9 Obvious-But-Overlooked Ways to Save Money 

Do you only find moths in your wallet at the end of each month? While it’s true that societal factors play a role, you do have some control over your budget. Chances are, you can find multiple places to pare. 

When you grow tired of feeling short on cash, give the following nine tips a try. Many of these strategies will save you money and also reduce your carbon footprint. Here’s how to get started!

1. Use Fewer Paper Products

As the Coronavirus rages on, paper products are in short supply. What better time to reduce your carbon footprint by decreasing their use? You’ll wash your hands after you wipe, so cut down on the number of sheets you take off the roll each time. You can also find bidet attachments for your toilet that allow you to rinse, decreasing the need for tissue exponentially. 

Instead of using paper towels to clean your counter-tops, invest in rags. You can even cut up old T-shirts to use as substitutes. Consider using a hankie instead of tissues. After all, you’ll be practicing social distancing and using sanitizer.

2. Reheat Leftovers

When you enjoy a delicious meal, what do you do with the scraps? You can save a small fortune by pretending you’re on the hit Food Network show “Chopped” and reusing your leftovers. You can even reheat foods like ribs by wrapping them in foil and heating them slowly at 250 degrees. 

Get creative with veggies. You can transform leftover crudités into a comforting soup that will warm you on chilly days. Rice or potatoes can form a base for a bowl-style entree — so toss in some corn and leftover fried chicken for a KFC-like experience.

3. Sign Up for Rewards

Does your local grocery store offer rewards? If so, you’re dinging your wallet every time you shop if you don’t sign up for one. 

You can earn digital coupons on the products you purchase the most — without clipping Sunday circulars. Some shops also award points and other free prizes on your birthday or anniversary. 

4. Round Up Your Purchases

Does your bank or credit union enable you to round up your everyday debit card purchases to pad your savings or investments? If not, why not sign up for an Acorns account so that you can invest money painlessly? 

If you spend $1.50 on an order of french fries, the app will automatically round up the extra $.50 and add it to your investment account. This way, you can earn stock through micro-purchases, even if you can’t afford to sell out for shares. 

5. Save Your Change

Your spare change can add up relatively quickly, so if you don’t have a piggy bank, invest in one today. Do you have little ones at home? You can use coin savings banks to teach them valuable money lessons from a young age. 

6. Improve Your Credit Score

If your credit isn’t the best, you could pay thousands of dollars more in loans and credit card fees. You can order a free credit report from all the major bureaus once per year. 

Take advantage of this and review these carefully. Dispute any discrepancies with the bureaus, or consider hiring a credit repair company. 

7. Reduce Your Water Use 

If you shower every day, you can use several gallons of water, particularly if you like to soak for a while. Instead, set an egg timer for no more than five minutes. 

If you do this every time you shower — maybe allowing yourself one luxurious bath per week — you should save money on your utilities. If you don’t have low-flow toilets and faucets, install them when you upgrade. 

8. Change Your Lighting 

Compact fluorescent lighting uses 25% to 80% less electricity than traditional incandescent lighting. If you haven’t swapped out your bulbs yet — maybe because you still have some left from a long-ago Costco run — make an effort to do so. Changing your lights can save you cash. 

Also, consider taking down the heavy blinds and using natural light to illuminate your abode whenever possible. That way, you don’t have to use electricity at all, and you may boost your mood by looking at natural scenes. Window film enables you to see outside while keeping miscreants from peeking in at your china collection.

9. Brew Coffee at Home 

Finally, if you have a long-standing coffee shop habit, now is the ideal time to start brewing your morning joe at home. If you buy 14 cups or more a week, you could save $70 every month by going homemade. 

Plus, you can experiment with adding herbs like cinnamon and turmeric to your beans. These can provide additional health benefits, as well as a burst of flavor. 

Save Money in These Obvious-But-Overlooked Ways 

You don’t have to go hungry at the end of every month. Use these tips to keep a few more bucks in your wallet today!