🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 127 (from laksa073)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa127.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://moneywise.com/managing-money/budgeting/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://moneywise.com/managing-money/budgeting/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/budgeting\/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried","crawl_time":1776141581,"first_indexed_time":1624824886,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,moneywise!\/managing-money\/budgeting\/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried s443","src_root_hash":"17552722006313878127","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"7 Ways to Save Money You've Probably Never Tried","meta_descriptions":["Let this be the year you go beyond basic budgeting tips."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Discounts and special offers\nSubscriber-only articles and interviews\nBreaking news and trending topics\nNot interested ?\nDean Drobot \/ Shutterstock\nJun 27, 2021\nJun 27, 2021\nThe past year and a half has been a financial challenge like no other, and that means the usual money-saving strategies employed in tough times just won’t cut it.\nMaking lunch at home, buying budget brands at the grocery store, spending vacation time in the backyard — most families are already making these kinds of moves to claw their way back to financial stability.\nJun 27, 2021\nLet this be the year you go beyond basic budgeting tips. Here are seven ways you can save money that you’ve probably never tried before.\n1. Take out a loan to defeat your debt\nstockfour \/ Shutterstock\nIt sounds counterintuitive, but taking out a loan could be a critical first step to becoming debt free.\nWhen the pandemic struck, many families relied on credit cards to get them through the following months. It’s a fine short-term survival strategy, but the brutal interest rates on credit cards — often topping 20% APR — can bury you over the long term. Payday loans are even worse.\nTo consolidate your debt, you apply for a new low-interest loan and use the money to\npay off all of your high-interest bills\n. You’ll still owe the same amount, but your new rate will help you save you money on interest and potentially free yourself from debt years sooner.\nMust Read\nDave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are\nmaking 1 big Social Security mistake\n— are you doing the same?\nThanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now\nbecome a landlord for as little as $100\n— and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how\nRobert Kiyosaki says\nthis 1 asset will surge 400% in a year\nand begs investors not to miss this ‘explosion’\nJoin 250,000+ readers and get Moneywise’s best stories and exclusive interviews first — clear insights curated and delivered weekly.\nSubscribe now.\n2. Ditch your traditional bank account\nKaspars Grinvalds \/ Shutterstock\nIf you’ve got money to spare, you’re probably socking it away in a standard savings account from one of the big banks. That might seem like a safe strategy, but with every passing day, that money is losing its value.\nTraditional bank accounts pay practically nothing in interest; as of June 2021, the average interest rate for a savings account is 0.06% APY. Any meager earnings you see will be obliterated by inflation.\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\nTo give your money a chance to grow and maintain its purchasing power,\nlook for a high-yield savings account\n. Some banks — especially digital banks that don’t have to pay for physical branches full of employees — are offering interest rates as high as 0.55% APY. That’s\nover nine times as much interest\nas a normal account.\n3. Let a robot do your budgeting for you\nAndrey_Popov \/ Shutterstock\nEven if you make a mental note every single time you open your wallet, it’s hard to keep track of where\nall\nof your money is going.\nMortgage payments, car payments, insurance bills, utility bills, credit card interest, streaming subscriptions, investing fees — a lot of money vanishes every month to these automatic expenses.\nTo keep track of your active and passive payments, consider using a\ndedicated budgeting app\n. Some more advanced apps will check to make sure you’re not losing money on subscriptions you forgot about and can even negotiate a better rate on your monthly bills.\n4. Trade houses — or at least mortgages\nSouthworks \/ Shutterstock\nMoving may seem like a drastic measure, but some of your neighbors are probably mulling it over. A LendingTree study late last year found\njust under half of Americans\nwere considering a move to reduce their living expenses.\nLiving just a little further away from an urban center can make an extraordinary difference. Depending on where you live, a $500,000 home could be a stunning mansion or multifamily investment property — or a one-bedroom condo.\nBut if moving is out of the question, you can still save a ton by taking advantage of today’s incredibly low mortgage rates. Many homeowners have already refinanced in the last year, but an estimated 14.1 million Americans who haven’t can still act fast and\nsave an average of $287 a month\n, according to mortgage technology and data provider Black Knight.\n5. Invest your ‘spare change’\nR. MACKAY PHOTOGRAPHY, LLC \/ Shutterstock\nWhen your budget is tight, investing for the future is probably the last thing on your mind. But given enough time, even pocket change can become a source of wealth.\nTake willpower out of the equation by using an app to\nautomatically invest spare change\nfrom your day-to-day purchases. Say you buy a doughnut for $2.30 — the app will round up the cost to $3.00 and invest the 70 cent difference in a premade portfolio.\nSaving a few cents at a time may not seem like much, but $2.50 worth of daily round-ups becomes $900 in one year — and that’s before counting the additional gains you could make in the market.\n6. Trade in your overpriced insurance policies\nkurhan \/ Shutterstock\n1\n2\n3\n4\n5\nWhen it comes to insurance, people are eager to “set it and forget it.” It’s easy to stick with the same companies year after year, and a recent ValuePenguin survey showed a\nquarter of Americans\nhave never bothered to compare quotes at all.\nTo make sure you’re not getting ripped off, experts recommend checking for better prices\nevery six months\n.\nThat might sound a little tedious, but it’s worth it to make sure you’re not overpaying on your policies by $2,000 a year or more. Start by using a handy quote-comparison site to\ncheck for the best rate on your homeowners insurance\n, then use the same strategy to\nsave on your car insurance\n.\n7. Get paid for surfing the web\nAfrica Studio \/ Shutterstock\nThey say there’s no such thing as a free lunch, but this is getting pretty close.\nA few rewards programs out there will\npay you for doing the same activities you’re already doing online\n— things like watching videos, playing games and answering surveys. Once you earn enough points, you can redeem them for gift cards at big retailers like Amazon and Target or turn them into cash through PayPal.\nIf you can’t squeeze more money out of your day job, you might as well squeeze a little bit of cash out of your downtime.\nYou May Also Like\nTurning 50 with $0 saved for retirement? Most people don’t realize they’re actually just entering their prime earning decade.\nHere are 6 ways to catch up fast\nInside a\n$1B real estate fund offering access to thousands of income-producing rental properties\n— with flexible minimums starting at $10\nVanguard’s outlook on U.S. stocks is raising alarm bells for retirees.\nHere’s why and how to protect yourself\nHere are\n5 easy ways to own multiple properties like Bezos and Beyoncé\n. You can start with $10 (and no, you don’t have to manage a single thing)\nShare this:\nJustin Anderson\nFormer Reporter\nJustin Anderson was formerly a reporter at MoneyWise. He has a degree in Journalism from Ryerson University and his career has seen him cover everything from business and finance to the entertainment industry to politics, with plenty in between.\nmore from Justin Anderson\nComments\nBe the first to leave your thoughts.\nVoice your opinion!\nShare your take with thousands of readers like you.\nDisclaimer\nThe content provided on Moneywise is information to help users become financially literate. It is neither investment, tax nor legal advice, is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research or investment advice, and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities, enter into any loan, mortgage or insurance agreements or to adopt any investment strategy. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, either express or implied, with respect to the data provided, the timeliness thereof, the results to be obtained by the use thereof or any other matter.  Advertisers are not responsible for the content of this site, including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on any advertiser product, please visit their website.\n†Terms and Conditions apply.","attrs_markdown":"[Skip to main content](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/budgeting\/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried#main)\n\n[Live a richer life.](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/)\n\n- [News](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/news)\n- [Investing](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/investing)\n- [Retirement](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/retirement)\n- [Banking](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/banking)\n- [Mortgages](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/mortgages)\n- [Loans](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/loans)\n- [Insurance](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/insurance)\n- [Taxes](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/taxes)\n\nBack\n\n###\n\nBack\n\n###\n\n### Unlock exclusive content\nBy signing up, you accept Moneywise [Terms of Use](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/terms), [Subscription Agreement](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/subscription-agreement), and [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/privacy).\n\n- [News](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/news)\n- [Investing](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/investing)\n- [Retirement](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/retirement)\n- [Banking](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/banking)\n- [Mortgages](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/mortgages)\n- [Loans](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/loans)\n- [Insurance](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/insurance)\n- [Taxes](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/taxes)\n\nSubscribe\n\n###\n### This is an exclusive story from our newsletter — subscribe for more\n\n- Discounts and special offers\n- Subscriber-only articles and interviews\n- Breaking news and trending topics\n\nJoin 200K subscribers\n\nAlready a subscriber? Sign in.\n\nBy signing up, you accept Moneywise's [Terms of Use](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/terms), [Subscription Agreement](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/subscription-agreement), and [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/privacy).