There are hundreds, if not thousands of financial books on the market giving advice on simple ways to save money. But, some of the techniques can seem like you are making too much of a sacrifice from your normal day-to-day living, which makes it difficult to adhere to.
Learning how to save money doesn’t have to be a complete downer; it can also be empowering and actually fun. Yes, fun. Start by picking a financial dream goal (like financial freedom) or specific bucket list experience that you want your money to be spent on, because it may be more motivating to be putting dollars towards something like Trekking the Inca Trail than just saving for future travel. Next, follow these tips to start putting your wanderlust into action.
The Best Tips & Simple Ways to Save Money for Your Bucket List Adventures
1. LEARN SOME DIY SKILLS
Make a list of all the services that you spend money on and see if there’s something you can learn to do yourself, like an oil change or fixing a running toilet. Websites like Youtube make DIYing a whole lot easier!
2. Sell Your Extra Stuff
Save money on your new clothes, housewares, and electronics you purchase by selling your old ones. Check your closet for clothes you haven’t worn in months and for old electronics. There are many places to sell unwanted items online, including eBay, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace. You can also hold a traditional yard sale if you want to sell in bulk.
3. GET A TRAVEL REWARDS CREDIT CARD
Apply for credit cards that earn airline miles and/or hotel stays, and start using them for everything, even if it’s just a pack of gum. But, make a commitment to pay them off at the end of every month!
To earn even faster, you can also check your household bills to see if companies accept payments by credit card with no extra fees. Research the best program for your needs and hunt for the best signup deals; this is when they may offer thousands of miles/points for just getting accepted and charging a small amount in the first three months.
My two most-used cards at the moment are the United MileagePlus Explorer and Hilton HHonors, but there are many others (the Chase Sapphire Preferred is known as one of the best). The Points Guy has an entire credit card section, breaking down the advantages and disadvantages of many of the top rewards cards.
4. SIGN UP FOR TRAVEL LOYALTY PROGRAMS
In addition to getting a rewards credit card, also sign up for airline, parking, and hotel loyalty programs so you can earn free flights and stays. Typically these programs are free to join, so enroll in them all. With that said, you will get more bang for your buck if you stay loyal to one company, as you will be able to build points quicker by doing so.
Though I try to stick with the United and Hilton programs whenever possible since they are used in combination with my credit cards, I still belong to several others like American Airlines JetBlue and IHG.
5. REEVALUATE CABLE
Although it can be difficult to cut the cord on cable, it’s absolutely for the most part a money sucking payment to make each month. With the streaming services like Netflix, Hulu and Disney+, you could most certainly be spending your TV watching time better than if you had cable – and for a cheaper price tag even with multiple subscriptions!
Go line by line to see what is needed and what is not. Call your cable company and ask for any current specials that you might be able to take advantage of. Cancel channels you don’t watch.
6. USE WHAT YOU HAVE (INSTEAD OF BUYING NEW)
Food in your cabinet, clothing, products, etc. By making sure that you’ve first finished all the products and food items that you own before purchasing new ones, you’re lowering the cost of replacing them as you aren’t doing it as often.
7. CANCEL UNNECESSARY SUBSCRIPTIONS
Do you absolutely need to have both Spotify and Pandora? And do you also read all of the magazines you’re subscribed to? Are you using the apps you subscribed to? By cutting out on some of your subscriptions, you can quickly save up a few extra dollars for your bucket list travels.
8. Open A High-Interest Savings Account
The returns for putting your money into a high-interest savings account can be more than 10 times the amount you’d get from a low-interest savings account that you typically get through your bank. I chose to put my money in a Discover account that gives great returns!
9. MAKE YOUR OWN GIFTS
The beauty of making your own gifts is they can be inexpensive and is also a way to add a more personal touch to them. Plus, you get to work on your creative side as well.
There are plenty of cheap DIY gift ideas online that look great and are easy to make, so consider making one when you need to give someone a gift.
10. TRACK SPENDING
Calculate your monthly expenses by creating a spreadsheet with two columns: NEEDs and WANTs. Track every penny you spend in one month—it must ALL be on this sheet. The needs category should include things like rent, insurance, utilities, and other necessities. In the wants category, put all the things that are discretionary spending, the stuff you spend your extra money on. This would include dining out, clothes shopping, hobbies, manicures, and the things that you don’t necessarily need. Tally both columns up putting the total at the bottom.
