50 Ways to save money.... | The Diary of a Frugal Family (2024)

We could all do with finding new ways to save money so I thought I’d share a round up of some of the things I do to help you.

50 Ways to save money.... | The Diary of a Frugal Family (1)

Some of these ways to save money may be things you do already, some you might know you should do but don’t and hopefully, there’ll be some you’ve never thought of that you can start doing to start saving money right away….

Let’s start with ways to save money paying your bills….

Work out your monthly budget so you know what, if anything you have spare each month. Use my free downloadable budget planner if that helps.

If you can’t afford to pay your bills, don’t just ignore the fact like a lot of people do – it won’t go away but you can take action to help yourself.

If you can’t see where your money is going, keep a spending diary for a month.

Use the snowball method to repay any debts in the quickest and most efficient way possible.

Overpay your mortgage each month – even a small amount can make a huge difference to the overall amount you’ll even up paying and it could reduce your mortgage term.

Make sure you’re on the best deal possible for all of your utility bills.

Check that your house is in the right band for council tax.

Consider a water meter if you’re not already on one.

Pay your bills by Direct Debit to ensure that they’re always paid on time and that you get any discounts for paying this way.

Never renew any insurance without doing a price comparison.

Think outside the box – car insurance, for example,could be cheaper if you drive fewer miles than average.

Ways to save money around the home….

Plan your meals in advance.

Make a wall planner to keep track of your meal plans.

Don’t always throw something out because it’s passed it’s best before date.

Try shopping online at Approved foods.

Consider switching the kids to packed lunches.

Get rid of the tumble drier.

Save money on your laundry.

If your microwave breaks, do you really need to replace it?

Turn your heating down by 1 c – this could save up to £40 a year and make sure you turn your appliances to standby and save up to £76 a year (that’s 2 I know but they’re on the same post ;-))

And there’s lots of other ways to make sure you’re spending less on gas and electricity here too.

Keep the kids entertained for free by making a bored jar.

Dedicate a section in your garden for a vegetable patch.

Save money with just one phone call.

Ways to save money when you’re out and about….

Learn how to drive efficiently to save money on fuel.

If you are visiting a theme park, make sure you check out my ways to save guide.

Have fun at home with the kids instead of spending money on days out.

Have a Frugal date night.

If you’re off somewhere nice, make sure you pay as little as possible by checking any offers before you go.

Get a seat in the audience for one of your favourite TV shows for free.

Plan in advance what you’ll be doing over the school holidays so you can take advantage of free and cheap events.

Ways to save money on shopping….

Change the way you shop to save money.

Use cash back websites whenever you make a purchase online.

Make the most of store loyalty cards.

Use eBay more to buy things.

Reduce food waste.

Check out my amazing Amazon Discount checker for savings of up to 80%.

(This handy little widget does have my affiliate id in so if you do use it then I might make a few pennies but you’ll pay the same. The money goes towards paying for the widget so you can find some amazing deals)

Other ways to save money….

Do you wear a uniform for work? Make sure you’ve reclaimed the tax back for taking care of it.

Sell any old mobile phones.

Use apps that will give you free texts and calls on your mobile.

Cut down on cleaning products by using lemons in your cleaning routine.

Vinegar’s great for cleaning too.

Find free books for your Kindle

Make sure you’re claiming everything you’re entitled to.

Not exactly money saving but you can stop annoying cold calls and junk mail here.

There really is an app for everything – take full advantage of what’s out there.

Make some extra money….

Make money by reviewing things you already own

Use Swagbucks.

Save your spare change

Sell your unwanted things at a car boot sale.

Or, sell them on eBay.

There you have it, my 50 ways to save money!

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50 Ways to save money.... | The Diary of a Frugal Family (2024)

FAQs

What is the 50/30/20 rule? ›

Those will become part of your budget. The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings.

How to save $5000 in 3 months? ›

How to Save $5000 in 3 Months [2024]
  1. Create a Budget and Plan.
  2. Pick up a Side Hustle.
  3. Sell Things Around Your Home.
  4. Refinance Debts.
  5. Cut Unnecessary Expenses.
  6. Reduce Living Expenses.
  7. Try an Envelope Savings Challenge.
  8. Use Cash Back Apps.
Apr 3, 2024

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.

