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Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 93 (from laksa075)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa093.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://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/smart-money/ways-to-save-money\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/smart-money/ways-to-save-money\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/smart-money\/ways-to-save-money","crawl_time":1776095586,"first_indexed_time":1666033871,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,fidelity!www,\/learning-center\/smart-money\/ways-to-save-money s443","src_root_hash":"17952695050214760493","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Ways to save money | 5 budgeting tips | Fidelity","meta_descriptions":["These surprising ways to save money and budgeting tips won’t make you miserable."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Real tricks to spend less and save more\nSurprising ways to save money and still enjoy life.\nKey takeaways\nHigh costs can make it harder to hit saving goals.\nSpending and saving routines are personal, but small tweaks to your habits could help you spend less—without feeling miserable.\nThough inflation is slowing down, high costs are still squeezing a lot of people's budgets. Prices rose over the last 12 months on everyday expenses such as electricity (more than 6%), meals out (up 4%), and auto insurance (about 5%), according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.\n1\nThat means saving money could require some creative tactics. We talked to 20 and 30 year old's who are balancing their budgets and saving—without making themselves miserable. Here are their ways to save money and spend less.\n1. Set rules for your cash\nJavon Pratt, 33, from Utica, New York, decided to never spend a $5 bill. Anytime he gets one, he tucks it away in a drawer. A few times a year, he deposits the cash into an interest-bearing savings account or investment account, where it could grow. After less than a year, Pratt had nearly $2,000. \"It's not enough where you're going to miss the money but enough that it adds up,\" he says.\nDetroit based social media influencer Mark Setlock, 20, makes a different paper play. \"Whenever I do odd jobs or side hustles and get paid in cash, I split it in half between 2 wallets,\" he says. He spends the first wallet's cash on whatever he wants, but the second wallet is for saving. \"I save such a large amount without realizing it,\" he says. \"If I consciously had to take that money out of my bank account at the end of every month to put toward savings, it would hurt.\"\n2. Rank your expenses and saving goals\nTaking an honest look at what you spend money on can put things into perspective, says Thomas Kopelman, 26, of Indianapolis. Kopelman trimmed his monthly expenses by listing them out in order of importance: essential items, such as housing, gas, and pet food at the top of the list, followed by increasingly less-important costs. \"Then look at the things at the bottom of your list—things that wouldn't alter your life if you cut them,\" he suggests. \"Cut out the bottom 3 to 5 items. You may hardly notice they're gone.\"\nLet's say you cut a couple streaming subscriptions ($250 per year), a seldom-used gym membership ($250 per year), and fast-food lunches (about $1,000 per year if you're spending $20 a week). You might free up about $1,500 annually that you could put toward paying down debt or\nbuilding emergency savings\n.\nPrioritize your saving too. Washington, DC-area parent Stephanie Kibler, 35, lists her savings goals with the most immediate one on top—currently\nclosing costs to buy a home\n. Her other saving goals include a travel fund and braces for her kids in the future.\n\"For each goal, I set a minimum payment that I contribute every month, so I'm always making a little progress on each one,\" Kibler says. She treats the minimum savings payments like any other monthly bill, tracking the money in a spreadsheet. When she has extra money, she throws it at the top goal to reach it faster. \nTip: You can start tracking and contributing to your goals using\nFidelity Goal BoosterSM\nif you have an account with Fidelity.\n3. Redo your routines\nTweaking your habits could help you focus your spending where it counts. For instance, trading grocery store visits for curbside pickup has helped Elijah Langille, 30, of Plymouth, Massachusetts, save hundreds. While curbside pickup costs $2, supermarket impulse buys were costing him more. If you normally drop $20 on impulse purchases at the store each week, eliminating them would bank you an extra $1,000 each year.\nRethinking your home habits can pay off too. Family finance blogger Pratheeba Paneer, 36, lives in Dallas, where electricity costs nearly twice as much in the early morning, late afternoon, and evening than at other times. She never turns on her dishwasher, washing machine, or dryer then—a move she estimates saves her about $100 a month. Check your electricity provider's website to find out whether they charge more during certain times of day, and also find more\nways to lower your gas and energy bill\n.\n4. Try DIY\nDid something break? You might be impressed by what you can fix on your own with online tutorials. Even if you hire a pro for more complicated or dangerous work, DIYing for simple issues can save you a lot.\nLangille says he's not handy, but with the help of social media videos and older tools he finds at yard sales, he can tackle car repairs, plumbing, woodworking, and more. \"You learn as you go, and sure, you make mistakes,\" he admits. But something as basic as changing his own car oil saves between $25 and $75 each time.\n2\nSimilarly, Setlock has become his own butcher and chef. \"I love steak, but I don't love spending the money on restaurant steaks,\" he says. Instead, he watched online videos and learned how to prepare his own. Now he buys in bulk from his local butcher, cuts the meat himself, and freezes it. Rather than dropping $30 or more on a steak dinner at a restaurant, Setlock digs in at home for about $4 per steak.\n5. Think outside the bar\nIf your go-to hangout is getting food or drinks, or heading to a movie theater, you may be able to save hundreds a month by shaking up your social life.\n\"I used to throw down my credit card every Friday night, Saturday night, and Sunday brunch,\" says Keira Paget, 26, of Providence, Rhode Island. Between overpriced cocktails, rideshares, late-night snacks, and tipsy cost-sharing promises—\"you say you're going to split the bill, and no one ever pays you back\"—Paget racked up $20,000 in credit card debt. She knew something had to change. She has since cut back on nights out and given up alcohol. It's made her feel healthier and saves her $300 a week, which she's using to pay off debt. \"Just go out once a week and take advantage of happy hour deals,\" she suggests.\nSetlock didn't want to ditch date nights with his girlfriend for sitting at home watching TV. \"I realized you can do things that are fun, exciting, and new, but still cheap,\" he says. One activity: buying cheap art canvases, lipstick, eyeliner, and eyeshadow and staging an art contest. For a few dollars, they put a fresh, memorable spin on their usual night in.","attrs_markdown":"[Skip to main content](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/smart-money\/ways-to-save-money#navSkipToContent)\n\n[Fidelity.com Home](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/)\n\n[Log in](https:\/\/digital.fidelity.com\/prgw\/digital\/login\/full-page)\n\n- [Accounts & Trade]()\n  - [Portfolio](https:\/\/digital.fidelity.com\/prgw\/digital\/login\/full-page?AuthRedUrl=https:\/\/digital.fidelity.com\/ftgw\/digital\/portfolio\/summary)\n  - [Account Positions](https:\/\/digital.fidelity.com\/ftgw\/digital\/portfolio\/positions)\n  - [Trade](https:\/\/digital.fidelity.com\/ftgw\/digital\/trade-equity\/index\/orderEntry)\n  - [Fidelity Trader+ Web](https:\/\/digital.fidelity.com\/ftgw\/digital\/trader-dashboard)\n  - [Fidelity Trader+](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/trading\/trading-platforms)\n  - [Transfers](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/customer-service\/money-movement)\n  - [Cash Management](https:\/\/digital.fidelity.com\/ftgw\/digital\/cashmanagement)\n  - 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[Alerts](https:\/\/alertable.fidelity.com\/ftgw\/digital\/alerts)\n  - [Stocks, ETFs, Crypto](https:\/\/digital.fidelity.com\/prgw\/digital\/research\/src)\n  - [Mutual Funds](https:\/\/fundresearch.fidelity.com\/fund-screener)\n  - [Fixed