100 Biggest Ways to Save Money

by on August 4, 2011

Need some money saving ideas?  We’ve compiled a list of 100 ways to save money.  For this list, we’ve started with the biggest ways to save money at the top of the list and then worked out way down to some small but still useful ways to save even more money.  Not all tips will apply to everyone and some may seem really small, but every money saving idea helps change your mindset and improve your chances of saving real money.  Ready, set, save…

  1. Refinancing your mortgage is perhaps the biggest way to save money
  2. Buy a used car
  3. Carpool or use park and rides
  4. Get a fuel efficient car
  5. Shop around for insurance
  6. Bundle insurance policies to save money
  7. Buy a condo instead of renting an apartment
  8. Get a roommate to share costs
  9. ways to save moneyConsolidate your debt if it makes sense
  10. Eat out less
  11. Take public transportation
  12. Use coupons.  Getting coupons by answers.com can help you start saving immediately.
  13. Shop online, you save money and aren’t as tempted to buy
  14. Negotiate for everything
  15. Save money by only buying things that you need
  16. Borrow instead of buy
  17. Rent instead of purchase
  18. Create a budget to help track your spending
  19. Consolidate all of your errands
  20. Shop at discount stores
  21. Pick up small items from dollar stores
  22. Get groceries at Aldi’s
  23. Shop weekly specials at your local market
  24. Use a mobile app to find the lowest gas prices
  25. Sign a monthly budget with your gas supplier that caps the annual rate
  26. Find a lower rate credit card if you carry debt
  27. Find a credit card with a good rewards program
  28. Purchase wholesale from a club like Sams or Costco
  29. Buy your computers and electronics refurbished from the retailers website
  30. Save money by borrowing software from a friend
  31. Use OpenOffice instead of Microsoft Office for word processing and spreadsheets
  32. Use an online discount brokerage
  33. Switch to a bank that has no fees and pays interest on your checking account
  34. Sell your unused stuff on craigslist or ebay
  35. Do your own landscaping and yard work
  36. Buy toys on clearance and save them in a bin for future gifts
  37. Switch to Vonage or get rid of your home phone and just use your mobile
  38. Bundle your phone, internet and television
  39. Find a hobby that keeps you busy and keeps you from spending money
  40. Go on a diet and save money on food
  41. Contribute money to your retirement account each year
  42. Make use of any match plan that your company’s 401k offers
  43. If your self employed, start your own 401k
  44. Become tax savvy and take advantage of deductions
  45. Do your own taxes online or with inexpensive software
  46. Save money by switching from cable to satellite
  47. Get rid of cable and use Hulu and Netflix for both tv shows and movies
  48. Become handy and do some of your own repairs
  49. Cancel your newspaper subscriptions and subscribe to their RSS feeds instead
  50. Borrow books, CDs and DVDs from your library instead of buying
  51. Keep up auto maintenance to lower long term repair costs
  52. Buy clothing that doesn’t require dry cleaning
  53. Take advantage of the prescription drug programs at discount stores like WalMart
  54. Buy generic or store brand items
  55. Use a programmable thermostat to turn off heat and AC while you are sleeping or at work
  56. Unplug unused electronic devices, they use energy even when not turned on
  57. Buy used clothing or non-name brand clothing
  58. Learn how to mend clothing to make it last longer, especially for children
  59. Mix more vegetables into your diet for main courses (beans are much cheaper than meat)
  60. Re-gift items that you can’t use or have duplicates (or return them for store credit)
  61. Buy fruits and vegetables in season and deep freeze for winter use
  62. Wait a few months and rent a movie instead of seeing it in the theater
  63. Save money by planting a garden or growing your own vegetables and herbs in planters
  64. Change the oil and filter in your car yourself
  65. Shop garage sales, especially for childrens clothes and toys
  66. Don’t buy bottled water, use a reusable environmentally friendly container
  67. Swap out all of your lightbulbs with CFL or LED bulbs
  68. Have your home checked for proper insulation
  69. Get an energy audit from your local utility (often free)
  70. Share magazines with friends and family
  71. Learn how to make your own bread, will save you trips to the store and can freeze it for much cheaper
  72. Take your own lunch to work
  73. Drink coffee from home in a reusable insulated mug instead of from the coffee shop
  74. Take advantage of all the money saving phone apps that let you compare prices and much more
  75. Save money by doing more activities at home
  76. Wait 6-12 months before buying a new electronics item
  77. Don’t buy any extended warranties
  78. Search for a coupon code or promo code before buying online
  79. Visit a dollar store and buy all the greetings cards you’ll need for a year
  80. Buy your mobile phone used from craigslist or ebay so you don’t have to sign up for 2 years
  81. Use loyalty programs to get discounts from grocery, department and sporting goods stores
  82. Buy your holiday decorations the day after the holiday is over (for next year)
  83. Buy handsoap from a wholesale club and refill all of the small containers throughout your house
  84. Do your research before buying any major item
  85. Swapping babysitting duties with neighbors or friends is a great way to save money
  86. Share a wireless internet connection with a neighbor
  87. Get rid of any memberships you don’t use (gym, tanning, netflix, etc.)
  88. Install low flow showerheads and toilets
  89. Wear certain clothing multiple times and reuse towels before washing
  90. Save on vacations by house swapping or renting from an owner instead of a service
  91. Save on flights by booking well in advance and traveling on weekdays
  92. Book your own travel online using all of the discount sites instead of a travel agent
  93. Vacation in beautiful but less expensive locations
  94. Use your online banking account to pay bills (can save $10 in stamps per month)
  95. Visit your city’s website to sign up for city sports and activities instead of privately sponsored
  96. Fill your freezer with everything you need to create a meal, so that you aren’t tempted to go out
  97. Keep your car tires properly inflated to maximize efficiency and tire wear
  98. Buying a deep freeze to store bulk and sale items is one of the best ways to save money
  99. Insulate your water heater
  100. Make sure your appliances are energy efficient

