🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:
Response:
Calculated Shard: 128 (from laksa069)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:
Response:

3. Robots.txt Check

Query:
Response:

4. Spam/Ban Check

Query:
Response:

5. Seen Status Check

ℹ️ Skipped - page is already crawled

đź“„
INDEXABLE
âś…
CRAWLED
6 hours ago
🤖
ROBOTS ALLOWED

Page Info Filters

FilterStatusConditionDetails
HTTP statusPASSdownload_http_code = 200HTTP 200
Age cutoffPASSdownload_stamp > now() - 6 MONTH0 months ago
History dropPASSisNull(history_drop_reason)No drop reason
Spam/banPASSfh_dont_index != 1 AND ml_spam_score = 0ml_spam_score=0
CanonicalPASSmeta_canonical IS NULL OR = '' OR = src_unparsedNot set

Page Details

PropertyValue
URLhttps://www.quicken.com/blog/14-best-ways-to-save-money/
Last Crawled2026-04-22 22:00:48 (6 hours ago)
First Indexed2022-11-28 23:51:46 (3 years ago)
HTTP Status Code200
Content
Meta Title14 Ways to Save More Money in 2025 | Quicken
Meta DescriptionWant some quick ways to save money? Try these 14 easy tips. Spend less money and live your best life — without giving up the things you love.
Meta Canonicalnull
Boilerpipe Text
Need more money? If you answered yes, don’t worry — you’re not alone. While there are plenty of approaches to getting more of the green stuff, one of the most effective ways of working with what you already earn is to master the art of saving money.  Watching your spending doesn’t have to mean tightening your belt or resigning yourself to bargain bins and scratch-and-dent sales for all of eternity! In reality, it’s just about cutting back on waste and spending your money on purpose, not out of habit. Following these money-saving tips can help you cover those rising bills — with the freedom and flexibility to keep living life to the fullest. How to save tons of money every month 1. How to save on monthly subscriptions (save around $219) Did you know the average American household spends $219 per month on subscriptions ? That’s $133 more than most of us realize. Whether you’re bingeing Prison Break on Netflix, bumping the new Taylor Swift album on Spotify, catching up with The Angry Video Game Nerd on YouTubeTV, or trying out a Salmon and Kimchi Skillet via New York Times Cooking, those subscription costs can add up. How to cut back on subscription fees and still get all your faves: Subscription hopping — Switch from one streaming service to another month by month. Catch up on everything you love, then switch again! Friends & family plans — Share subscription costs with your parents, siblings, or besties. Watch a few ads — Many services offer a ton of value for very little money if you’re willing to watch some ads along the way. Keep some, hop some — Keep the services you love most, and save money by switching to annual plans. For the ones you don’t use much, cancel them and check back in every few months to see what’s new. 2. How to save on groceries (save $2,400+/year) Did you know that Americans waste 92 billion pounds of food each year? That’s roughly 145 billion meals, costing Americans close to $473 billion annually . With the rising cost of food, it’s hard to fathom this much waste.  You don’t have to be Gordon Ramsay to master the art of cooking — it just takes a little dedication, time, and maybe even some bravery to chow down on meals that regrettably missed the mark. Keep things simple — you don’t need to spend $100 on fresh ingredients per meal. Instead, focus on eating healthy for less and cutting back on grocery expenses.  How to cut back on grocery bills and still eat what you love: Make a meal plan — Create a weekly guide to stay on track and avoid excess spending or wasting food. Clip coupons — Your local newspaper and grocery stores can offer coupons to save. Be creative — You can whip up soups, omelets, casseroles, or stir fry with leftovers. Freeze food for later — Frozen veggies, cuts of meat, bagels, even leftovers; these can all be frozen and saved for later. Don’t shop hungry — Avoid going to the grocery store with an empty stomach and making impulse purchases based on hunger.  3. How to save on books, audiobooks, and more (save $50/mo or more) In the United States, we’ve been spending big on entertainment — Americans spent some $26 billion on books and $121 million on music each year. That’s a pretty substantial chunk of change!  If you’re a big fan of books, audiobooks, and magazines, consider borrowing these items from the local library — you can access their curated collections for free and save a ton of money annually. How to save money on books, audiobooks, music, and more: Entertainment galore — Stop by your local library for books, movies, music, and even TV series to get rid of streaming fees. Borrow digitally — Library apps like Hoopla and Overdrive provide digital, 24/7 streaming access to your public library’s complete network of collections — including books, movies, TV, and music. Share Kindle books — Kindle goes beyond family sharing, letting you loan many of your ebooks to just about anyone. Sign up on review sites like NetGalley — You can get free books and audiobooks to review, often before they even come out. 4. How to save on utilities (save 15% or more on your energy bill) The temperatures are cooling in the northern hemisphere, and it’s a great time to think about saving on utilities. Did you know that the EPA estimates you can save 15% on heating and cooling costs just by making sure your home is well insulated? A home that fails to retain heat during the long winter months (or cool air in the hot summer season) is going to leave you feeling uncomfortable while carrying the cost of a higher utility bill. The best way to save is by making sure your home is properly insulated and managing your thermostat. How to save on your utility bills: Smart thermostat — Avoid wasting energy by setting it higher/lower when you aren’t home or at night. Insulation — Ensure your home is adequately insulated to retain heat/cool air from your HVAC system. Update sealing, windows, and doors — Old windows and doors can make homes drafty in the winter; consider replacing them to save on your utility bills. Pipe leak detectors — These affordable sensors can let you know if you have any leaky pipes, safeguarding your home and your utility bill. 5. How to save on insurance (save 5-25% on yearly costs) Insurance is how we safeguard our possessions and put our vehicles on the road — we can’t operate a car or take out a mortgage without it. Americans spend an average of $2,388 on auto insurance per year and $2,285 on homeowners insurance for a $300,000 policy — that’s over $4,500 annually! You don’t need to cover your home in bubble wrap, fill in the pool, throw out your trampoline, and drive 20 mph to get a good insurance rate — there are several different methods to lower your monthly premiums and save money.  How to save money on insurance: Shop plans — Shopping around for better insurance premiums from different providers can save you a ton of cash. Bundle policies — Lots of insurance companies will offer discounts if you bundle policies, especially if you’ve been a long-time customer. That alone can save you a lot. Ask your agent — Get in touch with your agent to see if there are any discounts you can use to your advantage. Home improvements — Your home insurance policy may offer discounts for adding a security system, making home improvements, or removing high-risk items. 