\n\nNot interested ? Continue reading\n\n[Home](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/ \"Home\")\n\n[Managing Money](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money \"Managing Money\")\n\nBudgeting\n\n![Portrait of a confused african man wearing shirt standing isolated, showing money banknotes](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/a\/17417\/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried_hero_1800x800_v20210626234759.jpg)\n\nDean Drobot \/ Shutterstock\n# 7 Ways to Save Money You've Probably Never Tried\n\n![](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/avatars\/justin-anderson-1614791916.png)\n\n[Justin Anderson](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/author\/justin-anderson)\n\nJun 27, 2021\n\n0\n\nShare\n\nCopy Link\n\n[Email](<mailto:?subject=Moneywise - 7 Ways to Save Money You've Probably Never Tried&body=From Moneywise - 7 Ways to Save Money You've Probably Never Tried\\n\\n https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/budgeting\/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried>)\n\n[Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/budgeting\/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried)\n\n[X](https:\/\/x.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/budgeting\/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried&text=7%20Ways%20to%20Save%20Money%20You've%20Probably%20Never%20Tried)\n\n[LinkedIn](https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/budgeting\/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried&title=7%20Ways%20to%20Save%20Money%20You've%20Probably%20Never%20Tried)\n\n[Reddit](https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/budgeting\/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried&title=7%20Ways%20to%20Save%20Money%20You've%20Probably%20Never%20Tried)\n\nFollow us\n\n[Newsletter](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/budgeting\/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried)\n\n[Instagram](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/moneywisecom\/)\n\n[Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/moneywisecom)\n\n[Tiktok](https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@moneywisecom)\n\n[X](https:\/\/x.com\/moneywisecom)\n\n[Youtube](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCncBICp23JrrN3Wfmkf74Tw)\n\n![](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/avatars\/justin-anderson-1614791916.png)\n\n[Justin Anderson](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/author\/justin-anderson)\n\nJun 27, 2021\n\n0\n\nShare\n\nCopy Link\n\n[Email](<mailto:?subject=Moneywise - 7 Ways to Save Money You've Probably Never Tried&body=From Moneywise - 7 Ways to Save Money You've Probably Never Tried\\n\\n https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/budgeting\/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried>)\n\n[Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/budgeting\/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried)\n\n[X](https:\/\/x.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/budgeting\/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried&text=7%20Ways%20to%20Save%20Money%20You've%20Probably%20Never%20Tried)\n\n[LinkedIn](https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/budgeting\/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried&title=7%20Ways%20to%20Save%20Money%20You've%20Probably%20Never%20Tried)\n\n[Reddit](https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/budgeting\/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried&title=7%20Ways%20to%20Save%20Money%20You've%20Probably%20Never%20Tried)\n\nFollow us\n\n[Newsletter](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/budgeting\/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried)\n\n[Instagram](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/moneywisecom\/)\n\n[Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/moneywisecom)\n\n[Tiktok](https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@moneywisecom)\n\n[X](https:\/\/x.com\/moneywisecom)\n\n[Youtube](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCncBICp23JrrN3Wfmkf74Tw)\n\nThe past year and a half has been a financial challenge like no other, and that means the usual money-saving strategies employed in tough times just won’t cut it.\n\nMaking lunch at home, buying budget brands at the grocery store, spending vacation time in the backyard — most families are already making these kinds of moves to claw their way back to financial stability.\n\n![](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/avatars\/justin-anderson-1614791916.png)\n\n[Justin Anderson](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/author\/justin-anderson)\n\nJun 27, 2021\n\n0\n\nShare\n\nCopy Link\n\n[Email](<mailto:?subject=Moneywise - 7 Ways to Save Money You've Probably Never Tried&body=From Moneywise - 7 Ways to Save Money You've Probably Never Tried\\n\\n https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/budgeting\/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried>)\n\n[Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/budgeting\/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried)\n\n[X](https:\/\/x.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/budgeting\/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried&text=7%20Ways%20to%20Save%20Money%20You've%20Probably%20Never%20Tried)\n\n[LinkedIn](https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/budgeting\/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried&title=7%20Ways%20to%20Save%20Money%20You've%20Probably%20Never%20Tried)\n\n[Reddit](https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/budgeting\/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried&title=7%20Ways%20to%20Save%20Money%20You've%20Probably%20Never%20Tried)\n\nFollow us\n\n[Newsletter](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/budgeting\/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried)\n\n[Instagram](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/moneywisecom\/)\n\n[Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/moneywisecom)\n\n[Tiktok](https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@moneywisecom)\n\n[X](https:\/\/x.com\/moneywisecom)\n\n[Youtube](https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCncBICp23JrrN3Wfmkf74Tw)\n\nAdvertisement\n\nLet this be the year you go beyond basic budgeting tips. Here are seven ways you can save money that you’ve probably never tried before.\n\n## 1\\. Take out a loan to defeat your debt\n![Young redhead woman relaxing on a sofa at home with her laptop computer on her lap as she shops online with her credit card reading information on the screen with an absorbed expression](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/a\/17417\/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried_full_width_1_1200x500_v20210627000315.jpg)\n\nstockfour \/ Shutterstock\n\nIt sounds counterintuitive, but taking out a loan could be a critical first step to becoming debt free.\n\nWhen the pandemic struck, many families relied on credit cards to get them through the following months. It’s a fine short-term survival strategy, but the brutal interest rates on credit cards — often topping 20% APR — can bury you over the long term. Payday loans are even worse.\n\nTo consolidate your debt, you apply for a new low-interest loan and use the money to [pay off all of your high-interest bills](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/borrowing\/credit-card-debt\/worried-about-your-credit-card-debt-during-the-pandemic-this-will-help). You’ll still owe the same amount, but your new rate will help you save you money on interest and potentially free yourself from debt years sooner.\n\n### Must Read\n- Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are [making 1 big Social Security mistake](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/retirement-planning\/dave-ramsey-warns-nearly-50-of-americans-are-making-1?throw=DM1_website&entryId=native-594-8-native_first) — are you doing the same?\n- Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now [become a landlord for as little as \\$100](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/investing\/real-estate\/invest-vacation-rental-homes-v?throw=DM2_website&entryId=native-594-8-native_first) — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how\n- Robert Kiyosaki says [this 1 asset will surge 400% in a year](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/news\/investing\/robert-kiyosaki-says-this-1-asset-will-surge-400-in-a-year-warns-prices-are-about-to-explode-urges-investors-not-to-miss-out-do-you-own-any?throw=DM3_website&entryId=native-594-8-native_first) and begs investors not to miss this ‘explosion’\n\nJoin 250,000+ readers and get Moneywise’s best stories and exclusive interviews first — clear insights curated and delivered weekly. **[Subscribe now.](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/subscription?throw=DM4_website&entryId=native-594-8-native_first)**\n## 2\\. Ditch your traditional bank account\n![Shocked woman looking at her bank account balance](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/a\/17417\/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried_full_width_2_1200x500_v20210627120602.jpg)\n\nKaspars Grinvalds \/ Shutterstock\n\nIf you’ve got money to spare, you’re probably socking it away in a standard savings account from one of the big banks. That might seem like a safe strategy, but with every passing day, that money is losing its value.\n\nTraditional bank accounts pay practically nothing in interest; as of June 2021, the average interest rate for a savings account is 0.06% APY. Any meager earnings you see will be obliterated by inflation.\n\n## trending now\n[![Jay Leno testing out new Tesla Semi](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/production\/articles\/176708\/hero_defective-pipes-1_20260409_163211.png)](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/news\/top-stories\/tesla-semi-jay-leno-electric-trucking-diesel)\n\n1\n\nNews  • 224\\.9k views\n\n## [Jay Leno drives the Tesla Semi](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/news\/top-stories\/tesla-semi-jay-leno-electric-trucking-diesel)\n\n2\n\nNews  • 149\\.9k views\n\n## [Oracle's new CFO got \\$26M in stock after layoffs](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/news\/top-stories\/oracle-gave-its-new-cfo-26m-in-stock-after-firing-up-to-30000-workers-affected-employee-says-an-algorithm-decided-who-got-cut)\n\n3\n\nNews  • 123\\.7k views\n\n## [Trump targets 9,400 TSA jobs in \\$1.5B cut](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/news\/top-stories\/trump-tsa-privatization-budget-cuts-airport-security)\n\n4\n\nManaging Money  • 70\\.8k views\n\n## [Costco beats Walmart for overall grocery value](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/budgeting\/walmart-costco-grocery-price-comparison)\n\n5\n\nManaging Money  • 55\\.5k views\n\n## [The hidden risks of a big 401(k) balance](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/retirement-planning\/401k-balance-retirement-risks-tax-planning)\n\nAdvertisement\n\nTo give your money a chance to grow and maintain its purchasing power, [look for a high-yield savings account](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/banking\/savings-accounts\/savings-could-be-going-to-waste). Some banks — especially digital banks that don’t have to pay for physical branches full of employees — are offering interest rates as high as 0.55% APY. That’s **over nine times as much interest** as a normal account.\n\n## 3\\. Let a robot do your budgeting for you\n![Close-up Of A Robot's Hand Stacking Golden Coins On Turquoise Background](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/a\/17417\/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried_full_width_3_1200x500_v20210627120708.jpg)\n\nAndrey\\_Popov \/ Shutterstock\n\nEven if you make a mental note every single time you open your wallet, it’s hard to keep track of where *all* of your money is going.