Inflation has recently hit a 40-year high, and we’re all feeling the effects. What once was a simple trip to the grocery store can now leave a huge dent in our wallets, and the current gas prices are deterring many of us from taking those late summer road trips. So whether you have a stable income or you’re currently living paycheck to paycheck, we could all use some tips that can help us stretch our money.
To help you pandas get the most out of your dollars, pounds, euros, renminbi, etc., we’ve gone through the Financial Independence subreddit’s Frugal Friday threads to round up some of the smartest and most practical money-saving tips we can all start implementing. Be sure to upvote the recommendations you find most helpful, and then let us know in the comments what your personal favorite tips and tricks are for saving money. Then, if you’re interested in gaining even more personal finance knowledge, you can check out another Bored Panda piece featuring tips that will get you the most bang for your buck right here.Read More: Clever People Are Sharing Their Life Hacks To Living More Frugally, Here Are 30 Of The Best Ones
#1
I cut waaaay back on unnecessary shopping. I never liked going to malls or shops but do like looking at “stuff” online while I listen to podcasts. But instead of buying anything, I save the links into a dedicated bookmark folder. By the next time I look at them, they are either gone or I’m no longer interested. Very few (if any) pass the time test.
Image credits: skate216
#2
I never buy the latest model phone or computer. This year’s $1,000 phone? It will be $300 in three years and I’ll buy it then, new. It will still be a huge improvement on whatever I’m replacing so it will make me happy. Staying three years behind the bleeding of tech is a great way to save money.
Image credits: [deleted]
#3
I called my internet provider to tell them I was thinking of switching unless they could give me a better rate. They just gave me 35% off per month. Not a huge amount, but it’s nice to trim the budget a little.
Image credits: DoctorFI_ER
#4
Before I buy anything brand-new, I shop for it used–but in perfect condition–at not more than 10%-30% of the brand new price. Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist, resale shops. Same stuff, but at 70-90% discount. You would not believe how often you can find exactly what you want. People sell every kind of stuff.
Image credits: Umble-Varrior
#5
I got an extra trash can and put it outside, so when it rains, I collect that natural water. In my area, it doesn’t rain much. I then use this water as irrigation for my backyard. Saves on the water bill a little bit.
Image credits: royhenderson771
#6
I haven’t ordered take out in 2.25 years.
Image credits: Plain_Chacalaca
#7
My local produce market often sells discounted bags of fruits and veggies that are past their prime. Last week I got a huge bag of bananas for $3. I mooshed up the squishiest ones and put them in freezer bags to use in banana bread, and the rest I sliced up and froze for use in smoothies. This particular market runs Fri-Sun, so if I go on Sunday afternoon I can usually get some great deals, as long as I’m willing to do a little work chopping and freezing afterwards.
Image credits: PizzaFi
#8
This really depends on your area…but here, people live in small spaces and often get rid of stuff for cheap or free. Just taking a walk, sometimes you can find really good stuff, in great condition. You leave something you don’t need anymore on the sidewalk, and it disappears to someone else’s home in 30min. I grew up in this city, and almost our entire apartment was furnished in found items or neighbor discards.
Today we got suuuper lucky; my husband was out on an errand and noticed a neighbor was getting rid of a fridge! We were actively shopping for a new one, since our current fridge is breaking. This found fridge is $1000 new, got it for free and got to know a neighbor a little better. A daily walk is good for your body, mind, AND wallet
Image credits: bahala_na-
#9
I make home made meals and only eat when i’m hungry and I don’t over eat to help cut cost. I also thrift shop when it comes to clothes also walk in town to my local grocery instead of using gas. I stay busy with work/hobby so I don’t get bored and then get into the mood of spending.
Image credits: MetalMamiii
#10
I’m not a huge music person. I like it, but I don’t listen every day, and my interest comes and goes. I listen to more podcasts these days.
That said, I’ve found that I can unsubscribe from Spotify Premium when I get “bored” of music and within a few months I’ll get an offer to rejoin on a 3 months for the price of one offer. Happens routinely now.
Image credits: paintballer2112
#11
I make my own chicken stock. Buy Costco rotisserie chicken and save the bones. Add veggie scraps saved up in freezer and herbs from my garden. Instant pot for 2 hours and BAM. My secret weapon for making everything super tasty. So much better than store bought chicken stock and powders. Also zero waste.
Image credits: megaspicyfire
#12
Eat less to stretch the dollar. Make your own food if you can. Fast foods are ridiculously pricey lately.
Image credits: donquizo
#13
My girlfriend has a favorite restaurant but notoriously wouldn’t be able to eat her whole meal. Now, whenever we go, we share the meal and get an appetizer. This has trickled into whenever we are eating out, we typically split the meal.
Image credits: EliteYager
#14
I make my own soap and hand wash. It’s quite therapeutic, fun, saves me money and reduces plastic waste.
Image credits: shekbekle
#15
I’m big on yard sales and thrifting and flipping the things I already have and using that money specifically to buy clothes and shoes. I hunt for high quality gently used brands priced for a steal and I only seek things I actually am in need of. For my birthday next month I have a big bag of clothes and purses and things and plan to turn it all into my favorite thrift store for in store credit and use that for a shopping spree in the store as a gift to myself! Other than that I do the little things like making my coffee at home, we buy creamers we love so the coffee is delish. My biggest problems are eating out but I’m getting better at meal planning for the week and cooking even though I HATE cooking!
Image credits: alexitam14
#16
A month ago I spent $800 on home-gym equipment. Now I have enough to do almost all the main movements I would do in a commercial gym, just steps away, in my basement. It’s a huge time saver and most of the stuff I got will last indefinitely.
Image credits: finallyransub17
#17
I’ve been taking doordash trips in the direction i’m heading for longer drives to get my wife’s fancy sour dough bread & composting. Now I can write off my mileage and I can usually make enough to pay for the bread & entire trip. BOOM.
Image credits: Edmeyers01
#18
We have several cats, and we make their food. Cheaper than buying the expensive cans, and gives them better nutrition, so less visits to the vet
Image credits: Picard-Out
#19
I (25F) initially lived with my sister, whose also in her mid 20s. Our youngest sibling asked to move in with us to go to attend the university nearby (15 min away). Instead of getting a 3 bedroom apartment, we kept the 2 bedroom apartment and used a room divider to turn the living room into a 3rd bedroom.
Image credits: le1236
#20
Hungryroot referral program is $50. They have great snacks and decent organic meat.
Image credits: Tiedup_tight