Ladies, you stepped up big time. Recently on Instagram Stories, I chatted about how much I love connecting with all of you and when we use social media platforms to help one another. It’s like having coffee with an entire village. Sharing tips and tricks as we venture down our own path makes life that much richer. I posed a question on stories and hundreds of you weighed in. I have gathered some wonderful tips and am sharing them here today. So much wisdom in one spot. Enjoy.
The question this week was, “What is your best tip for saving money.” Of course I have to kick this off with what my husband replied.
Well, he’s right. The best way to save money is to not spend it. But let’s pretend he’s wrong and jump right to the ways that we can all cut back and keep a little bit more in our savings accounts, shall we?
One of my favorite tips is to skip the fancy nights out with friends and keep it to breakfast or coffee. Far cheaper and you still get that quality time you crave. A reader when one step further and I love it.
“Stop spending money meeting friends for coffee or lunch and meet for a walk instead.” – kevans328
“Make your own latte!” -stylebycela
“30 days no eating out. It’s shocking how quickly it adds up.” -saoruns
“Pay yourself first.” -4merrells
“Stick to the list at problem stores (Target, Costco, etc).” – lejb28
“Store pick ups. No wandering aisles for things you didn’t go to the store to buy.” -brookemorrison4
“Dave Ramsey’s principals – when you pay cash you can’t spend the same way you used to because it’s too painful. It’s too easy to swipe!” – mammakoenig
“Plan projects over 2 years time!” – jerekos
“Shop rummage sales for baby and toddler toys.” – sarahlehmer
“Cooking at home especially with what we already have in the pantry.” – pslife123
“Frugal February! It was a challenge but so helpful.” – whitneyrae1
“I save every $5 bill I get and put it in an envelope. It’s a lot by Christmas. My savings account is safe!” – amandaloiacono
“Set a budget for gifts and stick to it.” -heather.gideon
“Do a Secret Santa for extended family members so you’re just spending on one person.” – wcr555
“Put a little aside each month for Christmas so it’s not so much of a financial hit.” – janetterobins
“At least every two years, review your home and auto policy to see if you’re missing any possible discounts.” – figuerasfamily
“For impulse spending, wait 24 hours and then ask yourself if you still/need or want it.” -simplylkjblog
“Whenever I go shopping I add the total ending to my savings account. Ex. $47.50 ($7.50 to savings).” – laughx2
“Make your own lunch and coffee.” -lindsayphares
“I love saving in a glass jug in my closet. It’s been accumulating for years.” -jayymeegee
“Don’t eat out. Also don’t buy everything influencers are “obsessed” with!” -cate.rio
“Stay off Instagram.” -kmbee12
“Bring your homemade lunch to work instead of ordering out.” -cjlagasse
“Drive up Target. I save time and money.” -lindsgant
“Only buy things you can pay cash for. Don’t use credit cards – debit cards work everywhere!” – angelalaville
“Use cash. No cards.” -snegin09
“Don’t save your credit card # in websites. Cuts down on impulse purchases.” -aprilwolber
“Don’t pay for things you can do yourself – cut your grass, paint a room, clean your house, etc.” -laurahunter77
“Ask yourself what will the item, product mean to me in one year?” -jfraserbeason
“Set up an auto withdrawal from your paycheck that goest straight to your savings account.” -momontheblock
“Meal planning and similar dinners each week!” -keldresh
“Buy your staple non-perishable foods when they are on sale, not when you run out.” -titamtz74
“Buy what you need, not everything you want.” -lconnelly1260
“Create a goal/reward that you really, really want (trip, no debt, etc.)” -cherith.kappy_river
“Grocery Outlet!! I can shop there and spend $100/week on my family of 5!” -brynmathison
My number one favorite answer may have been this . . .
“Couldn’t tell you. I am horrible at it.” – liz d.
Here’s hoping this advice gets the wheels turning. My mom used to always say that if you learn just one thing, it’s more than worth it.
Please, please, please let me know below if you this series is fun for you and helpful. Happy to continue if it’s something that is useful.
I love this! Super helpful. Keep these coming!
Thank you, Kelly. I really love hearing everyone’s ideas so it should be fun to do more of these.
Yes, absolutely keep this going! Love this series!
Also, every Friday, I have an automatic transfer set up from my checking account to my Christmas savings account. By Nov 1, I have a wonderful fund built up and ready for Christmas gift buying!
That is fantastic, Dawn. I really love that idea. In fact, I am hopping on board.
It’s so easy! I choose a manageable amount and I don’t even have to think about it ~ it just happens automatically. You can set up a transfer like this for anything ~ vacations, big project, orthodontic expense, etc. Just plan ahead! Our credit union allows multiple savings accounts so it’s easy to budget and plan.
I realized about ten years ago what I was spending a month on coffees alone. I bought a Keurig and make my own, taking one in a travel mug when I head out to walk the dog or go shopping. I still meet friends for coffee though. It’s a social thing I’m not willing to give up.
Eating out was taking a Big chunk out of our pay so we rarely eat out now. I can cook as good as any restaurant. And, that bottle of wine in the restaurant- crazy price. Buy a good bottle and enjoy it at home with your hubby.
I stopped buying so many clothes too! I realized that you only wear a few items repeatedly. The rest kinda hang there cluttering up your closet and eating away at hard earned money. I’d rather save for house renos or new decor.
This is a nice change from the usual. Keep it going!
Love all of this. We have cut back on eating out as well. Plus I do prefer to cook myself. And I totally agree on the wine prices. CRAZY. Thank you for sharing all of these and for the kind feedback. Enjoy your weekend.
Love hearing various ideas on a subject – lets me feel like I’m not alone in my struggles. Please continue – it’s helpful and fun:).
Love these, some great ideas about saving for Christmas! With a HUGE family and mt hubby who thinks he’s Father Christmas himself, it gets super expensive super quickly!
Hi Courtney
Love this series and all that you contribute both on Instagram and your blog. I only read a few blogs and yours is at the top of my list. You are authentic and realistic which is wonderful to see. Love the lunch meal prep ideas!Keep it all coming. Kathryn.x
This is great! Even if I don’t follow any of these ideas, it’s great to just bring saving to mind. I love the idea of thinking about how something will make me feel in a year. It definitely puts the purchase in perspective! Thanks for the reminder to be smart about money!
Lots of great ideas! Love the ones about saving for Christmas.