Income, Bonds & CDs](https:\/\/fixedincome.fidelity.com\/ftgw\/fi\/FILanding)\n  - [Options](https:\/\/digital.fidelity.com\/ftgw\/digital\/options-home\/)\n  - [IPOs](https:\/\/brokerage.fidelity.com\/ftgw\/brkg\/ipo\/calendar)\n  - [Annuities](https:\/\/fundresearch.fidelity.com\/fund-screener\/annuities\/)\n  - [Learn](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/overview)\n\n## Learn\n- [Learn](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/overview)\n- [Favorites](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/favorites)\n- Topics\n  - Financial essentials\n    - [Saving and budgeting money](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/personal-finance\/saving-and-budgeting-money \"Saving and budgeting money\")\n    - [Managing debt](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/personal-finance\/managing-debt \"Managing debt\")\n    - [Saving for retirement](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/personal-finance\/retirement\/saving-for-retirement \"Saving for retirement\")\n    - [Working and income](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/personal-finance\/working-and-income \"Working and income\")\n    - [Managing health care](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/personal-finance\/managing-health-care \"Managing health care\")\n    - [Talking to family about money](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/personal-finance\/talking-to-family-about-money \"Talking to family about money\")\n    - [Personal finance for students](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/personal-finance\/personal-finance-for-students \"Personal finance for students\")\n    - [Managing taxes](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/personal-finance\/managing-taxes\/managing-taxes \"Managing taxes\")\n    - [Managing estate planning](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/personal-finance\/managing-estate-planning \"Managing estate planning\")\n    - [Making charitable donations](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/personal-finance\/charitable-giving\/making-charitable-donations \"Making charitable donations\")\n  - Life events\n    - [Changing jobs](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/life-events\/career-planning \"Changing jobs\")\n    - [Planning for college](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/life-events\/prepare-for-college \"Planning for college\")\n    - [Getting divorced](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/life-events\/getting-divorced \"Getting divorced\")\n    - [Becoming a parent](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/life-events\/parenting \"Becoming a parent\")\n    - [Caring for aging loved ones](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/life-events\/caring-for-the-aging \"Caring for aging loved ones\")\n    - [Marriage and partnering](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/life-events\/marriage \"Marriage and partnering\")\n    - [Buying or selling a house](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/life-events\/selling-and-buying-house \"Buying or selling a house\")\n    - [Retiring](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/personal-finance\/retirement\/planning-your-retirement \"Retiring\")\n    - [Losing a loved one](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/life-events\/loss-of-loved-one \"Losing a loved one\")\n    - [Making a major purchase](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/life-events\/major-purchase \"Making a major purchase&#9;\")\n    - [Experiencing illness or injury](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/life-events\/injury-and-illness \"Experiencing illness or injury\")\n    - [Disabilities and special needs](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/life-events\/disabilities-and-special-needs \"Disabilities and special needs\")\n    - [Aging well](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/life-events\/aging-well \"Aging well\")\n    - [Becoming self-employed](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/life-events\/how-to-become-self-employed \"Becoming self-employed\")\n  - Investing and trading\n    - [Investing for beginners](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/trading-investing\/investing-for-beginners \"Investing for beginners\")\n    - [Trading for beginners](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/trading-investing\/trading-for-beginners \"Trading for beginners\")\n    - [Crypto basics](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/trading-investing\/crypto\/crypto-for-beginners \"Crypto basics\")\n    - [Crypto: Beyond the basics](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/trading-investing\/crypto\/crypto-advanced \"Crypto: Beyond the basics\")\n    - [Alternative investing](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/trading-investing\/alternative-investing \"Alternative investing\")\n    - [Exploring stocks and sectors](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/trading-investing\/finding-stocks-and-sector-ideas \"Exploring stocks and sectors\")\n    - [Investing for income](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/trading-investing\/investing-for-income \"Investing for income\")\n    - [Analyzing stock fundamentals](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/trading-investing\/fundamental-analysis\/analyzing-stock-fundamentals \"Analyzing stock fundamentals\")\n    - [Using technical analysis](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/trading-investing\/technical-analysis\/using-technical-analysis \"Using technical analysis\")\n  - Investment products\n    - [ETFs](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/investment-products\/etf\/etfs \"ETFs\")\n    - [Mutual funds](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/investment-products\/mutual-funds\/mutual-funds \"Mutual funds \")\n    - [Stocks](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/investment-products\/stocks\/stocks \"Stocks\")\n    - [Fixed income, bonds, CDs](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/investment-products\/fixed-income-bonds\/fixed-income-bonds-cds \"Fixed income, bonds, CDs\")\n    - [Annuities](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/investment-products\/annuities \"Annuities\")\n    - [Closed-end funds](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/investment-products\/closed-end-funds\/closed-end-funds \"Closed-end funds\")\n  - Advanced trading\n    - [Using margin](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/trading-investing\/using-margin \"Using margin\")\n    - [Options trading basics](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/investment-products\/options\/options-for-beginners \"Options trading basics\")\n    - [Options: Beyond the basics](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/investment-products\/options\/options \"Options: Beyond the basics\")\n    - [Advanced trading strategies](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/trading-investing\/more-trading-strategies \"Advanced trading strategies\")\n    - [Using Fidelity Trader+](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/trading-investing\/trading-platforms\/using-trader-plus \"Using Fidelity Trader+\")\n    - [Options Strategy Guide](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/investment-products\/options\/options-strategy-guide\/overview \"Options Strategy Guide\")\n    - [Technical Indicator Guide](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/trading-investing\/technical-analysis\/technical-indicator-guide\/overview \"Technical Indicator Guide\")\n  - [Latest Market Insights](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/viewpoints\/market-and-economic-insights\/market-volatility-overview \"Latest Market Insights\")\n  - [Viewpoints: Expert insights](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/viewpoints \"Viewpoints: Expert insights\")\n  - [Smart Money: Tips and tactics](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/smart-money \"Smart Money: Tips and tactics\")\n  - [Money Unscripted](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/money-unscripted \"Money Unscripted\")\n  - [The Trading Post](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/trading-post \"The Trading Post\")\n  - [Women Talk Money](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/women-talk-money \"Women Talk Money\")\n  - [Wealth Management Insights](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/wealth-management-insights \"Wealth Management Insights\")\n- Events\n  - [Upcoming events](https:\/\/fidelityevents.com\/allevents\/special \"Upcoming events\")\n  - [On-demand webinars](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/events\/investing-webinars \"On-demand webinars\")\n  - [Market briefings](https:\/\/fidelityevents.com\/allevents\/filtered?hubFilter=tags|Coaching,Market%20Analysis#hub \"Market briefings\")\n  - [Market Sense](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/live-pi \"Market Sense\")\n  - [Trading Strategy Desk® coaching](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/events\/coaching-sessions \"Trading Strategy Desk® coaching\")\n  - [Trading Strategy Desk® classes](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/events\/virtual-classrooms \"Trading Strategy Desk® classes\")\n- Search\n\nDecember 01, 2025\n\n![Estimate Time](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/bin-public\/600_Fidelity_Com_English\/images\/article\/time-clock-circle.svg)5 min\n\nSave ![](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/bin-public\/600_Fidelity_Com_English\/images\/article\/Bookmark.svg) ![](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/bin-public\/600_Fidelity_Com_English\/images\/article\/save-success.svg)\n\nClose Popover\n\n***\nGreat, you have saved this article to you My Learn Profile page.