9 Best Ways to Save Money in 2021 – Frugal Tips

 

What if saving money could be fun?   Seriously.  What if you made it a fun game where you started hunting for ways to keep more of your hard earned money?

I bet you work really hard.  So, making sure you get value from your money is really important.

 

Disclaimer;   I believe in transparency and want to disclose this page has links to products that I may earn an affiliate commission

for purchases you make.  The reader pays nothing.

 

Make it a Game:

 

There are many ways to save money on this list.  Each one has lots of potential savings for you.

For example, I love calling companies and threatening to cancel and asking for a discount.  Invariably, they offer a way for me to pay less if I stay with them.

And instead of buying a new item the moment I need something, I love going to garage sales because its uncanny how often they’re selling an item I was about to pay full price for.

Being frugal is like anything else, it takes practice.  Some people were raised in a house where the parents set the thermostat and chided kids about leaving the lights on.  “Money doesn’t grow on trees.”  Some people are just learning how to save.  So it may take a while.

Some people thought they had a great career and would simply out earn their spending.  I admit to this fallacy.  This is a common problem for high earners.  It’s only in retrospect that people realize they’re earning a six figure income and spending 110% of it.  That was an eye opener for me.   More on my debt free journey here

 

So here are the Best ways to Save in 2021.

 

 

Shop Insurance Rates:  Rates are always changing so shopping for better insurance rates is an easy way to save some money.  Put on the TV and use speaker phone – it takes a few minutes and could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars this year.  Geico and AAA typically have the best rates but it’s worth making a few calls.

 

Ditch Amazon – Do you really need everything within 48 Hours?  Amazon Prime renews soon (July/ August) and depending on your subscription can cost about $119.  Is it worth it to you?  I’m not sure its still worth it for me.  And remember you can keep your Amazon account and get two day shipping on anything that’s over $25.  So, just bundle your orders.  Perhaps you’re a fan of Amazon Prime Streaming Service, but I’m not sure its worth it.  And  if you miss it, you can always re subscribe.

Plus, Other retailers, including Walmart and Target, are offering free-shipping plans, as well as same-day, in-store pickup, without a $119 yearly membership fee.

 

 

Save on Energy:  Turn down the A/C.  Turn down the heat at night.  Get a heater.

I got a great heater for my room. Instead of heating my whole place, I just heat one  room and I’ve been able to leave the heat off all night (I live in Southern California) but still it gets cold.  It paid for itself in a few months.  And this heater is completely quiet. More here

 

Take camp or Navy showers – Quick showers or cold showers.

I’m experimenting with cold showers.  This is actually something related to personal development because there is a lot of research that cold showers are really good for you.  The first 30 seconds of my shower are freezing cold and then I turn on the heat.  I save money but I really like it and its incredibly invigorating.

 

Ditch Cable:  I ditched cable a few months ago and I haven’t looked back.  It’s a nice savings of ~$100 per month and I still have lots of programs through Premium Youtube.

I wrote a whole post on how to ditch cable and still watch sports.  More here.

 

Move to a smaller city:  My grandfather used to tell me how much better his life was in a small town.  The older I get the more I wish I had listened to his advice.  Living in a medium or small city can save you thousands per year and hundreds of thousands over a lifetime.  The real issue is whether you are getting value from living in a city and whether the value is worth it.

 

 

Find Money Owed to You

True Story:  About 15 Years ago after I had left my job I got a weird message on my answering machine.  Something about money owed to me.  At first, I assumed it was a scam.  But, the message had lots of details about me and the check.  I did some research and I was owed money.

My last employer sent my last paycheck to an old address and did not reach out to me.  Instead, they waited and the money went to the New York State Unclaimed money bureau.  Thanks guys.  Eventually, I wound up getting my $1,852 back and I was Very Happy.

So, finding money owed to you is a very worthwhile exercise.  Take it from me.  More Here

 

Tell Your Kid to Get a Job:

If your kids are thinking about college then finding scholarships and grants should be one of their side jobs.  More on  popular scholarships and grants here.  It’s a bit dated, but a good start.