\n\nMortgage payments, car payments, insurance bills, utility bills, credit card interest, streaming subscriptions, investing fees — a lot of money vanishes every month to these automatic expenses.\n\nTo keep track of your active and passive payments, consider using a [dedicated budgeting app](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/budgeting\/easy-ways-to-save-if-you-hate-budgeting). Some more advanced apps will check to make sure you’re not losing money on subscriptions you forgot about and can even negotiate a better rate on your monthly bills.\n\n###\n**Read More: Dave Ramsey says [this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/dave-ramsey-baby-steps?throw=HALF_website&entryId=native-599-8-native_second) — and that ‘anyone’ can do it**\n## 4\\. Trade houses — or at least mortgages\n![Young mixed ethnicity couple taking a break on moving day into new home sitting on floor in lounge drinking coffee surrounded by removal boxes](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/a\/17417\/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried_full_width_6_1200x500_v20210627121204.jpg)\n\nSouthworks \/ Shutterstock\n\nMoving may seem like a drastic measure, but some of your neighbors are probably mulling it over. A LendingTree study late last year found [just under half of Americans](https:\/\/www.lendingtree.com\/home\/mortgage\/nearly-half-of-americans-are-considering-a-move-to-reduce-living-expenses\/) were considering a move to reduce their living expenses.\n\nAdvertisement\n\nLiving just a little further away from an urban center can make an extraordinary difference. Depending on where you live, a \\$500,000 home could be a stunning mansion or multifamily investment property — or a one-bedroom condo.\n\nBut if moving is out of the question, you can still save a ton by taking advantage of today’s incredibly low mortgage rates. Many homeowners have already refinanced in the last year, but an estimated 14.1 million Americans who haven’t can still act fast and [save an average of \\$287 a month](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/mortgages\/mortgages\/refinance-to-save-thousands-of-dollars), according to mortgage technology and data provider Black Knight.\n\n## 5\\. Invest your ‘spare change’\n![Pocket change, various coins over on old wood surface](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/a\/17417\/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried_full_width_7_1200x500_v20210627121336.jpg)\n\nR. MACKAY PHOTOGRAPHY, LLC \/ Shutterstock\n\nWhen your budget is tight, investing for the future is probably the last thing on your mind. But given enough time, even pocket change can become a source of wealth.\n\nTake willpower out of the equation by using an app to [automatically invest spare change](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/investing\/robo-advisors\/how-your-small-change-can-help-build-your-investing-portfolio) from your day-to-day purchases. Say you buy a doughnut for \\$2.30 — the app will round up the cost to \\$3.00 and invest the 70 cent difference in a premade portfolio.\n\nSaving a few cents at a time may not seem like much, but \\$2.50 worth of daily round-ups becomes \\$900 in one year — and that’s before counting the additional gains you could make in the market.\n\n## 6\\. Trade in your overpriced insurance policies\n![Car money and calculator. Payments and costs.](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/a\/17417\/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried_full_width_4_1200x500_v20210627120950.jpg)\n\nkurhan \/ Shutterstock\n\n## trending now\n[![Jay Leno testing out new Tesla Semi](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/production\/articles\/176708\/hero_defective-pipes-1_20260409_163211.png)](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/news\/top-stories\/tesla-semi-jay-leno-electric-trucking-diesel)\n\n1\n\nNews  • 224\\.9k views\n\n## [Jay Leno drives the Tesla Semi](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/news\/top-stories\/tesla-semi-jay-leno-electric-trucking-diesel)\n\n2\n\nNews  • 149\\.9k views\n\n## [Oracle's new CFO got \\$26M in stock after layoffs](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/news\/top-stories\/oracle-gave-its-new-cfo-26m-in-stock-after-firing-up-to-30000-workers-affected-employee-says-an-algorithm-decided-who-got-cut)\n\n3\n\nNews  • 123\\.7k views\n\n## [Trump targets 9,400 TSA jobs in \\$1.5B cut](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/news\/top-stories\/trump-tsa-privatization-budget-cuts-airport-security)\n\n4\n\nManaging Money  • 70\\.8k views\n\n## [Costco beats Walmart for overall grocery value](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/budgeting\/walmart-costco-grocery-price-comparison)\n\n5\n\nManaging Money  • 55\\.5k views\n\n## [The hidden risks of a big 401(k) balance](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/retirement-planning\/401k-balance-retirement-risks-tax-planning)\n\nAdvertisement\n\nWhen it comes to insurance, people are eager to “set it and forget it.” It’s easy to stick with the same companies year after year, and a recent ValuePenguin survey showed a [quarter of Americans](https:\/\/www.valuepenguin.com\/consumers-shopped-around-insurance-saved-money) have never bothered to compare quotes at all.\n\nTo make sure you’re not getting ripped off, experts recommend checking for better prices *every six months*.\n\nThat might sound a little tedious, but it’s worth it to make sure you’re not overpaying on your policies by \\$2,000 a year or more. Start by using a handy quote-comparison site to [check for the best rate on your homeowners insurance](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/insurance\/home\/how-to-get-the-best-rate-on-homeowners-insurance), then use the same strategy to [save on your car insurance](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/insurance\/auto\/overpaying-for-car-insurance).\n\n## 7\\. Get paid for surfing the web\n![Financial concept. Make money on the Internet. Woman sitting on the floor and working with a laptop](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/a\/17417\/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried_full_width_5_1200x500_v20210627121025.jpg)\n\nAfrica Studio \/ Shutterstock\n\nThey say there’s no such thing as a free lunch, but this is getting pretty close.\n\nA few rewards programs out there will [pay you for doing the same activities you’re already doing online](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/how-to-earn-money\/this-website-gives-you-free-gift-cards-for-watching-videos-online) — things like watching videos, playing games and answering surveys. Once you earn enough points, you can redeem them for gift cards at big retailers like Amazon and Target or turn them into cash through PayPal.\n\nIf you can’t squeeze more money out of your day job, you might as well squeeze a little bit of cash out of your downtime.\n\n### You May Also Like\n- Turning 50 with \\$0 saved for retirement? Most people don’t realize they’re actually just entering their prime earning decade. [Here are 6 ways to catch up fast](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/retirement\/hybrid-nothing-saved-for-retirement-catch-up?throw=WTRN1_website&entryId=native-613-8-native_last)\n- Inside a [\\$1B real estate fund offering access to thousands of income-producing rental properties](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/real-estate\/real-estate\/fundrise-private?throw=WTRN2_website&entryId=native-613-8-native_last) — with flexible minimums starting at \\$10\n- Vanguard’s outlook on U.S. stocks is raising alarm bells for retirees. [Here’s why and how to protect yourself](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/vanguard-raise-alarm-stocks-retirees?throw=WTRN3_website&entryId=native-613-8-native_last)\n- Here are [5 easy ways to own multiple properties like Bezos and Beyoncé](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/investing\/real-estate\/ways-to-invest-in-real-estate?throw=WTRN4_website&entryId=native-613-8-native_last). You can start with \\$10 (and no, you don’t have to manage a single thing)\n\nShare this:\n\n![](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/avatars\/justin-anderson-1614791916.png)\n\n[Justin Anderson](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/author\/justin-anderson)   Former Reporter\n\nJustin Anderson was formerly a reporter at MoneyWise. He has a degree in Journalism from Ryerson University and his career has seen him cover everything from business and finance to the entertainment industry to politics, with plenty in between.\n\nmore from Justin Anderson\n\n[![Dr. Anthony Fauci speaks to reporters in Washington DC.](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/a\/16232\/what-is-dr-anthony-fauci-worth_msn_small_thumb_150x150_v20220912142901.jpg)](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/news\/coronavirus\/what-is-dr-anthony-fauci-worth)\n\nNews   •  May 05\n\n## [What is Dr. Anthony Fauci's net worth?](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/news\/coronavirus\/what-is-dr-anthony-fauci-worth)\n\n[![Toronto, Ontario \/ Canada September 20th 2019 : Photograph of a red Tesla model 3 in front of a distant city.](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/a\/16375\/afford-tesla-even-if-not-rich_msn_small_thumb_150x150_v20220926135030.jpg)](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/insurance\/auto\/afford-tesla-even-if-not-rich)\n\nInsurance   •  Apr 20\n\n## [Are Teslas worth the cost and maintenance?](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/insurance\/auto\/afford-tesla-even-if-not-rich)\n\nComments\n\nBe the first to leave your thoughts.\n\nSign in\n\nSign up\n\nNewVoice your opinion\\!\n\nShare your take with thousands of readers like you.\n\nComments\n\n## Explore the latest\nSkip to previous Item\n\nSkip to next Item\n\n- [![A Portrait of a mature man sitting on a bench in an urban park](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/a\/24839\/nothing-saved-retirement-how-to-catch-up_hero_1800x800_v20230127172316_1675795170891186.jpg)](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/retirement\/hybrid-nothing-saved-for-retirement-catch-up)\n  \n  Retirement  • 10\\.1k views\n  \n  ## [I’m almost 50 and have nothing saved for retirement — what now? Here's how you can turn things around](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/retirement\/hybrid-nothing-saved-for-retirement-catch-up)\n  ![Phil Osagie's profile picture](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/avatars\/phil-osagie-1724247152.png)\n  \n  [Phil Osagie](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/author\/phil-osagie)\n- [![Patrick Ball on the red carpet](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/production\/articles\/177639\/hero_gettyimages-2255156841_20260412_142210.jpg)](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/debt\/the-pitt-star-paid-off-80k-in-debt-in-3-months)\n  \n  Managing Money   •  16h ago\n  \n  ## [‘I thought I was gonna die with it’: HBO’s The Pitt star says nabbing his acting job helped him pay off \\$80,000 in debt – in just 3 months](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/debt\/the-pitt-star-paid-off-80k-in-debt-in-3-months)\n  ![Em Norton's profile picture](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/avatars\/em-norton-1768229800.jpg)\n  \n  [Em Norton](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/author\/em-norton)\n- [![Rachel Cruze and George Kamel give a caller advice about navigating money in