Have you noticed how expensive everything’s getting? Just a trip to the grocery store can make your wallet a lot lighter. Saving money feels tougher than ever, but don’t worry—I’ve got some practical tips to help you save money fast in 2025!
Dreaming big is great, but setting a massive savings goal like $10,000 by year’s end might set you up for a flop. Why? It’s just like those New Year’s resolutions we forget by February.
How to Set *Realistic* Financial Goals
Instead, break it down: $2,500 every quarter, $833 per month, or even $27.40 per day. Smaller steps make your goal feel more achievable! Bet you can breathe a little better now, eh? 😉
Wondering how to save $27.40 every day? It might sound tricky, but I’ll show you how simple changes can add up.
Money Habits Keeping You Poor
As we ALL know, our food costs are absolutely skyrocketing, with the average American spending over $9,000 a year! ACK!?!?
However, a big reason for that is food waste— yuppers, an astonishing 40% of food gets tossed.
Think about it though, it’s not really that hard to believe. I mean, have you ever bought broccoli thinking “This is going to be the week I start eating healthy!”, then opted for pizza instead? Lol. I can laugh because that’s literally me – at least 2-3x a month!
Even ask my kids! We’re constantly throwing out food. We’ve all been there. But hey, it’s called ‘good intentions’, is it not? I mean, whatever happened to “it’s the thought that counts”? 😉
To avoid this, buy what you really eat……not what you wish you ate!
Meal prepping is a lifesaver, not just for your wallet but for your waistline too!
I used to be the queen of last-minute lunches, always ending up eating out because I didn’t prepare anything in advance. It was a bad habit that cost me more than just money.
So, I made a change. I started packing my lunches the night before. On days when I slipped up, I set a rule: make lunch before my morning shower.
Here’s the clever bit: So, if I didn’t have my lunch already packed in the morning, it meant I had less time for my shower.
Instead of a leisurely 15+ minutes under the water, I’d have to jump in and jump out in 5 minutes flat, whenever I had to squeeze in lunch prep! Let’s just say, this really motivated me to get my lunch packed at night! Haha.
You can use this trick too.
If you’re an early riser, try setting your alarm 15 minutes earlier to make your lunch, or better yet, prepare it the night before and enjoy those extra minutes of sleep.
This simple change not only helped me save a noticeable amount of money, but I also started losing weight.
Trust me, it’s a total win-win situation!
Easy Hack to Reduce Cell Phone Bill by 76%
Take a look at your bank statements. You’ll find you often spend on things that don’t really add value to your life.
Maybe it’s time to cancel those forgotten subscriptions or switch to cheaper alternatives for services like Wi-Fi and phone plans.
I switched to a $20/month phone plan and haven’t noticed a difference—except in my savings!
About 10 to 15 years ago, different phone companies often had varying levels of service and data speeds. But now, with so many companies competing, they’re pretty much the same in what they offer.
This means you can save money by simply choosing the cheapest plan available without losing out on service quality.
I recently discovered a game-changing money saver that I wish I had started using a long time ago—the “bring your own phone” (BYOP) option!
By choosing to bring my own phone instead of getting a new one through my provider, I’m saving about $50 a month just on ONE phone.
On top of that, many phone providers offer an additional $20 discount when you go the BYOP route. So, not only am I avoiding the monthly cost of a new phone, but now I’m also getting a significant reduction on my bill.
Woohoo!!
All I can say is OMG, this simple (but drastic) choice has made a gigantic difference in my monthly budget!
AND if you’re not convinced enough – do this:
When you buy a “new phone” from your phone provider, they often use it as an opportunity to lock you into a new contract. This new contract typically cancels out your old one, which might have had lower rates.
The catch is that phone companies can’t legally change your rates while you’re on an existing contract. However, the moment you upgrade your phone and start a new contract, you’re introduced to their latest (and often higher) prices.
A smart move to avoid this is to buy your phone outright and inform your provider that you already have a phone you’d like to continue using.
This way, you can keep your current plan without being nudged into paying more under a new contract.
This one small but drastic choice I made, for both my son and I, has saved me at least $150/month between the two of us!
What to Cut from Your Budget
Making coffee at home is a great way to save money instead of buying it while you’re out.
However, if you do find yourself buying coffee on the go, make sure to use the coffee shop’s rewards card as most places have their own rewards programs now, which let you earn points for every purchase.
