34 Small Ideas to Save Big Money

Dreaming of DIYing the perfect quiet space in your home? Great! Now comes the big question—how do you pay for it? Everyone has something they’re saving for—even if it’s just to build up their nest egg—but sometimes they don’t know where to start. Mountain America Credit Union to the rescue!

We’ve compiled 34 simple money-saving tips to help you turn small changes into big results. The secret? Consistency. Make these habits part of your routine, and you’ll be surprised how quickly your savings grow—and your goals come within reach.

1. Meal plan—Whether you’re preparing several meals to keep in the fridge, or just making a weekly menu and grocery list, meal planning equals savings.

   Bonus: Save 200-800 calories a day, depending on what you're making, by cooking at home!
   

2. Cut the cable—Streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime and YouTube TV offer your favorite sports, news, movies and TV shows for a fraction of the cost. When making the switch, be sure to keep the number of streamers you're paying for in check—the costs can add up quickly.
   

3. Filter your water—Skip the bottled water and invest in a filtered pitcher and use tap water. It's better for your wallet—and the planet.
   

4. Travel smarter—Sites like Airbnb, Holiday Lettings or VRBO are great for cutting costs. Find places with kitchens to lower meal costs. You can even rent out your own place while you’re traveling to save more.
   

5. Sell what you don't use—Declutter and cash in! Old cell phones, unused gift cards, designer clothes, furniture, recyclables, books and neglected sporting equipment are all worth something to someone. Find the best places to sell them locally or online and deposit the proceeds.
   

6. Plan your meals around weekly grocery store sales—Take meal planning a step further by choosing recipes based on sale items. Yes it takes extra time, but building your menu around what's already discounted can slash your grocery costs by 20% or more.
   

7. Brew at home—Love your daily latte? If you can’t go total cold turkey, try getting them at the coffee shop just twice a week and flexing your barista muscles at home the rest of the time. Your wallet will thank you.
   

8. Institute a 24-hour waiting period—Online shopping can be extremely addicting! Try using a 24-hour policy. Before purchasing items over a certain dollar amount, say $50, wait 24 hours before you click Submit. Having a buffering system in place might be just what you need to reduce impulse buying.
   

9. Become a DIYer—Online tutorials have made learning new skills easier than ever. Find step-by-step guides for everything from homemade beauty treatments to basic home repairs and car maintenance—and potentially save hundreds a year.
   

10. Use your work perks—Check out your company’s employee benefits. You might find discounts on travel, entertainment, gym memberships, and more—not to mention 401(k) matches and other financial perks.
    

11. Make a list (and stick to it)—We all know not to go to the grocery store hungry, right? Well, you also shouldn’t go without a list. Sticking to a plan helps to curb impulse purchases, keeps you on budget and saves time.
    

12. Don’t forget the coupons—Start with your favorite grocery store—sign up for their rewards program and look for coupons on their app. Try other accessible sources like browser extensions and free online coupon websites. If you’re really into couponing, consider joining a coupon co-op where you can trade coupons you don’t use for those you need.
    

13. Go generic—These can be up to 20–40% cheaper than name brand products! Try them out, then make the items your family likes a staple on your grocery list.
    

14. Upgrade your appliances—Although there will be an initial up-front cost, you can save significantly down the road with a quality, energy-saving model.
    

15. Stop keeping up with the Joneses (or the Johnsons, Jensens or Jankowskis)—It’s difficult to achieve your financial goals when you’re constantly focused on comparing yourself with others. Spend on what brings you joy—but make sure it aligns with your priorities, not someone else’s lifestyle.
    

16. Change your plan—Check your cell phone plan often to confirm you are getting the best deal that fits your needs. Loyal to the brand you're using? Ask for a discount—you might be surprised what they’ll offer to keep you as a customer.
    

17. Grow your own food—Keep the space small and manageable, and only plant your favorites. Maybe it’s a salad garden with lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers. Don't have the real estate for a full-fledged garden? Try using containers—several pots of fresh herbs or vegetables are easy to take care of and don't take up much room. Fresh food straight from the garden will inspire you to cook at home more too!
    