\n\nShare ![Share](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/bin-public\/600_Fidelity_Com_English\/images\/article\/share.svg)\n\nClose Popover\n\n***\nWays to save money \\| 5 budgeting tips \\| Fidelity\n\nClicking a link will open a new window.\n\n- [Facebook](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/smart-money\/ways-to-save-money#facebook)\n- [Twitter](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/smart-money\/ways-to-save-money#twitter)\n- [LinkedIn](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/smart-money\/ways-to-save-money#linkedin)\n\n[Print ![Print](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/bin-public\/600_Fidelity_Com_English\/images\/article\/Print.svg)](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/smart-money\/ways-to-save-money#print)\n\n# Real tricks to spend less and save more\nSurprising ways to save money and still enjoy life.\n\nFidelity Viewpoints\n\n![](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/bin-public\/600_Fidelity_Com_English\/images\/migration\/SM-tips-and-tricks-2022-banner.png)\n\n### Key takeaways\n- High costs can make it harder to hit saving goals.\n- Spending and saving routines are personal, but small tweaks to your habits could help you spend less—without feeling miserable.\n\nThough inflation is slowing down, high costs are still squeezing a lot of people's budgets. Prices rose over the last 12 months on everyday expenses such as electricity (more than 6%), meals out (up 4%), and auto insurance (about 5%), according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.1\n\nThat means saving money could require some creative tactics. We talked to 20 and 30 year old's who are balancing their budgets and saving—without making themselves miserable. Here are their ways to save money and spend less.\n\n### 1\\. Set rules for your cash\nJavon Pratt, 33, from Utica, New York, decided to never spend a \\$5 bill. Anytime he gets one, he tucks it away in a drawer. A few times a year, he deposits the cash into an interest-bearing savings account or investment account, where it could grow. After less than a year, Pratt had nearly \\$2,000. \"It's not enough where you're going to miss the money but enough that it adds up,\" he says.\n\nDetroit based social media influencer Mark Setlock, 20, makes a different paper play. \"Whenever I do odd jobs or side hustles and get paid in cash, I split it in half between 2 wallets,\" he says. He spends the first wallet's cash on whatever he wants, but the second wallet is for saving. \"I save such a large amount without realizing it,\" he says. \"If I consciously had to take that money out of my bank account at the end of every month to put toward savings, it would hurt.\"\n\n### 2\\. Rank your expenses and saving goals\nTaking an honest look at what you spend money on can put things into perspective, says Thomas Kopelman, 26, of Indianapolis. Kopelman trimmed his monthly expenses by listing them out in order of importance: essential items, such as housing, gas, and pet food at the top of the list, followed by increasingly less-important costs. \"Then look at the things at the bottom of your list—things that wouldn't alter your life if you cut them,\" he suggests. \"Cut out the bottom 3 to 5 items. You may hardly notice they're gone.\"\n\nLet's say you cut a couple streaming subscriptions (\\$250 per year), a seldom-used gym membership (\\$250 per year), and fast-food lunches (about \\$1,000 per year if you're spending \\$20 a week). You might free up about \\$1,500 annually that you could put toward paying down debt or [building emergency savings](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/smart-money\/emergency-fund).\n\nPrioritize your saving too. Washington, DC-area parent Stephanie Kibler, 35, lists her savings goals with the most immediate one on top—currently [closing costs to buy a home](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/life-events\/how-much-are-closing-costs). Her other saving goals include a travel fund and braces for her kids in the future.\n\n\"For each goal, I set a minimum payment that I contribute every month, so I'm always making a little progress on each one,\" Kibler says. She treats the minimum savings payments like any other monthly bill, tracking the money in a spreadsheet. When she has extra money, she throws it at the top goal to reach it faster.\n\nTip: You can start tracking and contributing to your goals using [Fidelity Goal BoosterSM](https:\/\/digital.fidelity.com\/prgw\/digital\/goal-booster\/) if you have an account with Fidelity.\n\n### 3\\. Redo your routines\nTweaking your habits could help you focus your spending where it counts. For instance, trading grocery store visits for curbside pickup has helped Elijah Langille, 30, of Plymouth, Massachusetts, save hundreds. While curbside pickup costs \\$2, supermarket impulse buys were costing him more. If you normally drop \\$20 on impulse purchases at the store each week, eliminating them would bank you an extra \\$1,000 each year.\n\nRethinking your home habits can pay off too. Family finance blogger Pratheeba Paneer, 36, lives in Dallas, where electricity costs nearly twice as much in the early morning, late afternoon, and evening than at other times. She never turns on her dishwasher, washing machine, or dryer then—a move she estimates saves her about \\$100 a month. Check your electricity provider's website to find out whether they charge more during certain times of day, and also find more [ways to lower your gas and energy bill](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/smart-money\/how-to-lower-utilities \"ways to lower your gas and energy bill\").\n\n### 4\\. Try DIY\nDid something break? You might be impressed by what you can fix on your own with online tutorials. Even if you hire a pro for more complicated or dangerous work, DIYing for simple issues can save you a lot.\n\nLangille says he's not handy, but with the help of social media videos and older tools he finds at yard sales, he can tackle car repairs, plumbing, woodworking, and more. \"You learn as you go, and sure, you make mistakes,\" he admits. But something as basic as changing his own car oil saves between \\$25 and \\$75 each time.2\n\nSimilarly, Setlock has become his own butcher and chef. \"I love steak, but I don't love spending the money on restaurant steaks,\" he says. Instead, he watched online videos and learned how to prepare his own. Now he buys in bulk from his local butcher, cuts the meat himself, and freezes it. Rather than dropping \\$30 or more on a steak dinner at a restaurant, Setlock digs in at home for about \\$4 per steak.\n\n### 5\\. Think outside the bar\nIf your go-to hangout is getting food or drinks, or heading to a movie theater, you may be able to save hundreds a month by shaking up your social life.\n\n\"I used to throw down my credit card every Friday night, Saturday night, and Sunday brunch,\" says Keira Paget, 26, of Providence, Rhode Island. Between overpriced cocktails, rideshares, late-night snacks, and tipsy cost-sharing promises—\"you say you're going to split the bill, and no one ever pays you back\"—Paget racked up \\$20,000 in credit card debt. She knew something had to change. She has since cut back on nights out and given up alcohol. It's made her feel healthier and saves her \\$300 a week, which she's using to pay off debt. \"Just go out once a week and take advantage of happy hour deals,\" she suggests.