18 Clever Ways To Spend Less Money This Month (2024)

Table of Contents
1. Order online now (like, yesterday!) so you won't pay an arm and a leg for a Mother's Day bouquet you have to rush-deliver or fight someone at the grocery store to buy. 2. Buy a mattress during Memorial Day sales (like your mother told you) to score a cheaper deal and get some better ZZZZs. 3. And shop around for a new grill now for some *sizzling* seasonal discounts. 4. Love Eggos as much as Eleven does? Make a big batch of mini waffles with this waffle maker and freeze them for a cheaper breakfast treat. 5. Cash in six old MAC product containers for a ~free~ lipstick. 6. Avoid shipping costs (boo, shipping costs!) by opting for in-store pickup when possible. 7. And save on packaging when you mail a beach ball, frisbee, pillow, and basically lots of things you could use for a beach vacation. 8. Perfect some delicious under-$10 recipes so you'll stop using all your credit card rewards points at McDonald's. (Sorry for telling you that's a thing you can do.) 9. Price-stalk Amazon items with CamelCamelCamel so you can score the best deals on something you don't need ASAP. 10. Search surrounding bars and restaurants on the Yelp app to get deals when you check in...like this regrettable (but free!) whiskey shot I've taken many a time. 11. Set a shopping budget and keep tabs on your spending with Parcel. 12. Eat hyperlocal by growing vegetables from scraps. 13. Put off having a ring resized with this cheap size adjuster. 14. Reuse plastic bags over and over again for a million different things — including non-food stuff! 15. Switch over to soy candles, which typically last about 50% longer than regular candles. 16. Bring your old kitchen knives back to life with a cheap knife sharpener that's crazy easy to use. 17. Subscribe to the Money Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for a Richer Life podcast to get detailed explainers on financial matters in normal-people speak. 18. And let a (thoroughly washed!) Sriracha bottle stand in for a soap dispenser in desperate times. Shopping for something specific? Check out BuzzFeed Reviews to find the best things for every budget! FAQs

    We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and itspublishingpartners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

    And shed fewer tears over your credit card statements.

    by Elizabeth LillyBuzzFeed Staff
    18 Clever Ways To Spend Less Money This Month (2)

    Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed

    1. Order online now (like, yesterday!) so you won't pay an arm and a leg for a Mother's Day bouquet you have to rush-deliver or fight someone at the grocery store to buy.

    fromyouflowers.com, fromyouflowers.com

    Get them from From You Flowers: quaint blue butterfly bouquet for $31.99+ (same-day delivery) and lavender rose and lily blooms for $31.99+ (same-day delivery).

    2. Buy a mattress during Memorial Day sales (like your mother told you) to score a cheaper deal and get some better ZZZZs.

    Columbia Pictures Corporation

    Mattress industry pros recommend buying a new mattress every seven or eight years and big-box, specialty mattress stores often have major sales over Memorial Day. Or, if you need one ASAP, just go with one of those fancy in-a-box mattress startups like Casper, Tuft & Needle, and Brooklyn Bedding.

    Here's looking at you, person who's still sleeping on a mattress from college. (It me.)

    3. And shop around for a new grill now for some *sizzling* seasonal discounts.

    amazon.com, amazon.com

    We're on the cusp of barbecue season and getting your grill on is just another good excuse to eat well and get out of the house.

    Get them from Amazon: infrared electric grill for $109.99 (down from $199.99) and charcoal grill for $124.20 (down from $140.48)

    And check out our picks for the best cast iron skillets on BuzzFeed Reviews.

    4. Love Eggos as much as Eleven does? Make a big batch of mini waffles with this waffle maker and freeze them for a cheaper breakfast treat.

    18 Clever Ways To Spend Less Money This Month (3)

    amazon.com

    H/T to our reader Chelsea Fedora (via Facebook), who gave us this idea on our housewarming gifts story:

    “I bought the mini waffle maker for myself and it's AMAZING! I make a huge batch of them every couple of Sundays, wrap them up in aluminum foil, freeze them, and pop them in the toaster when the mood hits me. Awesome homemade Eggo waffles ALL THE TIME.”

    Get the mini waffle maker from Amazon for $14.40+ (available in six colors).