Okay, we made it to a hundred ways to save money.  Maybe a little overlap but overall some good money saving tips that you can apply to your everyday life.

{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }

Maly December 13, 2011 at 12:04 am

#33 Switch to a bank that has no fees and pays interest on your checking …

I agree with this one. I used to think my money grows with interest. Truth is, bank fees can eat into your savings.

Not sure though how
#98 Buy a deep freeze can save money.
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Dave G. March 13, 2012 at 9:42 am

I like the homemade themes myself:

Grow your own food, fix things yourself, make homemade gifts for your friends and family. Everything you can do yourself is a way to save money.

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Aaron April 8, 2012 at 10:55 am

Here we go! I was searching some real money saving tips over the internet and I have landed on the correct page. I would like to share my idea too. 🙂
I save money by switching off the engine of my car. It saves me a lot of money. Also, I am taking care of air pollution in this manner.

Thanks mate for sharing such a nice piece of information.
Aaron

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electronic components shop April 19, 2012 at 2:31 pm

Economic slowdown has spread its wings. All of the major economies of the world are under deep economic crisis. The governments and banks are making numerous efforts to revive economies but no one is concerned about the common man. This article has shown some fruitful ways to save money.

I believe that these ideas must be spread and taken into practice as they can improve savings and it can lead to revival of the economy further.

Thanks for such nice post.
Aaron
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Jessica April 29, 2012 at 8:45 pm

“Go on a diet and save money on food” Thats just another reason for me to go on another diet!

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KennyK September 3, 2012 at 1:01 pm

Now that’s a pretty big list of useful tips. I’ve checked for myself to see how many of them apply to me, and where I could improve. I do use some of the tips, but others I don’t and that’s about to change. Simple things really can make the difference. And they won’t hurt at all.

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Lee September 12, 2012 at 1:49 pm

Hi a good way I have been saving electricity therefore saving me money. Is using our thermal cooker you heat your food put it in the flask and it cooks itself without using any power. An absolutely great bit of kit.

Great list thanks lee
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Easton December 3, 2012 at 11:25 pm

You really rock Chris. I never thought of these saving before.
#60. Re-gift items that you can’t use or have duplicates (or return them for store credit)
#79. Visit a dollar store and buy all the greetings cards you’ll need for a year
#82. Buy your holiday decorations the day after the holiday is over (for next year)

Thanks for posting these tips, they really helpful for all who are in to savings.

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Michael December 20, 2012 at 2:23 pm

#10 and # 61 are my 2013 New Year’s Resolutions. Really nice list you have curated Chris. I’m sure many of you readers have found it useful.

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Lee January 16, 2013 at 5:55 am

Hi I have came back to this post a few times over the last few months as a reference and have used it several times for different things just thought I would share that with you.

So for great resource thanks lee
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Dave Madden March 13, 2013 at 10:00 pm

There are a lot of ways on how to save money but there are also things that need to prioritize. Well, I think that your list is very well manage and may be able to help with every instance depending on a certain situation.