\n\nSetlock didn't want to ditch date nights with his girlfriend for sitting at home watching TV. \"I realized you can do things that are fun, exciting, and new, but still cheap,\" he says. One activity: buying cheap art canvases, lipstick, eyeliner, and eyeshadow and staging an art contest. For a few dollars, they put a fresh, memorable spin on their usual night in.\n\n## Saved some money? Now put it to work.\nFind ways to spend, save, and help grow your money for today and tomorrow.\n\n[Get started](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/open-account\/overview)\n\n## More to explore\n### [Get a budget checkup](http:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/calculators-tools\/budgeting-debt-management)\nSee how to bucket expenses as you create a budget.\n\n### [7 ways to earn more on your cash](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/trading-investing\/managing-cash)\nDeciding what’s right for you depends on your needs and time horizon.\n\n- Content Type:Article\n- Reading Time 10 min\n- [Save](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/smart-money\/ways-to-save-money)\n\nClose Popover\n\nLog in\n\nYes, remove\n\nNo, I want to keep this\n\n![laptop approve svg](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/bin-public\/600_Fidelity_Com_English\/images\/tile\/laptop-approve.svg)\n\n## Subscribe to  *Fidelity Smart Money℠*\nWhat the news means for your money, plus tips to help you spend, save, and invest.\n\n### Looking for more ideas and insights?\nWe'll deliver them right to your inbox.\n\nManage subscriptions\n\n### Thanks for subscribing\\!\nCheck out your Favorites page, where you can:\n\n- Tell us the topics you want to learn more about\n- View content you've saved for later\n- Subscribe to our newsletters\n\n[Go to Favorites](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/favorites)\n\n### We're on our way, but not quite there yet\nGood news, you're on the early-access list.   \n But we're not available in your state just yet. As soon as we are, we'll let you know. In the meantime, boost your crypto brainpower in our Learning Center.\n\nManage subscriptions\n\n### Oh, hello again\\!\nGood news, you’re already on the early-access list. Keep an eye on your email for your invitation to Fidelity Crypto.\n\nManage subscriptions\n\nClose dialog\n\n### Thanks for subscribing to  Looking for more ideas and insights?   You might like these too:\n### Looking for more ideas and insights? You might like these too:\n\n### *Fidelity Viewpoints®*\nTimely news and insights from our pros on markets, investing, and personal finance.(debug tcm:2 ...\n\n### Decode Crypto\nClarity on crypto every month. Build your knowledge with education for all levels.\n\n### *Fidelity Smart Money℠*\nWhat the news means for your money, plus tips to help you spend, save, and invest.\n\n### Active Investor\nOur most advanced investment insights, strategies, and tools.\n\n### *Insights from Fidelity Wealth Management* ℠\nTimely news, events, and wealth strategies from top Fidelity thought leaders.\n\n### Women Talk Money\nReal talk and helpful tips about money, investing, and careers.\n\n### Educational Webinars and Events\nFree financial education from Fidelity and other leading industry professionals.\n\n*Fidelity Viewpoints®*\n\nTimely news and insights from our pros on markets, investing, and personal finance.(debug tcm:2 ...\n\nDecode Crypto\n\nClarity on crypto every month. 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Pamela Hunt, “Should you change your own oil?\", *AAA Today*, October 17, 2022, https:\/\/magazine.northeast.aaa.com\/daily\/life\/cars-trucks\/change-your-own-oil\/.\n\nThe views expressed are as of the date indicated and may change based on market or other conditions. Unless otherwise noted, the opinions provided are those of the speaker or author, as applicable, and not necessarily those of Fidelity Investments. 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information](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/smart-money\/ways-to-save-money)\n\n![](data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAGAAAABhCAYAAAApxKSdAAAACXBIWXMAACxLAAAsSwGlPZapAAAAAXNSR0IArs4c6QAAAARnQU1BAACxjwv8YQUAAA5iSURBVHgB7Z1frFTFHcfnNk3wgUvtS6vY2O2DN5rUimJ9MnINPHlJxPJQY6qgwaQEk0ITmmDSAiWRRB\/QBEMTSblgY\/EBL03BJwgX05cWaWlrYgMPvTblT30RgSb6tJ3P2fmtv52dc87MOWfvXep+k8ne3XvOnpnf\/\/nNb2aNGWGEEUYYYYQRRhhhhBFGGGGELxPGzE2Gdrt9q33RTTBn29WxsbGr5ibC0DLAEXrSthW2tWxb5l5jcM42GHHa\/X3OMmbODCGGigGW6JP25XHb1ph4YscCRsza9jvLjFkzQgdIum3bbfukPX\/4p217bGuZBcaCaYCT9u2mY2aicfnTiz2vgsW3LDHji8bN7V+7wyRi2radC2Wi5p0BlvDY8j2mhPDXP7tmLnz8D3Petj\/\/60\/m\/H8+7CN6Hu76xj1m6a132Ne7zfI7H8pexy2DSjBtFoAR88YA51SR+M1510D04x8cNafPn8iIz3sBBNTvU\/GAZcTUvU9kDCnRkmkzj4yYFwY4c3PA5DhWJPyNP+zNXvOwYmJVxpgUTFhNOP\/xh8HvevLBZzKm5GDOdJgwbQaMr5oBokzqYwgvgFgpDEDKF98yHvwf30Pjmg0Pv2BWW83w0LLtgO3\/fZYJW8wA8RUzILgI45QJEB+Cb3zrmazFEB\/cvmRpjB3vAobd+Ox64TX4lF3Ht5k1+1ZmviaAzS5iapkBYSAMcI4W4i\/Tn2PD95x4KYnw3Xs\/v54501gg1SHzEwKMePrXa8wvLTMCjr5l2yk3psbROANsR9eZDvFb+nMI\/vSBJ8zh9w+Zqiiw2T1AUyqEo+b432cy4QiYupbpMGGNaRiNMsARf9r05mgyO8\/ARLpiCanBvcsj73vkrpXRIWvoOT9754Wszx4Y04wbY2NojAFOOqb1Z5gc1Hq\/NxhCTKKQFPBdMC7GD6ywDEgNWdEYLRj0GUYEvmfaRXWNoBEGOCd1QH9Gxze+tS5Tax\/8j5lriibc+LzjUGP8AN+b41RzsWXltj6\/hCliDAFtmmnKJ9RmgIp2umZHiH+hwAm+bX3BL6Z2R9tqYQAxfBFES1JM0JZVL5o9J3cH\/8cYtPl0EHPUMjXRhAYg4i15E0N8uQ47+8ra100MxBSUac2Ui+ljGfC8nQeQQyq6nv9tPdJnjlqmM\/ZaqMUAKwFMsnpUcde7L5YSX4B5WmwHv2XVttJrhUATJXkdcdRlcwCAH2IiFnC4fWBM+AQPy8iqmhqozADniHbozxhIarqAe558cF1oNpoLopwQSD2ISSubA5Cww\/Tw\/FhtwUcwj\/GwuY5TrqMBPU4Xad4fIUk+uI+BbbZOsMgfaCJNfPOe4DWPTKzsuzYEnvPK2g7h306clzCPCQjZAZd2SUYlBjjT05L3DOSNCsQXcC9mZd9ThwrNi9jgFTkaIA66iAHyHJjAc6tkWDGz3jNapiDLW4RkBjjPv0N\/ptW4ygwUDaBxL+FgHq67SIjrlnrP4bMJF6IWEfXlH+zNrqW\/oRA5BjK\/8fCTKlpQRQO26zcMQg9E8u6pEA3i3phJ2v1eNKSjo7w5ADZfrgsQMApoEA2B8UyRZH6TkMQAJ\/3r9We+6YEZSBdqnsII0QIAoXCoPq4otffTEtqJh0wQ4aYwVvxOCiD6D+39ty25o6thzB08bVufqgWpGtAn\/aHBMjgkjEEf3Xgyesarmfny2r19\/uCSepaOhMa9WbXfJ3wD4WboOWXguxnHzx97ybx34WRPiM1zvOQixE\/yBakMmNRvigaSpXht9pO1XLQhZtartYBrsdd5gDDiB\/ywVM8B+B6IJ4BgMWGnEH7mxyeytAlzgNB9RFGeFiT5gmgG2C9db1Tkkyf9GnRMMouYI7ShjBHaNiPVzyvJlXSEQAjva5jMAXiOjqwyiT1z0BRBEx6TQ8QTiP17xsg6tgLEX28ikaIBPWnYFDVmfiCDEEYwyBAjINIx5dQxHUJgP7qRz3VYKkKhw03d5zyh0YTnmVeuXco0OGZiGbjmcROJKAY45zsp74kyUvPtqD5Lf3Ifg8xz1Pu9+FyHjhowwE9RyzWYHU38vLDTJzzv6euP7ApZygzZc+qTsWYoVgMm9ZsyNc4DA9KZRQiESUIjprwoRjs3iBJK2vH5T23EpAHjIKifNfU1NkR4ie+LTE4eZvu1YL2JQFRZiuUmotNdjtOSXBWEmn68j2btOrYts+EQBOJo6UbKyiIq+uWbNiRf+xZJwunvZpFo65FNlcfFd53Y3KMF02NjY8+W3RfLgE+My\/dDJBawmwBE0E5WAMHEcYf+L6AvExELNCIw8n0+g9C2\/RXTEhpvPndU94dS+a+X3VNaF+RWfrr2LHUCUwQGjeRhr7U0QihakQOEWPSljAEwU6Ipn\/BZlYadTFVNSfjw+kPRcauswi7GB7T0m7MNMgBAZKKNkOoXrX7BvBjph5Gh0FfmKU0RHwSEc7LsnpjKuJ4FlytXvyAUg2My1DYdaSJ045XBpdhScc4QKmbWzPWn7ax0i+eAY9GUyfHBpNNDq+yeGAbcJ3\/QYb3QIdLD4sYDd36\/r95SGJExxWMOs9XL1y52iSBMyPMLGlxXpbSFZ0H4lNokTCOrduOLlmSljqJJ2WfObL53\/mRGFxmrMqffLvv+GAZ07T9EDIH8CI1pueRlmKUud3F6EXzNId9T5FwllbA6MeMq9l6cMRBiSkqD90JwTWANXS7\/rp0B+1oEjdR9pZUTMQxoyR83IlSWDknxK4AB2HJeQ0SV9G4MJJUwnljSIs\/BxKUiI7YjOq3MbF2++u8eR2xKkKYBFWJkP8GWMcRqR2yRlYakEqqsN8RANoWcdX329yhEfUdvvqpZBnhfngxJB4jvEO2AIWWZUv++JiAEn3UbQpoIsQP1Q4VI2h\/QdNQg2sHUX7QD2+4TWGqIBHlrwmWQuUNHws9El88MEgPdoBELsemyn8uHzuFXMV0C0tk4SRZW6qZSmsKCMYAlxxUTK7sZzTxAKF3uUsf+o2WEyjRMzm+tQ0cjFpIZMQyYMy4SWlqh4kGA1CLd2Pyp766JlmJifo3lDdl\/+iJREUw45taJ6zLDG9dc2fUD1QAkjvnApCV65FbRHvirbg+U73CsBK2FWQhtTRRmqorPYyuVwtWy62MYwBb\/Fn\/clVORphET2WQzRmuPL9jJDK+XbOzMZOySS3NsX707Y9gxL09TVhldBKlDvf3WbxXmkLK+u+dwD8xIKbf0hKwRBnza\/fJF48EHyqxX1mhxdswUUelLLvWgWx5IaVAyKIxjxQz7LxFQnfCTe\/ViEM8at6kFGL3UMYXnaqGRrCz3aDNVhNt6he6vpgSl6wE2pUqZRbcCeNWrD2WqKZ2lCcF5rRqqInWSlhYzIBDGsXJWB\/SNRfYiieb51P7ITnupxhYTKsw4fOZQXwFwYFFmi01Hv2oKEMOASdPZgJGhyg7HMpB8k7odiBRKT0uOJhWLFy3p0SqgtSoFwgjRGvqDr5BjFNAytFbh0bKTWWJ9QBdIRJMM8Jcm8+p2YEw17bqYrYjpLKswO5UJMpHLG39gDnPOlCB2SfIvxmX2ZJN1XSBNVDv46WuIFUIT+R+0QKe6cbKB8sLKYDwqUOCQqPvL7okNQzl5KmOA2MI6nZaCKT9KymMsk7YqmcwywFT2GtRZjNfwgoTTMffElqV0S7\/EDlYF0UeI+EUlg1PfG0z2s9Ofu4P9SUUgRXI05r4oBjhH0o1pV1c0B9y376mDPYMVk1ZUi9NU9lNDa7BoZKgiOxaeiZyLPRYtpTSxW41FvJ86q80qjK0ZkftiD+zQGy+axPEPZnrOhuA5bz43k7yBHDAmL0M7G3tvCgN6zBD5nBjISpREHnIUQGw4+0jF1HMZ2BgoTl9vVSIqK1uTNoE+egL5Wuy9SQc22WiI+cAkfxdFLILOZrjXMzsr+8hSy0C8YqdGoSM6\/+ygw+8ftGYxzvEzQVRmNSr6EaTuD+hylgcWhYZiV2+zySkIX6UGZ1DmR4BvEZOjzw4i5YCG\/MYyv8w5QwPvmmjpB8lHlnGAkXHJuTwtYGCYHQYS2MAQDSmqGiTo2xO\/WtXXR10WGTiqoAtP+nG+3zEJqLJJb6f8IQscGlNuSRGJr1v8tPrewYWfAmz3hoc39X2Otop\/QAhCEVJA+neaRFQ6tE\/7Ai1B4oiamFkysLrJtxQUBQWM6zEbdPzXJhslRR6YTCZLP6i6U36n7pzswaqer+nHIGL\/IhRFPowJU8pivgjZhv5i30dNBVRigJtkdJ2NHAPZJObD\/Ghoh5wHKT3E9Hj9e63qOaN1zorYYdSa54acPV9V4J9eNV\/wN22EENjNP2e8kwNSUJkB7pz+7g6QmLMeYrEQxAd5Dln\/PzDGR+v8ZkGt84KcKeoebCqOqS7m2\/xoEP\/nCYBsFlSofcRx7ROz3JJb1x\/oco8qqFJ42zRCDjmwdwG7v8PURCOH9tmOsG48K+\/rTKAGlftJge+QGYs36z\/nxlwbTZ4bSg+7S3BTWeo53SesGAIGAAkqAnuZGWOlkDOERk9Pd5uTe44s9vcGFyFQVbCg8Ha7gIz4Tf5QUKMn57qOIR3d1HWOFAWx0Lbfh0f8WdMw8UHjZ0fTQdugdk\/OCDvK6YhFJmkY7H8OcLiNEx8M9Acc\/KIuULQugPlpYh7RICD4zrLiqjoY+C9oqJN1W\/pz\/8cbSGcUnQ+0AMDeP2uJX1rbc1PAMmJH6Pekzn70x\/bWI5vav\/\/bO+0hAT+ntcP8P8IOrGXbdHt4cao9BL8tNnDYQU66wQ4LTrUbPJL+pkG7w4iF1IiZLyXhfbQ7pml9e3604pRtnPccfbDeIDF0v6ba\/uJ4NBrnVJRu9y\/BnOlMoqjVPDpsP3c7dAzw4SR1mWv8zQEYrcClV137yHSITjs3bAQfYYQRRhhhhBFGGAH8D9DXSGd7oPh2AAAAAElFTkSuQmCC)\n\nTo get your conversation started, type a question in the entry field or choose from one of the following popular topics and commonly asked questions.