Wanting to start out 2016 on a good foot? Curb spending and keep on budget? These 10 frugal ways to save money in 2016 will help!
- Cut down on your favorite beverages. Whether it be coffee or even a bottled water everyday, that adds up! You can invest in a nice water bottle and get your money’s worth after just a weeks worth of use. I use this water bottle with a built in filter, it keeps me from paying $2 a day for a bottled water!
- Brown bag it. Pack left overs or get creative for you lunches. At my day job, I can pay $8 for a lunch in the cafeteria, or I can pack breakfast, lunch AND a snack for just a few dollars.
- Cut newspaper and magazine subscriptions. A lot of magazines offer a more affordable digital subscription version or you could just read them at your local library for free.
- Block Amazon. Or eBay or whatever online store you do too much window shopping at. Just for a week at first. It’s so easy to browse and even easier to click that “one click purchase” button. If you block your favorite shopping websites, you will think twice before spending.
- No more errands! Trim your trips down to one trip per week. Better yet if you can do one per month. Taking one trip for groceries, gas, paying bills etc will make your gas costs lower. Plus it will require you to be more organized and efficient, which is always a good thing.
- Change your commute to work. Can you walk, bike, or carpool to work? Work from home once per week? Think creatively and you might be able to lower your gas and tolls expenses even more.
- Stick to your own bank. ATMs from other banks often charge fees, some are pretty exorbitant. Avoid it by using your own bank’s ATMs or by sticking to cash.
- Freeze your credit cards. No really, freeze them. Get a bowl or Ziploc bag, fill with water and pop your cards in. Then stick the whole thing in the freezer. In order to use them, you’ll have to work for it. Which will help keep you from over spending! Who wants to unfreeze a card every time they want to buy a new movie?
- Get a library card. Local libraries are not only great resources for books and audiobooks, but they also offer educational classes, networking events, CDs, eBooks, etc. Our library even offers movie screenings occasionally!
- Cut down utilities. Winterize your home, turn off devices at night, take shorter showers, install energy efficient light bulbs etc.
Cat
March 8, 2016 at 5:01 pmThose are some great tips! Allow me to majorly second the library card. I couldn’t even guess how many thousands of dollars we have saved getting books, movies and music from the library. Heck, ours even lets you check out wall art! My friends tease us for how often we are the library, but it’s a magical wonderland for us. lol
Crystal@WhatTreasuresAwait
February 15, 2016 at 10:10 pmHa! I’ve never heard of actually freezing the cards! Thanks for sharing at Welcome Home Wednesdays!
Tish
February 11, 2016 at 12:30 amBlocking Amazon is probably a good idea. It’s so addicting and takes all my money lol
Cori
February 10, 2016 at 4:24 pmFreezing doesn’t hurt the magnetic strip? Use cash for most purchases. Handing over cash hurts.
Cynthia @craftoflaughter
February 10, 2016 at 10:46 amI love your simple and frugal tips! I am always looking to pick up new ideas to save money
Sarah Black
February 10, 2016 at 10:42 amSound advice. Great post, Jennifer. The coffee addict in me might disagree with #1… lol. And my kids need to learn #10, take shorter showers!!! 😉