I can relate to #84 “Do your research before buying any major item”

Before, I didn’t do that. I bought some items before that I just thought that it’s good in specifications but it’s not when you purchased it. I mean it’s better to make sure that a product is good by researching and reading some reviews. You can save money on that and you may find better products than your first choice.

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Greg Holbert from Online Taxes, Taxes March 27, 2013 at 9:52 am

Hello, Chris!

This 100 biggest ways to save money post is just what people need to trim their budgets!

One thing I would add is to buy more expensive items for your home furnishings. It may seem like a bad way to save money, but if you buy higher quality items such as furniture and decorations, they will last a lot longer and don’t need to be replaced.

Keep up the great blogging!
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marcin April 2, 2013 at 9:33 am

If you have a newer TV you can get rid of TV service altogether and just use the internet as your TV service provider :). Great way to save a bit each month.
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Jimmy Lings April 5, 2013 at 4:48 am

I like your post, because all the above informative points is so useful and so helpful to save money in different ways. I totally agreed with your post.
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Donatus April 13, 2013 at 6:55 am

Will go with Michael, 10 and 61 is surely a good method for this 2013. Learn how to make bread, its not that easy…that means i got the acquire that skill which means extra spending of money.
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Steven April 15, 2013 at 5:39 pm

Add water to everything you can to get the most out of it. Example…shampoos, hair rinse, any liquid food items. Chocolate syrup, Ketchup, Mustard, salad dressings. Dishwashing soaps, hand lotions, suntan lotions and so on. Use every bit of the product in the container by adding water to it. You can always get more out of squeeze bottle and tubes too. Add water to it at the end, shake up and finish off last of what ever was in it.

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Nia April 26, 2013 at 12:31 am

Hi,
Very useful information. Now a days saving money is very important factor and here you gave us such a 100 useful ways. I think everyone must apply above mention ways, so they can save money and can use for another reason or can make Financial Planning.
Once again Thanks a lot for sharing.

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Water Purification April 27, 2013 at 8:10 am

WOW!that really a great information and thanks to you for telling us a many ways to save money.
From this advice anybody save their money and use them at the right place.

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Henlus June 30, 2013 at 10:43 am

What a big list. I’ll like to add this: Don’t be extravagant. I have seen many people spending a lot of money just to feel big. I see that as a big foolishness. I’ll also advice people to buy in bulk whenever they can. And don’t forget to haggle like a woman.

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Chris S July 1, 2013 at 8:13 am

“Haggle like a woman”?! Wow! Sounds a little sexist. Maybe you are just surrounded by good women negotiators.
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Lisa July 12, 2013 at 3:27 am

Hey, your all ideas are really good for saving money. I tried these few ways and they really help me in saving money. From the long time, i was searching for a useful tips for saving money. After visiting your site, I found useful information here. Thanks for sharing such a great information with us.
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BILL July 23, 2013 at 4:20 pm

Your post is a lot of what my parents taught me.Believe me.I learned how to stretch a dollar.I come from a family of 14 kids,and my dad worked at CATERPILLAR,but the whole family learned survival alternatives.
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Donald Quixote August 28, 2013 at 5:26 pm

Geez, what a list, good ideas and I am definitely impressed that you could sit down and list 100 different things to do to save money. I imagine that took some time, so thank you for doing it.

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JohnRainberg October 2, 2013 at 1:00 am

This is so crazy, i never received this kind of unique high-end stuff…Really its very helpful to save our money in different ways, i hope every person should need to know this kind of valuable information especially for business person.

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Donald Quixote from Campus Insurance November 18, 2013 at 12:42 pm

Wow, great list, usually when I’m looking for lists such as these it’s top ten or at most top 20, but great job on getting 100 things together. I was looking through your list and seeing that I do many of these things, but I could definitely implement more of them.

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Deborah April 10, 2014 at 3:14 pm

This is a GREAT article, my Husband and I found out that our house was NOT properly insulated, had some Foam insulation installed in a few walls that were lacking and are saving about 40% per MONTH just because of those changes

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Viona June 27, 2014 at 4:34 am

Hi Chris,
This is my tips for saving money. Before making your next purchase, determine if it is a necessity. If not, there is a strong possibility that you should refrain from purchasing. Unfortunately, there are many who do not understand the value of money and how small indulgences can lead to huge expenses. Although it is good to reward yourself, this should be done in moderation-if saving is your ultimate goal.
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