    5. Cash in six old MAC product containers for a ~free~ lipstick.

    @MACCosmeticsMiddleEast / Via instagram.com, maccosmetics.com

    MAC has an extensive guide on what qualifies and if you're still not sure, live-chat with one of its reps. Enter the six product types, choose three preferred lipstick colors, and print a form for your package to return the containers. Read the details here.

    If you're a MAC addict anyway, that's a $17 lipstick FO' FREE.

    And check out our picks for the best matte lipsticks on BuzzFeed Reviews.

    6. Avoid shipping costs (boo, shipping costs!) by opting for in-store pickup when possible.

    18 Clever Ways To Spend Less Money This Month (4)

    homedepot.com

    OK, so not all retailers offer this, but lots do, like Walmart (including groceries and limited items), The Home Depot, Nordstrom, CVS, and more of the usual shopping suspects. See a lengthy list of stores on RetailMeNot. When shopping online, search via "in-store pickup" or "your store" to find eligible items.

    In-store pickup not an option? Check out our list of stores with free shipping, no minimum.

    7. And save on packaging when you mail a beach ball, frisbee, pillow, and basically lots of things you could use for a beach vacation.

    18 Clever Ways To Spend Less Money This Month (5)

    Michelle Porucznik/BuzzFeed

    So next time you think about sending a loved one a "Wish You Were Here" postcard from a tropical locale, adhere a shipping label directly to a beach ball instead. Read the full list of things you'd be surprised you can mail.

    8. Perfect some delicious under-$10 recipes so you'll stop using all your credit card rewards points at McDonald's. (Sorry for telling you that's a thing you can do.)

    18 Clever Ways To Spend Less Money This Month (6)

    budgetbytes.com

    This dish includes stuff that's mostly from your pantry/fridge. It whips up four servings for about $7 total in less than 25 minutes. If you dig it, stock up on the required frozen broccoli florets and wide rice noodles when you find them on sale. Get the recipe on Budget Bytes.

    And check out six more budget-friendly recipes we're loving rn.

    9. Price-stalk Amazon items with CamelCamelCamel so you can score the best deals on something you don't need ASAP.

    18 Clever Ways To Spend Less Money This Month (7)

    chrome.google.com

    Casual Amazon shoppers will notice that prices fluctuate quite often and can differ based on a size or color. Beat(-ish) the system by entering the URL for a product at camelcamelcamel.com to see an item's pricing history and set up a watch for an item. Download the Camelizer extension for Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.

    If you're in the mood to browse, you can also check out deals in CamelCamelCamel's price drops section.

    10. Search surrounding bars and restaurants on the Yelp app to get deals when you check in...like this regrettable (but free!) whiskey shot I've taken many a time.

    18 Clever Ways To Spend Less Money This Month (8)

    Yelp

    This is also a swell way to force a group of people into choosing a destination when no one wants to make a decision. Download the app from iTunes or Google Play for free.

    11. Set a shopping budget and keep tabs on your spending with Parcel.

    18 Clever Ways To Spend Less Money This Month (9)

    thisisparcel.com

    When you sign up for free here, you'll answer questions like your age, what kind of shopping you'll use it for, and your monthly take-home income. Install a browser extension and add products from other sites to your parcels (aka Pinterest board-y things) as part of categorized checklists with budgets. Within a parcel you can sort by things like store, low stock, and sale. In short, you can curb impulse buys and not shudder in fear at your credit card statement at the end of the month. (Probably.)

    12. Eat hyperlocal by growing vegetables from scraps.

    18 Clever Ways To Spend Less Money This Month (10)

    Facebook: officialgoodful

    Check out our tutorial on Goodful.

    And make the most of those veggies with our picks for the best blenders on BuzzFeed Reviews.

    13. Put off having a ring resized with this cheap size adjuster.

    18 Clever Ways To Spend Less Money This Month (11)

    amazon.com

    Resizing a ring definitely costs more than $10. Just sayin'.

    Promising Review: "I just got engaged a few days ago and my ring seems to be a little big, even though it's my normal size. I'm thinking it's because it's a little warmer than usual outside and I'm not sure if I want to get my ring resized or not. This is a perfect solution until it gets warm outside again. The guard hasn't moved around on my ring and it's very comfortable." --Amazon Customer

    Get it from Amazon for $7.99.

