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Now is the best time to start taking control of your money! Learn how to save up money fast.

You stumbled on this post because you want to learn some ways to save money fast. Well, you are in the right place.

Here are 101 ways to save money fast and achieve your savings goal. I hope you will pick up 1 or 2 and apply them in your daily life.

If you want to learn more about saving money, check out these good reads.

101 Ways To Save Money Fast

1. Make a grocery list before shopping.

The first way to save money fast is to make a list before shopping. It will decrease impulse buying because you know exactly what you need.

2. Ditch the soda, drink more water.

When you buy soda, you are not only harming your health but you are also wasting money. You should drink water instead. Learn more about the benefits of water here.

3. Turn off lights when not in use.

Another way to say money fast is to turn off those lights when you are not using them. I know that when you are in a rush you forget to turn the lights off but remembering to turn it off will help your budget

Check out how Department of Energy breaks down electricity use and cost by a bulb.

But if you keep forgetting, you might want to look into investing in a motion sensor light.

4. Use a programmable thermostat.

A programmable thermostat saves you money by reducing your energy use when you least need it, like when you are at work or sleeping.

5. Plan meals around grocery stores’ flyers.

Do not throw away your grocery flyers because they can actually save you money. Take note of what is on sale and plan your meals around it.

6. Buy generic or store brands.

Generic brands are just as good as the expensive brands when it comes to breakfast, lunch items, cleaning supplies, toiletries, etc. Check out this article on products you should buy generic.

7. Carpool when you can.

Of course, this cannot be possible for everyone especially for someone like me who travels for a living. However, if you cannot carpool to work, maybe you can carpool when you go to a party, night out with friends or on a road trip.

8. Pack your lunch.

Another way to save money fast is to prep and pack your lunch. Buying lunch at work can cost $5-10. The same amount, when used for groceries can buy you 2-3 days worth of lunch or even more.

9. Buy staples in bulk.

Buying staple items in bulk tend to be less expensive. On top of that, it also saves you time and reduces waste. Check out these items that you should buy in bulk.

10. Use and stack coupons whenever possible.

If you love saving money then you must love coupons too! I usually use Ibotta for cashback and I stack it with coupons I clipped from newspapers or printed from coupons.com. This allows me to save even more.

Check out how it is possible to do couponing to be debt-free.

11. Insulate your attic.

The Department of Energy explains that adding insulation in your attic can lessen your heating and cooling cost by providing resistance to heat flow.

12. Don’t turn on the heat/air conditioning until you just can’t take it anymore.

In this saving tip, you will have to make a little sacrifice. You will have to trade a little bit of comfort in order to save money. If it is too cold for you, bundle up. If it is too hot, open the windows.

13. Use cups when brushing your teeth to save on water.

When you use your hands to rinse your mouth after as the water runs, you are actually wasting a lot of water. Use a cup instead.

14. Use white curtains/blinds to reflect heat away from your home in the summer.

According to the Department of Energy, about 30% of a home’s heating energy is lost through windows and in cooling seasons, about 76% of sunlight, that falls on standard double-pane windows enters to become heat.

15. Clean out the lint trap in your dryer.

Another way to save money fast is to take a look at your lint trap. Cleaning out the lint will make your dryer work more efficiently. Consequently, saving you money. In addition to that, it will also reduce fire hazard.

16. Install LED lights.

According to the Department of Energy, Residential LEDs use at least 75% less energy, and last 25 times longer, than incandescent lighting. Therefore, consider investing in LED lights like this one.

17. Use cold water when using the washing machine.

Using cold water when washing your clothes can actually be gentler to your clothes and to your pockets as well. GE laid out 6 reasons for cold-water wash and 3 reasons not to.

18. Line dry your clothes.

Line dry your clothes outside especially in the summer to save on energy. Or you can use a foldable drying rack.

19. Unplug appliance that is not in use

Although you turned off the power of your entertainment system and your coffee maker or disconnected your phone from the wall charger, they are still using energy while they are plugged in.

