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!

Don’t miss out on future posts like this – receive updates directly to your inbox by email by adding your email address hereand hitting subscribe. You can also follow me on Twitter,BlogLovin or Networked Blogs and I’d love to see you over on my Facebook page and on Instagram.

Related

If you liked this, you're going to love these...

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

FAQs

What is the 50 30 20 rule? ›

The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future 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 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 frugal people save money? ›

What are some tips for being frugal?
  • Create a budget and stick to it. Being frugal begins with this tip. ...
  • Shop around for the best deals. Buy what you need from the first store you see, but don't just go to the first one you see. ...
  • Buy used instead of new. ...
  • Make your own stuff. ...
  • Repurpose and recycle. ...
  • Be patient.
Aug 22, 2023

What is the rule of thumb for savings? ›

At least 20% of your income should go towards savings. Meanwhile, another 50% (maximum) should go toward necessities, while 30% goes toward discretionary items. This is called the 50/30/20 rule of thumb, and it provides a quick and easy way for you to budget your money.

How to divide income to save? ›

According to this rule, you must categorise your after-tax income into three broad categories: 50% for your needs, 30% for your wants and 20% for your savings. This way, you set aside a fixed amount from your income for each of the categories.

What are the 90 days rule? ›

To solve that problem, USCIS uses the 90-day rule, which states that temporary visa holders who marry or apply for a green card within 90 days of arriving in the United States are automatically presumed to have misrepresented their original intentions.

How to avoid a wash sale? ›

To avoid a wash sale, you could replace it with a different ETF (or several different ETFs) with similar but not identical assets, such as one tracking the Russell 1000 Index® (RUI). That would preserve your tax break and keep you in the market with about the same asset allocation.

What is the 3 month rule? ›

The 3-month rule in dating refers to the time period some say is needed to understand if the other person is right for you and that after the 3 months are up, you'll be able to know if the relationship is worth pursuing further.

How to live like a cheapskate? ›

7 Secrets of the Frugal Lifestyle
  1. Live below your means. Spend less than you earn. ...
  2. Meticulously budget your spending. ...
  3. Take on secured debt sparingly. ...
  4. Participate in serious tax sheltering. ...
  5. Launch a disciplined investment plan. ...
  6. Get help from a sharp fee-only financial advisor. ...
  7. Work hard—ideally in your own business.

How to live super cheaply? ›

12 Tips for Frugal Living
  1. Choose quality over quantity. ...
  2. Prioritize value over price. ...
  3. Use credit wisely. ...
  4. Declutter regularly. ...
  5. Use a budget to guide your spending. ...
  6. Know the difference between wants and needs. ...
  7. Be a savvy consumer. ...
  8. Prioritize your values.
Oct 17, 2023

How can a poor person save money? ›

Start a separate savings account and deposit a small amount regularly, even if it's just a few dollars. Set up automatic transfers to your savings account on payday to ensure consistent contributions. Allocate a specific amount of cash for discretionary spending each month and use only that money.

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

Drawbacks of the 50/30/20 rule: Lacks detail. May not help individuals isolate specific areas of overspending. Doesn't fit everyone's needs, particularly those with aggressive savings or debt-repayment goals.

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 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 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

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Aron Pacocha

Last Updated:

Views: 6617

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (48 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Aron Pacocha

Birthday: 1999-08-12

Address: 3808 Moen Corner, Gorczanyport, FL 67364-2074

Phone: +393457723392

Job: Retail Consultant

Hobby: Jewelry making, Cooking, Gaming, Reading, Juggling, Cabaret, Origami

Introduction: My name is Aron Pacocha, I am a happy, tasty, innocent, proud, talented, courageous, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.