Ever heard someone say that they can’t save money because it’s too hard? I have. Saving money in your daily life isn’t as hard as it may seem. In fact? I’d be willing to bet that you can surprise yourself with how much you really can save in a single day if you really give it a go. Take a look at these painless ways to save money…each one will easily save you $5.00. Pick 5 of them (at a minimum) and you’ll save $25.00 in one day…with very little effort.
5 Painless Ways to Save Money – Save $25 TODAY!
We all know that we need to save money and have an emergency fund and all that fun stuff. But it's not always easy. So I want to share some common and some not-so-common ways you can add to that saving account TODAY!
Skip the morning drive-thru
If you’ve got a hard Starbucks habit, as I do, skip it. I’ve never gone into Starbucks and spent less than $5.00. Make your coffee at home instead, make that biscotti you love so much at home and you’ll save. We have Starbucks Vanilla Bean Scone Recipe and a Copycat Starbucks Peppermint White Hot Chocolate Recipe I love making at home.
Just by doing this one day a week, you can add another $240.00 back into your yearly budget. If you can put that money right into savings! Think of the possibilities!
Kill your Starbucks habit entirely? You add major bucks into your budget. At $5.00 a day for 5 days a week, you'd save $1200.00 per year by killing it off.
If you really feel the need to keep your habit, make a rule for yourself that you can only use a gift card. There is a boatload of different sites where you can earn free Starbucks cards. Such as Swagbucks and InstaGC
Keep in mind this goes for any coffee, drink, or snack habit you do daily or weekly!
Related: 28 Copycat Starbucks Recipes
Save on Laundry
If you’re washing ANY of your clothing in hot water? Stop! There’s no reason to wash any of your laundries in hot and by doing so you’re sending your money right down the same drain as the used laundry water. Using hot water on your laundry will cost you in more ways than one. It’s harder on your clothing and it uses more energy.
Another awesome way to save on laundry is to use your dryer as little as possible. Your clothes dryer is the top energy eater in your home. Instead, use clothes drying rack and save money. Combining the two and you’ll save at least $5.00 per day.
You can also start making your own Laundry Soap to save you even more money!
Related: 3 Ways to Save Big on Laundry Costs
Plug any cracks in your home
Go through your house to see where you feel cold or hot air coming in (depending on what season it is). If you can feel ANY, you’re losing your heat or a/c through that spot. Use something to plug or seal that crack to save.
You want to check around doors, windows, attic, and basements access, as well as any, crawls spaces.
In the winter I like to use these window insulator kits. It's a plastic you seal to your windows with a hair drier. I keep cold air out and warm air in. In some houses we have been in you can see when the wind kicks up the plastic would balloon up.
Related: 10 Old Fashioned Money Saving Tips You Need to Try NOW
Shut off the electronics and lights
Simple right? But do you realize just how much money you’re wasting just by leaving that light or tv on when you walk out of the room? Go through your home and make sure that all of the lights are shut off and then make sure that any electronics that you’re not using are not only turned off but unplugged as well.
If you aren't using an appliance in the kitchen up plug it, Don't leave chargers plugged in when not using, and turn off fans when not in the room. All this adds up fast!
Related: 55 Ways to Save on Your Electric Bill
Make a Menu
Even if you only plan 1 meal a day, make it dinner! It will save you so many hassles! Yout will know what to pull out of the freezer the night before and what you need to prep that morning.
My favorite weeknight meals are a dump and go slow cooker meals. Dump everything into the slow cooker and cook low and slow all day and come home to a great dinner!
This will stop you from giving in and grabbing food out, it will also save you money at the grocery store because you will only be buying what you need.
Want to know more about Menu planning and how to get started? Check out Menu Planning 101 + Free Meal Planner Printable
Related: Great Depression Cooking Tips That Will Save You Money
Earn Free Amazon Gift Cards
Did you know you can earn free amazon gift cards from doing things you already are? Yep, things like searching the web, playing games online, and using coupons can all earn you money at Swagbucks.
You can earn Amazon Gift Cards by testing products and giving your opinion to companies.
Make sure to check out 45+ Ways to Earn Amazon Gift Cards for Free!
Related: Earn Gift Cards For Free 101
Get Gas Rebates
We all have to buy gas for our cars and other vehicles but if you aren't using gas rebates and getting money back on your gas purchases then you are wasting money!
Learn everything about gas rebates at 10 Save Money on Gas Tips + 4 Gas Rebate Apps!
Related: 3 Ways to Save Big at the Gas Pump
Get Grocery Rebates
Just like at the gas pump you have to buy groceries why are you leaving money on the table not getting your grocery rebates with sites like Ibotta.
You just submit your receipts to the grocery rebates apps and the best part is you can submit the one receipt to all the apps!
Other Grocery Rebate Apps I Use
Fetch – Use code T4YDVD to get 2,000 bonus points.
Related: The Weird Grocery Shopping Trick that Saves Me $100 or More a Month
Make Money
I know everyone suggests making money so I want to make sure I include it too. You can check out our How to Make Money Online page for tons of ideas and tricks to get started!
A few things you can do today?
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How to Get Paid for Your Recipes – Selling Recipes Online
Do you have any Painless Ways to Save Money that aren't on the list? Share them to help everyone else!
Great ideas! I am truly surprised how much people spend at Starbucks. It definitely adds up quick.