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Cancel forgotten or unwanted subscriptions

Have you ever signed up for a free trial only to be charged with a giant annual charge because you didn’t read the fine print? If you haven’t, you’re more aware than I am because I definitely have done that one too many times. I also have found that I am paying for some silly Apple subscription for an app that I don’t even really use. Make sure you keep your eyes out for those and cancel those if you can.

Split subscriptions with a friend, roommate, or partner in your household

While there may be some rumors around Netflix or Hulu cracking down on password sharing for one account—let’s be honest—some of us are still doing it. However, I don’t think there’s any shame if you can take advantage of sharing or splitting the cost of different subscription services, or even grocery delivery options like Imperfect Foods, because you may be able to save a few dollars!

Make saving your money automatic

Most of us are buying things with one tap of a card these days, which can make spending feel especially mindless. Saving should be the same way, shouldn’t it? There are a couple of ways to automate your savings. Consider using a money-saving app, such as Acorns or Digit, that rounds up your purchases to the nearest dollar and puts those extra cents right into your savings account. While tucking those pennies and nickels away may not feel like much, you’ll open that account a few months later and be shocked that there’s an extra $50 or $100 that can be the foundation of your next big savings goal. 

Another way to automate your money-saving is to set up an automatic transfer from your checking to savings every month. Some people think that saving money has to happen in big chunks, but consider automating a $10 or $20 transfer at the beginning of each month. That way, you don’t even have to think about it and it will continue to build over time.

Automate your monthly payments

In the same way that you can automate your savings in simple ways, automating your monthly payments can be a low-effort way to save money because it can help you avoid late fees. You may not think much about those fees, but after a little while, they can add up, and setting up payments so you don’t have to think twice about it can help you keep that $50 dollar fee right where it belongs.

Consider replacing going out to a restaurant dinner or brunch with friends with a potluck or picnic

The best part about eating with a group of people is just that—the people. While there is something exciting and luxurious about going out to eat and trying the newest spot in town, consider replacing one of those visits with a group meal where everyone brings something to eat! A potluck brunch honestly sounds like the Sunday mid-morning of my dreams and it could be fun to try out for you, too!

Ask yourself: Do you really need to walk down the $1 aisle at Target?

I know, it’s right there and it’s the first thing you see and there are so many cute things to choose from. But even when you tell yourself that “It’s just a dollar!” those are dollars that add up over time. This isn’t to say that you can’t treat yourself. I am a proud member of the “fun drink to keep myself emotionally stable” club and I know that half of the things that I end up getting from the Target dollar aisle are things I’ll be donating in a year’s time. Want to avoid this altogether? Get the Target app and pick “Drive-Up” so you don’t even go inside the store to be tempted. If you don’t find yourself going to Target, choosing the pick-up option at whatever store you frequent can be a great way to avoid that impulse spending.

Switch from buying to renting the small things

This is one of my favorite ways to save money because it also helps me really consider my spending habits. I’m a person who loves shopping for clothing. I also emotionally spend. One of the best things I’ve been able to do is try a renting service like Nuuly, where you can rent clothes and send them back without buying them.

Nuuly is $88/month, but if you find yourself shopping online a lot for different clothing items, this may be a good first step in curbing that spending habit. It can also be a cool way to figure out what your personal style is because you can try things out before you buy them so you don’t end up having a huge return pile that you’ll never actually get to. 

Another great place to switch is by renting books! Supporting your local library is an amazing way to get the books you want to read, plus there are even places online where you can rent audiobooks (such as Scribd or Libby).

Speaking of libraries: check out what other things your local library offers. Some locations may have passes to museums (some call them “culture passes”), sewing machines to rent so you don’t have to buy one, state park passes, or free/cheaper printing to help you save on those expenses.

Try to negotiate your monthly bills

Phone bills, medical bills, student loans… the banes of our existence. However, there is a possibility that you could be one phone call away from a lower rate. Some bills are easier to negotiate down than others, but it’s always worth a try. When you do call to attempt to get your bill lowered, always be kind, know that not every customer service representative may have the power to lower your bill, and go in with a clear understanding of what you’re willing to accept.

While this may take a little bit more effort, it can be worth it. Some extra steps to take are to research competitors, review your data to see if there are places you can cut, and gather your account records to show that you’ve been a loyal customer.

Define clear savings goals

At the end of the day, saving is extremely personal and is more accessible to some than others. However, being able to define what your short- and long-term financial goals are will make taking these small, lower-effort steps feel more grounded. When you have a goal, you’ll be able to remind yourself of what you’re doing all of these things for and, you will feel motivated to stick to them when you really, really want to go waltzing down that $1 Target aisle for a little treat.