01. General Suggestions

1. Pay off debts as soon as possible: The interest on debt is a monetary cost, and credit card and auto loan debts are often among the worst types of debt.

2. Save before spending: After receiving your monthly salary, set up an automatic deduction for savings. This is the best way to ensure that you can save money.

3. If your company offers a 401k plan (similar to the domestic corporate annuity), be sure to accept it. It's like free money.

4. Save your bonuses: When you receive a year-end bonus or other bonuses, resist the temptation to spend it all. While it's okay to reward yourself, try to keep your spending to around 10%, and save the rest.

5. Put most of your money into a savings account, which not only earns interest but also prevents you from spending it.

6. Save more when you get a raise, as the more you save, the earlier you can retire.

7. Make a budget for your expenses: If you don't set a budget, you'll usually spend more.

8. Consider renting equipment: If you only use a piece of equipment once, it might be more cost-effective to rent it instead of buying it, saving you a lot of money.9. Turn off your lights: Save on electricity costs by using lights only when necessary and remembering to switch them off when leaving a room.

Advertisement

10. Audit your household energy usage (water, electricity, etc.), as there may be hidden energy consumption that you incur every month.

11. Unsubscribe from marketing emails that only tempt you to spend more money on promotional offers.

12. Try DIY repairs: Sometimes the cost of a repairman can be steep, so give it a shot; you might be able to solve those small yet costly issues on your own.

13. Before purchasing books, check the library first; if available, borrow them to save money (books in the U.S. can be relatively expensive).

14. Practice decluttering by selling items you no longer need. This not only generates income but can also enhance the quality of your life.

15. Consider using a debit card instead of a credit card: With a debit card, you're less likely to spend more money just to accumulate credit card rewards.

16. Consult with a qualified financial advisor: They can provide personalized advice on saving and managing your finances.

17. Volunteer for free admission: For festivals, concerts, or many sporting events, volunteers often gain free entry after completing their tasks.

18. Plan gifts in advance: This way, you can purchase them on sale rather than paying full price during birthdays or other holidays.19. Organize a swap meet for used items, so you can save money on buying new things and also find items you like among your friends.

20. Preventive healthcare can save us money, especially with dental cleanings. Additionally, it's best to have regular check-ups. The better we maintain ourselves, the better our bodies will treat us in return.

21. When purchasing insurance, compare offers; the first quote may not be your cheapest option.

22. If you're considering a mortgage refinance, it must make sense. Any reduction in interest rates will immediately help you save money.

23. When washing your hair, consider using a lower flow of water to conserve water.

24. Lower the temperature of your water heater: the lower the temperature, the less gas or electricity you will use.

25. Close your curtains during the summer to help keep the heat away from your home, thus reducing the strain on your air conditioning.

26. Maintain your vehicle: by regularly changing your car's oil, tires, and other parts, you can keep your car in good condition, allowing for more efficient use over a longer period.

27. Don't drive aggressively; remember, the way we drive can have a significant impact on fuel consumption.

28. Avoid driving to any destination if you are healthy and mobile; there is no reason to drive to places that are very close by.29. Avoid going on vacation during the holidays; stay at home instead. This way, you can save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.

30. Have friends come over to your house for a visit rather than traveling to their homes. This can save you money by eliminating the need to travel.

31. Take good care of your clothes by washing and drying them according to the instructions on the labels to extend their lifespan.

32. Wash clothes less frequently: If they are not smelly or visibly dirty, they may not need to be washed.

33. Wash clothes in cold water: Most clothes do not require hot water for washing.

34. Take fewer showers: Unless you sweat a lot or get your clothes dirty frequently, you do not need to shower every day.

35. Stop using toilet paper: It may sound disgusting, but giving up toilet paper can improve your cleanliness while reducing your environmental impact and saving you money. Additionally, some experts recommend switching to using a bidet.

36. Grow your own food: If you have enough space, time, and conditions, consider growing some produce in your garden instead of buying it from the store.