Unplugging devices that are not in use will not only save you money but will also save them from damages that can be caused by power surges. Consider investing in a power strip.

20. Air dry your dishes.

If your dishwasher is equipped with an air-dry option, you can use this. You can also crack the door open a little bit and let it air dry. By doing this, you are reducing your dishwasher’s energy use.

21. Stock up when things go on sale.

Pay attention to the grocery sale cycles to know when to stock up. Most products in the grocery store follow the 6-week sale cycle.

Do not buy only one week’s worth of groceries, instead stock up on the items that are on sale that week.

However, you must make sure these items are the ones you really need, otherwise, you will end up wasting money.

For more tips, check out how to save money on groceries and household items.

22. Cut dryer sheets in half.

You can save money by cutting a dryer sheet into two. Half of a dryer sheet will work as well as a whole.

23. Add water to hand or dish soap to make them last longer.

Liquid soaps are made so concentrated that even a little amount, when mixed with water, will still work. I usually do 1:3 ratio, one part soap, and 3 parts water.

24. Use a water filter instead of buying bottled water.

Most bottled water actually came from filtered tap water. Therefore, you are actually paying for tap when you buy bottled water. use a water filter instead.

You are not only helping save the planet, but you are also protecting yourself from the negative effects of phthalates and BPA. And most importantly, you are saving money.

25. Buy produce in season.

One way to save money fast is to buy produce in season. Produce which are in season are so much cheaper.

Aside from that, you will be pretty sure that the fruits and vegetables you are buying are fresh. I usually plan our weekly meals around produce that is in season.

26. Walk whenever possible.

If your destination is within walking distance, walk it. You will not only save on gas, but you will also get the exercise. Learn more about the benefits of walking.

27. Combine errands.

Our weekends are usually packed with errands that can be done on the weekend. But if I have an errand that can only be done on the weekday, I try to squeeze some other errands in there too.

For example, if I have a doctor’s appointment that day, I will also plan to stop by the grocery store or the library. In this way, it will save me time and gas money.

28. Use Netflix to watch movies.

Watching a movie in the movie theatre will cost you $10-$15. That is already a month’s subscription with Netflix. And you get to watch unlimited movies too.

29. Eat out less. Eat in more.

When we first started budgeting, we realized that we’re actually spending half of our monthly income in restaurants.

Cutting down on eating out tremendously changed our budget. Suddenly there was more money going to debt payment and savings.

30. Shop at thrift stores.

You will be surprised by how many good items you will find at thrift stores. Whenever you need to buy something, check out the thrift store first, you will be able to save more that way.

31. Reuse tissue paper and wrapping paper.

According to Sundale Research, Americans spend more than $7 billion on wrapping paper each year. That is a lot! Next time you get a gift, save the tissue paper, the wrapper and the paper bag.

32. Use rechargeable batteries.

Instead of buying batteries, invest in rechargeable batteries and a battery charger.

33. Never go grocery shopping when you are hungry.

I don’t know about you but whenever my husband and I go grocery shopping before meals, we end up buying more items than we planned to.

34. Quit smoking.

A pack of cigarettes costs more than $10 a pack, not including taxes. It can quickly add up. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 249 billion cigarettes were sold in the United States in 2017.

35. Get rid of cable.

As you may already know, cable is not cheap. Evaluate if you really need cable because there are always cheaper alternatives out there, like Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, etc.

36. Have friends over instead of going out.

Change it up a little bit, instead of going out to eat with friends, invite them over instead. Host a game night and do a potluck. All of you will be saving money as well as having fun.

37. Cancel unused membership.

Go over those paid subscriptions or membership that you have and check if they are still worth having. If not, cancel it and save your membership fees.

38. Call credit card company to negotiate your interest rate.

If you do not ask, you will never know if it is possible or not. Calling the credit card company can give you a chance to save on interests.