relationships.](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/production\/articles\/177059\/hero_screenshot-2026-04-10-at-45043-pm_20260410_165437.png)](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/debt\/debt-relationships-financial-compatibility-ramsey-show)\n  \n  Managing Money   •  17h ago\n  \n  ## [A Kentucky woman says her fiance dumped her because she went into debt while caregiving. How The Ramsey Show tells her to heal her heart and habits](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/debt\/debt-relationships-financial-compatibility-ramsey-show)\n  ![Rebecca Holland's profile picture](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/avatars\/rebecca-holland-1724162657.jpg)\n  \n  [Rebecca Holland](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/author\/rebecca-holland)\n- [![A personal data breach is a scary situation.](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/production\/articles\/177041\/hero_a-senior-woman-sits-at-a-table-and-works-at-a-lapt-2026-03-18-13-50-27-utc_20260410_164515.jpg)](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/retirement-planning\/ssn-dark-web-identity-theft-retirement-protection)\n  \n  Managing Money   •  18h ago\n  \n  ## [My bank just found my SSN on the dark web, but gave me zero guidance. I'm 55 and about to retire. How serious is this, and what can I do?](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/retirement-planning\/ssn-dark-web-identity-theft-retirement-protection)\n  ![Emma Caplan-Fisher's profile picture](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/avatars\/emma-caplan-fisher-1760118658.jpg)\n  \n  [Emma Caplan-Fisher](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/author\/emma-caplan-fisher)\n- [![Your first few years of retirement are for savoring — don\\&\\#039;t let money worries ruin them for you.](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/production\/articles\/177028\/hero_senior-couple-enjoying-rainy-day-adventure-kayakin-2026-03-26-23-49-35-utc_20260410_170153.jpeg)](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/retirement-planning\/retirement-first-five-years-mistakes)\n  \n  Managing Money   •  19h ago\n  \n  ## [There are 5 crucial mistakes people make in the first 5 years of retirement. Avoid them at all costs — they’re almost impossible to undo](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/retirement-planning\/retirement-first-five-years-mistakes)\n  ![Vishesh Raisinghani's profile picture](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/avatars\/vishesh-raisinghani-1654799520.png)\n  \n  [Vishesh Raisinghani](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/author\/vishesh-raisinghani)\n- [![Look at the numbers — not your emotions — to see how you stack up with your peers financially.](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/production\/articles\/177021\/hero_business-professionals-discussing-project-during-o-2026-01-11-10-44-00-utc_20260410_171032.jpg)](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/retirement-planning\/americans-wealth-retirement-net-worth-benchmarks)\n  \n  Managing Money   •  20h ago\n  \n  ## [Do you really need \\$2 million to be rich? Many Americans are wealthier than they think. See how you rank against others](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/retirement-planning\/americans-wealth-retirement-net-worth-benchmarks)\n  ![Jessica Wong's profile picture](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/avatars\/jessica-wong-1741374221.png)\n  \n  [Jessica Wong](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/author\/jessica-wong)\n- [![Photo of a man looking at his laptop screen, which is showing Amazon.](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/production\/articles\/177011\/hero_shutterstock-395784379_20260410_142055.jpg)](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/how-to-earn-money\/amazon-influencer-program-side-hustle-10000-a-month)\n  \n  Managing Money   •  Apr 12\n  \n  ## [A blue-collar worker says he makes \\$10,000 per month from Amazon in just 20 hours of work — how you can do it, too](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/how-to-earn-money\/amazon-influencer-program-side-hustle-10000-a-month)\n  ![Cole Tretheway's profile picture](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/avatars\/cole-tretheway-1775581898.jpg)\n  \n  [Cole Tretheway](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/author\/cole-tretheway)\n- [![People in their 50s are at a crucial financial crossroads while still working.](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/production\/articles\/177007\/hero_asking-question-to-student-2026-03-25-01-22-10-utc_20260410_170555.jpeg)](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/taxes\/gen-x-tax-mistakes-retirement-savings)\n  \n  Managing Money   •  Apr 12\n  \n  ## [Gen Xers are making 10 tax mistakes that can cost them thousands in peak earning years — and they have no idea. How to fix them fast before retirement](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/taxes\/gen-x-tax-mistakes-retirement-savings)\n  ![Rebecca Holland's profile picture](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/avatars\/rebecca-holland-1724162657.jpg)\n  \n  [Rebecca Holland](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/author\/rebecca-holland)\n\n## Explore the latest\nSkip to previous Item\n\nSkip to next Item\n\n- [![A Portrait of a mature man sitting on a bench in an urban park](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/a\/24839\/nothing-saved-retirement-how-to-catch-up_hero_1800x800_v20230127172316_1675795170891186.jpg)](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/retirement\/hybrid-nothing-saved-for-retirement-catch-up)\n  \n  Retirement  • 10\\.1k views\n  \n  ## [I’m almost 50 and have nothing saved for retirement — what now? Here's how you can turn things around](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/retirement\/hybrid-nothing-saved-for-retirement-catch-up)\n  Managing Money   •  16h ago\n  \n  ## [‘I thought I was gonna die with it’: HBO’s The Pitt star says nabbing his acting job helped him pay off \\$80,000 in debt – in just 3 months](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/debt\/the-pitt-star-paid-off-80k-in-debt-in-3-months)\n  Managing Money   •  17h ago\n  \n  ## [A Kentucky woman says her fiance dumped her because she went into debt while caregiving. How The Ramsey Show tells her to heal her heart and habits](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/debt\/debt-relationships-financial-compatibility-ramsey-show)\n  Managing Money   •  18h ago\n  \n  ## [My bank just found my SSN on the dark web, but gave me zero guidance. I'm 55 and about to retire. How serious is this, and what can I do?](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/retirement-planning\/ssn-dark-web-identity-theft-retirement-protection)\n- [![Your first few years of retirement are for savoring — don\\&\\#039;t let money worries ruin them for you.](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/production\/articles\/177028\/hero_senior-couple-enjoying-rainy-day-adventure-kayakin-2026-03-26-23-49-35-utc_20260410_170153.jpeg)](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/retirement-planning\/retirement-first-five-years-mistakes)\n  \n  Managing Money   •  19h ago\n  \n  ## [There are 5 crucial mistakes people make in the first 5 years of retirement. Avoid them at all costs — they’re almost impossible to undo](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/retirement-planning\/retirement-first-five-years-mistakes)\n  Managing Money   •  20h ago\n  \n  ## [Do you really need \\$2 million to be rich? Many Americans are wealthier than they think. See how you rank against others](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/retirement-planning\/americans-wealth-retirement-net-worth-benchmarks)\n  Managing Money   •  Apr 12\n  \n  ## [A blue-collar worker says he makes \\$10,000 per month from Amazon in just 20 hours of work — how you can do it, too](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/how-to-earn-money\/amazon-influencer-program-side-hustle-10000-a-month)\n  Managing Money   •  Apr 12\n  \n  ## [Gen Xers are making 10 tax mistakes that can cost them thousands in peak earning years — and they have no idea. How to fix them fast before retirement](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/taxes\/gen-x-tax-mistakes-retirement-savings)\n\n### Disclaimer\nThe content provided on Moneywise is information to help users become financially literate. 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Here are seven ways you can save money that you’ve probably never tried before.\n\n## 1\\. Take out a loan to defeat your debt\n![Young redhead woman relaxing on a sofa at home with her laptop computer on her lap as she shops online with her credit card reading information on the screen with an absorbed expression](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/a\/17417\/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried_full_width_1_1200x500_v20210627000315.jpg)\n\nstockfour \/ Shutterstock\n\nIt sounds counterintuitive, but taking out a loan could be a critical first step to becoming debt free.\n\nWhen the pandemic struck, many families relied on credit cards to get them through the following months. It’s a fine short-term survival strategy, but the brutal interest rates on credit cards — often topping 20% APR — can bury you over the long term. Payday loans are even worse.\n\nTo consolidate your debt, you apply for a new low-interest loan and use the money to [pay off all of your high-interest bills](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/borrowing\/credit-card-debt\/worried-about-your-credit-card-debt-during-the-pandemic-this-will-help). You’ll still owe the same amount, but your new rate will help you save you money on interest and potentially free yourself from debt years sooner.\n\n### Must Read\n- Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are [making 1 big Social Security mistake](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/retirement-planning\/dave-ramsey-warns-nearly-50-of-americans-are-making-1?throw=DM1_website&entryId=native-594-8-native_first) — are you doing the same?\n- Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now [become a landlord for as little as \\$100](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/investing\/real-estate\/invest-vacation-rental-homes-v?throw=DM2_website&entryId=native-594-8-native_first) — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how\n- Robert Kiyosaki says [this 1 asset will surge 400% in a year](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/news\/investing\/robert-kiyosaki-says-this-1-asset-will-surge-400-in-a-year-warns-prices-are-about-to-explode-urges-investors-not-to-miss-out-do-you-own-any?throw=DM3_website&entryId=native-594-8-native_first) and begs investors not to miss this ‘explosion’\n\nJoin 250,000+ readers and get Moneywise’s best stories and exclusive interviews first — clear insights curated and delivered weekly. **[Subscribe now.](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/subscription?throw=DM4_website&entryId=native-594-8-native_first)**\n## 2\\. Ditch your traditional bank account\n![Shocked woman looking at her bank account balance](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/a\/17417\/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried_full_width_2_1200x500_v20210627120602.jpg)\n\nKaspars Grinvalds \/ Shutterstock\n\nIf you’ve got money to spare, you’re probably socking it away in a standard savings account from one of the big banks. That might seem like a safe strategy, but with every passing day, that money is losing its value.