Let’s be honest, when people talk about saving money, it often comes with a side of guilt or sacrifice. “Cut out the coffee.” “Don’t ever eat out.” “Cancel everything that brings you joy.” And sure, extreme measures might work for some people. But what about the rest of us who want to enjoy life and be smart with our money?
Here’s the good news: You can absolutely cut expenses without giving up comfort. I’ve done it, and I still enjoy my oat milk lattes, spontaneous Target runs (within reason), and the occasional dinner out.
I’ve spent the last few years figuring out how to live well without overspending, and I’m sharing the 10 small shifts that helped me go from constantly stressed about money… to feeling in control of it.
1. Meal Prepping Changed My Wallet (and My Sanity)
Before I got into meal prepping, I thought I was too busy for it. I’d hit the grocery store without a plan, toss random items into the cart, and still end up ordering takeout three nights a week. Sound familiar?
Then one Sunday, I decided to plan just three lunches and two dinners. I roasted a tray of veggies, grilled some chicken, made a quinoa salad, and threw together a big pot of chili. Total time? Two hours. Total savings? At least $75 that week.
What worked for me:
- Choosing recipes with overlapping ingredients (saves time + reduces waste)
- Using mason jars or glass containers so meals stay fresh
- Making it part of my Sunday routine, Spotify playlist on, iced coffee in hand
It’s not just about money. I save time, eat better, and feel way less frazzled midweek. No more “What am I going to eat?” stress at 7 p.m.
2. Switching to Generic Brands (Without Losing Quality)
I’ll admit it: I used to be a brand snob. I thought name brands were always better, until I did a little side-by-side taste test. The truth? I couldn’t tell the difference between:
- Brand-name Cheerios vs. store-brand toasted oat cereal
- Expensive hand soap vs. the generic version with the same ingredients
- $12 allergy pills vs. $8 store-brand ones (same active ingredient!)
Now, I make it a point to check the labels. If the ingredients match and reviews look solid, I’ll try the generic. It’s a no-brainer when you realize you’re paying more for packaging and marketing.
This one change has saved me hundreds annually on groceries and household supplies. Seriously, try swapping one item each week. It adds up fast.
3. Cutting the Cord: Goodbye Cable, Hello Freedom
Cutting cable was one of the easiest wins, and I’m mad I didn’t do it sooner. My bill had crept up to over $150 a month, and half the channels I never watched.
Here’s my new system:
- $15 Netflix
- $8.99 Hulu (no ads, worth it!)
- $0 with my library card for eBooks, movies, and audiobooks via Libby
- Free content on YouTube, which is honestly an underrated goldmine for everything from documentaries to guided meditations
And the secret sauce? Streaming rotation. I cancel a service once I’ve watched what I wanted and swap in another (like Disney+ for a month). That way, I’m never paying for more than two at a time.
Annual savings? Over $1,200.
Missing out on entertainment? Not even a little.
4. Buying Secondhand, And Loving It
I used to think buying used was only for college kids and antique collectors. But now, secondhand is my go-to, especially for big-ticket or rarely-used items.
Some of my favorite secondhand wins:
- A gorgeous $800 mid-century couch I scored for $200 on Facebook Marketplace
- Patagonia winter coat for $60 on Poshmark (retail: $279)
- High-end bar stools for $35 each at a local thrift store
Tips for winning at thrifting and resale sites:
- Always check for signs of quality (solid wood > particleboard, clean stitching on clothes)
- Use alerts on apps like Poshmark or Mercari for specific items you’re eyeing
- Negotiate! Many sellers are open to reasonable offers
It’s like treasure hunting and budgeting rolled into one. Once you score a designer bag for a fraction of the price, you’ll never go back.
5. Automating My Savings (aka Paying Myself First)
This was a game-changer.
Every payday, I have $100 automatically transferred from checking to a high-yield savings account. I don’t have to think about it. I don’t miss it. It just… happens.
Over time, I upped it to $150. When I got a raise, I added another $50. You know what’s wild? I adjusted without noticing, and my savings grew faster than ever.