    14. Reuse plastic bags over and over again for a million different things — including non-food stuff!

    18 Clever Ways To Spend Less Money This Month (12)

    theyummylife.com

    Ninety-six gallon bags are $13.37 on Amazon, which, tbh, is quite a deal. BUT if you reuse this pack, they could last for what feels like an eternity.

    Grossed out? Read The Yummy Life's explainer on how to get them clean and ready for another useful round.

    15. Switch over to soy candles, which typically last about 50% longer than regular candles.

    18 Clever Ways To Spend Less Money This Month (13)

    amazon.com

    Also, this scent is straight-up delightful.

    Get it from Amazon for $6.64.

    16. Bring your old kitchen knives back to life with a cheap knife sharpener that's crazy easy to use.

    Elizabeth Lilly / BuzzFeed

    Read my lengthy personal review here.

    Get it from Amazon for $5.99 (available in three colors).

    17. Subscribe to the Money Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for a Richer Life podcast to get detailed explainers on financial matters in normal-people speak.

    18 Clever Ways To Spend Less Money This Month (14)

    itunes.apple.com

    Financial expert Laura D. Adams received an MBA at the University of Florida and has written several financial advice books, like Smart Moves to Grow Rich and Smart Moves to Deal with Your Debt. She's pleasant and friendly, and doesn't talk down to listeners. Plus, it's interesting, even if the episode is N/A to your current financial sitch! Topics include the likes of wisely managing your money after a pay raise (episode 484), prepping your credit for a mortgage approval (episode 450), and paying off student loans in the cheapest ways (episode 478). She started the podcast in 2008, so if you need advice on a financial woe, there's probably an episode that addresses it.

    Subscribe for free via iTunes, Google Play, Podbay, Stitcher, and Player FM.

    18. And let a (thoroughly washed!) Sriracha bottle stand in for a soap dispenser in desperate times.

    18 Clever Ways To Spend Less Money This Month (15)

    Walt Lilly / Via Twitter: @waltlilly

    What, you don't get all your decor inspo from your brother's tweets about dive bar bathrooms?!

    Get a 56 fl. oz. jug of hand soap refill from Amazon for $3.99.

    Shopping for something specific? Check out BuzzFeed Reviews to find the best things for every budget!

    18 Clever Ways To Spend Less Money This Month (16)

    BuzzFeed

    18 Clever Ways To Spend Less Money This Month (2024)

    FAQs

    How can I spend less in a month? ›

    10 Simple Ways to Save Money Each Month 10 Simple Ways to Save Money Each Month
    1. Create a Monthly Budget. ...
    2. Set Monthly Savings Goals. ...
    3. Automate Monthly Transfers to Your Savings Account. ...
    4. Change Your Grocery Shopping Habits. ...
    5. Save Money on Restaurant Spending. ...
    6. Cancel Unnecessary Subscriptions. ...
    7. Open a High-Yield Savings Account.

    What are the rules for low spend month? ›

    What does a low-spend month look like? You only spend money on the necessities: rent, utilities, transportation, subscriptions, loans, groceries, etc. Anything that is not essential or required, like going out to eat or going shopping, is not allowed.

    How to spend little money on food? ›

    Here's 8 ideas to help you spend less money on food.
    1. 1 – Try online shopping. ...
    2. 2 – Consider freezing foods. ...
    3. 3 – Stock up on canned foods. ...
    4. 4 – Swap from processed foods to whole foods. ...
    5. 5 – Swap to buying foods in bulk. ...
    6. 6 – Swap to meal prepping. ...
    7. 7 – Swap meat to other types of protein. ...
    8. 8 – Swap from throwing it out to using it.

    What is the 30 day rule? ›

    The premise of the 30-day savings rule is straightforward: When faced with the temptation of an impulse purchase, wait 30 days before committing to the buy. During this time, take the opportunity to evaluate the necessity and impact of the purchase on your overall financial goals.

