18 Ridiculously Easy Ways to Save in 2019

Ready to start the new year off by slaying your financial goals? What better way than by finding easy ways to save in your everyday life? Today I’m listing 18 ridiculously easy ways to save in 2019.

Food

Meal Plan

Don’t underestimate the money saving power of a little meal planning. Planning out your meals for the week keeps you from making multiple trips to the grocery store each week….where you will most likely end up spending more than you intended to. If you’re new to meal planning, check out my meal planning guide and tips! Also, here’s a great infographic/cheat sheet I created last year to help you get started.

Skip the “Prepared” or “Convenience” Foods

Cut your own fruit, measure your own oatmeal, and make your own “snack bags”. Sure, buying individual oatmeal packets or individual goldfish packs might save you an extra 45 seconds in the morning…but you’re gonna be paying for it. It’s the same with fruit: buy yourself a pineapple or mango corer and leave the precut stuff at the grocery store. For more ideas, check out how I use this trick to save over $50/month at the grocery store….without coupons!

Fave “DIY” Food Gadgets

“Chopped” Dinner Night

If you’re not familiar with the TV show “Chopped”, first…shame on you. It’s awesome! Second: they take weird and random ingredients and somehow end up making culinary masterpieces out of them. Make it a family affair and do the same to use up random ingredients in your kitchen.

Shopping

Amazon Prime

If you do alot of online shopping, Amazon Prime is the way to go! Without it, you only get free shipping when your cart reaches $35 or more…tempting you to throw in a few more items you don’t really need just so you can get that free shipping. With Amazon Prime you get free, 2-day shipping no matter how much you spend. Holla! Plus, there is SOOOO much that is included in your membership. Like Prime Music, Prime Video, and more.

Save even more: you can pay monthly ($12.99/month) or annually ($119/year) for a Prime membership…but you’ll save about $37 if you go ahead and pay for the full year. Plus, you can share your Prime benefits! You can create a “household” of 2 adults, 4 teens, and 4 children….all who can get in on free, 2-day shipping, Prime Video, and more. So if you and a friend both wanna try Prime, split the cost and share those Prime benifits!

Shop Resale Clothing

You may not be into resale clothing for yourself, but your kids are a different story! Kids grow out of clothes soooo quickly, and it’s a shame to pay a premium for clothes that are going to fit less than a year. Most children’s resale clothing is in incredible condition because the clothes aren’t worn that long before the kids outgrow them. Once Upon a Child and Kid2Kid are two of my fave kids’ resale shops, and you can’t beat the prices.

Save even more: Most resale shops send out special invites and reminders for big sales via text, if you choose to sign up. I’ve scored HUGE with sales like “50% off blue sticker items”.

Rebate Apps

Here’s a list of rebate apps that’ll pay you just for snapping a picture of your receipt. Some of these apps will even give you a sign-up bonus.

Save even more: Ibotta is a grocery store rebate app that gives you a bonus of $10 after you submit your first receipt.  It’s one of my favorite apps, and I’ve collected almost $100 just by using it!

Finance

Savings Plan

If you’ve got a big expense coming up, (whether it be Christmas, vacation, a big ticket item, whatevs) a simple way to purchase it is by saving little bits throughout the year. There are tons of different saving plans out there designed to help a big purchase feel less painful, and I’ve shared a bunch of them on this Pinterest board.

Open an Acorns Account

“Acorns” is an app that syncs to your bank account and transfers your “spare change” from debit card purchases into a separate account. For example, if you charge $7.32 on your debit card, Acorns takes the extra $0.68 cents and puts it into basically a virtual piggy bank. I accumulated over $500 last year from “spare change” alone, and it’s how I paid for a big chunk of Christmas last year!

Save even more: Get $5 free, just for signing up!

Use Cash

This isn’t a new concept. Studies have been done to show that you’re much less likely to spend money if you have to physically hand over cash for it. Plus, swiping your card is just wayyyyy too easy. You don’t have to use cash for everything; just decide what’s best for your fam.

Save even more: Many gas stations will offer discounts on gas if you pay with cash.

Budget

Again, not a new concept. But I’m always so stunned to hear how many people don’t have a budget, and I think it’s because people look at a budget as being super restrictive. Remember, a budget doesn’t keep you from spending money; it gives you permission to spend within boundaries.

If you don’t budget and have no clue where to begin, I’ve got a Pinterest board with great resources and visual graphics to get you started.

Home

Cut Cable

Y’all, I cut cable before cutting cable was cool. Like 8 years ago…and people thought I was nuts (or poor). And now, it’s like a “thing”. People everywhere are getting rid of their cable, and with good reason! In the world of cheaper alternatives like Netflix, Hulu, Sling, Play Station Vue, and more….the need for cable is almost non existent. And it’ll save you an extra $60+ a month.

Save even more: Know someone who already uses Netflix or Hulu? Share their account and split the cost. Netflix and Hulu allow you to create your own profiles, so your viewing times and content won’t interfere with other users.

Shop Utilities and Home Services

Trash, pest control, electricity…do some homework and see if you’re getting the best rate. Some companies will offer incentives to get you to use their services, while others will offer incentives to keep your business.

Plant a Garden

If you buy a bunch of produce and have a green thumb, start a small garden with your favorite fruits and veggies.

DIY

Detergents and Cleaners

Making your own detergents and cleaners have more than one benifit. Not only do you know exactly what ingridents are going into your cleaners, but you’ll save a ton of money. Beacuse, let’s face it, detergent and cleaning products are expensive! If you have no clue where to begin, I got ya covered.

Fave “DIY Cleaner” Products

Upcycle/Repurpose

Upcycling is basically taking something you no longer have any use for, and turning it into something useful. Think: dresser turned changing table, old sweater turned scarf, mason jar turned soap dispenser. There are so many cool ideas! Check some of them out, here.

Dollar Store Decor

Opt for more frugal home decor by using items from the dollar store. I’m just saying….you can do alot with some dollar store items. Again, good ol‘ Pinterest to the rescue for some awesome inspiration!

Other

Free Events

Most cities have an event calendar on their website. Check to see what events are free in your area! To save even more, be sure to pack a lunch to take with you.

Library/Overdrive

If you’ve got a library card, then your library might offer “Overdrive”, which is an app that allows you to listen to audiobooks…fo’ free! Which means you can cancel that audiobook subscription service. All you need is your library card number. Check here to see if your local library offers it!

What tips can you share for easy ways to save in your fam? 😃