\n\nTraditional bank accounts pay practically nothing in interest; as of June 2021, the average interest rate for a savings account is 0.06% APY. Any meager earnings you see will be obliterated by inflation.\n\n[![Jay Leno testing out new Tesla Semi](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/production\/articles\/176708\/hero_defective-pipes-1_20260409_163211.png)](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/news\/top-stories\/tesla-semi-jay-leno-electric-trucking-diesel)\n\n1\n\n2\n\n3\n\n4\n\n5\n\nTo give your money a chance to grow and maintain its purchasing power, [look for a high-yield savings account](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/banking\/savings-accounts\/savings-could-be-going-to-waste). Some banks — especially digital banks that don’t have to pay for physical branches full of employees — are offering interest rates as high as 0.55% APY. That’s **over nine times as much interest** as a normal account.\n\n## 3\\. Let a robot do your budgeting for you\n![Close-up Of A Robot's Hand Stacking Golden Coins On Turquoise Background](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/a\/17417\/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried_full_width_3_1200x500_v20210627120708.jpg)\n\nAndrey\\_Popov \/ Shutterstock\n\nEven if you make a mental note every single time you open your wallet, it’s hard to keep track of where *all* of your money is going.\n\nMortgage payments, car payments, insurance bills, utility bills, credit card interest, streaming subscriptions, investing fees — a lot of money vanishes every month to these automatic expenses.\n\nTo keep track of your active and passive payments, consider using a [dedicated budgeting app](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/budgeting\/easy-ways-to-save-if-you-hate-budgeting). Some more advanced apps will check to make sure you’re not losing money on subscriptions you forgot about and can even negotiate a better rate on your monthly bills.\n\n## 4\\. Trade houses — or at least mortgages\n![Young mixed ethnicity couple taking a break on moving day into new home sitting on floor in lounge drinking coffee surrounded by removal boxes](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/a\/17417\/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried_full_width_6_1200x500_v20210627121204.jpg)\n\nSouthworks \/ Shutterstock\n\nMoving may seem like a drastic measure, but some of your neighbors are probably mulling it over. A LendingTree study late last year found [just under half of Americans](https:\/\/www.lendingtree.com\/home\/mortgage\/nearly-half-of-americans-are-considering-a-move-to-reduce-living-expenses\/) were considering a move to reduce their living expenses.\n\nLiving just a little further away from an urban center can make an extraordinary difference. Depending on where you live, a \\$500,000 home could be a stunning mansion or multifamily investment property — or a one-bedroom condo.\n\nBut if moving is out of the question, you can still save a ton by taking advantage of today’s incredibly low mortgage rates. Many homeowners have already refinanced in the last year, but an estimated 14.1 million Americans who haven’t can still act fast and [save an average of \\$287 a month](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/mortgages\/mortgages\/refinance-to-save-thousands-of-dollars), according to mortgage technology and data provider Black Knight.\n\n## 5\\. Invest your ‘spare change’\n![Pocket change, various coins over on old wood surface](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/a\/17417\/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried_full_width_7_1200x500_v20210627121336.jpg)\n\nR. MACKAY PHOTOGRAPHY, LLC \/ Shutterstock\n\nWhen your budget is tight, investing for the future is probably the last thing on your mind. But given enough time, even pocket change can become a source of wealth.\n\nTake willpower out of the equation by using an app to [automatically invest spare change](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/investing\/robo-advisors\/how-your-small-change-can-help-build-your-investing-portfolio) from your day-to-day purchases. Say you buy a doughnut for \\$2.30 — the app will round up the cost to \\$3.00 and invest the 70 cent difference in a premade portfolio.\n\nSaving a few cents at a time may not seem like much, but \\$2.50 worth of daily round-ups becomes \\$900 in one year — and that’s before counting the additional gains you could make in the market.\n\n## 6\\. Trade in your overpriced insurance policies\n![Car money and calculator. Payments and costs.](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/a\/17417\/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried_full_width_4_1200x500_v20210627120950.jpg)\n\nkurhan \/ Shutterstock\n\n[![Jay Leno testing out new Tesla Semi](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/production\/articles\/176708\/hero_defective-pipes-1_20260409_163211.png)](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/news\/top-stories\/tesla-semi-jay-leno-electric-trucking-diesel)\n\n1\n\n2\n\n3\n\n4\n\n5\n\nWhen it comes to insurance, people are eager to “set it and forget it.” It’s easy to stick with the same companies year after year, and a recent ValuePenguin survey showed a [quarter of Americans](https:\/\/www.valuepenguin.com\/consumers-shopped-around-insurance-saved-money) have never bothered to compare quotes at all.\n\nTo make sure you’re not getting ripped off, experts recommend checking for better prices *every six months*.\n\nThat might sound a little tedious, but it’s worth it to make sure you’re not overpaying on your policies by \\$2,000 a year or more. Start by using a handy quote-comparison site to [check for the best rate on your homeowners insurance](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/insurance\/home\/how-to-get-the-best-rate-on-homeowners-insurance), then use the same strategy to [save on your car insurance](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/insurance\/auto\/overpaying-for-car-insurance).\n\n## 7\\. Get paid for surfing the web\n![Financial concept. Make money on the Internet. Woman sitting on the floor and working with a laptop](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/a\/17417\/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried_full_width_5_1200x500_v20210627121025.jpg)\n\nAfrica Studio \/ Shutterstock\n\nThey say there’s no such thing as a free lunch, but this is getting pretty close.\n\nA few rewards programs out there will [pay you for doing the same activities you’re already doing online](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/how-to-earn-money\/this-website-gives-you-free-gift-cards-for-watching-videos-online) — things like watching videos, playing games and answering surveys. Once you earn enough points, you can redeem them for gift cards at big retailers like Amazon and Target or turn them into cash through PayPal.\n\nIf you can’t squeeze more money out of your day job, you might as well squeeze a little bit of cash out of your downtime.\n\n### You May Also Like\n- Turning 50 with \\$0 saved for retirement? Most people don’t realize they’re actually just entering their prime earning decade. [Here are 6 ways to catch up fast](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/retirement\/hybrid-nothing-saved-for-retirement-catch-up?throw=WTRN1_website&entryId=native-613-8-native_last)\n- Inside a [\\$1B real estate fund offering access to thousands of income-producing rental properties](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/real-estate\/real-estate\/fundrise-private?throw=WTRN2_website&entryId=native-613-8-native_last) — with flexible minimums starting at \\$10\n- Vanguard’s outlook on U.S. stocks is raising alarm bells for retirees. [Here’s why and how to protect yourself](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/vanguard-raise-alarm-stocks-retirees?throw=WTRN3_website&entryId=native-613-8-native_last)\n- Here are [5 easy ways to own multiple properties like Bezos and Beyoncé](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/investing\/real-estate\/ways-to-invest-in-real-estate?throw=WTRN4_website&entryId=native-613-8-native_last). You can start with \\$10 (and no, you don’t have to manage a single thing)\n\nShare this:\n\n![](https:\/\/media1.moneywise.com\/avatars\/justin-anderson-1614791916.png)\n\n[Justin Anderson](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/author\/justin-anderson)   Former Reporter\n\nJustin Anderson was formerly a reporter at MoneyWise. He has a degree in Journalism from Ryerson University and his career has seen him cover everything from business and finance to the entertainment industry to politics, with plenty in between.\n\nmore from Justin Anderson\n\nComments\n\nBe the first to leave your thoughts.\n\nVoice your opinion\\!\n\nShare your take with thousands of readers like you.\n\n### Disclaimer\nThe content provided on Moneywise is information to help users become financially literate. It is neither investment, tax nor legal advice, is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research or investment advice, and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities, enter into any loan, mortgage or insurance agreements or to adopt any investment strategy. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, either express or implied, with respect to the data provided, the timeliness thereof, the results to be obtained by the use thereof or any other matter. Advertisers are not responsible for the content of this site, including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on any advertiser product, please visit their website.\n\n†Terms and Conditions apply.\n\n[![](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/img\/to-top_2x.png)](https:\/\/moneywise.com\/managing-money\/budgeting\/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried#top)","meta_canonical":null}

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Boilerpipe Text	Discounts and special offers Subscriber-only articles and interviews Breaking news and trending topics Not interested ? Dean Drobot / Shutterstock Jun 27, 2021 Jun 27, 2021 The past year and a half has been a financial challenge like no other, and that means the usual money-saving strategies employed in tough times just won’t cut it. Making lunch at home, buying budget brands at the grocery store, spending vacation time in the backyard — most families are already making these kinds of moves to claw their way back to financial stability. Jun 27, 2021 Let this be the year you go beyond basic budgeting tips. Here are seven ways you can save money that you’ve probably never tried before. 1. Take out a loan to defeat your debt stockfour / Shutterstock It sounds counterintuitive, but taking out a loan could be a critical first step to becoming debt free. When the pandemic struck, many families relied on credit cards to get them through the following months. It’s a fine short-term survival strategy, but the brutal interest rates on credit cards — often topping 20% APR — can bury you over the long term. Payday loans are even worse. To consolidate your debt, you apply for a new low-interest loan and use the money to pay off all of your high-interest bills . You’ll still owe the same amount, but your new rate will help you save you money on interest and potentially free yourself from debt years sooner. Must Read Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake — are you doing the same? Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how Robert Kiyosaki says this 1 asset will surge 400% in a year and begs investors not to miss this ‘explosion’ Join 250,000+ readers and get Moneywise’s best stories and exclusive interviews first — clear insights curated and delivered weekly. Subscribe now. 2. Ditch your traditional bank account Kaspars Grinvalds / Shutterstock If you’ve got money to spare, you’re probably socking it away in a standard savings account from one of the big banks. That might seem like a safe strategy, but with every passing day, that money is losing its value. Traditional bank accounts pay practically nothing in interest; as of June 2021, the average interest rate for a savings account is 0.06% APY. Any meager earnings you see will be obliterated by inflation. 1 2 3 4 5 To give your money a chance to grow and maintain its purchasing power, look for a high-yield savings account . Some banks — especially digital banks that don’t have to pay for physical branches full of employees — are offering interest rates as high as 0.55% APY. That’s over nine times as much interest as a normal account. 3. Let a robot do your budgeting for you Andrey_Popov / Shutterstock Even if you make a mental note every single time you open your wallet, it’s hard to keep track of where all of your money is going. Mortgage payments, car payments, insurance bills, utility bills, credit card interest, streaming subscriptions, investing fees — a lot of money vanishes every month to these automatic expenses. To keep track of your active and passive payments, consider using a dedicated budgeting app . Some more advanced apps will check to make sure you’re not losing money on subscriptions you forgot about and can even negotiate a better rate on your monthly bills. 4. Trade houses — or at least mortgages Southworks / Shutterstock Moving may seem like a drastic measure, but some of your neighbors are probably mulling it over. A LendingTree study late last year found just under half of Americans were considering a move to reduce their living expenses. Living just a little further away from an urban center can make an extraordinary difference. Depending on where you live, a $500,000 home could be a stunning mansion or multifamily investment property — or a one-bedroom condo. But if moving is out of the question, you can still save a ton by taking advantage of today’s incredibly low mortgage rates. Many homeowners have already refinanced in the last year, but an estimated 14.1 million Americans who haven’t can still act fast and save an average of $287 a month , according to mortgage technology and data provider Black Knight. 5. Invest your ‘spare change’ R. MACKAY PHOTOGRAPHY, LLC / Shutterstock When your budget is tight, investing for the future is probably the last thing on your mind. But given enough time, even pocket change can become a source of wealth. Take willpower out of the equation by using an app to automatically invest spare change from your day-to-day purchases. Say you buy a doughnut for $2.30 — the app will round up the cost to $3.00 and invest the 70 cent difference in a premade portfolio. Saving a few cents at a time may not seem like much, but $2.50 worth of daily round-ups becomes $900 in one year — and that’s before counting the additional gains you could make in the market. 6. Trade in your overpriced insurance policies kurhan / Shutterstock 1 2 3 4 5 When it comes to insurance, people are eager to “set it and forget it.” It’s easy to stick with the same companies year after year, and a recent ValuePenguin survey showed a quarter of Americans have never bothered to compare quotes at all. To make sure you’re not getting ripped off, experts recommend checking for better prices every six months . That might sound a little tedious, but it’s worth it to make sure you’re not overpaying on your policies by $2,000 a year or more. Start by using a handy quote-comparison site to check for the best rate on your homeowners insurance , then use the same strategy to save on your car insurance . 7. Get paid for surfing the web Africa Studio / Shutterstock They say there’s no such thing as a free lunch, but this is getting pretty close. A few rewards programs out there will pay you for doing the same activities you’re already doing online — things like watching videos, playing games and answering surveys. Once you earn enough points, you can redeem them for gift cards at big retailers like Amazon and Target or turn them into cash through PayPal. If you can’t squeeze more money out of your day job, you might as well squeeze a little bit of cash out of your downtime. You May Also Like Turning 50 with $0 saved for retirement? Most people don’t realize they’re actually just entering their prime earning decade. Here are 6 ways to catch up fast Inside a $1B real estate fund offering access to thousands of income-producing rental properties — with flexible minimums starting at $10 Vanguard’s outlook on U.S. stocks is raising alarm bells for retirees. Here’s why and how to protect yourself Here are 5 easy ways to own multiple properties like Bezos and Beyoncé . You can start with $10 (and no, you don’t have to manage a single thing) Share this: Justin Anderson Former Reporter Justin Anderson was formerly a reporter at MoneyWise. He has a degree in Journalism from Ryerson University and his career has seen him cover everything from business and finance to the entertainment industry to politics, with plenty in between. more from Justin Anderson Comments Be the first to leave your thoughts. Voice your opinion! Share your take with thousands of readers like you. Disclaimer The content provided on Moneywise is information to help users become financially literate. It is neither investment, tax nor legal advice, is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research or investment advice, and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities, enter into any loan, mortgage or insurance agreements or to adopt any investment strategy. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, either express or implied, with respect to the data provided, the timeliness thereof, the results to be obtained by the use thereof or any other matter. Advertisers are not responsible for the content of this site, including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on any advertiser product, please visit their website. †Terms and Conditions apply.
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Making lunch at home, buying budget brands at the grocery store, spending vacation time in the backyard — most families are already making these kinds of moves to claw their way back to financial stability. ![](https://media1.moneywise.com/avatars/justin-anderson-1614791916.png) [Justin Anderson](https://moneywise.com/author/justin-anderson) Jun 27, 2021 0 Share Copy Link [Email](<mailto:?subject=Moneywise - 7 Ways to Save Money You've Probably Never Tried&body=From Moneywise - 7 Ways to Save Money You've Probably Never Tried\n\n https://moneywise.com/managing-money/budgeting/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried>) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://moneywise.com/managing-money/budgeting/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried) [X](https://x.com/intent/tweet?url=https://moneywise.com/managing-money/budgeting/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried&text=7%20Ways%20to%20Save%20Money%20You've%20Probably%20Never%20Tried) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://moneywise.com/managing-money/budgeting/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried&title=7%20Ways%20to%20Save%20Money%20You've%20Probably%20Never%20Tried) [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://moneywise.com/managing-money/budgeting/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried&title=7%20Ways%20to%20Save%20Money%20You've%20Probably%20Never%20Tried) Follow us [Newsletter](https://moneywise.com/managing-money/budgeting/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/moneywisecom/) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/moneywisecom) [Tiktok](https://www.tiktok.com/@moneywisecom) [X](https://x.com/moneywisecom) [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCncBICp23JrrN3Wfmkf74Tw) Advertisement Let this be the year you go beyond basic budgeting tips. Here are seven ways you can save money that you’ve probably never tried before. ## 1\. Take out a loan to defeat your debt ![Young redhead woman relaxing on a sofa at home with her laptop computer on her lap as she shops online with her credit card reading information on the screen with an absorbed expression](https://media1.moneywise.com/a/17417/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried_full_width_1_1200x500_v20210627000315.jpg) stockfour / Shutterstock It sounds counterintuitive, but taking out a loan could be a critical first step to becoming debt free. When the pandemic struck, many families relied on credit cards to get them through the following months. It’s a fine short-term survival strategy, but the brutal interest rates on credit cards — often topping 20% APR — can bury you over the long term. Payday loans are even worse. To consolidate your debt, you apply for a new low-interest loan and use the money to [pay off all of your high-interest bills](https://moneywise.com/borrowing/credit-card-debt/worried-about-your-credit-card-debt-during-the-pandemic-this-will-help). You’ll still owe the same amount, but your new rate will help you save you money on interest and potentially free yourself from debt years sooner. ### Must Read - Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are [making 1 big Social Security mistake](https://moneywise.com/managing-money/retirement-planning/dave-ramsey-warns-nearly-50-of-americans-are-making-1?throw=DM1_website&entryId=native-594-8-native_first) — are you doing the same? - Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now [become a landlord for as little as \$100](https://moneywise.com/investing/real-estate/invest-vacation-rental-homes-v?throw=DM2_website&entryId=native-594-8-native_first) — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how - Robert Kiyosaki says [this 1 asset will surge 400% in a year](https://moneywise.com/news/investing/robert-kiyosaki-says-this-1-asset-will-surge-400-in-a-year-warns-prices-are-about-to-explode-urges-investors-not-to-miss-out-do-you-own-any?throw=DM3_website&entryId=native-594-8-native_first) and begs investors not to miss this ‘explosion’ Join 250,000+ readers and get Moneywise’s best stories and exclusive interviews first — clear insights curated and delivered weekly. [Subscribe now.](https://moneywise.com/subscription?throw=DM4_website&entryId=native-594-8-native_first) ## 2\. Ditch your traditional bank account ![Shocked woman looking at her bank account balance](https://media1.moneywise.com/a/17417/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried_full_width_2_1200x500_v20210627120602.jpg) Kaspars Grinvalds / Shutterstock If you’ve got money to spare, you’re probably socking it away in a standard savings account from one of the big banks. That might seem like a safe strategy, but with every passing day, that money is losing its value. Traditional bank accounts pay practically nothing in interest; as of June 2021, the average interest rate for a savings account is 0.06% APY. Any meager earnings you see will be obliterated by inflation. ## trending now [![Jay Leno testing out new Tesla Semi](https://media1.moneywise.com/production/articles/176708/hero_defective-pipes-1_20260409_163211.png)](https://moneywise.com/news/top-stories/tesla-semi-jay-leno-electric-trucking-diesel) 1 News • 224\.9k views ## [Jay Leno drives the Tesla Semi](https://moneywise.com/news/top-stories/tesla-semi-jay-leno-electric-trucking-diesel) 2 News • 149\.9k views ## [Oracle's new CFO got \$26M in stock after layoffs](https://moneywise.com/news/top-stories/oracle-gave-its-new-cfo-26m-in-stock-after-firing-up-to-30000-workers-affected-employee-says-an-algorithm-decided-who-got-cut) 