When might the 50/30/20 rule not be the best saving strategy to use? ›

But the exact breakdown between “needs,” “wants” and savings may not be ideal for everyone. If you're behind on your retirement savings or have a lot of credit card debt to pay down, you might want to allocate more than 20% of your take-home pay to that category.

Is $4000 a good savings? ›

Are you approaching 30? How much money do you have saved? According to CNN Money, someone between the ages of 25 and 30, who makes around $40,000 a year, should have at least $4,000 saved.

What is the 75 15 10 rule? ›

In his free webinar last week, Market Briefs CEO Jaspreet Singh alerted me to a variation: the popular 75-15-10 rule. Singh called it leading your money. This iteration calls for you to put 75% of after-tax income to daily expenses, 15% to investing and 10% to savings.

What is the 100 envelope challenge? ›

The 100-envelope challenge is pretty straightforward: You take 100 envelopes, number each of them and then save the corresponding dollar amount in each envelope. For instance, you put $1 in “Envelope 1,” $2 in “Envelope 2,” and so on. By the end of 100 days, you'll have saved $5,050.

What is the envelope savings method? ›

The concept is simple: Take a few envelopes, write a specific expense category on each one — like groceries, rent or student loans — and then put the money you plan to spend on those things into the envelopes. Traditionally, people have used the envelope system on a monthly basis, using actual cash and envelopes.

How to save $1000000 in 5 years? ›

Saving a million dollars in five years requires an aggressive savings plan. Suppose you're starting from scratch and have no savings. You'd need to invest around $13,000 per month to save a million dollars in five years, assuming a 7% annual rate of return and 3% inflation rate.

What is the 9o day rule? ›

What is the 90-Day Rule? According to the 90-day rule, a foreign national who engages in conduct inconsistent with their nonimmigrant status within a 90 day period of entering the U.S. may become inadmissible for the green card or even permanently barred from entering the US.

How should a beginner start saving money? ›

The 50/30/20 rule is a good starting point for many new savers:
  1. Allocate 50% of your income to essential expenses. Rent/mortgage, groceries, debt payments, car payments, utilities, etc.
  2. Allocate 30% of your income for stuff you want to purchase. Clothing, entertainment, travel, etc.
  3. Allocate 20% of your income for saving.
Apr 3, 2024

How to consistently save money? ›

What Is the Best Way To Save Money?
  1. Set goals. Set savings goals that motivate you, like saving up for a house or going on a dream vacation, and give yourself timelines for reaching them.
  2. Budget. Make a budget and make saving a necessary expense. ...
  3. Cut down on spending. ...
  4. Automate your saving. ...
  5. Pay off debt. ...
  6. Earn more.
Jan 11, 2024

How do you divide your paycheck to save money? ›

This goes back to a popular budgeting rule that's referred to as the 50-30-20 strategy, which means you allocate 50% of your paycheck toward the things you need, 30% toward the things you want and 20% toward savings and investments.

How much money should you have left over after bills? ›

The 50/30/20 budget rule states that you should spend up to 50% of your after-tax income on needs and obligations that you must have or must do. The remaining half should be split between savings and debt repayment (20%) and everything else that you might want (30%).

What strategy is most effective for saving money? ›

10 Savings Strategies
  • Pay yourself first. Treat your savings like a bill. ...
  • Make savings automatic. ...
  • Pay installments to yourself. ...
  • Collect loose change. ...
  • Manage credit wisely. ...
  • Track your spending. ...
  • Consider ways to cut costs. ...
  • Make a plan for lump sums.

What is the disadvantage of the 50 30 20 rule? ›

It may not work for everyone. Depending on your income and expenses, the 50/30/20 rule may not be realistic for your individual financial situation. You may need to allocate a higher percentage to necessities or a lower percentage to wants in order to make ends meet. It doesn't account for irregular expenses.

Is the 50/30/20 rule still valid? ›

Yes, the 50/30/20 rule can be used to save for long-term goals. Allocate a portion of the 20% to savings specifically for your long-term goals, such as a down payment on a house, education funds, or investments. The rule is intentionally meant to bring focus to savings.

What is the 40 40 20 budget rule? ›

The 40/40/20 rule comes in during the saving phase of his wealth creation formula. Cardone says that from your gross income, 40% should be set aside for taxes, 40% should be saved, and you should live off of the remaining 20%.

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