How to Save Your Money: 115+ Clever Ways To Make It Grow

Do you know how to save your money? It’s not hard if you know what to do!

When I was younger, I didn’t understand the importance of saving money. All the talk about investments, savings, deductibles, or interest seemed like old people’s topics.

I wanted to have fun and live for the moment!

That is until I married an accountant. Boy, was I in for a big shock! But after a while, I learned his tricks.

And I became a believer.

I realized that some of the things we did really weren’t that bad after all. In fact, it became a game to see how much I could ratchet down the price of something.

Here are 115+ clever ways to save your money each month and make it grow. I have listed ways for you to save your money in multiple categories for easy reference.

You will be shocked at how you can multiply your money if you plan ahead and do a few things on your own.

How to Save Your Money on Food

Check out these clever ways to save money on a tight budget. These tips really aren’t that painful if you are willing to make a few tweaks here and there.

1. Stop buying coffee/drinks when you go to work in the morning. Make it at home.
2. Stick to your grocery list when buying groceries.
3. Don’t go to the grocery store when you are hungry or stressed.
4. Eat up what you already have in the fridge, freezer, and pantry before you go spend more.
5. Shop at the least expensive grocery store around you. Avoid specialty food stores.
6. Buy as many foods offered around the exterior of the store. The interior isles tend to carry processed foods that are empty calories.
7. Use apps that have rebates, coupons, rewards, or cut paper coupons.
8. Plan your meals for the week using the grocery flyer.
9. Avoid fast food eating. (It’s also healthier.)
10. Buy generic when possible.
11. Take your lunch to work.
12. Don’t order anything but water to drink when you go out to eat.
13. Eat out once a week and use coupons.
14. Plan your date night with a budget in mind. Have a  picnic, go to the dollar movie, or walk around a pretty area. Talk!
15. Make food gifts instead of buying gifts.

Get your FREE CONFLICT RESOLUTION PDF to help you navigate those difficult money conversations!

How to Save Your Money on Clothes

This is how to save your money on clothes, shoes, and accessories. These tips can help you to save thousands of dollars over the years.

1. Shop at thrift stores like Goodwill or Salvation Army for clothes and toys. (Find thrift shops near wealthy areas as they are the recipients of their cast-offs.)
2. Shop at discount stores such as Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Ross, Kohls, etc.
3. Buy and sell at resale shops.
4. Garage sale for kids’ toys and clothes.
5. Swap clothes and toys with friends and family.
6. Pass clothes, shoes, toys, and room decor down to younger kids instead of buying all new things for each child.
7. Repair items instead of buying new ones.
8. Check out Macy’s. They have great coupons, sales, and rewards.

RELATED: Making Money As a Stay-at-Home Mom: 8 Easy Ways To Earn Cash

How to Save Your Money on Banking

Saving money is an important skill that can provide financial security and help you achieve your goals. Here are some banking tips to help you save money effectively.

1. Don’t use ATMs or check cashing places that charge a fee.
2. Use banks that don’t charge a banking fee or require a minimum balance in the account. Change banks if they do.
3. Start a savings account. Auto-draft a set amount every month. Take it out first thing.
4. Cut up your credit cards if you can’t pay them off every month.
5. Get a credit card that earns something like frequent flyer miles, cashback, free things,  hotel stays, etc.
6. Look for hidden fees with any bank or money management services

How to Save Your Money on Services

If you are willing to learn how to do some things yourself, you can save big money. Treat yourself to a service instead of making it the normal way you do things.

1. Trade labor instead of cash for services.
2. Swap babysitting with neighbors or create a babysitting club.
3. Need extra help? Hire a mama’s helper that is around 10yrs-12yrs old or so.
4. Cancel memberships and subscriptions you don’t use. Shop around for the best value on the ones you do keep.
5. Pay your child or a neighborhood kid to mow your lawn or do yard work if you don’t have time to do it.
6. Clean your own home. (Do a little bit every day.)
7. Learn to cut your kids or spouse’s hair.
8. Get at least 3 bids when you are outsourcing a job.

How to Save Your Money in the Home

Check out these great ways on how to save your money at home. These tips will help you keep the extra cash so you can do something fun with it!