6. How to save on doom spending and other expensive habits A recent study found that more than a quarter of all Americans (27%) use doom spending to cope with stress — for younger generations, that number is even higher, at 35% of Gen Zers and 43% of millennials. While the numbers are hard to quantify, the pattern is clear — people spend money to cope with anxiety, then feel anxious about their financial situation, so they spend even more money. It’s a toxic spiral that can be incredibly hard to break out of.  If you’re struggling with doom spending, these 10 tips can help . 7. Hit the pause button (save hundreds per year) Online shopping has revolutionized the way we purchase things we need. It’s convenient, but it also comes with a price — you can’t scroll through social media without seeing hundreds or even thousands of ads every day. In the US, online shopping costs about $6,156 per year on average . While some of those purchases are more than worth it, it’s important to separate out what you really want from those momentary impulse buys. How you can save on shopping: Save posts for later — If you see a great ad on social, save that post for later instead of buying right away. That pause, even for an hour or two, gives you time to reflect on what you really want. Decide if you really want those emails — The marketing blast is real — consent to emails and you’ll receive thousands! How can you fix this? Keep the ones you love, but unsubscribe from the rest. Shop all at once — If you buy things one at a time through the week, it’s easy not to realize how much you’re spending. Instead, set some time aside to shop all at once so you can see the real total. Save to cart, save for later — This is a specific version of shopping all at once. Instead of impulse buying, save things to your cart and look at them together. If it feels like too much, save a few things for later instead. Seven more tips to make the money you save go even further Want an extra boost for your savings? These simple power-ups can take your budgeting and saving habits to the next level. 1. Pay down high-interest debt Wait, this article is about saving money, right?  It may sound counterintuitive, but spending some extra money to pay off your debt can actually help you save money in the long run. Those high debt balances can really eat up your budget, especially from credit cards (with an average APR of 21.51% ). Paying the minimum balance on your credit card debt every month usually comes with long pay-off schedules and a ton of interest — money you shouldn’t have to spend.  Stop giving credit card companies your hard-earned cash. Instead, create a plan to pay off that high-interest debt as quickly as possible.  Making it a priority will save you money over time and get you out from under those monthly payments, giving you more flexibility to spend in other areas, pay off other debt, or increase your savings. It will also improve your credit score and give you access to credit cards with better rates and offers, like automatic cash back on every purchase. 2. Automate your savings It’s far too easy to skip your savings deposit. Everyone’s been there. You plan on adding money to your savings account, but by the end of the month, there isn’t enough left to do it — or you just plain forget. Create an automatic savings plan and put your savings on direct deposit to keep your savings goals on track. Just set up a recurring transfer from your checking account to your savings account! Be sure to pick the day of the month that makes the most sense to you. A few days after payday is often the perfect day to do that, giving that paycheck just enough time to clear and then putting the money up right away. 3. Max out your employer’s 401(k) match A great way to increase your retirement savings is to see if your employer offers 401(k) matching funds. When you add money every month to your 401(k), many employers will match those contributions up to a certain amount. In other words, they’re willing to give you free money just to help you save for retirement. Free money is a rarity in this life — don’t leave it on the table! 4. Try a savings challenge A fun, DIY way to save money in the short term is to participate in a savings challenge. The idea is to make a game out of saving money, and you can even challenge your friends. One great example is the no-spending challenge — try not to make any non-essential purchases for an entire week! Next, switch things up and go for a vice-tax challenge. Pay a “fine” to your savings account every time you skip a good behavior or do a “bad” one. What counts as good or bad is completely up to you. For example, you could pay a fine to your savings account any time you skip your workout or whenever you eat out at a fast-food joint. Whether you build your savings or build healthier habits, you win either way. 5. Delete that automatic billing info Saving your credit card or debit card information at a favorite online store like Amazon or on Instagram makes shopping much more convenient. Unfortunately, that convenience also makes it easy to spend money without thinking about it. By removing your credit card information or your PayPal password from your browser, individual websites, and even your cell phone, you create a small barrier between your bank account and impulse buys. It also has the added bonus of protecting you from online hackers by making it that much harder to steal your information! 6. Plan for upcoming expenses Big upcoming expenses can definitely hurt your savings if you’re not prepared for them. The best way to stay ahead and not sacrifice your hard work and discipline is to plan ahead and prepare for big purchases and expenses.  Is it time to retire your trusty 1984 Peugeot 205 and upgrade to something a little more contemporary? Are you planning on cruising through the Aegean, island hopping from Naxos to Mykonos? Or maybe those guitar lessons have been paying off and you’re ready to buy a brand new Fender Stratocaster! Whatever your big expenses are, you can mitigate any necessity to dip into your savings by planning ahead and saving up.   When you reach the point where you can cover your new purchase, keep setting money aside for your emergency fund to take care of any surprises. When you need to make withdrawals from that fund, be sure to pay yourself back. 7. Find a side hustle If you’re struggling to stay afloat and need to start making some extra cash to pad your savings, consider finding a side hustle to earn a few extra dollars. Start by evaluating your weekly schedule and your interests — you need to find something that works with your lifestyle and something you have enough time for! Do you live in a city with lots of events? Consider signing up for a ridesharing app like Uber or Lyft and take a look at an event calendar in your city — you can take people to and from the big game or concert and make some extra money fast. Not into driving? There are plenty of other options you can explore — it can be easy and fun to find a side job to work on your own terms, and earn some extra money in the process.  The very best way to save money At the end of the day, the best way to save money is to be intentional about your spending.  Buy the things you need and the things that bring you joy. But if your gut doesn’t feel sure something’s worth it, let that one go. To help you make those decisions, track the money you’re spending on your favorite retail sites and in those impulse-buy categories. By staying on top of your finances, you’ll know what you need to do to make ends meet — by spending less, by building your income , or both. If you aren’t already using an app, Quicken Simplifi lets you track your spending and a whole lot more. Try it today.