02. Some suggestions regarding restaurants:

37. Order water at a restaurant instead of beverages or alcohol. This can save you a few dollars per meal, and the savings will accumulate over time.38. Before going to the restaurant, have a drink first instead of purchasing alcohol when dining at the restaurant. This can help you save money.

39. Consider going out for lunch rather than dinner, as lunch is typically offered at a discount and is usually cheaper than dinner.

40. Opt for a smaller portion of food, which can both aid in weight loss and save you money.

41. Don't always pay the bill; if you dine with others, it's best to split the cost equally.

42. Bring your own lunch: If you're looking to save money, going out for lunch every day is not a good option.

43. Take advantage of free coffee: Many workplaces offer free coffee to employees; if there's a free option available, don't buy coffee.

44. Try to limit dining out to a minimum each week, such as going out once, or find a frequency that suits you, but ensure it's a genuine "limit" and not something like five times a week.

03. Some suggestions regarding supermarkets:

45. Eat what's in your fridge first: Before heading to the supermarket, check what you have in your fridge and see if you can cook with those ingredients. A good chef can create inventive dishes with what's already on hand.

46. Don't shop when you're hungry: When we crave a meal or some snacks, most of us tend to buy more.47. Plan your meals in advance, which can help you focus on purchasing the necessary ingredients.

48. Try to buy generic food whenever possible: Brand-name foods are often more expensive simply due to advertising effects, but this does not always mean better quality.

49. Reduce the purchase of junk food: Although each bag of chips is cheap, the cumulative cost adds up because most of us tend to buy them frequently.

50. Is buying organic food really worth it? You might be surprised at how similar the expensive organic foods are to their conventional counterparts; buying organic is only worth it sometimes.

51. Purchase ingredients for double recipes, which will result in leftovers, thus providing you with meals for the next day without having to eat out.

04. Some tips on shopping:

52. Enforce a waiting period before making a purchase: If you still want it after a week, then consider buying it.

53. Stop buying warranty extensions: While warranties can save us money, statistics show that they often end up costing us more in the long run.

54. Never shop at full price; it's best to buy during discount periods.

55. Think carefully before purchasing electronic gadgets; do you really need those expensive headphones or a phone? Because most of the time, they are not cheap.56. Before purchasing at the original price, it's worth checking out group-buying websites or other discount sites; you might be surprised at how many items you can find on group-buying platforms.

57. Set a limit on your spending, such as determining a budget before buying clothes, and try not to exceed it.

58. When purchasing items, especially clothing, it's best to opt for high quality and durable products, which often end up saving us a lot of money in the long run.

59. Utilize coupons when they are available, as they can help you save money.

60. Bulk buying: People from all income levels enjoy saving on everyday expenses by purchasing snacks, tissues, dog food, and other (easy-to-store) items in bulk at Costco.

61. Consider buying refurbished appliances, computers, phones, etc., which are mostly like new and can be purchased for a fraction of the cost.

62. Try using money-saving apps; these applications automatically support the use of coupons on partnered e-commerce platforms, and I have saved a lot of money using such apps.

63. Avoid shopping on "Black Friday": Some of us may end up buying more items at full price during this time, and often retailers mark up prices before offering discounts, which may not be cost-effective. However, purchasing so many items will certainly make it difficult to save money.

05. Some suggestions regarding subscriptions:

64. Cancel or disable auto-renewal, which will give you the option to choose whether to renew in the future.65. Do not purchase cable TV services; consider switching to some free alternatives instead.

66. Avoid signing long-term contracts so that you can opt out if the service no longer suits your needs.

67. Choose the right phone plan; do you really need unlimited data?

68. Reassess monthly: Your needs, habits, and desires change over time, and you may find that you no longer require certain monthly magazine subscriptions.

69. Take advantage of referral programs: If you enjoy a product or service, participate in referral programs, which often offer cash back or free items in exchange for your recommendations to family or friends.

70. Threaten to cancel: Believe it or not, many subscription services will offer you a deal during the cancellation process. For instance, if you tell them you are canceling because the service is too expensive, they might offer you a 50% discount for three months.

