What Would You Give Up or Do Differently If You Had to Lower Monthly Expenses? (50 Ideas!)

50 Ways to Easily Lower Your Monthly Expenses

FOOD to GIVE UP:

• Restaurants and fast food! (NOTE: this was the top answer from hundreds of readers!)
• Hot lunch (pack lunches from home instead).
• Coffee runs (just make it at home).
• Starbucks.
• Ice Cream.
• Meat.
• Organic foods. (Or find ways to save on them.)
• Brand name foods — store bought is usually just as good.
• Grocery splurges & impulse purchases — get more intentional about menu planning.
• Grocery shopping (for a week or two by using up things in your pantry and freezer).
• Individually packaged items — buy in bulk to save instead.
• Individual drinks — canned soda, Gatorade, sparkling waters, lemonade, etc.
• Alcohol and soda — at the grocery store and restaurants.
• Junk food, desserts, and treats.
• Vending machine snacks.

MONTHLY BILLS to ELIMINATE:

• Streaming services (try FREE Sling TV instead!) and digital subscriptions (NOTE: this was the next most popular answer!)
• Cell phone data usage.
• Cell phone company — switch to one with a lower rate.
• Gym membership.
• Amazon Prime.
• Magazine and newspaper subscriptions.
• Cable TV or Satellite Dish.
• Pet grooming — watch a YouTube video and do it at home.
• Manicures & Pedicures — Do it yourself at home.
• Delivery fees — only get things with free shipping.
• Insurance on household appliances — it’s usually not worth it.
• Utilities — call the companies to negotiate a lower rate.

HABBITS to CHANGE:

• Stop paying full price for anything!
• Try shopping for groceries at outside-the-box places.
• Stop traveling (at least for a year or so). Or check out these travel savings tips.
• Stop buying anything you don’t have room in your budget for (pay cash for everything).
• Color your own hair.
• Hang clothes on a clothesline to dry instead of using the dryer.
• Say no to impulse purchases.
• Switch to free/frugal entertainment like going for a walk with friends or having people over instead of going out.
• Stop online browsing that turns into shopping or impulse buys.
• Turn thermostat down/up and unplug devices when not in use.
• Hunt, fish, and grow a garden.
• Utilize free cycle sites for clothes and toys.
• Walk or ride your bike instead of driving everywhere.
• Give up some of the kids’ extracurricular activities and sports.
• Conserve gas by running all errands in one day instead of several times a week.
• Thrift and shop ahead.
• Learn to wait 24 hours before making a purchase.
• Scale back on ALL holiday spending (food, entertainment, gifts, clothing, decorations, etc.).
• Increase giving to those in worse need to help change your perspective.
• Focus more on needs versus wants.
• Make a budget and actually stick with it!
• Try cheap and free date night ideas.
• Recognize items you might not have to buy.
• Discover the joy of contentment.

Looking for more ideas? Check out these tips:

• 55+ Simple Tips to Save Money at Home
• What to Do When You’re Tired of Being Frugal
• 65+ Cheap & Free Date Night Ideas
• 35 Things You Don’t Need to Buy
• 30 Creative Ways to Save on Gas
• 25+ Cheap Ways to Travel