Markdown
![](https://www.facebook.com/tr/?id=2141810336041646&ev=CookieSync&dl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.quicken.com%2Fblog%2F14-best-ways-to-save-money%2F&ud%5Bexternal_id%5D=686c056147260c0a7cd33b28cb9890591252351e0430f7d40ac2012dc7d79b02&dpo=LDU&dpoco=0&dpost=0&fbp=fb.1.1776895250305.502042102&ts=1776895250305) [Quicken](https://www.quicken.com/) - [Top Features](https://www.quicken.com/blog/14-best-ways-to-save-money/) ### Manage My Personal Finances - [Manage your budget](https://www.quicken.com/features/manage-your-budget) - [See all my finances in one place](https://www.quicken.com/features/aggregation) - [Save more money](https://www.quicken.com/features/save-more-money) - [Get insights with reports](https://www.quicken.com/features/get-insights-with-reports) - [Project your cash flow](https://www.quicken.com/features/projected-cashflow) - [Optimize your investments](https://www.quicken.com/features/optimize-your-investments) - [Plan for retirement](https://www.quicken.com/features/plan-for-retirement) ### Manage my Business & Rental Finances - [Get paid faster](https://www.quicken.com/features/invoicing-get-paid-faster) - [Manage your cash flow](https://www.quicken.com/features/manage-your-cash-flow) - [Get insights into your business](https://www.quicken.com/features/get-insights-into-your-business) - [Track business taxes](https://www.quicken.com/features/track-business-taxes) - [Track expenses](https://www.quicken.com/features/track-expenses) - [Why Quicken](https://www.quicken.com/blog/14-best-ways-to-save-money/) - [Why Quicken](https://www.quicken.com/why-quicken/) - [Quicken vs. spreadsheets](https://www.quicken.com/why-quicken/quicken-vs-spreadsheets-diy/) - [Quicken vs. free options](https://www.quicken.com/why-quicken/quicken-vs-free-personal-finance/) - [Plans & pricing](https://www.quicken.com/blog/14-best-ways-to-save-money/) - [Compare plans](https://www.quicken.com/products/pricing-comparison/) - [![](https://www.quicken.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/logoblue-1.png) Quicken Simplifi](https://www.quicken.com/products/simplifi/) - [![](https://www.quicken.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/logoblue-1.png) Quicken Business & Personal](https://www.quicken.com/products/business-personal) - [![](https://www.quicken.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/logoblue-1.png) Quicken LifeHub](https://www.quicken.com/products/lifehub) - ![](https://www.quicken.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Icon-Quicken-sign-in.png) ### Classic - [Premier](https://www.quicken.com/products/classic-premier) - [Deluxe](https://www.quicken.com/products/classic-deluxe) - [Business & Personal](https://www.quicken.com/products/classic-business-personal) - [Learn](https://www.quicken.com/blog/14-best-ways-to-save-money/) - [Blog](https://www.quicken.com/blog) - [Support](https://www.quicken.com/blog/14-best-ways-to-save-money/) - ![](https://www.quicken.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/logoblue-1.png) ### Quicken Simplifi - [Support](https://help.simplifimoney.com/) - [Community](https://community.simplifimoney.com/) - ![](https://www.quicken.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Icon-Quicken-sign-in.png) ### Classic - [Support](https://www.quicken.com/support/) - [Community](https://community.quicken.com/) - [Download & install](https://www.quicken.com/activate/) - [FAQ](https://www.quicken.com/windows-faq/) - [What's new](https://www.quicken.com/whats-new-quicken/) - [Sign in](https://www.quicken.com/blog/14-best-ways-to-save-money/) [![](https://www.quicken.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/logoblue-1.png)](https://simplifi.quicken.com/) #### Quicken Simplifi The powerfully simple way to stay on top of your finances [Sign in](https://simplifi.quicken.com/) [![](https://www.quicken.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Icon-Quicken-sign-in.png)](https://app.quicken.com/login) #### Classic Access Quicken Classic on the web [Sign in](https://app.quicken.com/login) [![](https://www.quicken.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Icon-My-Account-1.png)](https://www.quicken.com/my-account) #### My Account Update your profile, manage your subscription & more [Sign in](https://www.quicken.com/my-account) [![](https://www.quicken.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/link.png) Investing.quicken.com](https://investing.quicken.com/) – Quicken Classic for Windows Investing site (must be enabled in desktop first) [Get started](https://www.quicken.com/products/pricing-comparison/) - [Recent Posts](https://www.quicken.com/blog/recent-posts/) [![](https://www.quicken.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/logo-2.svg)](https://www.quicken.com/) ![Relaxed man holding his hands behind his head in front of his laptop](https://www.quicken.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/man-relaxed-in-front-of-laptop.jpg) [14 Ways to Save More Money in 2025](https://www.quicken.com/blog/14-best-ways-to-save-money/) by [Quicken](https://www.quicken.com/blog/author/quicken/) September 24, 2024 [Budgeting & Savings](https://www.quicken.com/blog/category/budgeting-savings/) **Share article:** Need more money? If you answered yes, don’t worry — you’re not alone. While there are plenty of approaches to getting more of the green stuff, one of the most effective ways of working with what you already earn is to master the art of saving money. Watching your spending doesn’t have to mean tightening your belt or resigning yourself to bargain bins and scratch-and-dent sales for all of eternity! In reality, it’s just about cutting back on waste and spending your money on purpose, not out of habit. Following these money-saving tips can help you cover those rising bills — with the freedom and flexibility to keep living life to the fullest. ## How to save tons of money every month ### 1\. How to save on monthly subscriptions (save around \$219) Did you know the average American household [spends \$219 per month on subscriptions](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/02/consumers-spend-133-more-monthly-on-subscriptions-than-they-realize.html)? That’s \$133 more than most of us realize. Whether you’re bingeing Prison Break on Netflix, bumping the new Taylor Swift album on Spotify, catching up with The Angry Video Game Nerd on YouTubeTV, or trying out a Salmon and Kimchi Skillet via New York Times Cooking, those subscription costs can add up. How to cut back on subscription fees and still get all your faves: - **Subscription hopping** — Switch from one streaming service to another month by month. Catch up on everything you love, then switch again\! - **Friends & family plans** — Share subscription costs with your parents, siblings, or besties. - **Watch a few ads** — Many services offer a ton of value for very little money if you’re willing to watch some ads along the way. - **Keep some, hop some** — Keep the services you love most, and save money by switching to annual plans. For the ones you don’t use much, cancel them and check back in every few months to see what’s new. ### 2\. How to save on groceries (save \$2,400+/year) Did you know that Americans waste 92 billion pounds of food each year? That’s roughly 145 billion meals, costing Americans close to [\$473 billion annually](https://www.feedingamerica.org/our-work/reduce-food-waste). With the rising cost of food, it’s hard to fathom this much waste. You don’t have to be Gordon Ramsay to master the art of cooking — it just takes a little dedication, time, and maybe even some bravery to chow down on meals that regrettably missed the mark. Keep things simple — you don’t need to spend \$100 on fresh ingredients per meal. Instead, focus on eating healthy for less and cutting back on grocery expenses. How to cut back on grocery bills and still eat what you love: - **Make a meal plan** — Create a weekly guide to stay on track and avoid excess spending or wasting food. - **Clip coupons** — Your local newspaper and grocery stores can offer coupons to save. - **Be creative** — You can whip up