1. Set heat and air to the highest and lowest you can comfortably live with.
2. Use fans instead of the AC.
3. Fix up old furniture with new paint.
4. Check out DIY videos on YouTube for small repairs.
5. Buy appliances that are a bit damaged (dent or ding) and ask for a big discount.
6. Paint your house or rooms instead of using a painter.
7. Fix up your house instead of buying it new or remodeled.
8. Take care of your own lawn, landscaping, and pool.
9. Use For Sale By Owner, Craigslist, Nextdoor App, or Facebook when selling your house.
10. Once a year, shop around for the best electricity rate, insurance rates on your cars, and your house. Many times you can negotiate your bills.
11. Review entertainment/internet/ phone costs. Cut cable/satellite and stream one or two services. Shop for internet and phone deals.
12. Cut the landline and use cell phones only.
13. Buy a used cell phone outright instead of purchasing a new phone that comes with a payment plan from the cell phone company.
14. Shop at Homegoods, Ross, TJ Maxx, etc. for home decor.

RELATED: 15 Biblical Keys To a Successful Marriage That Are Powerful

 Purchase your ebook or paperback on Amazon or at your favorite digital store. 

How to Save Your Money on Travel

Here are some realistic ways to save money and still have a good time on your vacation.

1. Travel off-season when kids are little. Disney is cheaper for sure.
2. Use a discount site when booking hotels, cars, and even cruises.
3. Airbnb is great for getting a bigger space for about the same price as a hotel. Get a kitchen to save on food.
4. Ask the hotel or homeowner for a discount on your stay. Use their rewards program.
5. Don’t go into debt to go on vacation.
6. Instead of traveling, do a staycation. Find stuff to do around your area.
7. Trade homes for a week with another person in a desired location.
8. Ask for an upgrade. Many places will do whatever they can to make you happy if something went wrong.

How to Save Your Money on Cars

Here are some realistic ways to save money on your car. These tips will help you squeeze out a few extra dollars that can be used for something else.

1. Buy fuel-efficient cars.
2. Buy the least expensive gas that your car will take.
3. Wash your own car, change your oil, and do any other maintenance on your own.
4. Go down to one car, Uber, use mass transit, or find a carpool.
5. Map out your errands and only drive when you can do them together.
6. Use a gas app to show the best places to fill up.

How to Save Your Money on Pets

If you are looking to save money on pets, here are a few easy tips to get you started.

1. Groom your own pets.
2. Use pet mobile services for vaccines instead of a brick-and-mortar vet. (Many large cities have mobile vets.)
3. Buy flea and heartworm meds online. It’s much cheaper.

RELATED: 17 Ways to Save Money on Pet Expenses

How to Save Your Money Each Month on Health*

If you are wondering how you can save $1000 fast, this is how to do it. Medical expenses will eat you alive if you are not proactive. Check out these clever ways to save money and enjoy good health at the same time.

1. Practice good health habits to avoid excessive doctor trips. (Exercise and eat healthy.)
2. Buy contacts online instead of through the eye doctor.
3. Use the nurse at the CVS Minute Clinic instead of going to the doctor for minor issues.
4. Get immunizations or shots at Sam’s Wholesale, CVS Minute Clinic, or another walk-in clinic outside the doctor’s office.
5. Use a health sharing plan instead of a traditional health care plan. You will save THOUSANDS.
6. Order your prescriptions through a Canadian pharmacy.
7. Have day surgery in a surgery center outside the hospital, if an option.
8. Do your own research on health issues. I no longer have Crohn’s disease after following the SCD diet.
9. Stop smoking.
10. Cut down or stop drinking.

*check with your doctor before you do any of these health suggestions

How to Save Your Money on Sports/Band

These tips will keep you from spending a fortune on your kids’ activities. You can still have fun but do it wisely.

1. Be very careful about the amount of money you spend on club sports. It will suck you dry with little return.
2. Buy used workout equipment and create a home gym.
3. Private lessons are expensive. Pay or barter with a friend who has knowledge of a sport or musical instrument.
4. Buy used sports equipment for your kids. Buy online or go to a resale sports shop. Upgrade only if they stick with the sport for a long time. Use it as a reward.
5. Sell unused sports equipment at a resale shop or online.
6. Buy a used musical instrument. Use Amazon, Next Door App, Craigslist, etc. Upgrade if your child plays it for more than a year or two.