3 News • 123\.7k views ## [Trump targets 9,400 TSA jobs in \$1.5B cut](https://moneywise.com/news/top-stories/trump-tsa-privatization-budget-cuts-airport-security) 4 Managing Money • 70\.8k views ## [Costco beats Walmart for overall grocery value](https://moneywise.com/managing-money/budgeting/walmart-costco-grocery-price-comparison) 5 Managing Money • 55\.5k views ## [The hidden risks of a big 401(k) balance](https://moneywise.com/managing-money/retirement-planning/401k-balance-retirement-risks-tax-planning) Advertisement To give your money a chance to grow and maintain its purchasing power, [look for a high-yield savings account](https://moneywise.com/banking/savings-accounts/savings-could-be-going-to-waste). Some banks — especially digital banks that don’t have to pay for physical branches full of employees — are offering interest rates as high as 0.55% APY. That’s over nine times as much interest as a normal account. ## 3\. Let a robot do your budgeting for you ![Close-up Of A Robot's Hand Stacking Golden Coins On Turquoise Background](https://media1.moneywise.com/a/17417/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried_full_width_3_1200x500_v20210627120708.jpg) Andrey\_Popov / Shutterstock Even if you make a mental note every single time you open your wallet, it’s hard to keep track of where all of your money is going. Mortgage payments, car payments, insurance bills, utility bills, credit card interest, streaming subscriptions, investing fees — a lot of money vanishes every month to these automatic expenses. To keep track of your active and passive payments, consider using a [dedicated budgeting app](https://moneywise.com/managing-money/budgeting/easy-ways-to-save-if-you-hate-budgeting). Some more advanced apps will check to make sure you’re not losing money on subscriptions you forgot about and can even negotiate a better rate on your monthly bills. ### Read More: Dave Ramsey says [this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America](https://moneywise.com/managing-money/dave-ramsey-baby-steps?throw=HALF_website&entryId=native-599-8-native_second) — and that ‘anyone’ can do it ## 4\. Trade houses — or at least mortgages ![Young mixed ethnicity couple taking a break on moving day into new home sitting on floor in lounge drinking coffee surrounded by removal boxes](https://media1.moneywise.com/a/17417/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried_full_width_6_1200x500_v20210627121204.jpg) Southworks / Shutterstock Moving may seem like a drastic measure, but some of your neighbors are probably mulling it over. A LendingTree study late last year found [just under half of Americans](https://www.lendingtree.com/home/mortgage/nearly-half-of-americans-are-considering-a-move-to-reduce-living-expenses/) were considering a move to reduce their living expenses. Advertisement Living just a little further away from an urban center can make an extraordinary difference. Depending on where you live, a \$500,000 home could be a stunning mansion or multifamily investment property — or a one-bedroom condo. But if moving is out of the question, you can still save a ton by taking advantage of today’s incredibly low mortgage rates. Many homeowners have already refinanced in the last year, but an estimated 14.1 million Americans who haven’t can still act fast and [save an average of \$287 a month](https://moneywise.com/mortgages/mortgages/refinance-to-save-thousands-of-dollars), according to mortgage technology and data provider Black Knight. ## 5\. Invest your ‘spare change’ ![Pocket change, various coins over on old wood surface](https://media1.moneywise.com/a/17417/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried_full_width_7_1200x500_v20210627121336.jpg) R. MACKAY PHOTOGRAPHY, LLC / Shutterstock When your budget is tight, investing for the future is probably the last thing on your mind. But given enough time, even pocket change can become a source of wealth. Take willpower out of the equation by using an app to [automatically invest spare change](https://moneywise.com/investing/robo-advisors/how-your-small-change-can-help-build-your-investing-portfolio) from your day-to-day purchases. Say you buy a doughnut for \$2.30 — the app will round up the cost to \$3.00 and invest the 70 cent difference in a premade portfolio. Saving a few cents at a time may not seem like much, but \$2.50 worth of daily round-ups becomes \$900 in one year — and that’s before counting the additional gains you could make in the market. ## 6\. Trade in your overpriced insurance policies ![Car money and calculator. Payments and costs.](https://media1.moneywise.com/a/17417/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried_full_width_4_1200x500_v20210627120950.jpg) kurhan / Shutterstock ## trending now [![Jay Leno testing out new Tesla Semi](https://media1.moneywise.com/production/articles/176708/hero_defective-pipes-1_20260409_163211.png)](https://moneywise.com/news/top-stories/tesla-semi-jay-leno-electric-trucking-diesel) 1 News • 224\.9k views ## [Jay Leno drives the Tesla Semi](https://moneywise.com/news/top-stories/tesla-semi-jay-leno-electric-trucking-diesel) 2 News • 149\.9k views ## [Oracle's new CFO got \$26M in stock after layoffs](https://moneywise.com/news/top-stories/oracle-gave-its-new-cfo-26m-in-stock-after-firing-up-to-30000-workers-affected-employee-says-an-algorithm-decided-who-got-cut) 3 News • 123\.7k views ## [Trump targets 9,400 TSA jobs in \$1.5B cut](https://moneywise.com/news/top-stories/trump-tsa-privatization-budget-cuts-airport-security) 4 Managing Money • 70\.8k views ## [Costco beats Walmart for overall grocery value](https://moneywise.com/managing-money/budgeting/walmart-costco-grocery-price-comparison) 5 Managing Money • 55\.5k views ## [The hidden risks of a big 401(k) balance](https://moneywise.com/managing-money/retirement-planning/401k-balance-retirement-risks-tax-planning) Advertisement When it comes to insurance, people are eager to “set it and forget it.” It’s easy to stick with the same companies year after year, and a recent ValuePenguin survey showed a [quarter of Americans](https://www.valuepenguin.com/consumers-shopped-around-insurance-saved-money) have never bothered to compare quotes at all. To make sure you’re not getting ripped off, experts recommend checking for better prices every six months. That might sound a little tedious, but it’s worth it to make sure you’re not overpaying on your policies by \$2,000 a year or more. Start by using a handy quote-comparison site to [check for the best rate on your homeowners insurance](https://moneywise.com/insurance/home/how-to-get-the-best-rate-on-homeowners-insurance), then use the same strategy to [save on your car insurance](https://moneywise.com/insurance/auto/overpaying-for-car-insurance). ## 7\. Get paid for surfing the web ![Financial concept. Make money on the Internet. Woman sitting on the floor and working with a laptop](https://media1.moneywise.com/a/17417/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried_full_width_5_1200x500_v20210627121025.jpg) Africa Studio / Shutterstock They say there’s no such thing as a free lunch, but this is getting pretty close. A few rewards programs out there will [pay you for doing the same activities you’re already doing online](https://moneywise.com/managing-money/how-to-earn-money/this-website-gives-you-free-gift-cards-for-watching-videos-online) — things like watching videos, playing games and answering surveys. Once you earn enough points, you can redeem them for gift cards at big retailers like Amazon and Target or turn them into cash through PayPal. If you can’t squeeze more money out of your day job, you might as well squeeze a little bit of cash out of your downtime. ### You May Also Like - Turning 50 with \$0 saved for retirement? Most people don’t realize they’re actually just entering their prime earning decade. [Here are 6 ways to catch up fast](https://moneywise.com/retirement/hybrid-nothing-saved-for-retirement-catch-up?throw=WTRN1_website&entryId=native-613-8-native_last) - Inside a [\$1B real estate fund offering access to thousands of income-producing rental properties](https://moneywise.com/real-estate/real-estate/fundrise-private?throw=WTRN2_website&entryId=native-613-8-native_last) — with flexible minimums starting at \$10 - Vanguard’s outlook on U.S. stocks is raising alarm bells for retirees. [Here’s why and how to protect yourself](https://moneywise.com/vanguard-raise-alarm-stocks-retirees?throw=WTRN3_website&entryId=native-613-8-native_last) - Here are [5 easy ways to own multiple properties like Bezos and Beyoncé](https://moneywise.com/investing/real-estate/ways-to-invest-in-real-estate?throw=WTRN4_website&entryId=native-613-8-native_last). You can start with \$10 (and no, you don’t have to manage a single thing) Share this: ![](https://media1.moneywise.com/avatars/justin-anderson-1614791916.png) [Justin Anderson](https://moneywise.com/author/justin-anderson) Former Reporter Justin Anderson was formerly a reporter at MoneyWise. He has a degree in Journalism from Ryerson University and his career has seen him cover everything from business and finance to the entertainment industry to politics, with plenty in between. more from Justin Anderson [![Dr. Anthony Fauci speaks to reporters in Washington DC.](https://media1.moneywise.com/a/16232/what-is-dr-anthony-fauci-worth_msn_small_thumb_150x150_v20220912142901.jpg)](https://moneywise.com/news/coronavirus/what-is-dr-anthony-fauci-worth) News • May 05 ## [What is Dr. Anthony Fauci's net worth?](https://moneywise.com/news/coronavirus/what-is-dr-anthony-fauci-worth) [![Toronto, Ontario / Canada September 20th 2019 : Photograph of a red Tesla model 3 in front of a distant city.](https://media1.moneywise.com/a/16375/afford-tesla-even-if-not-rich_msn_small_thumb_150x150_v20220926135030.jpg)](https://moneywise.com/insurance/auto/afford-tesla-even-if-not-rich) Insurance • Apr 20 ## [Are Teslas worth the cost and maintenance?](https://moneywise.com/insurance/auto/afford-tesla-even-if-not-rich) Comments Be the first to leave your thoughts. Sign in Sign up NewVoice your opinion\! Share your take with thousands of readers like you. Comments ## Explore the latest Skip to previous Item Skip to next Item - [![A Portrait of a mature man sitting on a bench in an urban park](https://media1.moneywise.com/a/24839/nothing-saved-retirement-how-to-catch-up_hero_1800x800_v20230127172316_1675795170891186.jpg)](https://moneywise.com/retirement/hybrid-nothing-saved-for-retirement-catch-up) Retirement • 10\.1k views ## [I’m almost 50 and have nothing saved for retirement — what now? 