Take a close look at your Wants category to see where you can cut back, even if it’s not deleting the item altogether. Do you really need your triple-shot, non-fat, soy milk latte every morning? Can you commit to making coffee at home at least a couple times a week? If you skipped just three days in the week, you could be saving roughly fifty dollars per month. In just thirty days, you would have enough for a few mugs of beer at Oktoberfest in Germany or a week’s worth of cappuccinos and pastries in Italy. Go through each expense in this column and commit to making one small change for each line item.
11. FILL YOUR ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR WITH FREE EVENTS
Some of the best things in life are free, and that includes joining events and having fun. You can start by checking your community for anything that might interest you like book club events or festivals. You can also check out websites like Eventbrite for any free events near you.
12. GET A CROCK POT (AKA: SLOW COOKER)
A crockpot is a fantastic cooker for busy people and for those who want to save a bit more in the long run. You can leave the food cooking for hours while you work or sleep without worrying about electricity costs since it uses the same energy as light bulbs.
While the food you can cook on a crockpot is limited, the convenience, energy efficiency, and savings you can get more than makes up for it.
Don’t have a slow cooker? Here are a couple of the best ones:
Plus, for recipes see Delish’s 80 Slow-Cooker Recipes or Tasty’s Slow Cooker Recipes. For something even easier, buy the Crock Pot Cookbook for Beginners.
13. PACK FOOD FOR ROAD TRIPS & TRAVEL
While it may be easier to buy food from the gas station or eat out in restaurants when going on a road trip or while traveling, it does add up to your list of expenses. Having packed food for your trip not only is cheaper compared to ready-made ones, but you’ll also be able to enjoy your trip more without having to worry about stopping to get some food.
See Food52’s for how to pack the ultimate carry-on bag of airplane snacks that includes 11 snack ideas!
14. CUT COUPONS
It’s time to stop thinking that coupons are only for those having issues to make ends meet, and actually start taking advantage of them. If you shop for what the coupons can offer you, you’ll find yourself saving money in no time. But, don’t get sucked into buying things you don’t need just because they are on sale!
15. GROW YOUR OWN HERBS (START A GARDEN)
Buying those tiny little bunches of herbs at the grocery store can get expensive. Instead find a cheap (or free) container and make your own herb garden. You don’t need a lot of space and the vessel can be anything from a wooden crate to a mason jar to an old tire.
If you need help getting started, here are some great sites to help:
16. USE GROUPON FOR BUYING DEALS YOU NEED
If you need to get your hair trimmed or want to treat yourself to a massage, by using Groupon you can find great deals to save money by not having to pay the full price.
17. MAKE YOUR OWN BEER OR WINE
If you love drinking beer or wine, or maybe are curious about learning the craft, then why not try your hand at making some homemade ones?
While this may take a couple of months to break even and see the savings eventually, learning how to brew and finding your personal flavor is an exciting and enjoyable experience you won’t find from store-bought ones.
Master Vintner makes a great wine making starter kit and Mr. Beer’s starter kit will have you creating your own brew in no time!
18. USE CASHBACK SITES
By purchasing goods or services through a cashback website’s affiliate links, you can get paid back a percentage of the money you spent. Rakuten is the best one in many people’s opinion, but there are several others you can use.
19. PAY YOUR BILLS ONLINE
If your bank or other company offers online bill pay, use it! Not only does it shave hours of time off actually writing checks, but also saves money on checks, stamps and envelopes.
20. BORROW YOUR BOOKS FROM A LIBRARY
Although there are few scents as lovely as that of a book shop, buying books—especially as an avid reader—can be a major investment. But, with a library card, it’s free to get your books from the library, and usually they’ll have just the book you would like to read, whether it’s a must-read classic book or the latest novel!
You can also download an app like Hoopla that allows you to check out books right to your phone for free with a library card! You can even check out my book Bucket List Adventures on Hoopla.
21. CREATE A BUDGET
Another great money-saving tip is by creating a budget. Not only will it help you see where your money is going, but you’ll also feel more in control of your finances.