 

 

 

Wash Your Own Car:  Washing your own car can save you nearly $15 a week and it’s also a workout if you do it right.  I like my car to look nice, but I’m not willing to spend $884 on a years’ worth of car washes.  The 99C store has great microfiber towels and Amazon has all the rest.

 

Relevant Articles:

45 Ways to Increase your Income

9 Best Ways to Save $7K This Year

11 Legitimate Survey Sites for 2020

 

 

 

 

Go through your bills and Eliminate wasteful spending

The most obvious wasteful spending for me was a storage locker I was paying nearly $100 a month for.  It made me so angry that I eventually began this journey and started writing this personal finance blog.

A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned and realize when you go through your bills that every dollar you can save is earned money.

Don’t dwell on the money that you’ve wasted in the past.  Focus on your debt free future.  I was paying for auto renew on memberships that I didn’t even remember.  But Never again.

I began to explore our current consumer culture and why we buy what we buy.  This helped me understand why I was spending so much money shopping.  More on Consumer Culture here.

 

 

Negotiate Discounts:

For those services and memberships that you like but would like to pay less for, you need to contact the merchants and ask for a discount.  Yes, you can do it.  And yes they will give you discounts on your memberships:  Cell phone carrier, cable company, Satellite radio etc…  I’ve written a whole post about How to negotiate Discounts.

 

Improve your Money Mindset:

One of the best and most readable books on personal finance is the classic, Richest man in Babylon.  It contains all the wisdom to help anyone become financially free.  It is simple and straightforward, but not easy.  I recommend it highly and is worth re-reading every few years.

“A part of all I earn is mine to keep.” – The Richest Man in Babylon (here)

 

 

Saving money doesn’t have to be a grim task.  Make it fun.  Make it a game.  It’s your money.

You should get value from every dollar you spend.

 

 

Seven ways to save Big on Groceries and $888 in Free Coupons

 

Want to slash your grocery tab? Saving money on groceries is easier than collecting binders of coupons and buying 455 rolls of toilet paper.

Here’s a list of simple (and some unexpected) tips to help you maximize your grocery budget.

 

1. Shop With A Calculator

This is one of the easiest ways to make sure you don’t overspend at the grocery store (besides shopping on a full stomach). Bring your old-school calculator with you, or use your phone. However you do it, set a limit for how much you plan to spend beforehand, then hold yourself to it.

Add up the price of each item as you toss it in your basket, and you’ll be surprised how much easier it is to stick to your budget.

Voila! No more wallet-gouging surprises at checkout.

 

2. Get a Free $225 Before You Shop

It’s too good to be true, right?

But we’re serious. A website called InboxDollars will pay you to watch short video clips online. One minute you might watch a chef teach you the recipe for fudge brownies and the next you might get the latest updates on Kardashian drama.

All you have to do is choose which videos you want to watch and answer a few quick questions about them afterward. Brands pay InboxDollars to get these videos in front of viewers, and it passes a cut onto you.

It’s possible to earn up to $225 per month watching these videos — that could make a serious dent in your grocery bill.

Unlike other sites, InboxDollars pays you in cash — no points or gift cards — and it’s already paid its users more than $56 million.

It takes about one minute to sign up, and you’ll immediately earn a $5 bonus to get you started.

 

3.  Raid your pantry.

Challenge yourself to look through your pantry (or fridge) and see what kind of meals you can throw together with the ingredients you already have. Who says you have to stock up on more groceries when there are perfectly good chicken thighs shoved in the back of your freezer and a couple unopened cans of black beans and salsa on your shelves?

 

 

4 . Check the Unit Price

Bigger is always better, right? Maybe, but it’s not always cheaper.

Don’t blindly choose the largest can of coffee or bottle of detergent just because someone taught you once that buying in bulk will help you save.

Do a unit-price comparison. The unit price is often located on the price tag affixed to the shelf below the product, with phrasing like “$0.59 per ounce.”

If the unit price isn’t listed, divide the price of the item by the number of ounces or other unit of measurement. You might find that the smaller item is a better buy, especially if the product is on sale.

