80 Small and Big Ways to Save Money This Year

If one of your goals is to save money this year, then make a few changes here and there to save a little or a lot. Remember the little things do add up! Read this list below on suggestions for saving money and pick a few for 2019.

Additional reporting by Emily Co

01
Bring lunch to work
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Bring lunch to work

02
Take public transportation
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Take public transportation

03
Drop your landline and rely on your cell phone
Unsplash | @paul_

Drop your landline and rely on your cell phone

04
Reassess your savings accounts
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Reassess your savings accounts

05
Make your gifts
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Make your gifts

06
Make your own cleaning products, like detergent and carpet cleaner
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Make your own cleaning products, like detergent and carpet cleaner

08
Be aware of bank fees
Unsplash | @rawpixel

Be aware of bank fees

09
Make a list before grocery shopping
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Make a list before grocery shopping

10
Grocery shop at lower-priced supermarkets like ethnic stores
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Grocery shop at lower-priced supermarkets like ethnic stores

11
Buy generic products
Unsplash | @daiga_ellaby

Buy generic products

12
Don't go to the grocery store when hungry
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Don't go to the grocery store when hungry

13
Entertain indoors
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Entertain indoors

15
Shop your wardrobe
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Shop your wardrobe

16
Wait on purchases before buying them
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Wait on purchases before buying them

17
Get a home energy audit
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Get a home energy audit

18
Seal up air leaks in your home to cut heating and cooling costs
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Seal up air leaks in your home to cut heating and cooling costs

19
Buy generic medicine
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Buy generic medicine

20
Use your health benefits
Unsplash | @rawpixel

Use your health benefits

22
Turn roaming off and rely on WiFi when traveling
Unsplash | @bernardhermant

Turn roaming off and rely on WiFi when traveling

23
Know the right things to buy in bulk
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Know the right things to buy in bulk

24
Reassess your internet and cable provider and see if you can find a cheaper plan
Unsplash | @ johnschno

Reassess your internet and cable provider and see if you can find a cheaper plan

25
Turn off lights that aren't in use
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Turn off lights that aren't in use

26
Unplug electronics when not in use
Unsplash | @veila

Unplug electronics when not in use

27
Use cold water to wash your clothes
Unsplash | @rawpixel

Use cold water to wash your clothes

29
Hand-wash your clothing instead of taking it to the dry cleaner when possible
Unsplash | @andyfitz

Hand-wash your clothing instead of taking it to the dry cleaner when possible

30
Drink tap water instead of bottled water. Consider investing in a filter.
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Drink tap water instead of bottled water. Consider investing in a filter.

31
Cancel cable and watch your favorite shows online
Unsplash | @charlesdeluvio

Cancel cable and watch your favorite shows online

32
Work out outdoors, play sports, or go to a friend's gym instead of paying for a gym membership
Unsplash | @evstyle

Work out outdoors, play sports, or go to a friend's gym instead of paying for a gym membership

33
Shop at the farmers market
Unsplash | @danedeaner

Shop at the farmers market

34
Swap clothes, bags, and accessories with friends
Unsplash | @ohleighann

Swap clothes, bags, and accessories with friends

36
Renegotiate your cell phone plan, find a new carrier, or cancel some features to save money
Unsplash | @williamtm

Renegotiate your cell phone plan, find a new carrier, or cancel some features to save money

37
Use a prepaid phone instead of signing up for a phone plan
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Use a prepaid phone instead of signing up for a phone plan

38
Read books and magazines from the library
Unsplash | @syinq

Read books and magazines from the library

39
Make your own coffee at home
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Make your own coffee at home

40
Return the purchases you need to return
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Return the purchases you need to return

41
Sell your old things
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Sell your old things

43
Automate payments so you won't forget and be charged with late fees
Unsplash | @rawpixel

Automate payments so you won't forget and be charged with late fees

44
Negotiate a lower APR
Unsplash | @rawpixel

Negotiate a lower APR

45
Upcycle your old items instead of throwing them away
Unsplash | @danielcgold

Upcycle your old items instead of throwing them away

46
Always comparison shop
Unsplash | @belart84

Always comparison shop

47
Find a good rewards credit card and use it smartly
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Find a good rewards credit card and use it smartly

48
50
Don't feel obligated to say yes to every invitation (this includes weddings, dinners, events, etc.)
Unsplash | @kchance8

Don't feel obligated to say yes to every invitation (this includes weddings, dinners, events, etc.)

51
Eat right and exercise and get enough sleep, so you won't have to pay with your health
Unsplash | @seikibaku

Eat right and exercise and get enough sleep, so you won't have to pay with your health

52
Pay bills online to save on postage
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Pay bills online to save on postage

53
Stop smoking
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Stop smoking

54
Stop drinking soda
Unsplash | @ohleighann

Stop drinking soda

55
Compare gas prices to find the most affordable gas with sites like GasBuddy.com
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Compare gas prices to find the most affordable gas with sites like GasBuddy.com

57
Keep plastic takeout containers for future use
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Keep plastic takeout containers for future use

58
Wash dishes in a full dishwasher
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Wash dishes in a full dishwasher

59
Avoid out-of-network ATMs
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Avoid out-of-network ATMs

60
Keep track of your money with a spreadsheet or Mint.com
Unsplash | @kmuza

Keep track of your money with a spreadsheet or Mint.com

61
Plan out your meals for the week
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Plan out your meals for the week

62
Refill printer ink instead of buying new cartridges
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Refill printer ink instead of buying new cartridges

64
Keep your receipt or take a picture of it in case you want to return an item
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Keep your receipt or take a picture of it in case you want to return an item

65
Vacation closer to home
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Vacation closer to home

66
Don't check in your luggage
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Don't check in your luggage

67
Check out Airbnb instead of hotels
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Check out Airbnb instead of hotels

68
Travel during an off-peak season or time
Unsplash | @vorosbenisop

Travel during an off-peak season or time

69
Travel to an underrated place instead of famous tourist spots
Unsplash | @ploywanasiri

Travel to an underrated place instead of famous tourist spots

71
Find a place with lower rent or get roommates
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Find a place with lower rent or get roommates

72
Join loyalty programs
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Join loyalty programs

73
Wait for daily deals for services you like, such as dental cleaning or a massage
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Wait for daily deals for services you like, such as dental cleaning or a massage

74
Feed your pet the right foods and keep it in shape to reduce vet bills
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Feed your pet the right foods and keep it in shape to reduce vet bills

75
Work toward getting a better credit score so you'll be quoted cheaper rates
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Work toward getting a better credit score so you'll be quoted cheaper rates

76
Review your receipts to make sure you're not being charged for odd items
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Review your receipts to make sure you're not being charged for odd items

78
Always try to wait for a sale before buying something
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Always try to wait for a sale before buying something

79
Don't use your credit card overseas unless it doesn't have foreign transaction fees
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Don't use your credit card overseas unless it doesn't have foreign transaction fees

80
Rent movies instead of going to the theater
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Rent movies instead of going to the theater