\n\n- Where is the money going that I contributed through the 52-week Smart Habit Challenge?\n- How do I view my saved favorites from the learning center?\n- How can teens learn more and build their money skills?\n\nProvide Feedback\n\nanswers will appear above the text input\n\nSubmit message\n\nPrivacy Settings\n\nWhen you visit our website, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Because we respect your right to privacy, you can choose not to allow some types of cookies. Click on the different category headings to find out more and change our default settings. However, blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on this site and the services we are able to offer.\n***\nStrictly Necessary Cookies\n\nThese cookies are necessary for this website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but if you block these cookies, some parts of the site will not work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information.\n***\nPerformance Cookies\n\nThese cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance.\n***\nFunctional Cookies\n\nThese cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalization. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly.\n***\nTargeting or Advertising Cookies\n\nThese cookies help us present relevant online advertising and marketing messages to you, and measure the effectiveness of our advertising and marketing campaigns. These cookies may be placed on your device by us or by our third-party advertising providers. When these cookies have been placed on your device, they can be recognized by certain advertising platforms used by other websites you visit, and this allows us to present our advertisements to you on those third party websites. While targeting cookies can identify you when you visit different websites, the information collected is anonymous. They do not store personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and device. If you do not allow these cookies, our online advertisements that you see may be less relevant to you.\n***\n\nCancel\n\nSave","attrs_readable_markdown":"Real tricks to spend less and save more\n\nSurprising ways to save money and still enjoy life.\n\n![](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/bin-public\/600_Fidelity_Com_English\/images\/migration\/SM-tips-and-tricks-2022-banner.png)\n\n### Key takeaways\n- High costs can make it harder to hit saving goals.\n- Spending and saving routines are personal, but small tweaks to your habits could help you spend less—without feeling miserable.\n\nThough inflation is slowing down, high costs are still squeezing a lot of people's budgets. Prices rose over the last 12 months on everyday expenses such as electricity (more than 6%), meals out (up 4%), and auto insurance (about 5%), according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.1\n\nThat means saving money could require some creative tactics. We talked to 20 and 30 year old's who are balancing their budgets and saving—without making themselves miserable. Here are their ways to save money and spend less.\n\n### 1\\. Set rules for your cash\nJavon Pratt, 33, from Utica, New York, decided to never spend a \\$5 bill. Anytime he gets one, he tucks it away in a drawer. A few times a year, he deposits the cash into an interest-bearing savings account or investment account, where it could grow. After less than a year, Pratt had nearly \\$2,000. \"It's not enough where you're going to miss the money but enough that it adds up,\" he says.\n\nDetroit based social media influencer Mark Setlock, 20, makes a different paper play. \"Whenever I do odd jobs or side hustles and get paid in cash, I split it in half between 2 wallets,\" he says. He spends the first wallet's cash on whatever he wants, but the second wallet is for saving. \"I save such a large amount without realizing it,\" he says. \"If I consciously had to take that money out of my bank account at the end of every month to put toward savings, it would hurt.\"\n\n### 2\\. Rank your expenses and saving goals\nTaking an honest look at what you spend money on can put things into perspective, says Thomas Kopelman, 26, of Indianapolis. Kopelman trimmed his monthly expenses by listing them out in order of importance: essential items, such as housing, gas, and pet food at the top of the list, followed by increasingly less-important costs. \"Then look at the things at the bottom of your list—things that wouldn't alter your life if you cut them,\" he suggests. \"Cut out the bottom 3 to 5 items. You may hardly notice they're gone.\"\n\nLet's say you cut a couple streaming subscriptions (\\$250 per year), a seldom-used gym membership (\\$250 per year), and fast-food lunches (about \\$1,000 per year if you're spending \\$20 a week). You might free up about \\$1,500 annually that you could put toward paying down debt or [building emergency savings](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/smart-money\/emergency-fund).\n\nPrioritize your saving too. Washington, DC-area parent Stephanie Kibler, 35, lists her savings goals with the most immediate one on top—currently [closing costs to buy a home](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/life-events\/how-much-are-closing-costs). Her other saving goals include a travel fund and braces for her kids in the future.\n\n\"For each goal, I set a minimum payment that I contribute every month, so I'm always making a little progress on each one,\" Kibler says. She treats the minimum savings payments like any other monthly bill, tracking the money in a spreadsheet. When she has extra money, she throws it at the top goal to reach it faster.\n\nTip: You can start tracking and contributing to your goals using [Fidelity Goal BoosterSM](https:\/\/digital.fidelity.com\/prgw\/digital\/goal-booster\/) if you have an account with Fidelity.\n\n### 3\\. Redo your routines\nTweaking your habits could help you focus your spending where it counts. For instance, trading grocery store visits for curbside pickup has helped Elijah Langille, 30, of Plymouth, Massachusetts, save hundreds. While curbside pickup costs \\$2, supermarket impulse buys were costing him more. If you normally drop \\$20 on impulse purchases at the store each week, eliminating them would bank you an extra \\$1,000 each year.\n\nRethinking your home habits can pay off too. Family finance blogger Pratheeba Paneer, 36, lives in Dallas, where electricity costs nearly twice as much in the early morning, late afternoon, and evening than at other times. She never turns on her dishwasher, washing machine, or dryer then—a move she estimates saves her about \\$100 a month. Check your electricity provider's website to find out whether they charge more during certain times of day, and also find more [ways to lower your gas and energy bill](https:\/\/www.fidelity.com\/learning-center\/smart-money\/how-to-lower-utilities \"ways to lower your gas and energy bill\").\n\n### 4\\. Try DIY\nDid something break? You might be impressed by what you can fix on your own with online tutorials. Even if you hire a pro for more complicated or dangerous work, DIYing for simple issues can save you a lot.\n\nLangille says he's not handy, but with the help of social media videos and older tools he finds at yard sales, he can tackle car repairs, plumbing, woodworking, and more. \"You learn as you go, and sure, you make mistakes,\" he admits. But something as basic as changing his own car oil saves between \\$25 and \\$75 each time.2\n\nSimilarly, Setlock has become his own butcher and chef. \"I love steak, but I don't love spending the money on restaurant steaks,\" he says. Instead, he watched online videos and learned how to prepare his own. Now he buys in bulk from his local butcher, cuts the meat himself, and freezes it. Rather than dropping \\$30 or more on a steak dinner at a restaurant, Setlock digs in at home for about \\$4 per steak.\n\n### 5\\. Think outside the bar\nIf your go-to hangout is getting food or drinks, or heading to a movie theater, you may be able to save hundreds a month by shaking up your social life.\n\n\"I used to throw down my credit card every Friday night, Saturday night, and Sunday brunch,\" says Keira Paget, 26, of Providence, Rhode Island. Between overpriced cocktails, rideshares, late-night snacks, and tipsy cost-sharing promises—\"you say you're going to split the bill, and no one ever pays you back\"—Paget racked up \\$20,000 in credit card debt. She knew something had to change. She has since cut back on nights out and given up alcohol. It's made her feel healthier and saves her \\$300 a week, which she's using to pay off debt. \"Just go out once a week and take advantage of happy hour deals,\" she suggests.\n\nSetlock didn't want to ditch date nights with his girlfriend for sitting at home watching TV. \"I realized you can do things that are fun, exciting, and new, but still cheap,\" he says. One activity: buying cheap art canvases, lipstick, eyeliner, and eyeshadow and staging an art contest. For a few dollars, they put a fresh, memorable spin on their usual night in.","meta_canonical":null}

