Looking for creative ways to lower your monthly expenses? This list might give you some inspiration and ideas to try! (Find even more great ideas here!)
If you were forced to lower your monthly expenses with no way to increase your income, what would you give up first? Here’s what many of our readers had to say when we posed the question on Facebook!
50 Ways to Easily Lower Your Monthly Expenses
FOOD to GIVE UP:
Restaurants and fast food! (NOTE: this was the top answer from hundreds of readers!)
Hot lunch (pack lunches from home instead).
Coffee runs (just make it at home).
Starbucks.
Ice Cream.
Meat.
Organic foods. (Or find ways to save on them.)
Brand name foods — store bought is usually just as good.
Grocery splurges & impulse purchases — get more intentional about menu planning.
Grocery shopping (for a week or two by using up things in your pantry and freezer).
Individually packaged items — buy in bulk to save instead.
Individual drinks — canned soda, Gatorade, sparkling waters, lemonade, etc.
Alcohol and soda — at the grocery store and restaurants.
Junk food, desserts, and treats.
Vending machine snacks.
MONTHLY BILLS to ELIMINATE:
Streaming services (try FREE Sling TV instead!) and digital subscriptions (NOTE: this was the next most popular answer!)
Cell phone data usage.
Cell phone company — switch to one with a lower rate.
Gym membership.
Amazon Prime.
Magazine and newspaper subscriptions.
Cable TV or Satellite Dish.
Pet grooming — watch a YouTube video and do it at home.
Manicures & Pedicures — Do it yourself at home.
Delivery fees — only get things with free shipping.
Insurance on household appliances — it’s usually not worth it.
Utilities — intentionally lower your heating bill or call the companies to negotiate a lower rate.
HABITS to CHANGE:
Stop paying full price for anything!
Try shopping for groceries at outside-the-box places.
Stop traveling (at least for a year or so). Or check out these travel savings tips.
Stop buying anything you don’t have room in your budget for (pay cash for everything).
Color your own hair.
Hang clothes on a clothesline to dry instead of using the dryer.
Say no to impulse purchases.
Switch to free/frugal entertainment like going for a walk with friends or having people over instead of going out.
Stop online browsing that turns into shopping or impulse buys.
Turn thermostat down/up and unplug devices when not in use.
Hunt, fish, and grow a garden.
Utilize free cycle sites for clothes and toys.
Walk or ride your bike instead of driving everywhere.
Give up some of the kids’ extracurricular activities and sports.
Conserve gas by running all errands in one day instead of several times a week.
Thrift and shop ahead.
Learn to wait 24 hours before making a purchase.
Scale back on ALL holiday spending (food, entertainment, gifts, clothing, decorations, etc.).
Increase giving to those in worse need to help change your perspective.
Focus more on needs versus wants.
Make a budget and actually stick with it!
Try cheap and free date night ideas.
Recognize items you might not have to buy.
Discover the joy of contentment.
Looking for more ideas? Check out these tips:
55+ Simple Tips to Save Money at Home
35+ Ways to Save Money on Your Energy Bill
What to Do When You’re Tired of Being Frugal
65+ Cheap & Free Date Night Ideas
25 Ways to Save On Pet Costs
35 Things You Don’t Need to Buy
30 Creative Ways to Save on Gas
25+ Cheap Ways to Travel
The 5-Minute Weekly Budget Check-In That Might Change Your Finances
Ask Crystal: How can I budget when I’m so far behind?
Small Leaks, Big Impact: How Tiny Daily Spending Habits Can Quietly Drain (or Transform!) Your Budget
Plus, you can read through the entire list of reader ideas over on our Facebook page!
We’d love to know… what would YOU give up if you absolutely had to lower your monthly expenses?
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