18. Jazz up your leftovers—If you don’t typically care for leftovers, treat them as an ingredient instead of a finished dish. Transform your leftover pot roast into amazing carne asada tacos. Or, try putting your extra curry chicken on a pizza with red onions and a yogurt tomato sauce. Delicious and budget-friendly!
    

19. Check your balance before you tap—Use your debit card like cash, not credit—if you wouldn't pull out a $20 bill for that purchase, don't use your card either. Avoiding overdraft fees is an easy way to keep more money in your account.
    

20. Shop for groceries online—If you’re constantly adding impulse items to your cart at the grocery store, shopping online could help keep you focused and on budget.
    

21. Check your tires—Keep your tires inflated to the proper pounds per square inch (PSI). For every two PSI of air pressure below your tires’ recommended level, you lose 1% on your gas mileage. Most people drive on tires that are 5–10 PSI below normal. Consult your car manual for the proper PSI for your car.
    

22. Do a home energy audit—Contact your utility company or visit EnergyStar for tips and recommendations on improving your home’s energy efficiency.
    

23. Weatherproof your home—Check around your windows, doors and electrical outlets, plugging any gaps with caulk, foam or weatherstripping. Don't forget to look where pipes and wires enter the house from outside. Use a thermal leak detector to identify less obvious leaks or, if you want a more thorough assessment, hire a professional to conduct a blower door test.
    

24. Install a programmable thermostat—Set it to adjust the temperature automatically according to your family’s schedule. It’s a simple way to save without thinking about it.
    

25. Build your money skills—Read a book, listen to a podcast, attend a seminar—just pick a topic and learn! Any insight into personal finances will help you design your own strategy to better reach your goals.
    

26. Review your subscriptions—Go through your bank statements to identify every recurring membership fee, from streaming services to gym memberships to app subscriptions. Cancel anything you haven't used in the past six months—you can always resubscribe later if you actually miss it.
    

27. Shed some light on your entertainment—Try catching that movie during matinee hours instead of in the evening or wait until the show hits the streaming platforms. If you’ve been dying to try a new restaurant, check it out for lunch instead of dinner. Same fun, less cost.
    

28. Use your slow cooker or multicooker—Those vegetables slowly wilting in your crisper drawer? They're perfect for these appliances. Not only will you utilize the food you've already spent money on, but you'll also save the money you'd spend on expensive takeout. It's a two-for-one money-saving win!
    

29. Cancel magazine subscriptions—Whether physical or digital, if you aren't taking the time to read them, you're just throwing money away. Keep one or two subscriptions that you love and cancel the rest.
    

30. Shop around for auto and home insurance annually—Just because you signed up with an insurance company doesn't mean you are trapped there forever. Compare auto and home insurance rates annually—you might find better coverage for less. Apply this to other services too, like pest control, streaming, cell phone plans, website hosting or even housecleaning.
    

31. Stop using FOMO/YOLO as an excuse to overspend—While experiencing new things is important, constantly justifying unnecessary purchases because you "might miss out" or "only live once" can quickly drain your bank account and derail your financial goals.
    

32. Share the ride—Research alternative ways to get around. Public transportation and ride sharing will save money and you might even make a new friend or two!
    

33. Track your daily spending—Sometimes just taking the time to write it down (in real life or digitally) creates the awareness you need to cut back on spending. Use our Daily Expense Worksheet to get a clearer picture of your budget. Awareness is powerful.

34. Stay focused—Although these budget adjustments are simple and easy on the surface, maintaining the momentum to keep growing your savings can be tiresome. Remember to check in with your goals often and remind yourself to stay motivated. By the way, you don't have to do it alone—Mountain America Credit Union is committed to helping you improve your finances. All you have to do is ask! A great place to start is our debt consolidation program. We’ll do a review on any loans from another institution and let you know if we can save you money.
    

BOOM! Saving money—done! Now you're ready to start building your dream space.