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Meta Title	Ways to save money \| 5 budgeting tips \| Fidelity
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Boilerpipe Text	Real tricks to spend less and save more Surprising ways to save money and still enjoy life. Key takeaways High costs can make it harder to hit saving goals. Spending and saving routines are personal, but small tweaks to your habits could help you spend less—without feeling miserable. Though inflation is slowing down, high costs are still squeezing a lot of people's budgets. Prices rose over the last 12 months on everyday expenses such as electricity (more than 6%), meals out (up 4%), and auto insurance (about 5%), according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 1 That means saving money could require some creative tactics. We talked to 20 and 30 year old's who are balancing their budgets and saving—without making themselves miserable. Here are their ways to save money and spend less. 1. Set rules for your cash Javon Pratt, 33, from Utica, New York, decided to never spend a $5 bill. Anytime he gets one, he tucks it away in a drawer. A few times a year, he deposits the cash into an interest-bearing savings account or investment account, where it could grow. After less than a year, Pratt had nearly $2,000. "It's not enough where you're going to miss the money but enough that it adds up," he says. Detroit based social media influencer Mark Setlock, 20, makes a different paper play. "Whenever I do odd jobs or side hustles and get paid in cash, I split it in half between 2 wallets," he says. He spends the first wallet's cash on whatever he wants, but the second wallet is for saving. "I save such a large amount without realizing it," he says. "If I consciously had to take that money out of my bank account at the end of every month to put toward savings, it would hurt." 2. Rank your expenses and saving goals Taking an honest look at what you spend money on can put things into perspective, says Thomas Kopelman, 26, of Indianapolis. Kopelman trimmed his monthly expenses by listing them out in order of importance: essential items, such as housing, gas, and pet food at the top of the list, followed by increasingly less-important costs. "Then look at the things at the bottom of your list—things that wouldn't alter your life if you cut them," he suggests. "Cut out the bottom 3 to 5 items. You may hardly notice they're gone." Let's say you cut a couple streaming subscriptions ($250 per year), a seldom-used gym membership ($250 per year), and fast-food lunches (about $1,000 per year if you're spending $20 a week). You might free up about $1,500 annually that you could put toward paying down debt or building emergency savings . Prioritize your saving too. Washington, DC-area parent Stephanie Kibler, 35, lists her savings goals with the most immediate one on top—currently closing costs to buy a home . Her other saving goals include a travel fund and braces for her kids in the future. "For each goal, I set a minimum payment that I contribute every month, so I'm always making a little progress on each one," Kibler says. She treats the minimum savings payments like any other monthly bill, tracking the money in a spreadsheet. When she has extra money, she throws it at the top goal to reach it faster. Tip: You can start tracking and contributing to your goals using Fidelity Goal BoosterSM if you have an account with Fidelity. 3. Redo your routines Tweaking your habits could help you focus your spending where it counts. For instance, trading grocery store visits for curbside pickup has helped Elijah Langille, 30, of Plymouth, Massachusetts, save hundreds. While curbside pickup costs $2, supermarket impulse buys were costing him more. If you normally drop $20 on impulse purchases at the store each week, eliminating them would bank you an extra $1,000 each year. Rethinking your home habits can pay off too. Family finance blogger Pratheeba Paneer, 36, lives in Dallas, where electricity costs nearly twice as much in the early morning, late afternoon, and evening than at other times. She never turns on her dishwasher, washing machine, or dryer then—a move she estimates saves her about $100 a month. Check your electricity provider's website to find out whether they charge more during certain times of day, and also find more ways to lower your gas and energy bill . 4. Try DIY Did something break? You might be impressed by what you can fix on your own with online tutorials. Even if you hire a pro for more complicated or dangerous work, DIYing for simple issues can save you a lot. Langille says he's not handy, but with the help of social media videos and older tools he finds at yard sales, he can tackle car repairs, plumbing, woodworking, and more. "You learn as you go, and sure, you make mistakes," he admits. But something as basic as changing his own car oil saves between $25 and $75 each time. 2 Similarly, Setlock has become his own butcher and chef. "I love steak, but I don't love spending the money on restaurant steaks," he says. Instead, he watched online videos and learned how to prepare his own. Now he buys in bulk from his local butcher, cuts the meat himself, and freezes it. Rather than dropping $30 or more on a steak dinner at a restaurant, Setlock digs in at home for about $4 per steak. 5. Think outside the bar If your go-to hangout is getting food or drinks, or heading to a movie theater, you may be able to save hundreds a month by shaking up your social life. "I used to throw down my credit card every Friday night, Saturday night, and Sunday brunch," says Keira Paget, 26, of Providence, Rhode Island. Between overpriced cocktails, rideshares, late-night snacks, and tipsy cost-sharing promises—"you say you're going to split the bill, and no one ever pays you back"—Paget racked up $20,000 in credit card debt. She knew something had to change. She has since cut back on nights out and given up alcohol. It's made her feel healthier and saves her $300 a week, which she's using to pay off debt. "Just go out once a week and take advantage of happy hour deals," she suggests. Setlock didn't want to ditch date nights with his girlfriend for sitting at home watching TV. "I realized you can do things that are fun, exciting, and new, but still cheap," he says. One activity: buying cheap art canvases, lipstick, eyeliner, and eyeshadow and staging an art contest. For a few dollars, they put a fresh, memorable spin on their usual night in.