I always use my Starbucks rewards card, and it covers the cost of the extra espresso shot I always get in my coffee, with every single order—that’s literally $1 saved every single time I mask!
These savings really add up over time, and you’d be surprised by how much you can save just by collecting points.
Another great way to rack up savings is by using the express self-checkout! More retailers are going the express checkout route and they want you to use it!
In return, they’re finding creative ways to have you do so. For example, at 7-11, you’ll earn 10 X the points!
This means you get to accumulate rewards much faster, leading to more free stuff down the line. It’s a simple switch that can really maximize the benefits you get from their rewards program.
I’m a big fan of rewards programs, though some are definitely better than others! But the way I see it, if you’re going to buy stuff anyway, you might as well earn rewards while you’re at it.
It doesn’t cost anything extra to participate, so why not take advantage of the perks and benefits you can get just from your regular shopping?
Cutting out daily sodas or snacks can boost both your health and your wallet’s well-being!
Switching to water or making drinks at home is a smart move. An excellent option for this is the SodaStream—it’s a fantastic alternative to buying bottled drinks.
I only wish I had gotten one sooner; it’s been a game-changer!
My Triple Paycheck Hack
If you’re paid every two weeks, there are a couple of months each year where you’ll receive three paychecks instead of the usual two. Instead of spending that extra paycheck, try putting it straight into savings.
Earn More When You Can
At times, simply saving money doesn’t cut it. You might need to consider working extra shifts or starting a side hustle to boost your income.
Small efforts, like driving for Uber or selling items online, can make a significant difference in your financial situation.
Creative Ways to Save Money on a Tight Budget
It’s time now to dive right into an exciting topic: saving money even on a very tight, budget!
When you already have a low income to work with, saving money by cutting down your monthly expenses can be super challenging. But have no fear, Maya is here 😉
Whether your wallet feels full or a little empty, I’ve got 6 creative strategies to help you boost your savings and find joy along the way.
Let’s explore these ways to save money together!
1. A Savings Challenge with a BIG Impact
Don’t underestimate the power of saving small amounts. It could be as little as $2 tucked away at the end of the month.
Though it might seem a little “insignificant”, these small savings can really add up and empower you to take control of your finances once and for all.
This strategy eases financial stress and helps you focus on your own progress rather than comparing yourself to others.
2. Grocery Hack – Fewer Trips, Save Big
Consider how often you find yourself at the grocery store. Many of us shop more out of habit than necessity.
Challenge yourself to extend the time between your grocery runs.
Try making it ten days instead of seven.
You’ll be amazed at how much you save by using what you already have, reducing both waste and unnecessary spending.
3. Easy Side Hustles: Make Money with Minimal Effort
You don’t need to embark on big projects to increase your income. Look for simple, enjoyable ways to earn extra cash.
Participating in taste tests, online surveys, or selling unused items can provide a nice boost to your savings. These small gigs are often fun and can be easily fitted into your schedule.
4. Map Your Money: Craft a Winning Spending Plan
Grab a notebook and start visualizing what you’d like to do with the money you save. This isn’t just a budget—it’s a vision of your future.
Whether it’s a vacation, a new appliance, or home repairs, writing down your goals can significantly motivate you to save and spend wisely.
5. Rediscover the Power of Sharing
One of my best tips is to think of your savings like an important bill. Every month, put away a certain amount of money—no matter how little—as if it were a must-pay expense.
This method helps you steadily grow a savings buffer, getting you ready for both expected and surprise costs.
6. Bill Your Future: Prioritize Savings Like a Monthly Expense
One of my best tips is to think of your savings like an important bill. Every month, put away a certain amount of money—no matter how little—as if it were a must-pay expense.
This method helps you steadily grow a savings buffer, getting you ready for both expected and surprise costs.
Let’s Chat and Share!
I’d love to hear your thoughts on these tips or any other innovative ways you’ve found to save money.
Sharing our experiences can inspire and uplift everyone on their financial journeys. What strategies have worked for you? Drop a comment below and let’s discuss!
With these strategies, you can start to see real progress in your savings, no matter how tight your budget might be.
Let’s turn saving money into a rewarding aspect of our lives! After all, saving money is pretty much like making money—they really go hand in hand.
That’s exactly why, instead of focusing solely on the “how to make money” niche, I chose to explore both saving and making money.
This approach allows us to tackle our financial goals from both ends, maximizing our overall financial health and growth.