For new parents to spend less money:

71. Do not constantly buy clothes for babies, as they will outgrow them every few months.

72. Purchase second-hand items, such as strollers; if they are still functional, why spend more money on new ones?

73. Ask family or friends for second-hand items; every family that has had children will have things they no longer need.74. Do not purchase an item of clothing or accessory simply because it is "cute."

75. Never leave home unprepared. No matter where you go, always carry recipes, snacks, clothing, and other essentials with you.

76. Purchase generic medications. There is no reason to buy name brands. By law, generic drugs are identical to brand-name drugs in terms of effectiveness, dosage, strength, safety, quality, or the way they are used.

77. Make your own baby food at home; as long as you have a food processor, you can prepare various purees of vegetables and fruits.

07. To save money, reduce or increase certain lifestyle habits.

78. Quit smoking: Smoking not only costs money but is also harmful to health.

79. Give up e-cigarettes: While they are cheaper and healthier than smoking, not using e-cigarettes at all is even more cost-effective and healthier.

80. Stop drinking alcohol: In addition to the money saved by not buying alcohol, you can also avoid shopping under the influence of alcohol.

81. Eat healthier: Consume less meat, more vegetables, and fiber-rich foods, and use smaller portions in each meal. Studies show that this way of eating can save money.

82. Stop going to Starbucks: Is your daily coffee habit worth working an extra decade? Drink at home or at the office, or consider going caffeine-free altogether.83. Start using dental floss: Two minutes a day can save you a significant amount in dental expenses.

84. Start running: Aerobic exercise is one of the best ways to maintain health.

85. Start cycling: If possible, ride your bike to work. You can save on fuel while getting exercise.

86. Go to bed earlier: Getting good rest will keep your mind clear for better financial decisions, and it's also beneficial for your health, reducing the need for doctor visits.

87. See a psychologist: Many of us opt for unhealthy, inefficient, and expensive coping mechanisms instead of addressing our issues directly. Don't assume you can't afford it; there are actually many free services or community psychology groups available.

08. Avoid buying things you don't need

88. Don't buy a new car: If your old car is still functional, there's no reason to scrap it.

89. Don't buy a new phone: Apple wants you to covet every new iPhone model, don't fall for it.

90. Don't buy a new computer: Clean it up, fix it, or consider buying a refurbished one.

91. Don't buy a new house: Unless you sell your old house and buy a smaller one.92. Do not renovate your house unless it is absolutely necessary.

93. Do not buy new clothes: You may not need them; mend what you have or have already purchased.

94. Do not buy new books: Read those on your bookshelf that you have never opened or immerse yourself in a favorite old book. For new books, visit the library and see what you can find.

95. Do not buy new toys: Teach your children to make their own toys and tap into their boundless creativity.

96. Do not buy new gifts; consider gifts that are both cost-saving and thoughtful.

09. Buy for a Better Life

97. Invest in a good pair of shoes: Many manufacturers design shoes that can withstand wear and tear for decades or even hundreds of miles.

98. Purchase a reusable bottle: Discard plastic bottles and buy something that lasts, but make sure it won't be easily lost.

99. Buy a cast iron skillet: It is versatile and virtually indestructible. Even rough-shaped cast iron can be relatively easily repaired and is affordable.

100. Acquire a set of high-quality knives: Keep them sharp and take good care of them, and they will be usable forever.The above are 100 ways to save more money. Have you noticed that one of the costs of achieving financial freedom five years earlier is the heart-wrenching restraint in consumption? From this perspective, it's not something anyone can achieve.

At least, some methods are quite good, but some are really hard to accept, such as not traveling during holidays. Personally, I would rather cut expenses in other areas, but I am not willing to give up the experience of traveling, so everyone needs to know what they want and save money according to their own characteristics.

By the way, after reading these 100 methods, which one do you like the most, or which method is the least acceptable to you? Feel free to leave a comment and discuss in the section below.