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Share ![Share](https://www.fidelity.com/bin-public/600_Fidelity_Com_English/images/article/share.svg) Close Popover * Ways to save money \\| 5 budgeting tips \\| Fidelity Clicking a link will open a new window. - [Facebook](https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/smart-money/ways-to-save-money#facebook) - [Twitter](https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/smart-money/ways-to-save-money#twitter) - [LinkedIn](https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/smart-money/ways-to-save-money#linkedin) [Print ![Print](https://www.fidelity.com/bin-public/600_Fidelity_Com_English/images/article/Print.svg)](https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/smart-money/ways-to-save-money#print) # Real tricks to spend less and save more Surprising ways to save money and still enjoy life. Fidelity Viewpoints ![](https://www.fidelity.com/bin-public/600_Fidelity_Com_English/images/migration/SM-tips-and-tricks-2022-banner.png) ### Key takeaways - High costs can make it harder to hit saving goals. - Spending and saving routines are personal, but small tweaks to your habits could help you spend less—without feeling miserable. Though inflation is slowing down, high costs are still squeezing a lot of people's budgets. Prices rose over the last 12 months on everyday expenses such as electricity (more than 6%), meals out (up 4%), and auto insurance (about 5%), according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.1 That means saving money could require some creative tactics. We talked to 20 and 30 year old's who are balancing their budgets and saving—without making themselves miserable. Here are their ways to save money and spend less. ### 1\. Set rules for your cash Javon Pratt, 33, from Utica, New York, decided to never spend a \$5 bill. Anytime he gets one, he tucks it away in a drawer. A few times a year, he deposits the cash into an interest-bearing savings account or investment account, where it could grow. After less than a year, Pratt had nearly \$2,000. "It's not enough where you're going to miss the money but enough that it adds up," he says. Detroit based social media influencer Mark Setlock, 20, makes a different paper play. "Whenever I do odd jobs or side hustles and get paid in cash, I split it in half between 2 wallets," he says. He spends the first wallet's cash on whatever he wants, but the second wallet is for saving. "I save such a large amount without realizing it," he says. "If I consciously had to take that money out of my bank account at the end of every month to put toward savings, it would hurt." ### 2\. Rank your expenses and saving goals Taking an honest look at what you spend money on can put things into perspective, says Thomas Kopelman, 26, of Indianapolis. Kopelman trimmed his monthly expenses by listing them out in order of importance: essential items, such as housing, gas, and pet food at the top of the list, followed by increasingly less-important costs. "Then look at the things at the bottom of your list—things that wouldn't alter your life if you cut them," he suggests. "Cut out the bottom 3 to 5 items. You may hardly notice they're gone." Let's say you cut a couple streaming subscriptions (\$250 per year), a seldom-used gym membership (\$250 per year), and fast-food lunches (about \$1,000 per year if you're spending \$20 a week). You might free up about \$1,500 annually that you could put toward paying down debt or [building emergency savings](https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/smart-money/emergency-fund). Prioritize your saving too. Washington, DC-area parent Stephanie Kibler, 35, lists her savings goals with the most immediate one on top—currently [closing costs to buy a home](https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/life-events/how-much-are-closing-costs). Her other saving goals include a travel fund and braces for her kids in the future. "For each goal, I set a minimum payment that I contribute every month, so I'm always making a little progress on each one," Kibler says. She treats the minimum savings payments like any other monthly bill, tracking the money in a spreadsheet. When she has extra money, she throws it at the top goal to reach it faster. Tip: You can start tracking and contributing to your goals using [Fidelity Goal BoosterSM](https://digital.fidelity.com/prgw/digital/goal-booster/) if you have an account with Fidelity. ### 3\. Redo your routines Tweaking your habits could help you focus your spending where it counts. For instance, trading grocery store visits for curbside pickup has helped Elijah Langille, 30, of Plymouth, Massachusetts, save hundreds. While curbside pickup costs \$2, supermarket impulse buys were costing him more. If you normally drop \$20 on impulse purchases at the store each week, eliminating them would bank you an extra \$1,000 each year. Rethinking your home habits can pay off too. Family finance blogger Pratheeba Paneer, 36, lives in Dallas, where electricity costs nearly twice as much in the early morning, late afternoon, and evening than at other times. She never turns on her dishwasher, washing machine, or dryer then—a move she estimates saves her about \$100 a month. Check your electricity provider's website to find out whether they charge more during certain times of day, and also find more [ways to lower your gas and energy bill](https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/smart-money/how-to-lower-utilities "ways to lower your gas and energy bill"). ### 4\. Try DIY Did something break? You might be impressed by what you can fix on your own with online tutorials. Even if you hire a pro for more complicated or dangerous work, DIYing for simple issues can save you a lot. Langille says he's not handy, but with the help of social media videos and older tools he finds at yard sales, he can tackle car repairs, plumbing, woodworking, and more. "You learn as you go, and sure, you make mistakes," he admits. But something as basic as changing his own car oil saves between \$25 and \$75 each time.2 Similarly, Setlock has become his own butcher and chef. "I love steak, but I don't love spending the money on restaurant steaks," he says. Instead, he watched online videos and learned how to prepare his own. Now he buys in bulk from his local butcher, cuts the meat himself, and freezes it. Rather than dropping \$30 or more on a steak dinner at a restaurant, Setlock digs in at home for about \$4 per steak. ### 5\. Think outside the bar If your go-to hangout is getting food or drinks, or heading to a movie theater, you may be able to save hundreds a month by shaking up your social life. "I used to throw down my credit card every Friday night, Saturday night, and Sunday brunch," says Keira Paget, 26, of Providence, Rhode Island. Between overpriced cocktails, rideshares, late-night snacks, and tipsy cost-sharing promises—"you say you're going to split the bill, and no one ever pays you back"—Paget racked up \$20,000 in credit card debt. She knew something had to change. She has since cut back on nights out and given up alcohol. It's made her feel healthier and saves her \$300 a week, which she's using to pay off debt. "Just go out once a week and take advantage of happy hour deals," she suggests. Setlock didn't want to ditch date nights with his girlfriend for sitting at home watching TV. "I realized you can do things that are fun, exciting, and new, but still cheap," he says. One activity: buying cheap art canvases, lipstick, eyeliner, and eyeshadow and staging an art contest. For a few dollars, they put a fresh, memorable spin on their usual night in. ## Saved some money? Now put it to work. Find ways to spend, save, and help grow your money for today and tomorrow. [Get started](https://www.fidelity.com/open-account/overview) ## More to explore ### [Get a budget checkup](http://www.fidelity.com/calculators-tools/budgeting-debt-management) See how to bucket expenses as you create a budget. ### [7 ways to earn more on your cash](https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/trading-investing/managing-cash) Deciding what’s right for you depends on your needs and time horizon. - Content Type:Article - Reading Time 10 min - [Save](https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/smart-money/ways-to-save-money) Close Popover Log in Yes, remove No, I want to keep this ![laptop approve svg](https://www.fidelity.com/bin-public/600_Fidelity_Com_English/images/tile/laptop-approve.svg) ## Subscribe to Fidelity Smart Money℠ What the news means for your money, plus tips to help you spend, save, and invest. ### Looking for more ideas and insights? We'll deliver them right to your inbox. Manage subscriptions ### Thanks for subscribing\! 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You might like these too: ### Fidelity Viewpoints® Timely news and insights from our pros on markets, investing, and personal finance.(debug tcm:2 ... ### Decode Crypto Clarity on crypto every month. Build your knowledge with education for all levels. ### Fidelity Smart Money℠ What the news means for your money, plus tips to help you spend, save, and invest. ### Active Investor Our most advanced investment insights, strategies, and tools. ### Insights from Fidelity Wealth Management ℠ Timely news, events, and wealth strategies from top Fidelity thought leaders. ### Women Talk Money Real talk and helpful tips about money, investing, and careers. ### Educational Webinars and Events Free financial education from Fidelity and other leading industry professionals. Fidelity Viewpoints® Timely news and insights from our pros on markets, investing, and personal finance.