If you’re new to this, start with $20. Just get in the habit. You can always increase it. Pro tip: Use a savings account with a higher interest rate to earn a little extra.
That “set it and forget it” approach has helped me build a solid emergency fund, something that used to feel impossible.
6. Making My Own Fancy Coffee (and Still Loving Life)
I love coffee. Like, really love it. And for years, I convinced myself I needed that daily $6 iced latte to function.
Spoiler: I didn’t.
Instead, I:
- Bought a milk frother ($30 one-time)
- Found an oat milk brand I love (usually $2–3 cheaper than café versions)
- Made simple flavored syrups at home (sugar + water + vanilla = done)
Now my morning coffee routine feels indulgent, but costs less than $1 per cup.
And when I do hit up my favorite local café, it feels special, not routine.
7. Slashing Subscriptions (Even the Sneaky Ones)
One Saturday, I sat down with my bank statement and highlighted every recurring charge. Some were expected. Others? Not so much.
I found:
- A forgotten meditation app I hadn’t opened in months
- A magazine I didn’t remember subscribing to
- Two streaming services I hadn’t used in ages
Total: Over $80/month flying out of my account without me even realizing it.
Now I:
- Use an app to track and cancel unused subscriptions
- Review all charges once a month (just 10 minutes!)
- Ask: “Do I use this weekly? Does it bring real value?”
If not? Cancelled.
8. DIY Beauty and Wellness That Still Feels Luxurious
Don’t get me wrong, I love a good spa treatment. But I was dropping $200+ a month on nails, facials, and massages. So I got creative.
Here’s my new approach:
- Gel manicure kit from Amazon ($35, paid for itself after two uses)
- At-home facial nights with masks from Trader Joe’s or The Ordinary
- Foam rolling and YouTube yoga for tension relief
The result? I still feel pampered, but I spend a fraction of what I used to. And doing it at home adds a cozy vibe I didn’t expect to enjoy so much.
9. Walking or Biking Instead of Driving Short Distances
This one was more about convenience at first, but now it’s a money saver and a daily mood booster.
I live near a grocery store, post office, and coffee shop. It’s easy to drive, but now I bike or walk unless it’s pouring rain.
Benefits:
- Less money spent on gas and car maintenance
- More steps and sunshine (win-win)
- Less temptation to buy things I don’t need (walking limits impulse buys!)
This small shift saves me roughly $30–50/month, and has improved my mental health more than I expected.
10. Using Cashback, Rewards, and Loyalty Programs (Strategically!)
I used to brush off rewards programs, thinking they weren’t worth the effort. But once I actually started paying attention to them, and using them with intention, I realized I was leaving money on the table.
Now, I approach every purchase with this question:
“Is there a way to get a little something back?”
Here’s what I do:
- I sign up for store loyalty programs where I regularly shop, groceries, gas, or pharmacies.
- I use a no-fee credit card with cashback rewards, and I make sure to pay it off in full every month so I never pay interest.
- I scan or save my receipts for points at certain stores and track my spending to see where I’m earning the most.
Last year, I racked up over $300 just by being mindful and consistent.
That’s a weekend getaway, holiday gift budget, or an emergency fund boost, without doing anything extra.
Key takeaway? Make your everyday spending work for you. Even small rewards add up over time if you’re paying attention.
You Deserve Comfort and Control
Let me say it again: you don’t have to live like you’re broke to be financially smart.
I still enjoy life. I still treat myself. I just do it intentionally.
These tweaks won’t make you a millionaire overnight, but they will give you breathing room, confidence, and a sense of control over your finances.
Once you start noticing the savings, it becomes addictive. You start seeing opportunities to spend smarter everywhere. Try one. Stick with it. Then try another. You’ve got this.
What are your favorite money-saving hacks? Drop them in the comments, I’d love to hear from you!
If you found this helpful, share it with a friend who could use some low-effort, high-impact budget wins.
With love,
Bri & Cat
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