You can use a spreadsheet to list down your income and keep track of budgeting your monthly. You can also use budgeting apps instead to help make budgeting easier while also being readily accessible through your phone. Mint is one of the most popular ones.
22. SEARCH FOR A PROMOTION CODE BEFORE PURCHASING ONLINE
Tired of waiting for a big sale? Why not get discounts online using promotion codes instead? From food to fashion to holiday treats and more, you’re sure to find one that will fit your needs.
This blog has a great list of websites offering promo codes and fantastic deals, so be sure to check it out: 20 Websites to Find US Promo Codes and Discounts
23. TRANSFER YOUR CREDIT CARD BALANCES TO 0% APR CARDS
A balance transfer is one of the best options if you need to pay off high-interest debt but have excellent credit to qualify for a card with a 0% introductory APR.
Such a card could give you a lot more time in paying off your debt without any added interest for at least 12 – 18 months.
Just make sure you read the fine print and do your homework, many 0% credit cards have transfer fees involved. So, you’ll need to calculate whether the fee is worth the interest savings.
24. TURN OFF WHAT YOUR ARE NOT USING
Small habits like turning off the faucet or the lights when not in use may not amount to much in the short term savings-wise, but you’ll be surprised at how much money you’ll be setting aside for your bucket list entries by doing so. Plus, it is also a great way to conserve water and electricity.
25. BUY GENERIC BRANDS
Companies, like Target, are making generic brands of everything from face wash to allergy medicine. Not only are they way cheaper, but oftentimes they’re of equal quality. Just check the labels and list of ingredients to be certain!
26. DINE OUT ON DISCOUNT DAYS
While dining out can be costly, that doesn’t mean you can’t indulge every now and then. If your budget prevents you from eating out, using a restaurant coupon or dining out during special nights or happy hours might do the trick.
FYI: my restaurant, Sugo Trattoria, has $7 glasses of wine and our signature bruschetta trio for $7 every Tuesday night!
27. SHOP FOR NEW AUTO INSURANCE
While auto insurance is necessary, it may be costly and strain a household budget, especially for drivers who purchase extensive coverage to assure complete asset protection.
The good news is that shopping around for insurance might save you money. This is something that every motorist should undertake every six to twelve months to ensure that they have adequate coverage at a reasonable cost since options for coverage differ from one insurer to the next.
28. CANCEL YOUR GYM MEMBERSHIP AND WORKOUT AT HOME
You don’t need an expensive gym membership, YouTube and online virtual gyms are loaded with workout routines, making it easy to work out for way cheaper than going to an expensive gym—some videos are even free! Some routines may require purchasing some basic weights and/or a yoga mat, but that small investment will be worth the money you will be saving monthly. Not to mention that there won’t be a need to spend lots of money on cute gym clothes.
With styles varying from yoga and pilates to dancing, weight lifting and even boxing, you are bound to find a fit for your fitness routine. Obe Fitness is one of the highest rated online workout sites, but Blogilates and Popsugar Fitness are excellent channels to start with too.
29. LEARN HOW TO COOK
You can save a ton of money by cooking your own meals. This is how I primarily feed myself, and all of the new and affordable tasty recipes I’ve come up with continue to make cooking and eating exciting for me. So if you don’t know how to cook yet, now is the time to learn!
With online cooking websites and YouTube videos, learning to cook is easier than ever. Plus, if you spend just $15 a day on dining out, it would equal roughly $450 per month. Cooking at home can cut this expense in half affording you a plane ticket anywhere in the world in under a year. Now that’s incentive!
Here are some recipes to start with:
30. Go Makeup Free
Or at the very least learn ways with which you can decrease the amount of makeup you use. It’s so easy to spend a lot of money on makeup, but just by changing up some of the items you buy, and decreasing your makeup usage to special occasions can save you so much money.
For some, going EVERYWHERE without a stitch of makeup for a week is a challenge. At 20 bucks a pop for many makeup products even a week without using them will save you a little money, plus you’ll be saving lots of time. I took the “Go a Week Without Makeup” challenge while in Costa Rica, and it certainly was enlightening.