soups, omelets, casseroles, or stir fry with leftovers. - **Freeze food for later** — Frozen veggies, cuts of meat, bagels, even leftovers; these can all be frozen and saved for later. - **Don’t shop hungry** — Avoid going to the grocery store with an empty stomach and making impulse purchases based on hunger. ### 3\. How to save on books, audiobooks, and more (save \$50/mo or more) In the United States, we’ve been spending big on entertainment — Americans spent some [\$26 billion](https://www.statista.com/statistics/192861/consumer-expenditures-on-recreational-books-in-the-us/) on books and [\$121 million](https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2022/03/music-engagement-and-spending-hit-record-highs-driven-led-by-streaming-vinyl-social-video-musicwatch.html) on music each year. That’s a pretty substantial chunk of change\! If you’re a big fan of books, audiobooks, and magazines, consider borrowing these items from the [local library](https://www.npr.org/2023/10/16/1199885817/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-library) — you can access their curated collections for free and save a ton of money annually. How to save money on books, audiobooks, music, and more: - **Entertainment galore** — Stop by your local library for books, movies, music, and even TV series to get rid of streaming fees. - **Borrow digitally** — Library apps like [Hoopla](https://www.hoopladigital.com/) and [Overdrive](https://www.overdrive.com/) provide digital, 24/7 streaming access to your public library’s complete network of collections — including books, movies, TV, and music. - **Share Kindle books** — Kindle goes beyond family sharing, letting you [loan many of your ebooks](https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-share-or-loan-a-kindle-book/) to just about anyone. - **Sign up on review sites like** [**NetGalley**](https://www.netgalley.com/) — You can get free books and audiobooks to review, often before they even come out. ### 4\. How to save on utilities (save 15% or more on your energy bill) The temperatures are cooling in the northern hemisphere, and it’s a great time to think about saving on utilities. Did you know that the EPA estimates you can save [15% on heating and cooling](https://www.energystar.gov/saveathome/seal_insulate/methodology) costs just by making sure your home is well insulated? A home that fails to retain heat during the long winter months (or cool air in the hot summer season) is going to leave you feeling uncomfortable while carrying the cost of a higher utility bill. The best way to save is by making sure your home is properly insulated and managing your thermostat. How to save on your utility bills: - **Smart thermostat** — Avoid wasting energy by setting it higher/lower when you aren’t home or at night. - **Insulation** — Ensure your home is adequately insulated to retain heat/cool air from your HVAC system. - **Update sealing, windows, and doors** — Old windows and doors can make homes drafty in the winter; consider replacing them to save on your utility bills. - **Pipe leak detectors** — These affordable sensors can let you know if you have any leaky pipes, safeguarding your home and your utility bill. ### 5\. How to save on insurance (save 5-25% on yearly costs) Insurance is how we safeguard our possessions and put our vehicles on the road — we can’t operate a car or take out a mortgage without it. Americans spend an average of [\$2,388 on auto insurance](https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/car/average-cost-of-car-insurance/) per year and [\$2,285 on homeowners insurance](https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/homeowners-insurance/homeowners-insurance-cost/) for a \$300,000 policy — that’s over \$4,500 annually\! You don’t need to cover your home in bubble wrap, fill in the pool, throw out your trampoline, and drive 20 mph to get a good insurance rate — there are several different methods to lower your monthly premiums and save money. How to save money on insurance: - **Shop plans** — Shopping around for better insurance premiums from different providers can save you a ton of cash. - **Bundle policies** — Lots of insurance companies will offer discounts if you bundle policies, especially if you’ve been a long-time customer. That alone can save you a lot. - **Ask your agent** — Get in touch with your agent to see if there are any discounts you can use to your advantage. - **Home improvements** — Your home insurance policy may offer discounts for adding a security system, making home improvements, or removing high-risk items. ### 6\. How to save on doom spending and other expensive habits A [recent study](https://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/spending/articles/what-is-doom-spending-and-how-can-you-avoid-it#:~:text=%22Doom%20spending%22%20refers%20to%20a,behalf%20of%20Intuit%20Credit%20Karma) found that more than a quarter of all Americans (27%) use doom spending to cope with stress — for younger generations, that number is even higher, at 35% of Gen Zers and 43% of millennials. While the numbers are hard to quantify, the pattern is clear — people spend money to cope with anxiety, then feel anxious about their financial situation, so they spend even more money. It’s a toxic spiral that can be incredibly hard to break out of. If you’re struggling with doom spending, [these 10 tips can help](https://www.quicken.com/blog/wellness-month-doom-spending/). ### 7\. Hit the pause button (save hundreds per year) Online shopping has revolutionized the way we purchase things we need. It’s convenient, but it also comes with a price — you can’t scroll through social media without seeing hundreds or even thousands of ads every day. In the US, online shopping costs about [\$6,156 per year on average](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/see-much-average-american-spends-130129873.html). While some of those purchases are more than worth it, it’s important to separate out what you really want from those momentary impulse buys. How you can save on shopping: - **Save posts for later** — If you see a great ad on social, save that post for later instead of buying right away. That pause, even for an hour or two, gives you time to reflect on what you really want. - **Decide if you really want those emails** — The marketing blast is real — consent to emails and you’ll receive thousands! How can you fix this? Keep the ones you love, but unsubscribe from the rest. - **Shop all at once** — If you buy things one at a time through the week, it’s easy not to realize how much you’re spending. Instead, set some time aside to shop all at once so you can see the real total. - **Save to cart, save for later** — This is a specific version of shopping all at once. Instead of impulse buying, save things to your cart and look at them together. If it feels like too much, save a few things for later instead. ## Seven more tips to make the money you save go even further Want an extra boost for your savings? These simple power-ups can take your budgeting and saving habits to the next level. ### 1\. Pay down high-interest debt Wait, this article is about saving money, right? It may sound counterintuitive, but spending some extra money to pay off your debt can actually help you save money in the long run. Those high debt balances can really eat up your budget, especially from credit cards (with an [average APR of 21.51%](https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/g19/current/default.htm)). Paying the minimum balance on your credit card debt every month usually comes with long pay-off schedules and a ton of interest — money you shouldn’t have to spend. Stop giving credit card companies your hard-earned cash. Instead, create a plan to pay off that high-interest debt as quickly as possible. Making it a priority will save you money over time and get you out from under those monthly payments, giving you more flexibility to spend in other areas, pay off other debt, or increase your savings. It will also improve your credit score and give you access to credit cards with better rates and offers, like automatic cash back on every purchase. ### 