 

 

5. Try different grocery stores.

Why did you pick your current grocery store? Is it the friendliest? Is it in the most convenient location? If we’re being honest, most of us probably shop where we do out of habit.

Don’t let a comfortable routine cost you money.

If you’re not sure which grocery stores are worth your time and money, ask around. People who are getting the best deals will gladly gush about their favorite spots.

Also, if you want to save money on food, be sure to check the weekly ads in your area for what’s on sale at competing grocery stores. You might find that shopping at the store down the street is costing extra money in the long run. Figuring out a new shopping plan may be frustrating at first, but it’s worth it to keep some extra cash in your pocket.

 

6.  Don’t shop when you’re hungry.

People do a lot of silly things when they’re hungry. They say things they don’t really mean, eat all of their roommate’s chips, and aimlessly stroll the grocery store aisles like zombies.

And while your best friend might not hold you responsible for what you said when you were “hangry,” your grocery bill won’t let you off the hook so easily. Step away from the 48-count of frozen waffles and put back that pineapple upside-down cake from the bakery.

Walk into the grocery store with a full stomach, and you might be shocked by how much lower your grocery bill is!

 

7.  Buy generic.

You know generic pasta is cheaper, but you’re still not convinced it won’t ruin your grandmother’s lasagna recipe.

Are generic brands really as good as the name brands?

A group of Consumer Reports “taste testers” found that most store brands measure up to the name brands in taste and quality—and they’re usually 15–30% lower in price!

In other words, your less expensive lasagna will taste just as delicious as the National name brand

 

 

How to Get $888 in Free Manufacturer Coupons

There’s something so satisfying about that “ding ding ding” the barcode scanner makes as the clerk rings up your coupons at the end of a shopping haul.

It’s like you’re on a gameshow.

“Let’s see how much we can save on this grocery trip!” an imaginary announcer boasts in the background.

 

• Disclaimer;   I believe in transparency and want to disclose that I’ve included certain products and links to those products  that I will earn an affiliate commission for purchases you make.  The reader pays nothing.

 

All right, so it’s not that exciting, but finding a gold mine of coupons can help you save hundreds of dollars a year on groceries.

If you’re not sure where to start, don’t fret; I’ve got you covered.

How to Snag Free Coupons Before Your Next Grocery Run

Read How I save 40% on my groceries here.

 

 

Below, you’ll find four different coupon request forms. Click through, and fill out your information. Then, you’ll start getting coupons delivered to your inbox.

All totaled, you could save more than $900 a year!

Ready? Let’s do this.

 

1. Pillsbury Coupons – Up to $250 in Free Coupons

Sign up for Pillsbury.com emails to receive up to $250 in yearly coupons, access to free product samples (quantities limited, one per member) and the easiest recipes sent right to your inbox.

Because of the high value of these coupons, they’ve limited it to one set of coupons per person, so if you need more, get someone else in your household to sign up, too.

 

 

2. Betty Crocker Coupons – Up to $250 in Free Coupons

Give Betty Crocker your email address, and it’ll send you up to $250 worth of coupons that can help you get deeply discounted or free canned goods, cereal and yogurt.

In addition to coupons, Betty Crocker’s free email delivers the best of Betty’s 15,000 kitchen-tested recipes, how-tos and more — straight to your inbox!

Most people get bored making the same food week after week, so wouldn’t it be nice to occasionally be surprised with simple recipes you can make on a budget?

 

Relevant Articles:

45 Ways to Increase your Income

9 Best Ways to Save $7K This Year

11 Legitimate Survey Sites for 2020

 

 Coupons.com

 

 

 Pampers Coupons — Turn Dirty Diapers Into Rewards

Parents, let’s get real for a second. You funnel a ton of money into diapers, and you don’t get crap in return. OK, well, that’s a poor choice of words, but you get where we’re going with this… They all end up in the trash.

It’s time to change that. (No pun intended on that one.)

Sign up for Pampers Rewards, and earn points each time you buy a new batch of diapers.

