars at destinations and in ports of call
7. pack snacks for the airport
8. visit your hometown and see it from a tourist’s eye
9. use a VPN to shop your plane tickets
10. prepare your coffee-to-go at home
11. favor nature / outdoor activities over premium ones (ie, movies)

KIDS

1. partner with other parents to look after each other’s kids for nights out
2. partner with other parents for afternoon activity runs
3. stop buying kids toys, take the kids outside
4. pack school lunches and snacks
5. cut your kids’ hair yourself
6. negotiate sibling discounts for after-school activities
7. pass clothing down from one child to the next
8. start a clothing exchange program with friends or at school
9. modern diapers are engineered to hold pee, do not change the baby’s diaper every time they go
10. teach your kids the value of money by saying “no”
11. help kids make their own gifts for teacher appreciation weeks

SHOPPING

1. purchase store’s private label products
2. shop at a cheaper grocery store
3. second-hand shop for clothing and furniture
4. stock up on food items while on sale and freeze perishable ones
5. shop for groceries online
6. purchase gifts ahead of time when you find something you like on sale
7. do not go grocery shopping on an empty stomach
8. purchase only as much as you will eat to avoid trashing food
9. do your grocery shopping once a week
10. sign up for rewards programs and emails
11. use free money-making apps
12. purchase holiday decor right after each holiday for steep discounts
13. shop for clothing online and purchase products on sale
14. check the price per oz at the grocery store as a way to compare products
15. limit your purchases of expensive snacks (ie, chips, ice cream)
16. purchase discounted gift cards others are not using
17. prior to making a purchase, think whether you truly need the item