    How to save $1,000 in less than a month? ›

    11 Easy Ways to Save $1,000 in 30 Days
    1. Create a Budget. ...
    2. Automate Your Savings. ...
    3. Create a Savings Bingo Sheet. ...
    4. Negotiate Your Bills. ...
    5. Separate Wants From Needs. ...
    6. Plan Your Meals. ...
    7. Buy Generic Brands. ...
    8. Cancel Unnecessary Subscriptions.
    Sep 26, 2023

    What is the $1000 a month rule? ›

    One example is the $1,000/month rule. Created by Wes Moss, a Certified Financial Planner, this strategy helps individuals visualize how much savings they should have in retirement. According to Moss, you should plan to have $240,000 saved for every $1,000 of disposable income in retirement.

    What is a no buy challenge? ›

    The self-imposed rules of the challenge are simple: participants pledge to stop buying non-essential items, be they unneeded shoes, additional beauty products or other impulse buys for a set amount of time, usually 12 months.

    What is the 1 spending rule? ›

    If you spend money on something and we're talking about a non-necessity something that you don't have to buy, you just want to buy and the cost of that item is more than one percent of your annual income before taxes you have to wait at least 24 hours before buying it and so what this means is if you make forty ...

    How do I force myself to spend less money? ›

    Here are some ideas to help you stop spending money and build healthier financial habits:
    1. Create a Budget. ...
    2. Visualize What You're Saving For.
    3. Always Shop with a List. ...
    4. Nix the Brand Names. ...
    5. Master Meal Prep.
    6. Consider Cash for In-store Shopping. ...
    7. Remove Temptation.
    8. Hit “Pause"
    Jan 19, 2023

    How to cut bills down? ›

    Here are some tips on reducing expenses so you can pay off debt.
    1. Start Tracking Your Spending Habits. ...
    2. Get on a Budget. ...
    3. Cancel Unnecessary or Unused Subscriptions. ...
    4. Reduce Electricity Use. ...
    5. Prioritize Sustainability. ...
    6. Lower Your Housing Expenses. ...
    7. Consolidate Your Debt and Lower Interest Rates. ...
    8. Reduce Your Insurance Premiums.

    How to spend the least amount of money in a month? ›

    Try the 50/30/20 rule as a simple budgeting framework. Allow up to 50% of your income for needs, including debt minimums. Leave 30% of your income for wants. Commit 20% of your income to savings and debt repayment beyond minimums.

    How to make your grocery bill cheaper? ›

    11 tips for saving money at the grocery store
    1. Pay with a grocery rewards card. ...
    2. Sign up for the loyalty program. ...
    3. Clip coupons. ...
    4. Join a wholesale club. ...
    5. Go in with a list and stick to it. ...
    6. Buy items on sale. ...
    7. Avoid pre-packaged items. ...
    8. Compare prices between stores.

    What grocery store saves you the most money? ›

    • Aldi. If you consider yourself a frugal spender, you've likely heard of the grocery store chain, Aldi. ...
    • Grocery Outlet. My personal favorite! ...
    • Winco Foods. ...
    • Walmart Neighborhood Market. ...
    • Food4Less. ...
    • Target. ...
    • Lidl. ...
    • Costco.
    Apr 9, 2024

    What are the best foods to save money? ›

    Cheapest Foods to Live On:
    • Oatmeal.
    • Eggs.
    • Bread.
    • Rice.
    • Bananas.
    • Beans.
    • Apples.
    • Pasta.

    How to spend no money for a month? ›

    How to be Successful in a No-Spend Month, 10 Tips and Tricks
    1. Choose the right month. ...
    2. Research free activities to do in your local area. ...
    3. Put your money away to reduce the temptation. ...
    4. Get your friends and family involved. ...
    5. Remind yourself why you're committing to a no-spend month. ...
    6. Track or monitor progress.
    Nov 21, 2022

    How to only spend $1,000 a month? ›

    How To Live on $1,000 Per Month
    1. Review Your Current Spending. ...
    2. Minimize Housing Costs. ...
    3. Don't Drive a Car. ...
    4. Meal Plan on the Cheap. ...
    5. Avoid Subscriptions at All Costs. ...
    6. Negotiate Your Bills. ...
    7. Take Advantage of Government Programs. ...
    8. Side Hustle for More Income.
    Oct 17, 2023

    What is a normal amount to spend each month? ›

    Monthly expenses list. According to the same 2022 BLS study, the average American's monthly expenses are $6,080, 1 which is about 77% of the average monthly income before taxes. This list of expenses covers everything from housing, health insurance and food to entertainment, personal care products and books.

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