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Readable Markdown	- Discounts and special offers - Subscriber-only articles and interviews - Breaking news and trending topics Not interested ? ![Portrait of a confused african man wearing shirt standing isolated, showing money banknotes](https://media1.moneywise.com/a/17417/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried_hero_1800x800_v20210626234759.jpg) Dean Drobot / Shutterstock ![](https://media1.moneywise.com/avatars/justin-anderson-1614791916.png) Jun 27, 2021 ![](https://media1.moneywise.com/avatars/justin-anderson-1614791916.png) Jun 27, 2021 The past year and a half has been a financial challenge like no other, and that means the usual money-saving strategies employed in tough times just won’t cut it. Making lunch at home, buying budget brands at the grocery store, spending vacation time in the backyard — most families are already making these kinds of moves to claw their way back to financial stability. ![](https://media1.moneywise.com/avatars/justin-anderson-1614791916.png) Jun 27, 2021 Let this be the year you go beyond basic budgeting tips. Here are seven ways you can save money that you’ve probably never tried before. ## 1\. Take out a loan to defeat your debt ![Young redhead woman relaxing on a sofa at home with her laptop computer on her lap as she shops online with her credit card reading information on the screen with an absorbed expression](https://media1.moneywise.com/a/17417/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried_full_width_1_1200x500_v20210627000315.jpg) stockfour / Shutterstock It sounds counterintuitive, but taking out a loan could be a critical first step to becoming debt free. When the pandemic struck, many families relied on credit cards to get them through the following months. It’s a fine short-term survival strategy, but the brutal interest rates on credit cards — often topping 20% APR — can bury you over the long term. Payday loans are even worse. To consolidate your debt, you apply for a new low-interest loan and use the money to [pay off all of your high-interest bills](https://moneywise.com/borrowing/credit-card-debt/worried-about-your-credit-card-debt-during-the-pandemic-this-will-help). You’ll still owe the same amount, but your new rate will help you save you money on interest and potentially free yourself from debt years sooner. ### Must Read - Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are [making 1 big Social Security mistake](https://moneywise.com/managing-money/retirement-planning/dave-ramsey-warns-nearly-50-of-americans-are-making-1?throw=DM1_website&entryId=native-594-8-native_first) — are you doing the same? - Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now [become a landlord for as little as \$100](https://moneywise.com/investing/real-estate/invest-vacation-rental-homes-v?throw=DM2_website&entryId=native-594-8-native_first) — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how - Robert Kiyosaki says [this 1 asset will surge 400% in a year](https://moneywise.com/news/investing/robert-kiyosaki-says-this-1-asset-will-surge-400-in-a-year-warns-prices-are-about-to-explode-urges-investors-not-to-miss-out-do-you-own-any?throw=DM3_website&entryId=native-594-8-native_first) and begs investors not to miss this ‘explosion’ Join 250,000+ readers and get Moneywise’s best stories and exclusive interviews first — clear insights curated and delivered weekly. [Subscribe now.](https://moneywise.com/subscription?throw=DM4_website&entryId=native-594-8-native_first) ## 2\. Ditch your traditional bank account ![Shocked woman looking at her bank account balance](https://media1.moneywise.com/a/17417/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried_full_width_2_1200x500_v20210627120602.jpg) Kaspars Grinvalds / Shutterstock If you’ve got money to spare, you’re probably socking it away in a standard savings account from one of the big banks. That might seem like a safe strategy, but with every passing day, that money is losing its value. Traditional bank accounts pay practically nothing in interest; as of June 2021, the average interest rate for a savings account is 0.06% APY. Any meager earnings you see will be obliterated by inflation. [![Jay Leno testing out new Tesla Semi](https://media1.moneywise.com/production/articles/176708/hero_defective-pipes-1_20260409_163211.png)](https://moneywise.com/news/top-stories/tesla-semi-jay-leno-electric-trucking-diesel) 1 2 3 4 5 To give your money a chance to grow and maintain its purchasing power, [look for a high-yield savings account](https://moneywise.com/banking/savings-accounts/savings-could-be-going-to-waste). Some banks — especially digital banks that don’t have to pay for physical branches full of employees — are offering interest rates as high as 0.55% APY. That’s over nine times as much interest as a normal account. ## 3\. Let a robot do your budgeting for you ![Close-up Of A Robot's Hand Stacking Golden Coins On Turquoise Background](https://media1.moneywise.com/a/17417/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried_full_width_3_1200x500_v20210627120708.jpg) Andrey\_Popov / Shutterstock Even if you make a mental note every single time you open your wallet, it’s hard to keep track of where all of your money is going. Mortgage payments, car payments, insurance bills, utility bills, credit card interest, streaming subscriptions, investing fees — a lot of money vanishes every month to these automatic expenses. To keep track of your active and passive payments, consider using a [dedicated budgeting app](https://moneywise.com/managing-money/budgeting/easy-ways-to-save-if-you-hate-budgeting). Some more advanced apps will check to make sure you’re not losing money on subscriptions you forgot about and can even negotiate a better rate on your monthly bills. ## 4\. Trade houses — or at least mortgages ![Young mixed ethnicity couple taking a break on moving day into new home sitting on floor in lounge drinking coffee surrounded by removal boxes](https://media1.moneywise.com/a/17417/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried_full_width_6_1200x500_v20210627121204.jpg) Southworks / Shutterstock Moving may seem like a drastic measure, but some of your neighbors are probably mulling it over. A LendingTree study late last year found [just under half of Americans](https://www.lendingtree.com/home/mortgage/nearly-half-of-americans-are-considering-a-move-to-reduce-living-expenses/) were considering a move to reduce their living expenses. Living just a little further away from an urban center can make an extraordinary difference. Depending on where you live, a \$500,000 home could be a stunning mansion or multifamily investment property — or a one-bedroom condo. But if moving is out of the question, you can still save a ton by taking advantage of today’s incredibly low mortgage rates. Many homeowners have already refinanced in the last year, but an estimated 14.1 million Americans who haven’t can still act fast and [save an average of \$287 a month](https://moneywise.com/mortgages/mortgages/refinance-to-save-thousands-of-dollars), according to mortgage technology and data provider Black Knight. ## 5\. Invest your ‘spare change’ ![Pocket change, various coins over on old wood surface](https://media1.moneywise.com/a/17417/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried_full_width_7_1200x500_v20210627121336.jpg) R. MACKAY PHOTOGRAPHY, LLC / Shutterstock When your budget is tight, investing for the future is probably the last thing on your mind. But given enough time, even pocket change can become a source of wealth. Take willpower out of the equation by using an app to [automatically invest spare change](https://moneywise.com/investing/robo-advisors/how-your-small-change-can-help-build-your-investing-portfolio) from your day-to-day purchases. Say you buy a doughnut for \$2.30 — the app will round up the cost to \$3.00 and invest the 70 cent difference in a premade portfolio. Saving a few cents at a time may not seem like much, but \$2.50 worth of daily round-ups becomes \$900 in one year — and that’s before counting the additional gains you could make in the market. ## 6\. Trade in your overpriced insurance policies ![Car money and calculator. Payments and costs.](https://media1.moneywise.com/a/17417/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried_full_width_4_1200x500_v20210627120950.jpg) kurhan / Shutterstock [![Jay Leno testing out new Tesla Semi](https://media1.moneywise.com/production/articles/176708/hero_defective-pipes-1_20260409_163211.png)](https://moneywise.com/news/top-stories/tesla-semi-jay-leno-electric-trucking-diesel) 1 2 3 4 5 When it comes to insurance, people are eager to “set it and forget it.” It’s easy to stick with the same companies year after year, and a recent ValuePenguin survey showed a [quarter of Americans](https://www.valuepenguin.com/consumers-shopped-around-insurance-saved-money) have never bothered to compare quotes at all. To make sure you’re not getting ripped off, experts recommend checking for better prices every six months. That might sound a little tedious, but it’s worth it to make sure you’re not overpaying on your policies by \$2,000 a year or more. Start by using a handy quote-comparison site to [check for the best rate on your homeowners insurance](https://moneywise.com/insurance/home/how-to-get-the-best-rate-on-homeowners-insurance), then use the same strategy to [save on your car insurance](https://moneywise.com/insurance/auto/overpaying-for-car-insurance). ## 7\. Get paid for surfing the web ![Financial concept. Make money on the Internet. Woman sitting on the floor and working with a laptop](https://media1.moneywise.com/a/17417/ways-to-save-money-youve-probably-never-tried_full_width_5_1200x500_v20210627121025.jpg) Africa Studio / Shutterstock They say there’s no such thing as a free lunch, but this is getting pretty close. A few rewards programs out there will [pay you for doing the same activities you’re already doing online](https://moneywise.com/managing-money/how-to-earn-money/this-website-gives-you-free-gift-cards-for-watching-videos-online) — things like watching videos, playing games and answering surveys. Once you earn enough points, you can redeem them for gift cards at big retailers like Amazon and Target or turn them into cash through PayPal. If you can’t squeeze more money out of your day job, you might as well squeeze a little bit of cash out of your downtime. ### You May Also Like - Turning 50 with \$0 saved for retirement? Most people don’t realize they’re actually just entering their prime earning decade. [Here are 6 ways to catch up fast](https://moneywise.com/retirement/hybrid-nothing-saved-for-retirement-catch-up?throw=WTRN1_website&entryId=native-613-8-native_last) - Inside a [\$1B real estate fund offering access to thousands of income-producing rental properties](https://moneywise.com/real-estate/real-estate/fundrise-private?throw=WTRN2_website&entryId=native-613-8-native_last) — with flexible minimums starting at \$10 - Vanguard’s outlook on U.S. stocks is raising alarm bells for retirees. [Here’s why and how to protect yourself](https://moneywise.com/vanguard-raise-alarm-stocks-retirees?throw=WTRN3_website&entryId=native-613-8-native_last) - Here are [5 easy ways to own multiple properties like Bezos and Beyoncé](https://moneywise.com/investing/real-estate/ways-to-invest-in-real-estate?throw=WTRN4_website&entryId=native-613-8-native_last). You can start with \$10 (and no, you don’t have to manage a single thing) Share this: ![](https://media1.moneywise.com/avatars/justin-anderson-1614791916.png) [Justin Anderson](https://moneywise.com/author/justin-anderson) Former Reporter Justin Anderson was formerly a reporter at MoneyWise. He has a degree in Journalism from Ryerson University and his career has seen him cover everything from business and finance to the entertainment industry to politics, with plenty in between. more from Justin Anderson Comments Be the first to leave your thoughts. Voice your opinion\! Share your take with thousands of readers like you. ### Disclaimer The content provided on Moneywise is information to help users become financially literate. It is neither investment, tax nor legal advice, is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research or investment advice, and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities, enter into any loan, mortgage or insurance agreements or to adopt any investment strategy. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, either express or implied, with respect to the data provided, the timeliness thereof, the results to be obtained by the use thereof or any other matter. Advertisers are not responsible for the content of this site, including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. 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