Here’s how it works:

 

 

 Register for Pampers Rewards here. You’ll earn 100 bonus points just for registering and signing into the mobile app.

In the packs of diapers you buy, you’ll find a code. Scan the code with the app, and earn more points. You’ll get another 50 bonus points for the first code you scan.

Exchange points for rewards, like $5 off Pampers diapers or pants (700 points). Or $30 off your first order of Hello Fresh (30 points). You can even enter sweepstakes, like a chance to win a $250 gift card to Lowe’s (30 points) or free Cheerios for a year (30 points).

You’ll also receive weekly customized emails with tips and coupons that are tailored to each stage of your pregnancy or your baby’s development.

Go ahead and sign up for a Pampers rewards account for free coupons and chances to win awesome prizes.

 

 

Enfamil  coupons — Get up to $400 in Free Baby Gifts and Coupons

Expecting — or already have — a little one at home?

Join Enfamil Family Beginnings to get up to $400 in free gifts and a chance to win a $25,000 college scholarship for your baby*.

Your gifts will include things like coupons for baby necessities, free samples of Enfamil formula and other goodies.

 

 

Relevant Articles:

11 of The Best Side Hustle Ideas for 2019

9 Best Ways to Save $7K This Year

11 Legitimate Survey Sites

7 Smart Money Moves to Crush your Finances in 2020

 

It’s time to celebrate the previous year, but it’s also the perfect time for some reflection about the year ahead.

Read on for some smart money moves you should start making Now to set you up to crush 2020.

 

1. Set Your Financial Goals for the Coming Year

 

When you think ahead to the end of 2020, what would make you feel super accomplished?

What if you cut your credit card debt by half?

What if you were able to boost your savings account to four — or even five — figures?

What if you saved enough to make some long-overdue improvements to your house?

Or build up that emergency fund  you know you need to have?

 

Think about what you want to celebrate at the end of 2020, and then set some goals to help you get there.  

We’re fans of the SMART method of goal-setting. A SMART goal is: 

• Specific 
• Measureable
• Attainable
• Realistic
• Timely

For instance, “become financially secure” isn’t considered a SMART goal because it’s ambiguous.

On the other hand, “pay off $5,000 in student debt by the end of 2020” would be considered SMART because it’s specific, measurable and timely.

By thinking through your financial goals in this way, you’ll have more clarity about what you’re actually trying to do,

and that will give you a better sense of how to allocate your resources and energy in the year to come.

 

 

 1.  Make An Extra $1,000 Per Month.

I’ve saved you the trouble by putting together a list of 11 of the Best Side Hustles to earn an Extra $1,000 per month.

Find them HERE. 

If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it.” –Peter Drucker, Author and Business Consultant

2. Get Organized

Here is the playbook I used to get out of Debt. 

It’s simple and straightforward.

Take Action:

• I negotiated discounts on all of my recurring charges.
• I switched to a less expensive gym,
• I sold nearly $500 of my things on Ebay.
• I stopped using a storage locker.
• I started writing this blog.

Coming to terms with my spending habits: I tried to understand where my money was going.  I tried to slow down and learn why I wanted the stuff I was buying.  I learned to budget.  I set small financial goals and I hit them.

I cut back.  And I cut back even more.  I paid attention to every single penny. I paid attention to purchases that created true value in my life. And those that added minimal value, I cut out.

 

3. Make a Budget

Get organized:  Creating a budget.  I created a budget using a free app, Everydollar.com.

It’s a very good app, but I didn’t keep using it.  What worked well for me was old school: keeping a notepad next to my credit card bills.  And keeping track of the good, the bad, and the unexpected in my monthly bills.  I was also keeping track of my bills in my head because I became VERY focused.

Read my post, 7 Tips To Help you Create a Budget here.

The Stupid stuff I spent money on here

 

Relevant Articles:

45 Ways to Increase your Income

9 Best Ways to Save $7K This Year

11 Legitimate Survey Sites for 2020

 

4. Pull Your Credit Reports and Examine Them for Errors

This is another task that should be part of your regular financial maintenance, but a lot of us either forget or we don’t really see the point.