2\. Automate your savings It’s far too easy to skip your savings deposit. Everyone’s been there. You plan on adding money to your savings account, but by the end of the month, there isn’t enough left to do it — or you just plain forget. Create an automatic savings plan and put your savings on direct deposit to keep your savings goals on track. Just set up a recurring transfer from your checking account to your savings account\! Be sure to pick the day of the month that makes the most sense to you. A few days after payday is often the perfect day to do that, giving that paycheck just enough time to clear and then putting the money up right away. ### 3\. Max out your employer’s 401(k) match A great way to increase your retirement savings is to see if your employer offers 401(k) matching funds. When you add money every month to your 401(k), many employers will match those contributions up to a certain amount. In other words, they’re willing to give you free money just to help you save for retirement. Free money is a rarity in this life — don’t leave it on the table\! ### 4\. Try a savings challenge A fun, DIY way to save money in the short term is to participate in a savings challenge. The idea is to make a game out of saving money, and you can even challenge your friends. One great example is the no-spending challenge — try not to make any non-essential purchases for an entire week\! Next, switch things up and go for a vice-tax challenge. Pay a “fine” to your savings account every time you skip a good behavior or do a “bad” one. What counts as good or bad is completely up to you. For example, you could pay a fine to your savings account any time you skip your workout or whenever you eat out at a fast-food joint. Whether you build your savings or build healthier habits, you win either way. ### 5\. Delete that automatic billing info Saving your credit card or debit card information at a favorite online store like Amazon or on Instagram makes shopping much more convenient. Unfortunately, that convenience also makes it easy to spend money without thinking about it. By removing your credit card information or your PayPal password from your browser, individual websites, and even your cell phone, you create a small barrier between your bank account and impulse buys. It also has the added bonus of protecting you from online hackers by making it that much harder to steal your information\! ### 6\. Plan for upcoming expenses Big upcoming expenses can definitely hurt your savings if you’re not prepared for them. The best way to stay ahead and not sacrifice your hard work and discipline is to plan ahead and prepare for big purchases and expenses. Is it time to retire your trusty 1984 Peugeot 205 and upgrade to something a little more contemporary? Are you planning on cruising through the Aegean, island hopping from Naxos to Mykonos? Or maybe those guitar lessons have been paying off and you’re ready to buy a brand new Fender Stratocaster! Whatever your big expenses are, you can mitigate any necessity to dip into your savings by planning ahead and saving up. When you reach the point where you can cover your new purchase, keep setting money aside for your [emergency fund](https://www.quicken.com/blog/emergency-fund-guide/) to take care of any surprises. When you need to make withdrawals from that fund, be sure to pay yourself back. ### 7\. Find a side hustle If you’re struggling to stay afloat and need to start making some extra cash to pad your savings, consider finding a side hustle to earn a few extra dollars. Start by evaluating your weekly schedule and your interests — you need to find something that works with your lifestyle and something you have enough time for\! Do you live in a city with lots of events? Consider signing up for a ridesharing app like Uber or Lyft and take a look at an event calendar in your city — you can take people to and from the big game or concert and make some extra money fast. Not into driving? There are [plenty of other options](https://www.quicken.com/blog/23-ways-to-make-quick-money-in-one-day) you can explore — it can be easy and fun to find a side job to work on your own terms, and earn some extra money in the process. ## The very best way to save money At the end of the day, the best way to save money is to be intentional about your spending. Buy the things you need and the things that bring you joy. But if your gut doesn’t feel sure something’s worth it, let that one go. To help you make those decisions, track the money you’re spending on your favorite retail sites and in those impulse-buy categories. By staying on top of your finances, you’ll know what you need to do to make ends meet — by spending less, by [building your income](https://www.quicken.com/blog/how-to-make-more-money), or both. If you aren’t already using an app, Quicken Simplifi lets you track your spending and a whole lot more. [Try it today.](https://www.quicken.com/products/simplifi/) Reach your financial goals with confidence. Try [Quicken Simplifi or Quicken Classic](https://www.quicken.com/products/pricing-comparison/) today. *Quicken has made the material on this blog available for informational purposes only. Use of this website constitutes agreement to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Quicken does not offer advisory or brokerage services, does not recommend the purchase or sale of any particular securities or other investments, and does not offer tax advice. For any such advice, please consult a professional.* **Share article:** ##### Tags In [Personal Finance](https://www.quicken.com/blog/tag/personal-finance/) [Savings](https://www.quicken.com/blog/tag/savings/) Post **178** of 854 ## Related Posts ![Woman prepping produce in kitchen](https://www.quicken.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/woman-prepping-in-kitchen-with-produce-300x200.jpg) [27 Ways to Save Money & Stretch Your...](https://www.quicken.com/blog/how-to-save-money-best-tips/) ![Smiling couple hugging in a room with moving boxes](https://www.quicken.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/smiling-couple-hugging-in-room-with-moving-boxes-300x200.jpg) [How to Save Enough Money to Buy a...](https://www.quicken.com/blog/how-to-save-enough-money-to-buy-a-house/) ![man smiling while using mobile phone on couch](https://www.quicken.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/man-smiling-at-mobile-phone-on-couch-300x200.jpg) [Loud Budgeting: 7 Ways to Save with Pride](https://www.quicken.com/blog/loud-budgeting/) ### Categories - [Budgeting & Savings](https://www.quicken.com/blog/category/budgeting-savings/) - [Investing & Retirement](https://www.quicken.com/blog/category/investing-retirement/) - [Managing Debt](https://www.quicken.com/blog/category/debt/) - [Personal Finance](https://www.quicken.com/blog/category/personal-finance/) - [Planning for Taxes](https://www.quicken.com/blog/category/taxes/) - [Small Business & Rentals](https://www.quicken.com/blog/category/small-business/) × ![]() ![Quicken Logo Blue](https://www.quicken.