8 ways to save money you never knew existed

I think there might be a misconception on what saving money means.  Saving money doesn’t have to mean stacking it up in your bank by spending less.  Actually, saving money is a way of cutting unnecessary spending to make room for necessary spending.  And to get started these are the 8 ways to save money you never knew was possible.

I am always looking into the details of everything I do.  One of the spending traps we fall into is the normalization trap. 

This is when everyone is doing the same thing.  We tend to not pay attention to it and just go with the flow.  For example, have you ever questioned why we use toothpaste to brush our teeth?

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Identify and Cut Down on Unnecessary Spending

Surprisingly we are all given this power, but we lose it because if you don’t use it you lose it.  This power is the power of asking “why” and it is related to thinking out of the box. 

Why am I mentioning this in a post about saving money?  Well… this is the easiest way to identify unnecessary spending.  Start asking why to everything you do and watch how much you will save!  Now, lets see what are these 8 ways to save money you never knew about yet.

8 ways to save money you never knew about

Reusable Items

pretty straight-forward, right?   Of course, who would use a disposable product and keep spending money on it when they could get something else once and it would work out just fine.  We do!

Here are a few examples of disposable items we use every day

Kleenex

We spend an average of $18 on a pack of like 8 cubs of Kleenex tissue.  If they were to last a month that is $216 a year on estimate.  Now a handy alternative to Kleenex is a handkerchief. 

On Amazon the average cost for a handkerchief is around $15 so about the same as Kleenex, but they will last for the whole year where they could be changed once a year. 

You save $200 dollars! 

Paper Towels

This another one that is similar to using Kleenex tissue.  An 8 or 12 pack of paper towels is about $15 and which puts it at $180 yearly.  Of course, this can be more depending on the usage but this is just for clarity.  A better alternative to using paper towels is to use a washcloth.   

By switching to a washcloth, you will save $150 yearly!  Crazy huh, imagine having to dispose your clothes every time you wore them.

Plastic Ziploc Bags

Ziploc bags are around $5 to $10 a piece and depending on your use they might last a couple months.  So, the yearly cost for Ziploc bags would be from $60 to $120.  Stasher Bags are the perfect alternative to using Ziploc bags. 

These last a long time and are microwave and dishwasher safe.  The Stasher bags are more expensive but will save you about 3- or 4-years’ worth of Ziploc bags.

Aluminum Foil

We tend use aluminum foil to cover up leftovers or to wrap up a sandwich to take to a picnic.  Although it is convenient it costs about $10 on average which is around $120 a year. 

An alternative to aluminum foil is Beeswax Wraps or Glass or Ceramic Containers with Lids.  They do the same as aluminum foil and will only make you spend once. 

An easy way to store your leftovers, and a great way to pack for a picnic.  Save $120 every year!

Water Bottles

Now this is where a lot of saving can happen as well.  How many times have you found a half full water bottle on the table in the living room and know knows who’s it is?  Well… we can say we are saving water and money in this situation. 

A great alternative to wasting our money on water bottles is to use a water filter on the sink.  On average $10 to $20 is spent on water bottles each week!  Using a water filter will save you at least $520 a year on water bottles.

Toilet Paper

Another item similar to the paper towels.  The average cost is around $20 for a pack of 72 rolls and around $120 a year.  The perfect alternative is to use a bidet with a butt wiper.  Never have to use a toilet paper again.  Save $120 a year from now on…

DIY around the house

Cleaning Products

You will be surprised how simple it is to make some of these cleaning products at home.  For example, an oven cleaner.  All you need is baking soda.  Put baking soda and spray it with some water.  Leave it over night and there you go.  A clean oven! 

Save you a $20 on an ov en cleaner from the store.  May not seem like a lot but over time it will be.

Repairs and Maintenance

I wanted to install a small kitchen in my basement.  I called a company to come over and give me a quote.  They came and said that the job would cost around $4,000 in total. 

I said I would think about it.  I called a plumber I knew and asked him if he was free to do this job for me.  He agreed and I went to Home Depot to get the cabinets and sink.  I ended up spending around $1500 on everything including labor.  

Use Less Water

We are all guilty of taking long showers, and some of us even listen to music as well.  Do your wallet a favor and start taking shorter showers.  Maybe set a timer if that helps.

You know how dishes are washed in some countries?  Well… they fill a bucket full of water and use it to wash the dishes.  This is a much better technique than just turning the faucet on and letting the water run the whole time.

Start seeing your water bill decrease!

Shop in Bulk

Shopping all at once allows you to plan your purchases and take advantage of bulk buying or discounts. Buying items in larger quantities or during sales can potentially result in cost savings.

When you plan your shopping list in advance and buy everything at once, you have better control over impulse buying.

It helps you stick to your intended purchases and avoid unnecessary spending on items you might be tempted to buy during multiple visits.

Brew Your Own Coffee

A lot of us drink coffee multiple times a day.  It is crazy how much money you can save by making your own coffee instead of buying it from Starbucks.

A coffee is about $2 and if you purchase 2 to 3 a day that is $6 a day.  Add that up and it is $168 a month on coffee alone!

He is the deal, there are many mini coffee machines you can purchase off of Amazon that will save the day for you.  Not only that, you can take it to work too!   

Start making your brand of coffee lol

Cancel Subscriptions

It’s common to sign up for subscriptions and then stop using or forget about them over time.

By evaluating your subscriptions, you can identify those that you no longer find valuable or actively utilize.

Canceling unused services ensures you’re not paying for something you no longer need or enjoy

Be Creative not “Spendative”

Whenever there is an event or date that is going to happen, we always think of things to buy.  Why is it that we have to always spend are money to have a great time? 

Be creative for a bit and come up with something less common that everyone will enjoy even better. 

If you are planning a date, for example, make some homemade classic peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and go for a picnic.  Or plan a hike in a beautiful area with amazing scenery.   

Use a Credit Card

Using a credit card can help save money when used responsibly and strategically. Credit cards offer various benefits such as cashback rewards, points, or airline miles for eligible purchases.

By taking advantage of these perks, cardholders can earn valuable incentives that effectively reduce their overall expenses.

Additionally, credit cards often provide purchase protection and extended warranties, which can save money on potential product repairs or replacements.

Moreover, utilizing credit cards responsibly by paying off the balance in full each month allows cardholders to build a positive credit history, potentially qualifying them for better interest rates on loans and mortgages, ultimately leading to long-term savings.

However, it’s crucial to exercise caution and discipline to avoid falling into debt or accruing interest charges, as these can outweigh any potential savings.

before you go

looking through the things you do on a daily basis, evaluating, and asking why is crucial.  It will help you identify opportunities and ways to save money you never knew before. 

Check out my post on how to maintain a shopping budget and learn a new skill to save BIG!

So long…