But when you go over your credit reports with a magnifying glass, here’s what you might find:

1. Accounts that aren’t yours. It’s possible you have accounts on your credit report that actually belong to someone with a similar name. Do you, Karen Smith, really want to have the overdue Dillards’ charge card belonging to a Karen Smythe on your credit report?

2. Accounts you didn’t realize were delinquent. Maybe your dentist’s office repeatedly sent the bill to the wrong address until the unpaid bill wound up in collections, leaving a giant black mark on your credit report, and you weren’t aware of any of this until your application for a car loan or mortgage was turned down. 

3. Outdated or incorrect information about your accounts. Perhaps you paid off a loan last year that’s still showing up as unpaid, or your credit card balance is listed as being much higher than it’s ever been. These could significantly ding your credit score, and those three little numbers hold a lot of power over your ability to access credit in the future.

Freezing your credit is now Free here

 

5. Make sure you have Insurance

There are the eight types of insurance worth having:

1. Auto Insurance
2. Homeowners/Renters Insurance
3. Umbrella Policy
4. Health Insurance
5. Long-Term Disability Insurance
6. Term Life Insurance
7. Long-Term Care Insurance
8. Identity Theft Protection

I’ve laid out all the details – Eight types of Insurance you need in 2020 Here

6. Celebrate Your Progress

We know this post has been all about how to do better going forward,

but we also know you’ve probably accomplished some pretty good stuff in 2019 too. 

 

Maybe you’ve started looking for ways to bring in more income through a side hustle, or you’ve steadily chipped away at your student debt. Maybe you started educating yourself about personal finance — after all, you’re here, aren’t you?

Take a few minutes to think about what you’ve done in the past year that you’re proud of, and give yourself some time to really let that feeling of pride sink in.  

And now remember that feeling throughout the coming year, especially when things get hard and you encounter setbacks (because you inevitably will). Trust that if you stick to your plan, you’ll get to experience that feeling of satisfaction again this time next year.  

 

Relevant Articles:

45 Ways to Increase your Income

9 Best Ways to Save $7K This Year

11 Legitimate Survey Sites for 2020

 

 

The Best Deals for Black Friday Shopping in 2018

Black Friday is one of the best times of the year to find Great deals.  But, only for those who know where to look.  Below, you’ll find all the details of Black Friday shopping deals for 2018. And if you read to the end, you’ll find some great ideas to Save more and earn extra income.

Ready, Set, SAVE!

 

 

• Disclaimer;   I believe in transparency and want to disclose this page has links to products that I may earn an affiliate commission for purchases you make.  The reader pays nothing.

 

Amazon: Early Black Friday deals have already started and plan to last throughout November.

There are currently 1,000 offers live. They also just announced free shipping with no minimum, right now!

 Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the retail behemoth’s big plans for 2018.

Amazon Deals for Black Firday here.

 

 

 

Target: Doors open at 5PM on Thanksgiving. Between 1AM and 7AM on Friday, they will be closed, but the deals will ramp up early in the morning.

If shopping online, Target will offer free shipping for hundreds of items.

Like Walmart, keep your eyes peeled for gift card bundles, such as a $150 Gift Card with an iPhone 8 activation. If you’re interested in the iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max, you will get a free $250 Target Gift Card.

But it’s not just free shipping and gift cards—you will find:

• a 55” Element Smart TV for $200
•  a $149 Fitbit Versa Smartwatch,
• among other sweet deals.

Apple iPhone Black Friday Sales – (Use the Search Bar)

• Target – Free $250 Target Gift Card with qualified activation on iPhone Xs or iPhone XS Max on Verizon, Sprint or AT&T – See Deal Here

 

• Target – Free $150 Target Gift Card with Qualified Activation on iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 8 or iPhone X on Verizon, Sprint or AT&T – See Ad Scan Deal – See Deal Here

 

 

Free Gift Card Promotion:

Right now, Get a $10 Gift Card when you spend $50 or Get a $25 Gift Card when you spend $100!

More about this target deal here.