RELATED: How to Create a Family Schedule and Keep Your Sanity

How to Save Your Money on Beauty Products

1. Use grocery store products instead of department store products when at all possible.
2. Buy bar soap instead of a body wash.
3. Buy large bottles of shampoo and conditioner instead of the smaller ones.
4. Ask your hairstylist if she can buy hair products, a curling iron, or a hairdryer for you cheaper.
5. Color or do root touch-ups at home.
6. Do your own manicure/pedicure.
7. Make your own body scrubs.

RELATED: 7 Best Morning Habits For Busy Moms Who Need to Get Organized

Buying Habits Guide

Here are some simple buying habits to remember when purchasing something. These tips will keep you from making some big mistakes.

1. Check FB, Neighborhood App, and Craigslist for free, or used items.
2. Trade out books, toys, and clothes with family and/or friends
3. Wait for sales when buying big items. Price compare.
4. Return things you should not have bought, if still returnable.
5. Put your money in an envelope. When it is gone, there is no more.
6. Save receipts so you can return things that break or have poor quality.
7. Record your spending so you know where your money is going. Make adjustments.
8. Choose the top 3 stores you love and get on their email list. Use every reward, coupon offer, sale, and promotion available.
9. Don’t buy anything that is going to draw interest on your credit card. It will multiply the cost of your product exponentially.
10. Avoid impulse buying. Wait 30 days before you make a big purchase. (This is what is called the “30-day rule.”)
11. It is better to buy quality over cheap if you plan on keeping the item for a long time.
12. Pray for favor when buying. Ask God to provide what you need.

Pin it for later!

How to Save a Ton of Money Every Month

1. Stop collecting stuff, and start selling unused things on Craigslist, Amazon, Facebook, Neighborhood App., or garage sale.
2. Donate items you can’t sell. Itemize each item for a tax deduction.
3. Get rid of any storage units you have. Sell or donate the stuff. If you aren’t using it now, you probably won’t later.
4. Change your mindset. Learn contentment and live below your means.
5. Practice delayed gratification. Don’t buy it if you don’t have the money.
6. Tithe 10%. off the gross. You will be surprised at how God multiplies your money when you give generously.
7. Run the numbers before your spouse works outside the home. Many jobs don’t pay enough for daycare, meals out, sickness, wardrobe, car costs, etc.
8. Pay down debt!
9. Never use a delivery service. Go get it yourself.
10. Don’t dip into your savings account unless there is a huge emergency.
11. Make a budget you and your spouse can live by. Stick to it.
12. Don’t ignore small savings. It adds up!

Remember, saving money is a gradual process. Start small and gradually increase your savings as your financial situation improves. It’s about building good habits that will serve you well in the long run.

Did you learn how to save your money? What do you do? Comment below. 

Got Family Problems? There is Help and Hope!

Are you experiencing family problems or have a family estrangement? Do you feel shame, anger, or rejection? Check out my book Estranged: Finding Hope When Your Family Falls Apart on Amazon or at your favorite digital store. 

This book not only talks about my seven-year estrangement (and reconciliation) from my Christian family but also gives solid tips to help you with your family problems. Break free from your pain. Allow God to heal you no matter what has happened in your family of origin. There is hope when your family falls apart.

Creating Family Memories Book

Get Creating Family Memories. This book will help you manage your family in a way that allows more time to be intentional with your kids.  It includes a schedule too. You can get it at your favorite bookstore.

Join the group Christian Family Living on Facebook

Continue the conversation on Facebook and join the group Christian Family Living. This is a place for Christian women to freely talk about parenting, marriage, faith, family, and culture. Being a Christian is hard! Let’s do it together. Most of all, a sense of humor is required. Got memes? Bring it on!

Follow Me on Pinterest!

There are tips on building a Christian home, parenting, marriage, family issues, and faith. Learn how to get back to the things that matter most in your life and the life of your family. It’s time for a revival!