12 Super Simple Ways to Save Money

Saving money seems harder and harder these days. But with excessive inflation and skyrocketing cost of living, it’s more vital than ever.

Unfortunately, we associate saving money with self-deprivation. We think we have to give up our favorite things to save a buck. 

Simple Ways to Save Money

It doesn’t have to be hard. Our super simple ways to save money turn that idea on its head. 

These easy ways to save money will help you trip your budget without missing out. 

Drink Water

Water is far cheaper than any alternative. If you live in the US, you can get tap water for free at any restaurant with your meal, which is far better for your wallet and waistline.

Opting for water at home is cheaper as well. When you buy sugary drinks, you’re purchasing empty calories.  Switch juices, soda, and alcohol with water to save money and improve your health.

To save even more, skip the bottled water and install a filter on your sink or refrigerator. Tap water is the cheapest beverage you can find – and it’s good for you!

Pay Yourself First

Sometimes saving money is about a mindset shift. Most people pay all their expenses, then save whatever is left over. 

For a simple way to save money, flip the switch and treat your savings account as an essential bill that needs to be paid before anything else. Reframing how you save can help you build your funds.

You’ll avoid impulse buys on stuff you don’t need if the money isn’t available in your checking account. 

Buy Generic

Most of the time, generic products are just as good as name-brand products. Some are the exact same thing in different packaging. 

Buy the generic version of most cereals, undergarments, batteries, coffee, and sugar. You’ll save a ton of money and won’t even notice the difference. 

Be careful, though – especially with groceries. There are a handful of products where the name brand truly does reign supreme. 

Cook Your Own Food

The cheapest way to eat is at home. Even with rising inflation in grocery stores, preparing meals at home is more cost-effective than going out.

Of course, it all depends on what you buy. Eating beef wellington or caviar every day will cost you, whether you make it at home or go to a restaurant.

Opt for cheaper meals you can quickly and easily make at home, so it doesn’t feel like a burden. 

Learn How to Cook

You can’t make food at home if you don’t know how to cook, but some folks use their lack of culinary expertise as an excuse to splurge on eating out.

Cooking isn’t that hard. Nobody is asking you to prepare epic three-course meals every night. Make hamburgers, hot dogs, pasta, and stir-fry. You can even throw a frozen pizza in the oven on those days you don’t feel like cooking – it’s far cheaper than most pizza chain options. 

If you’re struggling, check out YouTube for a wide range of cooking lessons. 

Keep the Change

Even pennies add up. Save your spare change and bring it to the bank every few years. You may be surprised at how much you collect. 

Card users can sign up for their bank’s “keep the change” program. My bank rounds up every purchase and puts the “change” directly into my savings account. 

Make Coffee at Home

It wouldn’t be a list about saving money if it didn’t include making coffee at home. Five-dollar daily coffees will surely bust anyone’s budget, but that’s common knowledge by now.

I know you enjoy your tasty coffee treat, but making the beverage at home can be just as good (and probably much healthier!). 

I invested in a French Press and frother, so I can make yummy drinks that almost feel like coffee shop creations right at home, and they have far less sugar. 

Record Your Spending

Many of us don’t know where our money goes. A pack of gum here and a bag of chips there add up far more than we realize.

Determining where your money goes is half the battle – and once you know, you can be more mindful about your spending. 

Wait a Day

Impulse buys are the bane of our existence. The urge to grab something when you see it in the store can be irresistible!

Patience is a virtue. Wait. Odds are, the item will still be available tomorrow. Most of the time, you’ll forget all about it, which can save you tons of money over time.

Cancel Your Streaming Subscriptions

Do you have Hulu, Netflix, Disney+, Paramount, and every other streaming service in existence? Why?

There’s no point in subscribing to several streaming services when you can only watch one show at a time. Cancel all but one, and rotate through them as you finish shows.

Avoid Online Shopping

Mindlessly scrolling through online shopping platforms like Amazon and Etsy is a recipe for disaster. You can save a lot of money if you give up scrolling. 

You can also use the hold and wait strategy here. Put the item in your cart, but don’t check out. If you still want it in a day or two, go ahead and make the purchase. 

Keep it Longer

Do you really need the next-gen iPhone the second it hits the shelf, or a new car every four years?

Try waiting just another year. You’ll save both time and money. 

More Ways to Save Money

Saving money isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it. We limited this short-list to simple ways to save money so you can increase your savings without feeling deprived, but if you want to go even further, check out our list of ways to slash living expenses and save even more!