 

 

Relevant Articles:

45 Ways to Increase your Income

9 Best Ways to Save $7K This Year

11 Legitimate Survey Sites for 2018

 

 

Macy’s: Look for Black Friday Doorbusters starting on Nov. 21 and lasting through Nov. 24. According to their early ad, you will be able to get “free after rebate” items, including watches, slow cookers, handbags, and more.

Kohl’s: Shoppers get 15% off deals from Nov. 19 through Nov. 23. Find deals such as a Microsoft Xbox One Bundle for $200, a Canon EOS Rebel T6 DSLR Camera for $400, and an Amazon Echo for $69.

 

JCPenney: Deals start online on 11/18; doors open at JCPenney in-store locations at 2PM on Thanksgiving. Their ad boast epic 50% off deals on toys, $20 boots, and up to 30% off Nike.

Walmart: Deals for Black Friday:

Doors open at 6PM on Thanksgiving night.

Online, Black Friday deals will last all day.

• Highlights include
• a $298 Sharp 55” 4K Smart TV,
• a $125 Element 39” Smart TV,
• $5 DVDs, and
• a $299 Nintendo Switch Console.

Also look for Walmart’s recurring $300 Gift Card deal in exchange for a purchase of a newer-version iPhone—the iPhone XS or the iPhone XS Max.  Also, lookout for lots of deals on toys.

 

Earn Money Using Inbox Dollars:

InboxDollars  is the mobile and online loyalty club that pays cash!

Members have earned over $30 million in cash since 2006.

InboxDollars earn cash with the official InboxDollars mobile app.

In the current version of InboxDollars mobile app, members can earn cash for:

– Searching the web

– Reading email

– Taking surveys

– Downloading apps

– Purchasing Groupons

Sign up for Inbox Dollars:  Here

 

11 of The Best Side Hustle Ideas for 2019

9 Best Ways to Save $7K This Year

11 Legitimate Survey Sites

 

 

Save More Money when you shop online:

I use Ebates and get cash back on nearly all of my purchases.

Average cash back is about 7%, which is great.

Right now, they are offering a Free $10 Gift Card when you join and spend $25.

More about Ebates Here.

 

 

 

 

Costco: Costco will run various Black Friday deals from Nov. 16 through Nov. 26. Costco will not be open on Thanksgiving, but they will open at 9AM on Black Friday. Look for the $250 Apple iPad 9.7”, a $200 $14 HP Chromebook, or Gloria Vanderbilt Jeans for $12.

Petco: This famous pet store will not be open on Thanksgiving, but it will be open on Black Friday at 8AM. Look for BOGO free dog treats and 50% off all bulk treats.

How to find deals and discounts on Apple Products here

 

Dell: From 10AM to midnight on Thanksgiving Day, Dell stores will be open for Black Friday deals. On Black Friday, the doors open at 8AM and last till 10PM. Watch for the Dell Inspiron 11 3000 dropping to $120. There will also be an Xbox One S Battlefield V Bundle for $230, among other awesome techie deals. Free shipping is also available online.

Academy Sports: At 5AM, you can get an early start on Black Friday for in-store shopping at Academy Sports. Doors will close at 11AM. Look for $10 Magellan Outdoors Jeans, a $60 44” Basketball Hoop System, and a $150 JumpZone 14’ Trampoline. The kids will love these.

Dollar General: Save 25% when you spend $75 on toys. Dates and times for brick-and-mortar locations are still to be announced.

More Deals:  60 Days of Deals

Every year, Brad’s Deals negotiates and features one exclusive deal daily from November 1st through New Year’s Eve. It’s called 60 Days of Deals.

You won’t find these deals anywhere else. It’s actually sixty-one days of deals, but that doesn’t have quite the same ring, you know?

The deals themselves are a tightly guarded secret until they’re revealed on the day, but last year they ranged from highly giftable to highly practical and included collegiate hoodies, k-cups, wireless charging pads, diamond stud earrings, and even a North Face jacket.

 

 

Want to learn about Focus Groups that pay up to $250?

Then Join my e-mail list below and learn how!