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? ›

Do not subtract other amounts that may be withheld or automatically deducted, like health insurance or retirement contributions. 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.

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? ›

Some Experts Say the 50/30/20 Is Not a Good Rule at All. “This budget is restrictive and does not take into consideration your values, lifestyle and money goals. For example, 50% for needs is not enough for those in high-cost-of-living areas.

What is the number one tip for saving money? ›

One of the easiest ways to save money is to only shop when you have a list. Because when you're without one, you typically end up making impulse buys and unplanned purchases – all things that cost money. Creating a list before you go to the grocery store is especially important.

How to budget $4000 a month? ›

How To Budget Using the 50/30/20 Rule
  1. 50% for mandatory expenses = $2,000 (0.50 X 4,000 = $2,000)
  2. 30% for wants and discretionary spending = $1,200 (0.30 X 4,000 = $1,200)
  3. 20% for savings and debt repayment = $800 (0.20 X 4,000 = $800)
Oct 26, 2023

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%.

What is the 9o 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.

What is the 3 month rule? ›

The three-month rule states you should date someone for 3 months before committing or taking it to the next level. This course of action can be useful, however, it's best to treat it as a guide rather than something to rigidly stick to.

What is the wash sale rule? ›

Key takeaways

A wash sale happens when you sell a security at a loss and buy a “substantially identical” security within 30 days before or after the sale. The wash-sale rule prevents taxpayers from deducting paper losses without significantly changing their market position.

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

Key Takeaways. 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%).

How to budget $5000 a month? ›

Consider an individual who takes home $5,000 a month. Applying the 50/30/20 rule would give them a monthly budget of: 50% for mandatory expenses = $2,500. 20% to savings and debt repayment = $1,000.

How much of your income should you save every month? ›

At least 20% of your income should go towards savings. Meanwhile, another 50% (maximum) should go toward necessities, while 30% goes toward discretionary items.

What is the only place you should keep your emergency fund money? ›

Bank or credit union account — If you have an account with a bank or credit union—generally considered one of the safest places to put your money—it might make sense to have a dedicated account where you can keep and maintain these funds.

How to aggressively save money? ›

How to Save Money
  1. Set a savings goal.
  2. Set up direct deposits to go into savings.
  3. Buy generic.
  4. Stay out of “that store.”
  5. Cancel some subscriptions and memberships.
  6. Join gas rewards programs.
  7. Meal plan.
  8. Use cash-back apps and coupons.
Jun 13, 2024

How to quickly save $1,000 dollars? ›

Dave Ramsey's 9 Ways To Save Your First $1,000 Fast
  1. Cancel Subscriptions. ...
  2. Bring Your Own Lunch. ...
  3. Avoid Coffee Out. ...
  4. Re-Sell Old Items. ...
  5. Shop at Cheaper Grocery Stores With Rewards Programs. ...
  6. Buy Generic. ...
  7. Join a Carpool. ...
  8. Pick Up a Side Hustle.
Dec 28, 2023

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.

What is the 50 30 20 rule for 401k? ›

Key Takeaways

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 are the flaws of the 50 30 20 rule? ›

While the 50 30 20 rule can be a useful way to manage your finances, it may not be suitable for everyone. Here are some potential disadvantages of the 50 30 20 rule: Some people might need more than 50% of their income for needs: some individuals or families may have higher essential expenses.

How would the 50 20 30 rule break down your take-home pay? ›

The 50/30/20 rule is a budgeting technique that involves dividing your money into three primary categories based on your after-tax income (i.e., your take-home pay): 50% to needs, 30% to wants and 20% to savings and debt payments.

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