39. Bathe your own pet.

When I take my dog, Dustin to the groomer, I always walk out $70 poorer. By grooming him myself, I’m not only saving money but I am also bonding with him.

40. Start a budget.

The only way to save money is to start a budget. When you have a budget, you have an idea of how much money is coming in and going out. Learn how to start a budget with this step by step guide.

41. Do your own manicure and pedicure.

Manicure and pedicure DIY can be hard especially for those who are not used to it. I know because I was having a hard time at first too.

But with practice, I got better. I am able to change nail colors whenever I want too. Here are some tips on DIY manicure and pedicure from BHG.

42. Learn how to sew and repair your own clothes.

Sewing your own clothes will make them last longer. And if you step up your sewing skills, you can even save money from tailoring fees since you can hem your own dresses and pants.

43. Shop at the Dollar Tree Store

One of my favorite ways to save money fast is to shop at the Dollar Tree Store. You will be surprised how much you can actually buy from the Dollar Store for less.

I can buy greeting cards, paper plates, plastic cups, paper bags and poop bags for Dustin for just a dollar.

44. Sell what you no longer use.

My rule of thumb is that if I have not bothered with an item for two years, chances are I am not going to ever use it. I will then list it online or donate it.

45. Go and borrow stuff from the library.

The library is my go-to place for books. But you can also borrow mobile hotspots, power tools, musical instruments, and many more.

46. Work out at the park district instead of a gym.

Park district membership is so much cheaper than that of a gym, and you get almost the same types of equipment. Before we switched to the park district gym, we were paying a monthly fee which is almost the same as our annual fee at the park district.

47. Shop garage sales.

Garage sales are awesome. It’s like that of a thrift store but cheaper and you can even negotiate.

48. Buy a used car.

According to Carfax, data shows that cars can lose more than 10 percent of their value during the first month after you drive off the lot. A used car can get you from point A to point B, without the high sticker price.

49. Automate your savings.

Automating your savings will save you from the temptation of spending them. It will be directly deducted from your paycheck so you would not even feel it was there in the first place.

50. Save your coins.

Pennies and dimes will add up and you can trade them into bills. Have a jar where you can keep all those loose changes that can accumulate in your purses and pockets.

51. Automate your bills.

We are all busy and sometimes some bills will be forgotten. Therefore, automating your bills will avoid those hefty late payment fees.

52. Shop by unit price, not by the total cost.

The total cost can be deceiving at times. So, get the unit price instead. You can do this by dividing the total cost by the number of units in a pack.

53. Refinance your mortgage.

This can be different for every individual. Refinancing can work for some but not for everyone. According to Investopedia, many lenders say 1% savings is enough of an incentive to refinance.

54. Keep your water temperature to 120 degrees.

Lowering your temperature by a tad can save you so much on your energy bill. According to the Department of Energy, for every 10ºF reduction in temperature, you can save from 3%–to 5% on your water heating costs.

55. Use the cashback app when you shop online.

If you are not using a cashback app when shopping, you are missing out on savings. I use Rakuten a lot for my online shopping needs. Check out How I save over $520 with Ebates.

56. Get rid of home telephone

If you have a cellphone, you do not need a home telephone unless you use it for business.

57. Cancel gym membership

You can save money by using the gym at the park district instead.

58. Buy energy-efficient appliance

Energy-efficient appliances can be costly however they will turn out to be cheaper if you consider them for the long term.

According to Energy Star, if you properly recycle your old refrigerator and replace it with a new ENERGY STAR certified refrigerator, you can save more than $270 over the next 5 years.

59. Drink less alcohol.

Or not drink at all. Alcohol is not good for you and it can wreak havoc on your health and in your pocket as well.

60. Use a grocery couponing app.

The same with online shopping, if you are not using any couponing app, you are also missing out on savings. I use Ibotta a lot for my coupons. Check out How I saved over $1K by using Ibotta.