Here are some incentives for going makeup free:
- 6 Bold Reasons to Stop Wearing Makeup
- 10 Benefits of Not Wearing Makeup
- How a Week With No Makeup Can Benefit Your Skin
31. Make Your Own Beauty Products
You can make a lot of your own beauty products at home by using inexpensive ingredients which you can find at your local supermarket. Figure out what kind of a beauty product you’d like to make, and you can probably easily find a recipe on Google!
In addition, items like coconut oil and apple cider vinegar can easily replace some products in your hair routine. Homemade facials, deodorants and shampoos can be made using products found in your kitchen cabinet for a fraction of the cost as purchasing them at the store.
Here are some resources to help:
- My Experience Making a Homemade Beauty Product
- 15 Homemade Beauty Products
- 17 DIY Beauty Products to Whip Up Over the Break
32. Shop Thrift Clothing Stores
Clothing from a thrift store is almost always more affordable, not to mention that it is actually a sustainable shopping choice. It’s fun to make it a fashion bucket list challenge, to find the cutest head-to-toe outfit!
33. Make Your Own Coffee/Tea At Home
One of the easiest items on this list is this: making your own coffee at home instead of buying from the coffee shops. The taste will be just as good and it can be a wonderful addition to your morning routine. I use the Keurig coffee maker every morning, instead of hitting up Starbucks.
34. Stash Your Change
Every single addition to savings counts, even if it’s a few coins. Find a big jar (like the Skywin Adult Piggy Bank) and start contributing your loose change to it. Even if at the end of the day it won’t pay for your whole travel itinerary, this simple technique may help to pay for a fancy dinner in the destination or one night at the hotel.
35. Reduce Or Eliminate Your Car Usage
Have you seen gas prices? Though a car may be the most convenient means to get from point A to point B, it may not be that ecological nor is it cheap. So, if at all possible, try switching to public transportation, carpooling or even walking to reduce some costs on gas and car insurance.
36. Reduce Your Utility Bills
This can be a tricky one but it’s entirely doable, especially reducing your electricity bill. Here are some tips:
- Use a programmable thermostat to control the indoor temperature.
- Find ways to extra-insulate your home.
- Wear comfortable clothes that keep you warm or cool, instead of using the heater or the AC .
- Clean and replace your air filter regularly to ensure its most efficient levels of working.
- Lower the temperature on your water heater, if you can.
37. Meal Prep And Pack Your Lunch
Grabbing lunch on a work day can easily rack up quite the bill for you by the end of the month. That’s why, if possible, it’s good to spend a portion of your Sunday meal prepping so that you have all your lunches for the week ready to go, and you won’t have to spend money on buying your meal at a café, restaurant or any other place on the day of.
38. Downgrade Your Smartphone Plan
Take a hard look at the phone plan you’re currently on. Do you use all the allotted data and texting? Do you absolutely need all of the features coming with it? If not, it’s time to downgrade to a cheaper plan and put the savings you’re making out of it towards your travels instead.
39. Sign Up For Travel Newsletters
By signing up for travel newsletters, you’ll get information on deals and flash sales, not just on flights but hotels as well. In addition, the newsletters may introduce you to new and affordable travel destinations you wouldn’t have otherwise even thought of!
For example, Skyscanner offers email and app notifications for whenever the price for the route you’ve got your eyes on changes. And the Travelzoo newsletter sends you the top 20 travel deals of the week.
40. Replace Your Lightbulbs (To Cut Down Your Electricity Usage)
Get your hands on some modern energy-efficient light bulbs like LEDs or CFLs, as they use way less electricity while providing just as much lighting as incandescent bulbs.
Do check the wattage, though, so you won’t purchase anything too high and run the risk of accidents. A standard bedroom typically needs around 800 lumens (how much light a bulb gives), which is about 8-12 watts for LEDs. Of course, you may need more or less depending on the size and type of the room.
41. Skip The Movies At The Theater And Watch One At Home
With the continuously increasing prices of going out to the movies, you’re much better off putting on a flick from your streaming service and getting your popcorn from the grocery store. Remember to turn off your cell phones!
42. Cut Back On Drinking Or Make Homemade Cocktails
Going out for drinks can be such an expensive social activity. So, if you can stand it, try to cut back on drinking some. Or, alternatively, how about making homemade cocktails or, instead of going out, hosting some simple gatherings at your home that everyone can bring their own snacks and drinks to?
