Spending Money? Stop Now, Learn How

There are many reasons why people try to stop spending money. It could be that you are saving up for a vacation or a house repair. Maybe you are adding to your savings cushion so that you can start your own business someday. Or, maybe you want to reduce your spending so that you can pay off debt.

Whatever the reason, it can be frustrating when it seems like there is no other possible way to cut spending. Today I’m sharing 20 easy ways you can stop spending money.

Spending Money

Practical Money Tips and Tactics

Some of these ideas are tactics I practice myself, others are tactics I have used when trying to cut the budget in order to meet a goal or aspiration, as mentioned above. These ideas will help you think outside the box and find ways to spend less and save more.

While I do not believe money can truly “buy happiness” I do believe that if money can ease burdens and generally make life easier. This ease could be hiring a housekeeper so you no longer have to spend time cleaning your own home, or it could mean being able to shop for clothing or groceries without ever looking at the prices of the items.

In my wildest dreams I hire a personal chef and a personal trainer! One of the reasons I am passionate about living frugally and saving money is because I like to dream big and thin that maybe someday I will have that personal chef. There are also reasons to be financially healthy that are not related to personal gain.

Related blog posts:
• How to Sell on Poshmark Step by Step Guide
• Garage Sale Hacks to Make the Most Money
• Best Shopping Apps to Save Money
• Ways to Save Money Starting Today

Reasons to Reduce How Much Money You Use

When money is abundant it’s easier to give to others and bless them with money. Resting on strong financial footing also allows peace of mind when it comes to retirement planning, end of life care and leaving a financial legacy.

When it comes to spending money and saving for the future, I also believe small actions can yield big results. A common example that many use is buying freshly-brewed coffee at a coffee shop.

If you spend $4 per day on coffee and were to give up the habit you could save $28 per week, $121 per month or $1,460 per year! Because I believe in that example I have included a coffee tip in this post.

Now let’s look at all 20 ways to stop sending now…

Tips to Stop

1) Write a Budget: If you aren’t already living on a budget, now is the time. The budget doesn’t need to be complicated. Look at your pay stubs to determine your average monthly income. Then look at past expenses to estimate how much money you should allot for groceries, rent or mortgage, utilities and more. Over time you can track your expenses and tweak the budget.

• Be sure to include annual spending such as for Christmas gifts.

2) Have a No Spend Month: One of my favorite ways to save money quickly is to have a no spend month. Yes, you will still need to pay your bills and put food on the table. However, during a no spend month you won’t purchase any non-essential items such as new clothing or household items. This is a good one to try during the New Year!

• Try a no spend challenge for one month, or maybe two!

3) Plant a Garden: Not only does gardening allow you to spend time outdoors, stay active and foster a new hobby – when you plan a garden you have the potential to save money on your produce bill by instead growing your own fruits and vegetables. In addition to planting vegetables, don’t forget to plant herbs, too.

• I start my garden each year by making these easy and cheap milk jug greenhouses.

4) Order Meat Online: There are several meal distribution companies today that will deliver meat directly to your house. This can save you both time and money with avoiding trips to the grocery store. It also can help your family eat healthier which saves money long term with reduced chances of medical bills for preventable ailments.

Butcher Box Specials

• There is always a special for new ButcherBox customers. When you sign up for Butcher Box they offer a year’s supply of chicken nuggets, bacon or another item. The items vary but this is a great deal if you are interested in trying meat delivery from ButcherBox for the first time!

5) Begin Using Coupons: Shopping with coupons in hand is another great way to reduce spending money. Couponing doesn’t need to be overly complicated when you first start out. Just pay attention to the coupons you receive in the newspaper and clip coupons for any items you purchase.

• I wrote a post about my couponing experience, if you want to learn more.

6) Shop Secondhand for Clothing: Instead of paying full price for clothing at a department store, shop secondhand for gently used items. I have even found items that are brand new with tags. Clothes Mentor is one of my favorite stores for secondhand clothing shopping. It can be hard to know how to stop spending money on clothes, as you always need clothing, but this is one way to reduce spending.

Free $10 Clothes Mentor Coupon

• Sign up for the Clothes Mentor email list today and receive a coupon for $10 off your first purchase! This coupon valid for new customers only.

7) Negotiate Utility Suppliers: Instead of paying full price for whatever utility supplier your gas or electric company works with – you can negotiate your supplier and pay less for utilities. The utility supplier is the company offering natural gas or electricity and their rates are negotiable.

• Learn more about this by reading my negotiating utilities suppliers post.

8) Skip the Groomer: When we first got our rescue dog Lulu I took it upon myself to learn how to groom her. Where I live a basic dog grooming session costs at least $40. I purchased this pair of Wahl clippers, along with a slicker brush, small comb, shampoo and conditioner. The initial investment was small and over time I saved a lot of money by grooming my own dog. In between baths, pet wipes can help keep your pup clean.