61. Stick with the 24-hour rule.

When you see something, and you badly want to buy it. Don’t buy just yet. Give it 24 hours, then you decide if you still want to buy it. Most of the time, you will not end up buying it because you didn’t really need it.

62. Save ahead for the holidays.

Christmas is a big thing, and it happens to be at the end of the year. Create a Christmas fund early in the year, and you won’t break your budget during Christmas time.

63. Keep tires properly inflated.

Get a better mileage by keeping your tires properly inflated. According to Fuel Economy, under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by about 0.2% for every 1 psi drop in the average pressure of all tires.

64. Try home remedies.

Home remedies are less expensive than the products you buy from the store. They can be even cleaner and more effective.

65. Fix leaky faucets.

A constant dripping from your faucet can add up to liters to gallons of water wasted. Therefore increasing your water bill.

66. Invest in a low-flow toilet

One way of reducing your water consumption is to invest in a low-flow toilet. Low-flow toilets use less water than regular toilet bowls.

67. Install storm windows.

Another way of saving money on your energy bills is to install storm windows.

According to the US Department of Energy, Low-E exterior or interior storm windows can save you 12%–33% on heating and cooling costs, depending on the type of window already installed in the home.

68. Install a low-flow showerhead.

A low flow showerhead can reduce your water consumption as well., thereby saving you money.

69. Address air leaks.

Air leaks are like money flying out of your windows or doors. When you have leaks, your heating or cooling system will work harder to maintain the temperature in your home.

70. Shop around for gas.

Gas prices are not always the same in every gas station. I use the free app GasBuddy to shop around for gas. The app will show me the gas station close to my location that has the lowest price.

Here are more tips on how to save on gas.

71. Get a slow cooker.

A slow cooker can save time, especially when you have a busy schedule. I usually prepare and start cooking in the morning then it will be ready for dinner.

72. Sign up for loyalty cards.

If there are stores that you regularly go to, sign up for their loyalty cards. Most stores have discounts for their loyal customers.

73. Use cashback rewards cards.

There are a lot of credit cards out there that are offering cashback for purchases. Some of the common ones and the ones I use are Chase Freedom and Discover. They have quarterly categories in which you can earn 5% cashback on your purchases.

74. Pay premiums annually instead of monthly if you can.

You will get a discount when you pay annual premiums. I usually set up a sinking for premium so that when the renewal time comes, I can pay the annual amount.

75. Always check receipts for any errors or overcharges.

Cashiers are also humans, so they can commit mistakes. Check your receipts before heading out the door.

76. Pay off credit cards on time and in full.

If you carry and use credit cards, be responsible enough to pay the balance in full every month, otherwise, you are defeating your purpose of saving.

77. Learn to say NO.

Say NO to weekly dining out, cellphone upgrade, cable, etc will save you a lot of money.

78. Use Airbnb when you travel.

Airbnb is a money saver. When I flew my family to Israel, I booked an Airbnb for the very first time. I’m glad I did, I only paid a quarter of what I could have paid booking a hotel.

79. Rent out your unused room.

A spare room can bring in more cash for you. Rent it out or sign up for Airbnb.

80. Empty the trunk of your car.

The lighter your car is, the lesser the effort of the car. Therefore, giving you more gas mileage.

81. Keep your money in a high-yield savings account.

There are a lot of high yield savings out there, but I use CITbank and Barclay. Both offer an APY that is higher than a regular bank.

82. Refinance your student loans.

Refinancing may lower the interest rate so that you may pay off your student loans sooner.

83. Use a travel mug and bring your own coffee.

Bringing your own coffee will easily prevent you from going to Starbucks. Use a well-insulated travel mug to keep your coffee hot.

84. Buy second-hand clothes.

House clothes do not need to be fancy and new. Therefore, you can wear second-hand clothes at home. Save your fancy and new ones for going out.