43. Use A Reusable Water Bottle
Instead of constantly buying beverages in plastic bottles or paper cups, why not invest in one that you can keep using for a long time, just filling it up? Hydro Flasks are always a good choice. This is not only cheaper in the long run but it’s also a far more sustainable solution.
44. Buy Fresh Produce Instead Of Boxed, Premade Food
By shopping at your local farmer’s market and focusing on the fruits and vegetables that are in season, you can save a little money and create super delicious meals.
45. Do Your Own Facials, Waxing, And Manicures
Even with a Groupon, self care can get quite expensive, and you may also see them as treats more so than something necessary. If you do them yourself, or employ the help of a friend, you’ll be able to treat yourself to facials, waxing and manicures without the financial guilt!
46. CLEAN YOUR CLOSET
Did you know that rearranging and analyzing items in your closet might bring new life back into them? Access each piece and if you don’t wear it ask yourself why. Maybe it requires a special bra or belt—buy those things to revive your closet, instead of buying a new wardrobe. Plus, repair clothes instead of replacing them. If they can be fixed and continue to be used, it’s better for your wallet and for the environment to repair the clothes and items instead of immediately rushing to replace them.
47. Drink More Water, Less Soda
Water is so much cheaper than soda, and healthier as well. If you find the taste to be boring, the Internet is full of easy recipes for how to make your water more fun, like adding cucumber slices or berries.
48. Declutter Your Space
How does decluttering your space save you money? Well, when everything you own has its place you can always find it, which means that you won’t be buying duplicates of things just because you can’t find them.
49. Make Your Own Natural Cleaning Products
Did you know that making your own cleaning products could cost you less than $1 per product? Start by stocking up on white vinegar, baking soda, and scented oils, and a few more products, then head over to Madeleine’s website to find recipes and tips for your new natural and homemade cleaning products.
50. Eat Less Meat
You don’t have to cut out meat and animal products out of your diet entirely, but just by putting some effort towards decreasing your meat consumption and replacing some meals with vegetables etc. can save you quite a bit of money as vegetables are typically cheaper to purchase.
51. Consolidate Your Loans
If you have multiple loans (ie: car, school, credit cards, etc.) Find a new loan with a lower interest rate, and use it to consolidate some of your liabilities and debts.
52. Create A List Before Going Grocery Shopping
Have a shopping list at hand, think in advance how you could best utilize all that you’re planning to buy, shop for the products on sale, and perhaps even do some research on several grocery shops to see which items are cheapest where instead of concentrating all grocery shopping in one place.
By creating a shopping list before entering a store, you’re practicing mindfulness in how much and of what you’ll actually need for the week. This will help you not to stray into buying too much.
53. Bring Your Own Grocery Bags
By bringing your own grocery bags to the store with you, you won’t have to purchase one at the counter. Sure, one grocery bag from the cashier may not cost much, but it does add up if you’re always buying a new bag.
You can get reusable grocery bags anywhere, but BeeGreen sells some lightweight and cheap ones.
54. Shop The Sales Flyer
The sales fliers often have great deals, so definitely read them through and find items that are best for you to purchase. Then plan your meals and shopping trips around the sales!
55. Go For A Hike With Your Friends (Instead Of Doing Something That’s Expensive)
Just because you’re in saving-mode doesn’t mean you can’t socialize! You may have to get a bit creative, but there’s so many things you and your friends can do that won’t cost much, or perhaps nothing at all. Like hiking!
If you are looking for more frugal things to do see our Simple Bucket List Ideas that are Cheap (or Completely Free!)
56. Get Your Haircut At Beauty Schools Or Do It Yourself
Many student stylists are in need of mane models to practice their skills on. If you are adventurous with your hair, contact a local cosmetology school for a cheap cut. Or watch some Youtube videos and give yourself a little trim.
57. Ditch Your Feminine Care Products And Switch To A Diva Cup
It’s a bit of an investment at first, but it’s a one-time purchase and it absolutely will save you money in the long run. The DivaCup is one of the top brands of menstrual cup, but there are tons of others, just check out Amazon!