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Quicken_Logo_Blue.svg) About Quicken - [About us](https://www.quicken.com/about-us) - [Careers](https://www.quicken.com/about-us/careers) - [Press](https://www.quicken.com/about-us/press) - [Quicken Checks](https://checks.quicken.com/promotion/22quickw) - [Affiliate programs](https://www.quicken.com/affiliate) - [Quicken Canada](https://www.quicken.com/canada/?cc_bypass) Sign In - [Quicken Simplifi](https://simplifi.quicken.com/) - [Classic](https://app.quicken.com/login/) - [Quicken LifeHub](https://lifehub.quicken.com/) - [Quicken Investing](https://investing.quicken.com/) - [My Account](https://www.quicken.com/my-account/) Products - [Quicken Simplifi](https://www.quicken.com/products/simplifi) - [Classic Premier](https://www.quicken.com/products/classic-premier) - [Classic Deluxe](https://www.quicken.com/products/classic-deluxe) - [Classic Business & Personal](https://www.quicken.com/products/classic-business-personal) - [Classic Business & Personal for Mac](https://www.quicken.com/products/classic-business-personal-mac/) - [Classic For Mac](https://www.quicken.com/products/classic-premier-deluxe-mac) - [Classic Starter](https://www.quicken.com/products/classic-starter/) - [Classic Bill Manager](https://www.quicken.com/products/bill-manager/) - [Quicken LifeHub](https://www.quicken.com/products/lifehub/) †Discounts are calculated based on the annual price. The final price may differ from the monthly discounted price multiplied by 12 months. All offers are for the first year only when you order directly from Quicken by November 19th, 2025. Offers are good for new memberships only. Subscription billed annually. Offers listed above cannot be combined with any other offers. Offer does not apply to Classic Starter. Upon the end of your membership term, the subscription will automatically renew at the then-current rates, unless you or we terminate this agreement. Corporate Headquarters: 3760 Haven Avenue, Menlo Park, CA 94025 \* Footnotes and disclaimers **Monitoring alerts, data downloads, and feature updates are available through the end of your membership term**. Third-party terms and additional fees may apply. Phone support, online features, and other services vary and are subject to change. **Standard message and data rates may apply for sync, e-mail and text alerts.** **Purchase entitles you to Quicken for the term of your membership (depending upon length of membership purchased), starting at purchase.** Full payment is charged to your card immediately. At the end of the membership period, membership will automatically renew every year and you will be charged the then-current price (prices subject to change). You may cancel before renewal date. For full details, consult the Quicken [Terms of Use](https://www.quicken.com/terms-of-use). You can manage your subscription at your My Account page. **Quicken for Windows imports data from Quicken for Windows 2010 or newer, Microsoft Money 2008 and 2009 (for Deluxe and higher). Quicken for Mac imports data from Quicken for Windows 2010 or newer, Quicken for Mac 2015 or newer, Quicken for Mac 2007, Quicken Essentials for Mac, Banktivity. Quicken Simplifi, Quicken Business & Personal, and Quicken LifeHub are cloud-based apps that run on web and mobile.** **30-day money back guarantee: If you’re not satisfied, return this product to Quicken within 30 days of purchase with your dated receipt for a full refund of the purchase price less shipping and handling fees (if applicable). See** <https://www.quicken.com/30dayguarantee> **for full details and instructions.** **Quicken products are not designed to function outside the U.S. and Canada.** **Quicken is a registered trademark of Rocket Mortgage, LLC, used under license.** **The VantageScore provided uses a proprietary credit scoring model designed by VantageScore Solutions, LLC. There are numerous other credit scores and models in the marketplace, including different VantageScores. Please keep in mind third parties may use a different credit score when evaluating your creditworthiness. Also, third parties will take into consideration items other than your credit score or information found in your credit file, such as your income.** **VantageScore®, Equifax®, Experian® and TransUnion® are registered trademarks of their respective owners. Other product and company names mentioned herein are property of their respective owners.** Quicken’s cloud-based web & mobile personal finance app, **Quicken Simplifi**, is the best personal finance app for predictive budgeting and proactive money management, helping users stay ahead of expenses, investments, savings goals, and retirement with real-time cash flow insights. **Quicken** knows what’s next. From hindsight to foresight, Quicken predicts your financial path so you can stay ahead, not just keep up. Insights are actionable and forward-looking. The **Quicken Business & Personal** cloud-based web & mobile app brings business and personal finances together in one seamless platform designed for self-employed professionals, freelancers, and small business owners. With tools that simplify business taxes and cash flow management, track income and expenses, and provide invoicing and online payment options to help you get paid faster, Quicken makes it easy to stay on top of every dollar. Customizable reports give you a view of both business and personal finances, helping you make smarter financial decisions. **Quicken LifeHub** is a secure, cloud-based app for web and mobile that helps you organize, protect, and share your essential information — from health and legal documents to financial and personal records. Designed for modern families, it’s an all-in-one life management platform that turns digital clutter into clarity. **Quicken** has received numerous awards from third-party review sites, including **CNBC’s World’s Top 250 Fintech Companies, Engadget’s Best Mint Alternative, PCMag’s Best Overall for Personal Finance Software, and The College Investor’s Best Budgeting App**. These accolades are based on independent reviews. **Certain features not supported on mobile apps.** [My Privacy Rights](https://www.quicken.com/privacy/us/ccpa/ca) Download Quicken Simplifi app ![Quicken blue Q icon](https://www.quicken.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SimplifiIcon.svg) [![](https://www.quicken.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Download_on_the_App_Store_Badge_US-UK_RGB_blk_092917.svg)](https://simplifiweb.onelink.me/iczF/ug74aptt) [![](https://www.quicken.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/googleplay-badge.svg)](https://simplifiweb.onelink.me/iczF/qmx1f07k) [![](https://www.quicken.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/add-to-chromebook.svg)](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.quicken.acme) Download Quicken Business & Personal app ![Quicken blue Q icon](https://www.quicken.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SimplifiIcon.svg) [![](https://www.quicken.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Download_on_the_App_Store_Badge_US-UK_RGB_blk_092917.svg)](https://simplifiweb.onelink.me/iczF/ug74aptt) [![](https://www.quicken.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/googleplay-badge.svg)](https://simplifiweb.onelink.me/iczF/qmx1f07k) [![](https://www.quicken.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/add-to-chromebook.svg)](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.quicken.acme) Download Quicken LifeHub app ![Quicken LifeHub icon for footer](https://www.quicken.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/qlh-icon-wp-cms.svg) [![](https://www.quicken.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Download_on_the_App_Store_Badge_US-UK_RGB_blk_092917.svg)](https://lifehub.onelink.me/1JzM/fzx2kv6i) [![](https://www.quicken.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/googleplay-badge.svg)](https://lifehub.onelink.me/1JzM/xsaojcs9) Download the Classic companion app ![](https://www.quicken.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/QuickenIcon.svg) [![](https://www.quicken.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Download_on_the_App_Store_Badge_US-UK_RGB_blk_092917.svg)](https://quickenclassic.onelink.me/lfKk/f9nquyz5) [![](https://www.quicken.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/googleplay-badge.svg)](https://quickenclassic.onelink.me/lfKk/dtp1224g) © 2025 Quicken Inc. All rights reserved. [Privacy Policy](https://www.quicken.com/privacy) [Terms of Use](https://www.quicken.com/terms)
Readable Markdown