85. Change air filters.

Changing your air filters regularly will enable your HVAC to work efficiently. According to the US Department of Energy, replacing a dirty, clogged filter with a clean one can lower your air conditioner’s energy consumption by 5% to 15%.

86. Always do full loads of washing.

If you do not have enough laundry this week, wait another week. You will save on water, laundry supplies, and on energy.

87. Dye your hair at home.

Coloring your own hair will save you a lot of money and it is easy to do. All coloring kit comes with simple instructions. If you are looking to save $1000 in a month, check this post.

88. Toss paper towels.

Save money fast by tossing those paper towels. Opt for cloth towels instead. You are not only reducing waste but you are also saving money.

89. Follow your car’s maintenance schedule.

Maintaining your car will make it last longer. You will be able to accumulate enough funds for a new car by the time it gives up on you.

90. Bike to work if you can.

If your workplace is within a reasonable distance, you can save gas by just biking to work instead of driving. You can get your exercise in that way too.

91. Give a homemade gift.

Save money fast by making a homemade gift. A homemade gift is not only less expensive but also more thoughtful.

92. Do a price match when shopping.

Prices are never the same in stores. An item may be on sale in one place, but it’s not in the other place. Price matching is the way to go when trying to get the most out of your buck.

You can use a free mobile app like ShopSavvy to do this. You just scan the barcode of the product and it will show you all the prices from different stores.

If you find a lower price, you can show that to the cashier, and they will match the price.

93. Check out free local events.

Entertain your family with free local events. Subscribe to your town’s newsletter, or you can download a mobile app like Do stuff or Eventbrite.

94. Cut your own hair.

Save money fast by cutting your own hair. If you are not picky that you only maintain a simple haircut, you can learn how to do it. I was able to learn how to trim my own bangs.

95. Switch to a more affordable cellphone plan.

We all tend to be loyal to our providers but nowadays, costs go up and loyalty does not matter anymore to some companies. Shop around, you will be surprised how much cheaper the other plans are.

96. Exercise regularly.

Dedicate a schedule to going to the gym. Go for a walk, Walk your dog daily. Morning yoga. Morning run. Anything that can make you move and get your heart pumping will be good for you in the long run.

97. DIY when you can.

One quick way to save money fast is to DIY. Nowadays, you can pretty much DIY everything, you just have to find the time to do it. Check out http://www.diynetwork.com for some inspiration.

98. Monitor your credit.

One important step when you are trying to get your finances in order is to know your credit score. I use Credit Karma to monitor my credit. They have a free version.

Or, you can also use the credit score report from your credit card account. However, they are not as detailed as that of Credit Sesame.

99. Always find promo codes when online shopping.

Another one of my favorite ways to save money fast is to use promo codes. I shop through Rakuten to get cashback, but I also double-dip by using promo codes available. I have Honey installed on my browser.

Honey searches for promo codes that I can apply during checkout. It makes it easy, I do not have to be searching for promo codes myself.

100. Pay higher deductibles.

We pay so much premium during the year that we always end up not using it. Whether it’s your car insurance or your health insurance, you can save money fast by choosing the higher deductible.

Because you will have a lower premium, you will then save up for the deductible and keep it in a separate account.

101. Have your grocery delivered or picked up.

It will cost more doing this but if you think about how much you can save, it will be worth it. When you have your grocery delivered or picked up, you will most likely stick to your grocery list. On top of that, you will save time and will be able to do other tasks.

Final Thought On Tips To Save Up Money Fast

Spending money can be addicting, and before you know it, all of your money is gone.

These are just small things that you can incorporate into your daily lifestyle that will immensely help you in the end.

Which one of the 101 ways to make money fast is your favorite? Let me know below.

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• 9 Ways To Save $1000 In A Month
• How To Save Money On Your Cell Phone Bill
• Extreme Frugality Tips From Frugal Experts
• Toilet Paper Alternatives
• How To Live Frugally And Simply
• How To Start Living Frugally On One Income

101 Smartest Ways To Save Money Fast