What Would You Give Up or Do Differently If You Had to Reduce Your Monthly Expenses? (50 ideas!)

50 Easy Ways to Lower Your Monthly Expenses

FOODS TO AVOID:

• Restaurants and fast food! (NOTE: this was the top answer from hundreds of readers!)
• Hot lunch (pack lunch at home).
• Coffee runs (just make it at home).
• Starbucks.
• Ice cream.
• Meat.
• Organic food. (Or find ways to save on them.)
• Brand name foods – store bought are usually good.
• Grocery splurges and impulse buys — get more intentional about menu planning.
• Grocery shopping (one or two weeks by using items in your pantry and fridge).
• Individually packaged items — buy in bulk to save.
• Individual beverages – canned soda, Gatorade, sparkling water, lemonade, etc.
• Alcohol and soda — in grocery stores and restaurants.
• Junk food, desserts, and treats.
• Machine snacks.

TWO MONTHS TO COMPLETION:

• Streaming services (try Sling TV for FREE instead!) and digital subscriptions (NOTE: this was the next most popular answer!)
• Mobile data usage.
• Cell phone company — switch to one with a lower price.
• A gym membership.
• Amazon Prime.
• Subscriptions to magazines and newspapers.
• Cable TV or Satellite Dish.
• Pet care — watch a YouTube video and do it at home.
• Manicures & Pedicures — Do it yourself at home.
• Delivery charges — get items only with free shipping.
• Home appliance insurance – usually not worth it.
• Services – call companies to negotiate a lower rate.

HABBITS FOR CHANGE:

• Stop paying full price for anything!
• Try shopping for groceries at places outside the box.
• Stop traveling (at least a year or more). Or check out these money-saving tips.
• Stop buying anything you don’t have room for in your budget (pay cash for everything).
• Color your hair.
• Hang clothes on the line to dry instead of using a dryer.
• Say no to impulse purchases.
• Switch to free/cheap entertainment like hanging out with friends or being with people instead of going out.
• Stop online browsing that turns into shopping or random shopping.
• Lower/raise the thermostat and unplug devices when not working.
• Hunt, fish and grow a garden.
• Use free cycle sites for clothes and toys.
• Walk or ride your bike instead of driving everywhere.
• Stop some of the kids’ extracurricular activities and games.
• Save gas by doing all the chores in one day instead of several times a week.
• Buy and buy in advance.
• Learn to wait 24 hours before buying.
• Go back on all holiday spending (food, entertainment, gifts, clothing, decorations, etc.).
• Increase giving to those who need it most to help transform your vision.
• Focus more on needs versus wants.
• Make a budget and actually stick to it!
• Try some cheap and free night ideas.
• Be aware of things you may not need to buy.
• Find the joy of contentment.

Want more ideas? Check out these tips:

• 55+ Simple Tips for Saving Money at Home
• What to Do When You’re Tired of Saving
• 65+ Cheap & Free Night Ideas
• 35 Things You Shouldn’t Buy
• 30 Creative Ways to Save on Electricity
• 25+ Cheap Ways to Travel