58. Wash Your Clothes Using Cold, Not Hot, Water
Using cold water saves energy, which in turn saves you money. Using cold water also can help your clothes last longer, which also saves you money!
59. Buy Gifts Throughout The Year
Buying gifts in advance throughout the year is another fantastic money-saving tip, especially if you’re buying off-season. Aside from getting huge bargains on things, you’ll also avoid the stress of shopping with everyone else a week or two before the holidays.
You can make a list of all of your expected celebrations throughout the year (e.g. birthdays, your anniversary, etc.), and then plan to buy the gifts throughout the year.
60. Immediately Deposit And Save Unexpected Cash
Did you get money you weren’t expecting to get? That’s great! Now be quick to put it into your savings before you can get tempted to spend it on something.
61. Snack On Bulk Whole Foods, Not Junk
Buying things in bulk is one of the ways we can save and get more out of our money, and when it comes to snacks, going for whole foods like nuts and fruits is definitely better than junk food.
Of course, we also need to consider if buying in bulk is the better option since most whole foods don’t have a long shelf life. Carefully weighing on this will ensure that you get the most bang for your buck for your snacks.
62. Shop Your Pantry And Freezer
Before you head out to the grocery store to buy stuff, why not have a look at your pantry and freezer first? With a pen and paper, list down the things you’ll see like eggs, butter, frozen vegetables. Figure out what type of meals these items can be used for and only purchase what you need. This could potentially save you a trip to the grocery or at least lessen the things you’ll be buying.
63. Wait For The Sale
If you want to buy something, but not necessarily right now, you might want to wait for an upcoming sale instead. Not only will this give you time to think if you really need it, but you’ll also be able to shop around for the best deals.
64. Host A Clothing Swap
Clothing swaps are a fun way to get rid of some of the clothes you just decluttered out of your space, and in turn find some new clothing items you fancy – and it can be totally for free!
Instead of expensive apparel shopping at a boutique, plan a clothing swap with your friends. You can each bring ten lightly used items from your closet and take home a new wardrobe.
Here are some tips for having a clothing swap party:
65. Use The 30 Day Rule
When you want to make a large purchase, think about it first. Write down what it is and how much it costs, and if after 30 days you still feel it’s necessary, purchase it.
66. Use The 24 Hour Rule
This is similar to the 30 day rule, but for less expensive purchases. Wait a day before buying a small item and you may find you didn’t want it after all.
67. Designate No-Spend Days
Challenge yourself and your family to go one day a week without buying anything, from your morning coffee to a movie ticket. You’ll reduce your spending and become more aware of how mindlessly you make small purchases.
68. OPEN A BUCKET LIST SAVINGS ACCOUNT
It may not be safe to store all your money in a jar, so go to your bank and open a savings account specifically for your dream bucket list adventure. If your bank doesn’t offer accounts free of fees, there are plenty of companies online that do. Ally and Barclay have savings accounts with no minimums and no maintenance fees.
The moment you get a paycheck, deposit your determined savings per month into the adventure account and don’t touch it. The only withdrawals you should make are to pay for something to do with your goal.
69. Rent Out An Extra Room
You can reduce your own housing host by adding a short-term resident. List your spare room, or even couch on a site like VRBO to save money on your rent or mortgage.
70. Monetize Your Passion
Make your free time earn you money as well. If there’s a hobby or skill you do for fun, consider selling the fruits of your labor. If you love photography, try selling photos on stock websites, or if you find yourself writing at the end of the day, try starting a blog.
71. Agree To Limit Gift Giving
Giving gifts is one of the best ways of showing our appreciation for someone, but it is certainly not the only thing you can do. Spending some quality time with them certainly is a way to cut back on gift giving while still making them appreciated.
The adults in my family always make a pact to not buy each other gifts for the holidays, we just give to the kids. This saves a ton of money!
72. Get Rid Of Your Home Telephone
With almost everyone having a mobile phone these days (with access to the internet), one of the things you can do to save money is by canceling your home phone.
73. Avoid Using Credit To Pay Your Bills
Credit cards can be a great and convenient means of paying. However, it is something you should avoid when it comes to paying monthly bills (unless as a last resort). Aside from processing fees, there’s also the risk of having more interest by not being able to pay off your credit when something unexpected happens.