Need more money? If you answered yes, don’t worry — you’re not alone. While there are plenty of approaches to getting more of the green stuff, one of the most effective ways of working with what you already earn is to master the art of saving money. Watching your spending doesn’t have to mean tightening your belt or resigning yourself to bargain bins and scratch-and-dent sales for all of eternity! In reality, it’s just about cutting back on waste and spending your money on purpose, not out of habit. Following these money-saving tips can help you cover those rising bills — with the freedom and flexibility to keep living life to the fullest. ## How to save tons of money every month ### 1\. How to save on monthly subscriptions (save around \$219) Did you know the average American household [spends \$219 per month on subscriptions](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/02/consumers-spend-133-more-monthly-on-subscriptions-than-they-realize.html)? That’s \$133 more than most of us realize. Whether you’re bingeing Prison Break on Netflix, bumping the new Taylor Swift album on Spotify, catching up with The Angry Video Game Nerd on YouTubeTV, or trying out a Salmon and Kimchi Skillet via New York Times Cooking, those subscription costs can add up. How to cut back on subscription fees and still get all your faves: - **Subscription hopping** — Switch from one streaming service to another month by month. Catch up on everything you love, then switch again\! - **Friends & family plans** — Share subscription costs with your parents, siblings, or besties. - **Watch a few ads** — Many services offer a ton of value for very little money if you’re willing to watch some ads along the way. - **Keep some, hop some** — Keep the services you love most, and save money by switching to annual plans. For the ones you don’t use much, cancel them and check back in every few months to see what’s new. ### 2\. How to save on groceries (save \$2,400+/year) Did you know that Americans waste 92 billion pounds of food each year? That’s roughly 145 billion meals, costing Americans close to [\$473 billion annually](https://www.feedingamerica.org/our-work/reduce-food-waste). With the rising cost of food, it’s hard to fathom this much waste. You don’t have to be Gordon Ramsay to master the art of cooking — it just takes a little dedication, time, and maybe even some bravery to chow down on meals that regrettably missed the mark. Keep things simple — you don’t need to spend \$100 on fresh ingredients per meal. Instead, focus on eating healthy for less and cutting back on grocery expenses. How to cut back on grocery bills and still eat what you love: - **Make a meal plan** — Create a weekly guide to stay on track and avoid excess spending or wasting food. - **Clip coupons** — Your local newspaper and grocery stores can offer coupons to save. - **Be creative** — You can whip up soups, omelets, casseroles, or stir fry with leftovers. - **Freeze food for later** — Frozen veggies, cuts of meat, bagels, even leftovers; these can all be frozen and saved for later. - **Don’t shop hungry** — Avoid going to the grocery store with an empty stomach and making impulse purchases based on hunger. ### 3\. How to save on books, audiobooks, and more (save \$50/mo or more) In the United States, we’ve been spending big on entertainment — Americans spent some [\$26 billion](https://www.statista.com/statistics/192861/consumer-expenditures-on-recreational-books-in-the-us/) on books and [\$121 million](https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2022/03/music-engagement-and-spending-hit-record-highs-driven-led-by-streaming-vinyl-social-video-musicwatch.html) on music each year. That’s a pretty substantial chunk of change\! If you’re a big fan of books, audiobooks, and magazines, consider borrowing these items from the [local library](https://www.npr.org/2023/10/16/1199885817/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-library) — you can access their curated collections for free and save a ton of money annually. How to save money on books, audiobooks, music, and more: - **Entertainment galore** — Stop by your local library for books, movies, music, and even TV series to get rid of streaming fees. - **Borrow digitally** — Library apps like [Hoopla](https://www.hoopladigital.com/) and [Overdrive](https://www.overdrive.com/) provide digital, 24/7 streaming access to your public library’s complete network of collections — including books, movies, TV, and music. - **Share Kindle books** — Kindle goes beyond family sharing, letting you [loan many of your ebooks](https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-share-or-loan-a-kindle-book/) to just about anyone. - **Sign up on review sites like** [**NetGalley**](https://www.netgalley.com/) — You can get free books and audiobooks to review, often before they even come out. ### 4\. How to save on utilities (save 15% or more on your energy bill) The temperatures are cooling in the northern hemisphere, and it’s a great time to think about saving on utilities. Did you know that the EPA estimates you can save [15% on heating and cooling](https://www.energystar.gov/saveathome/seal_insulate/methodology) costs just by making sure your home is well insulated? A home that fails to retain heat during the long winter months (or cool air in the hot summer season) is going to leave you feeling uncomfortable while carrying the cost of a higher utility bill. The best way to save is by making sure your home is properly insulated and managing your thermostat. How to save on your utility bills: - **Smart thermostat** — Avoid wasting energy by setting it higher/lower when you aren’t home or at night. - **Insulation** — Ensure your home is adequately insulated to retain heat/cool air from your HVAC system. - **Update sealing, windows, and doors** — Old windows and doors can make homes drafty in the winter; consider replacing them to save on your utility bills. - **Pipe leak detectors** — These affordable sensors can let you know if you have any leaky pipes, safeguarding your home and your utility bill. ### 5\. How to save on insurance (save 5-25% on yearly costs) Insurance is how we safeguard our possessions and put our vehicles on the road — we can’t operate a car or take out a mortgage without it. Americans spend an average of [\$2,388 on auto insurance](https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/car/average-cost-of-car-insurance/) per year and [\$2,285 on homeowners insurance](https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/homeowners-insurance/homeowners-insurance-cost/) for a \$300,000 policy — that’s over \$4,500 annually\! You don’t need to cover your home in bubble wrap, fill in the pool, throw out your trampoline, and drive 20 mph to get a good insurance rate — there are several different methods to lower your monthly premiums and save money. How to save money on insurance: - **Shop plans** — Shopping around for better insurance premiums from different providers can save you a ton of cash. - **Bundle policies** — Lots of insurance companies will offer discounts if you bundle policies, especially if you’ve been a long-time customer. That alone can save you a lot. - **Ask your agent** — Get in touch with your agent to see if there are any discounts you can use to your advantage. - **Home improvements** — Your home insurance policy may offer discounts for adding a security system, making home improvements, or removing high-risk items. ### 6\. How to save on doom spending and other expensive habits A [recent study](https://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/spending/articles/what-is-doom-spending-and-how-can-you-avoid-it#:~:text=%22Doom%20spending%22%20refers%20to%20a,behalf%20of%20Intuit%20Credit%20Karma) found that more than a quarter of all Americans (27%) use doom spending to cope with stress — for younger generations, that number is even higher, at 35% of Gen Zers and 43% of millennials. While the numbers are hard to quantify, the pattern is clear — people spend money to cope with anxiety, then feel anxious about their financial situation, so they spend even more money. It’s a toxic spiral that can be incredibly hard to break out of. If you’re struggling with doom spending, [these 10 tips can help](https://www.quicken.com/blog/wellness-month-doom-spending/). ### 7\. Hit the pause button (save hundreds per year) Online shopping has revolutionized the way we purchase things we need. It’s convenient, but it also comes with a price — you can’t scroll through social media without seeing hundreds or even thousands of ads every day. In the US, online shopping costs about [\$6,156 per year on average](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/see-much-average-american-spends-130129873.html). While some of those purchases are