(debug tcm:2 ... Decode Crypto Clarity on crypto every month. Build your knowledge with education for all levels. Fidelity Smart Money℠ What the news means for your money, plus tips to help you spend, save, and invest. Active Investor Our most advanced investment insights, strategies, and tools. Insights from Fidelity Wealth Management ℠ Timely news, events, and wealth strategies from top Fidelity thought leaders. Women Talk Money Real talk and helpful tips about money, investing, and careers. Educational Webinars and Events Free financial education from Fidelity and other leading industry professionals. Done Add subscriptions No, thanks. Loading - [Saving and budgeting](https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/saving-and-budgeting-money) 1\. "Consumer Price Index Summary," Economic News Release: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025, https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm. 2\. Pamela Hunt, “Should you change your own oil?", AAA Today, October 17, 2022, https://magazine.northeast.aaa.com/daily/life/cars-trucks/change-your-own-oil/. The views expressed are as of the date indicated and may change based on market or other conditions. Unless otherwise noted, the opinions provided are those of the speaker or author, as applicable, and not necessarily those of Fidelity Investments. The third party speakers are not employed by Fidelity but may have received compensation from Fidelity for their services. The third parties mentioned herein and Fidelity Investments are independent entities and are not legally affiliated. 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zw4SR1mWv8zQEYrcClV137yHSITjs3bAQfYYQRRhhhhBFGGAH8D9DXSGd7oPh2AAAAAElFTkSuQmCC) 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![](data:image/png;base64,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Readable Markdown	Real tricks to spend less and save more Surprising ways to save money and still enjoy life. ![](https://www.fidelity.com/bin-public/600_Fidelity_Com_English/images/migration/SM-tips-and-tricks-2022-banner.png) ### Key takeaways - High costs can make it harder to hit saving goals. - Spending and saving routines are personal, but small tweaks to your habits could help you spend less—without feeling miserable. Though inflation is slowing down, high costs are still squeezing a lot of people's budgets. Prices rose over the last 12 months on everyday expenses such as electricity (more than 6%), meals out (up 4%), and auto insurance (about 5%), according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.1 That means saving money could require some creative tactics. We talked to 20 and 30 year old's who are balancing their budgets and saving—without making themselves miserable. Here are their ways to save money and spend less. ### 1\. Set rules for your cash Javon Pratt, 33, from Utica, New York, decided to never spend a \$5 bill. Anytime he gets one, he tucks it away in a drawer. A few times a year, he deposits the cash into an interest-bearing savings account or investment account, where it could grow. After less than a year, Pratt had nearly \$2,000. "It's not enough where you're going to miss the money but enough that it adds up," he says. Detroit based social media influencer Mark Setlock, 20, makes a different paper play. "Whenever I do odd jobs or side hustles and get paid in cash, I split it in half between 2 wallets," he says. He spends the first wallet's cash on whatever he wants, but the second wallet is for saving. "I save such a large amount without realizing it," he says. "If I consciously had to take that money out of my bank account at the end of every month to put toward savings, it would hurt." ### 2\. Rank your expenses and saving goals Taking an honest look at what you spend money on can put things into perspective, says Thomas Kopelman, 26, of Indianapolis. Kopelman trimmed his monthly expenses by listing them out in order of importance: essential items, such as housing, gas, and pet food at the top of the list, followed by increasingly less-important costs. "Then look at the things at the bottom of your list—things that wouldn't alter your life if you cut them," he suggests. "Cut out the bottom 3 to 5 items. You may hardly notice they're gone." Let's say you cut a couple streaming subscriptions (\$250 per year), a seldom-used gym membership (\$250 per year), and fast-food lunches (about \$1,000 per year if you're spending \$20 a week). You might free up about \$1,500 annually that you could put toward paying down debt or [building emergency savings](https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/smart-money/emergency-fund). Prioritize your saving too. Washington, DC-area parent Stephanie Kibler, 35, lists her savings goals with the most immediate one on top—currently [closing costs to buy a home](https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/life-events/how-much-are-closing-costs). Her other saving goals include a travel fund and braces for her kids in the future. "For each goal, I set a minimum payment that I contribute every month, so I'm always making a little progress on each one," Kibler says. She treats the minimum savings payments like any other monthly bill, tracking the money in a spreadsheet. When she has extra money, she throws it at the top goal to reach it faster. Tip: You can start tracking and contributing to your goals using [Fidelity Goal BoosterSM](https://digital.fidelity.com/prgw/digital/goal-booster/) if you have an account with Fidelity. ### 3\. Redo your routines Tweaking your habits could help you focus your spending where it counts. For instance, trading grocery store visits for curbside pickup has helped Elijah Langille, 30, of Plymouth, Massachusetts, save hundreds. While curbside pickup costs \$2, supermarket impulse buys were costing him more. If you normally drop \$20 on impulse purchases at the store each week, eliminating them would bank you an extra \$1,000 each year. Rethinking your home habits can pay off too. Family finance blogger Pratheeba Paneer, 36, lives in Dallas, where electricity costs nearly twice as much in the early morning, late afternoon, and evening than at other times. She never turns on her dishwasher, washing machine, or dryer then—a move she estimates saves her about \$100 a month. Check your electricity provider's website to find out whether they charge more during certain times of day, and also find more [ways to lower your gas and energy bill](https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/smart-money/how-to-lower-utilities "ways to lower your gas and energy bill"). ### 4\. Try DIY Did something break? You might be impressed by what you can fix on your own with online tutorials. Even if you hire a pro for more complicated or dangerous work, DIYing for simple issues can save you a lot. Langille says he's not handy, but with the help of social media videos and older tools he finds at yard sales, he can tackle car repairs, plumbing, woodworking, and more. "You learn as you go, and sure, you make mistakes," he admits. But something as basic as changing his own car oil saves between \$25 and \$75 each time.2 Similarly, Setlock has become his own butcher and chef. "I love steak, but I don't love spending the money on restaurant steaks," he says. Instead, he watched online videos and learned how to prepare his own. Now he buys in bulk from his local butcher, cuts the meat himself, and freezes it. Rather than dropping \$30 or more on a steak dinner at a restaurant, Setlock digs in at home for about \$4 per steak. ### 5\. Think outside the bar If your go-to hangout is getting food or drinks, or heading to a movie theater, you may be able to save hundreds a month by shaking up your social life. "I used to throw down my credit card every Friday night, Saturday night, and Sunday brunch," says Keira Paget, 26, of Providence, Rhode Island. Between overpriced cocktails, rideshares, late-night snacks, and tipsy cost-sharing promises—"you say you're going to split the bill, and no one ever pays you back"—Paget racked up \$20,000 in credit card debt. She knew something had to change. She has since cut back on nights out and given up alcohol. It's made her feel healthier and saves her \$300 a week, which she's using to pay off debt. "Just go out once a week and take advantage of happy hour deals," she suggests. Setlock didn't want to ditch date nights with his girlfriend for sitting at home watching TV. "I realized you can do things that are fun, exciting, and new, but still cheap," he says. One activity: buying cheap art canvases, lipstick, eyeliner, and eyeshadow and staging an art contest. For a few dollars, they put a fresh, memorable spin on their usual night in.
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