I don't know about you, but I am always looking for ways to save money every month.

There are so many benefits to saving money. Wouldn’t you like to have a bit extra at the end of the month? Or maybe you would like save money each month to put towards a vacation, save for an emergency fund, or pay off debt.

Now, I don’t know about you but I hate paying interest. Paying interest, to me, is like tearing up my hard earned money and throwing it away. I love earning interest on my money. All the money I can save will go in the bank to earn that awesome interest. Now, I didn’t used to try and save money. I literally spent it all…with a tiny bit thrown into a savings account. You too?

With everything that is going on in the world right now saving money each month might be a priority for you. And sometimes it is hard to see where you can save money because you are so close to what you think you need. Saving money on a tight budget is especially important. The last thing you want to happen is to have more bills than money.

So, to help you out, I have compiled a…‘40 Ways to Save Money NOW’ list for you.

These are all things that I have personally used to save money and they sure do work. Was it easy? NO it was not easy! There were some weeks I only had $2 left and couldn't even buy milk for cereal or coffee in the morning. Does that ever happen to you?

My 1st tip is…pay cash for EVERYTHING

Pay cash for everything that is not rent, utilities, monthly bills. etc. And, I mean everything! Figure out how much money you might need for the week and stick to it. This includes spending money on: groceries, gas, eating out, coffee, hair cuts, medical co-pays, pens, paper towels, toilet paper, postage, dog food, cat food, and everything else that I can’t think of right now.

You will be surprised at how hard it is to pull those $20’s out of your wallet. I did this for 3 years! It was an amazing journey. I went from not having enough each week to reducing my weekly cash budget by $100! That’s right – $100 a week less. And, I didn’t use any credit cards either. Bonus!!

If I can save money (the queen of spending) then you can too!

40 Ways to Save Money NOW – I have personally used all of these (and still do for the most part).

1. Plan your meals ahead of time. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Then…..
2. Make a grocery list and STICK TO IT. Don’t buy 1 thing because it looks yummy. And….
3. Never go to the grocery store when you are hungry. You will end up buying all of those snacks you really don’t want.
4. Shop at discount grocery stores. Like Trader Joe’s or Aldi. You aren’t paying for the name brands.
5. Use coupons whenever possible.
6. Pack your lunch or dinner. Pack your snacks. Put them in a lunch box and use Tupperware. You save on bags and save the landfill.
7. Only grocery shop once a week. Use what is in the pantry or freezer.
8. Only buy BOGO’s if you need the item. Not because they are BOGO. If you have a Publix, you only need to buy 1 and then it’s 1/2 off!
9. Don’t buy magazines. Cancel all of your magazine and newspaper subscriptions.
10. Go to the library. I know that might not be cool, but it sure is FREE.
11. Color your own hair. For years I had ‘aubergine (purple)’ hair. That’s what came out of the box.
12. Do your own nails.
13. Don’t buy anything on amazon or in a catalog until you have thought about it for 2 weeks. Chances are you will realize you don’t really need it. Which leads me to #14….
14. Only buy what you absolutely need. Wants are not needs. If your house burned down you need new clothes. New clothes for the season is a want.
15. Purchase snacks in the large bags NOT the ones in the mini bags. Or, make your own snacks. Even better.
16. Don’t go to Starbucks for your coffee or fancy drinks. I drink tea. I carry tea bags with me, ask for hot water, and make my own. No one has ever asked me what I was doing 🙂
17. Don’t eat out. Saves money and is much healthier – check out #18.
18. Cook dinner at home and invite friends. My daughter and her husband have game nights. Their friends look forward to home cooked meals and usually bring the sides and/or dessert.
19. Cancel your cable TV or direct TV. These are not a need but a want. You can then go the library and get a book. See #10.
20. Stop collecting things like dolls, figurines or trains. Sell all of your collections. Your collections aren't worth what you think they are worth. And your family will not want them when you are gone (ask them).
21. Drink water out of the faucet. Quit the soft drinks. Quit the fancy water. Much healthier too.
22. Make your own Kombucha – only 32 cents a bottle. Better than beer.
23. Quit smoking. This is a no brainer on many levels.
24. Turn off your lights to save electricity.
25. Turn your heat down and your AC up.
26. Cancel unused apps and memberships.
27. Christmas/Birthday present shop all year. You can get good deals and it does not hit you all at once.
28. Find free events. Go to the park. Go to the beach. Go to the library. 🙂
29. Don’t go to the mall. Retail shopping as therapy is not a very good idea.
30. Get a smaller house or apartment. Or, if you are single, get a roommate.
31. Do your own house cleaning.
32. Do your own yard maintenance.
33. Wash your own windows.
34. Learn how to sew so you can fix small rips and tears in your own clothes.
35. Shop around for auto and home/renters insurance. Someone has a better rate insurance rate.
36. Cut your husband’s hair for him.
37. Don’t use paper towels – cleaning cloths are reusable.
38. Make your own laundry detergent.
39. Stay away from the movie theater. It is so expensive. Borrow movies from a friend or stream your movies
40. Have a garage sale – make some cash and apply it to your debt!

Want all the above to have and to hold? Keep on your desk? Give to your over-spending adult kids? I got ya covered!

Just fill out the form below and it will be delivered directly to your inbox.

Once you put all of these in practice you are well on your way to becoming debt free. And then you can begin to start saving money! Living on a Budget is a wonderful thing – try it sometime!