more than worth it, it’s important to separate out what you really want from those momentary impulse buys. How you can save on shopping: - **Save posts for later** — If you see a great ad on social, save that post for later instead of buying right away. That pause, even for an hour or two, gives you time to reflect on what you really want. - **Decide if you really want those emails** — The marketing blast is real — consent to emails and you’ll receive thousands! How can you fix this? Keep the ones you love, but unsubscribe from the rest. - **Shop all at once** — If you buy things one at a time through the week, it’s easy not to realize how much you’re spending. Instead, set some time aside to shop all at once so you can see the real total. - **Save to cart, save for later** — This is a specific version of shopping all at once. Instead of impulse buying, save things to your cart and look at them together. If it feels like too much, save a few things for later instead. ## Seven more tips to make the money you save go even further Want an extra boost for your savings? These simple power-ups can take your budgeting and saving habits to the next level. ### 1\. Pay down high-interest debt Wait, this article is about saving money, right? It may sound counterintuitive, but spending some extra money to pay off your debt can actually help you save money in the long run. Those high debt balances can really eat up your budget, especially from credit cards (with an [average APR of 21.51%](https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/g19/current/default.htm)). Paying the minimum balance on your credit card debt every month usually comes with long pay-off schedules and a ton of interest — money you shouldn’t have to spend. Stop giving credit card companies your hard-earned cash. Instead, create a plan to pay off that high-interest debt as quickly as possible. Making it a priority will save you money over time and get you out from under those monthly payments, giving you more flexibility to spend in other areas, pay off other debt, or increase your savings. It will also improve your credit score and give you access to credit cards with better rates and offers, like automatic cash back on every purchase. ### 2\. Automate your savings It’s far too easy to skip your savings deposit. Everyone’s been there. You plan on adding money to your savings account, but by the end of the month, there isn’t enough left to do it — or you just plain forget. Create an automatic savings plan and put your savings on direct deposit to keep your savings goals on track. Just set up a recurring transfer from your checking account to your savings account\! Be sure to pick the day of the month that makes the most sense to you. A few days after payday is often the perfect day to do that, giving that paycheck just enough time to clear and then putting the money up right away. ### 3\. Max out your employer’s 401(k) match A great way to increase your retirement savings is to see if your employer offers 401(k) matching funds. When you add money every month to your 401(k), many employers will match those contributions up to a certain amount. In other words, they’re willing to give you free money just to help you save for retirement. Free money is a rarity in this life — don’t leave it on the table\! ### 4\. Try a savings challenge A fun, DIY way to save money in the short term is to participate in a savings challenge. The idea is to make a game out of saving money, and you can even challenge your friends. One great example is the no-spending challenge — try not to make any non-essential purchases for an entire week\! Next, switch things up and go for a vice-tax challenge. Pay a “fine” to your savings account every time you skip a good behavior or do a “bad” one. What counts as good or bad is completely up to you. For example, you could pay a fine to your savings account any time you skip your workout or whenever you eat out at a fast-food joint. Whether you build your savings or build healthier habits, you win either way. ### 5\. Delete that automatic billing info Saving your credit card or debit card information at a favorite online store like Amazon or on Instagram makes shopping much more convenient. Unfortunately, that convenience also makes it easy to spend money without thinking about it. By removing your credit card information or your PayPal password from your browser, individual websites, and even your cell phone, you create a small barrier between your bank account and impulse buys. It also has the added bonus of protecting you from online hackers by making it that much harder to steal your information\! ### 6\. Plan for upcoming expenses Big upcoming expenses can definitely hurt your savings if you’re not prepared for them. The best way to stay ahead and not sacrifice your hard work and discipline is to plan ahead and prepare for big purchases and expenses. Is it time to retire your trusty 1984 Peugeot 205 and upgrade to something a little more contemporary? Are you planning on cruising through the Aegean, island hopping from Naxos to Mykonos? Or maybe those guitar lessons have been paying off and you’re ready to buy a brand new Fender Stratocaster! Whatever your big expenses are, you can mitigate any necessity to dip into your savings by planning ahead and saving up. When you reach the point where you can cover your new purchase, keep setting money aside for your [emergency fund](https://www.quicken.com/blog/emergency-fund-guide/) to take care of any surprises. When you need to make withdrawals from that fund, be sure to pay yourself back. ### 7\. Find a side hustle If you’re struggling to stay afloat and need to start making some extra cash to pad your savings, consider finding a side hustle to earn a few extra dollars. Start by evaluating your weekly schedule and your interests — you need to find something that works with your lifestyle and something you have enough time for\! Do you live in a city with lots of events? Consider signing up for a ridesharing app like Uber or Lyft and take a look at an event calendar in your city — you can take people to and from the big game or concert and make some extra money fast. Not into driving? There are [plenty of other options](https://www.quicken.com/blog/23-ways-to-make-quick-money-in-one-day) you can explore — it can be easy and fun to find a side job to work on your own terms, and earn some extra money in the process. ## The very best way to save money At the end of the day, the best way to save money is to be intentional about your spending. Buy the things you need and the things that bring you joy. But if your gut doesn’t feel sure something’s worth it, let that one go. To help you make those decisions, track the money you’re spending on your favorite retail sites and in those impulse-buy categories. By staying on top of your finances, you’ll know what you need to do to make ends meet — by spending less, by [building your income](https://www.quicken.com/blog/how-to-make-more-money), or both. If you aren’t already using an app, Quicken Simplifi lets you track your spending and a whole lot more. [Try it today.](https://www.quicken.com/products/simplifi/)
ML Classification
ML Categories
/Finance
99.3%
/Finance/Financial_Planning_and_Management
98.0%
/Finance/Financial_Planning_and_Management/Other
73.2%
Raw JSON
{
    "/Finance": 993,
    "/Finance/Financial_Planning_and_Management": 980,
    "/Finance/Financial_Planning_and_Management/Other": 732
}
ML Page Types
/Article
99.2%
/Article/How_to
84.3%
Raw JSON
{
    "/Article": 992,
    "/Article/How_to": 843
}
ML Intent Types
Informational
95.8%
Raw JSON
{
    "Informational": 958
}
Content Metadata
Languageen-us
Authornull
Publish Timenot set
Original Publish Time2022-11-28 23:51:46 (3 years ago)
RepublishedNo
Word Count (Total)3,839
Word Count (Content)2,544
Links
External Links46
Internal Links114
Technical SEO
Meta NofollowNo
Meta NoarchiveNo
JS RenderedYes
Redirect Targetnull
Performance
Download Time (ms)672
TTFB (ms)626
Download Size (bytes)147,994
Shard128 (laksa)
Root Hash17217912096907709128
Unparsed URLcom,quicken!www,/blog/14-best-ways-to-save-money/ s443