9) Save Cans and Bottles: Some states will allow you to turn in bottles and cans and receive cash in return. It’s a way to encourage recycling. If you live in Michigan, the amount of money you can earn back is pretty hefty at 10-cents per container! Some states call this a deposit law. Check to see if your state has one.

10) Make Homemade All Purpose Cleaner: Instead of purchasing all purpose cleaner for your bathrooms and kitchen and other surfaces, try concocting your own as a way to spend less money today. Read my homemade cleaner post for the full recipe I use in my home. Not only does this recipe help me save money but it’s also environmentally-friendly.

11) Start a Garage Sale Pile: One of my favorite ways to make a little money on the side is to have a garage sale in the spring or summer. Winter is a great time to begin decluttering and finding items that can be sold in your garage sale. I like to place the items in boxes in the basement. When it’s time for our sale I already have a pile of good set aside!

• Read my garage sale hacks post to learn how I make the most money at my sale.

12) Sign Up for Ibotta: This is a very popular cash back shopping app. When you use Ibotta the app will offer you a cash back bonus on your purchases from food and household items to even some online purchases. Ibotta has been around for several years so their rebates are pretty robust and a lot of stores are covered. The way Ibotta works is you scan your grocery receipts on the app in exchange for cash back. It only takes a few seconds to scan a receipt!

Earn $10 in Cash on Ibotta

• Earn $10 cash when you join Ibotta and enter invite code EWIYTRP when you sign up! Your $10 will be sent to your account after submitting your first receipt.

13) Pick Your Own Fruit: Plan to visit pick your own fields and farms this year. Last year we picked our own strawberries and apples. Not only was the produce really good, but it was also very affordable. By spending your time picking the fruit and vegetables you save money on handling.

• Learn how much money apple picking can save you!

14) Make Coffee at Home: I know this has been said time and again, but it’s true. If you make coffee at home you can save money. Try avoiding the coffee shop for a just a week, or maybe a month in an effort to save money. You might save a few dollars – or even more! A popular coffee maker to give that coffee shop atmosphere is the Keurig, Nespresso or Breville.

15) Shop Online with Rakuten: Whenever I shop online I use Rakuten to save on every purchase. All you need to do is sign up for an Rakuten account. Then every time you shop online, visit the store via your Rakuten link. A tracking number will be added to your order and Rakuten will give you cash back on your purchase. Read my full Rakuten Review for more information.

Earn $30 in Cash through Rakuten

• For new users, sign up using my link for a free Rakuten account, you will receive a $30 cash bonus from Rakuten. All you have to do is sign up. Then make a purchase of at least $30 over the first 90 days after signing up for your account. This is the current offer may change in the future, so act now!
• After that happens you will be issued your $30 bonus. Read my full Rakuten review here. I like to opt for my cash back in the form of a personal check so I can put the money in savings!

16) Stop Eating Out: This is another tough one, but I encourage you to give it a try for just a week or maybe even a month. If you are used to eating out frequently, such as take out for dinner, or a full sit down meal at a restaurant you can save a lot of money by not doing this for even a short period of time.

17) Lower Your Thermostat: Every degree that you lower your thermostat in the winter can help you save money on utility bills. The same goes for summer. It might not sound like much but a couple degrees of adjustment to your thermostat and comfort level can make a big difference in your pocketbook.

18) Sell Clothing on Poshmark: In addition to gathering household items for a garage sale, look through your closet and identify gently-used or brand new clothing and accessories that can be sold online for cash. Poshmark is an app (and now website) that allows you to quickly and easily list clothing for sale.

Free $10 Poshmark Coupon

• Sign up for Poshmark and earn $10 in credit toward your first purchase when you enter invite code HFHAMMERS.

19) Make Homemade Window Cleaner: Instead of purchasing glass cleaner, gather a few common household ingredients and make your own homemade window cleaner. Not only can you save money by making your own cleaners but they are often a better choice for the environment, too.

• Read my homemade window cleaner recipe for the exact recipe I use.

20) Take Shorter Showers: Shave a few minutes off your shower time as a means to save money on water bills. Each minute you use water will add to your water bill. Start by timing your shower, then drop the shower time by one minute at a time. Make it a fun challenge to stop spending money!

How to Stop Spending Money

In Summary

These are just a few tips you can use to halt spending money and save for the future. You can try some of these tips or all of them. You can also adopt these practices for the short-term or the long-term.

Keep in mind that when making any changes with spending money, it’s paramount to remember that big picture goal. It will help you stay the course and achieve your financial dreams.

What tips do you have to reduce spending?