If you do use them, let’s say to rack up reward points, make sure to pay the balance in full each month.
74. Check Your Insurance Policies
Whether you’re shopping for new auto insurance or looking to ‘upgrade’ your current life insurance, having a look at any of your insurance policies each year will help you see if you need to make changes to them based on your financial situation.
Usually, your agent can help you assess your existing policies to determine if there are any changes or better deals that can save you money.
75. Cut Down On Take-Out Ordering
Ordering take-out is a life-saver for busy people, especially if you’re too exhausted to make meals at home. However, this can also burn through your money if you’re not mindful. Having easy dinner recipe ideas handy and ready-to-cook items like pasta or noodles and frozen sauces will help!
76. Ask About Discounts
Need to buy something at the store? Why not try asking for a discount? Some stores can offer discounts on your items if you can find a lesser price online or as an incentive when paid in cash. The discounts can range from a small percentage to a fixed dollar amount. Still, money saved is money saved, so give this one a shot the next time you’re buying something.
77. Take Advantage Of Your Retirement Savings Plan
If you think planning for retirement in your 20s is something you should put aside for now, think again. Retirement planning is vital as it can prevent you from going bankrupt when you’re well in your golden years. If your company has one, you can opt for a company-sponsored retirement account like a 401(k) to ensure you have money saved up to enjoy life once you retire.
78. Refinance Your Mortgage
In simple terms, a mortgage refinance is basically the process of getting a new loan (e.g. with a lower interest rate) to pay off your old one. Refinancing your mortgage can help you lower your monthly payment, adjust your loan terms, consolidate debt, or even take cash out of your home’s equity to put toward expenses or upgrades.
You can check out this website to learn more about how this works and how it can help you with saving.
79. Use Envelopes On Budgeting
Envelope budgeting is a simple yet effective budgeting technique in which you split your monthly cash into separate spending categories using envelopes. Of course, once you put money in a certain envelope, the money inside is solely for that thing only.
By employing some or all of these tips on this list, you may be surprised by how quickly you can start saving up more and more money for your dream trip! Best of luck in your saving efforts and let me know where you’re going!
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through my links, I earn a commission that helps to keep this blog running—at no extra cost to you. For more information read my full disclosure.
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29 Bucket List Goals That Can Actually Save You Money
Every one of us has a bucket list and a keen desire to fulfill all our wishes but most of us don’t know the best suggestion to save money. Your article gave me great suggestions. Thanks a lot!
Love these tips! As a busy mum of three it can be hard to save the pennies for travels. Love this.
So many great tips, thank you! Cooking our own food (especially during campervan trips) is definitely one of the most effective ways we’ve used to cut our travel expenses. Thanks
This is so useful, thank you. With the cost of living crisis at the moment I’m desperately trying to save money where I can. I have shared on twitter and facebook too :-)
These are such great tips. Especially when the cost of living is rising at an insane level at the moment. Every little bit counts!
These ideas are great, especially about having a specific bucket list savings post which I am now going to start otherwise I will never get round to doing the things I want to.
There are some wonderful ideas here. People don’t realize how much money you can save just by growing your own herbs. Everyone should grow at least some of their own food. Thank you for this great list.
Such a great amount of advice. I think for me the herb and also vegetable gardens in my regards have probably cost me more money then they saved. However they’ve been such a great hobby and helped me destress which were worth so much I think in terms of probably reducing spending on random things to improve my mood!
Tracking my spending has certainly been my biggest improvement overall.
This is such a great list! And really relevant to me. I just looked at my travel spending for last year, and as much as I love to travel, I need to find a way to budget it better. I already have cutting the cable and looking into new insurance as major items on my to-do list. Thank you!
Great suggestions
These tips are so helpful, thank you! One of my biggest challenges is that I always have an ever growing bucket list (usually travel-related!) which tend to surpass my finances so it’s definitely a lesson in budgeting and planning. I definitely need to look into travel rewards credit cards. I hear so much about them but haven’t taken the plunge yet.
I was looking for some useful information and fortunately landed on your content and I found it highly useful. Learnt a lot. Thank you so much. Nicely written and correctly presented. Best of luck
NICE