7 Things We Stopped Doing To Save Money (2024)

Do You Want To Save More Money?

Do you need to save more cash? You need to take a hard look at where you are spending your money, to save money. And be honest even about the small purchases.

What Happens When You Don’t Save Money?

When you overspend and don’t save money you increase your debt and the amount of money you owe to creditors. Essential overspending will wreck your budget.

Overspending

Before we said enough is enough and started our budgeting plan we ate out several times a week. We went on holidays once or twice a year. I would hit up the coffee shop for a latte almost daily.

Stop Spending

We let our life depict our spending. Our wants overtook our needs. We simply were not watching our spending.

Job Loss

It takes a big event to cause things to change. After my husband’s employment changed and his company downsized we took a long hard look at our spending. Nothing makes you assess things better than a sudden loss of income.

Family Finances

As a new family we took a serious look at our finances and thought about where we wanted to be in the future.

How To Stop Spending So Much Money

The right step forward. After researching debt, budgeting and personal finance I foundThe Total Money Makeover. This book helped us identify our money problems and figure out workable solutions.

Saving Money With Dave Ramsey

Dave Ramsey’s Baby Steps helped in a huge way. After taking Financial Peace University as a couple we set out a plan to get our finances in order including stopping a number of costly things.

Related Ways To Save Money:

  • 21 Things We Stopped Doing To Save Money
  • The Best Ways To Save Money
  • 101 Super Frugal Money Saving Tips

7 Things We Stopped Doing To Save Money:

Stopped Eating Out So Much

When you add up the cost of eating out two or three times a week for a family of four the cost gets up there.

So I started meal planning and cooking at home more. I also started using my freezer more to store meals and basics. Learn over 75 things you can freeze to save money.

Related Meal Ideas:

  • 7 Amazing Homemade Bread Recipes
  • Best Instant Pot Recipes
  • Frugal Freezer Meals

Stopped Buying Specialty (Gluten Free) Baked Goods

Our son is Celiac so we were buying gluten free, dairy free muffins for him which was fine. But when the muffins and the other baked goods got a price increase it wasn’t fine.

Checkout this Ultimate Guide to Keto Baking it’s amazing.

I Stopped Daily Coffee Drive Thru Fix

When you added it up I was spending $25 -$30 on gourmet coffee a week.

That’s over $120 a month on coffee that could be saved. We did however come up with the perfect coffee lovers solution.

We purchased a milk frother and we have this amazing coffee machine that makes great coffee so if I want to I can have more than one latte a day from home.

We also invested in great travel mugs so we can have our coffee on the go.

Trying To Keep Up

Currently we are in the process of saving for a home. Bigger is better right? No!

Honestly, I would be happy if the home was 2-3 bedrooms and had a large yard so we can grow our own food and have room for the kids to play. My husband, his only request of the home is a garage and that we are happy.

Spending Tips

You don’t always need what everyone else wants or thinks you need. Figure out what you want and what your needs are and work within your budget.

How To Train Yourself To Spend Less Money

We learned to budget. We learned to communicate more about personal finance and our goals. Now it’s more about what we need than what we want.

Learn To Say “NO”

This one may seem like it is relatively easy. But small things add up. You buy your child a toy car here, you go out for dinner there, those new shoes are only…. The little stuff adds up.

How To Stop Spending Money On Vacations

It is hard to “splurge” on holiday expenses when you start watching your money. Can you really validate spending $350 a night on a hotel room? We have opted for staycations andno spend weekends.

I think the best vacation, weekend away we have had this year was to a little cabin visiting family and friends.

Hiking, visiting local markets, getting away from the everyday. Sitting on the patio watching the sunset and visiting. Quality time with family and friends.

How To Manage Spending

Cutting back on your regular spending. Shopping sales, using coupons, truly looking at what you are spending your money on.

How To Stop Spending Money

Using a budget, communicating with your family about your financial needs. Learning to use your money wisely with a frugal mindset will help you save money.

How To Not Spend Money

Take a look at where you are spending your money. Is there something or somewhere you can cut back on to save money?

How To Stop Spending So Much Money

  1. Take some time to think about the purchase.
  2. Find a cheaper more frugal solution.
  3. Create a budget and stick to it.
  4. Focus on your debt and savings.
  5. Check for leaks in your budget.
  6. Pay with cash.
  7. Leave your credit cards at home.
  8. Avoid temptation.

How To Save $500 In A Month

Stop spending money and start saving. Discover just how easy it is to save $500 in a month.

Related Money Saving Posts:

  • 7 Ways To Get Free Money
  • 5 Ways To Earn Money While You Sleep
  • 50 Tips To Help You Save More Money

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Updated June 20, 2022

7 Things We Stopped Doing To Save Money (6)

How To Save Money

7 Things We Stopped Doing To Save Money (2024)

FAQs

What should you not do to save money? ›

10 Things You Shouldn't Do When Trying To Save Money
  • Go on a Pricey Vacation. ...
  • Pay For Entertainment. ...
  • Ignore your Bills. ...
  • Pay Unnecessary Bills. ...
  • Buy Expensive Gifts & Clothes. ...
  • Continue Bad Habits. ...
  • Buy New Books. ...
  • Pay Others to do What you Can Do Yourself.
Feb 9, 2024

What is the 50 30 20 rule? ›

Those will become part of your budget. The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings.

What are the 8 ways to save money easy? ›

8 ways to save money quickly
  • Change bank accounts. ...
  • Be strategic with your eating habits. ...
  • Change up your insurance. ...
  • Ask for a raise—or start job hunting. ...
  • Consider a side hustle. ...
  • Take advantage of a credit card that offers rewards. ...
  • Switch up your transportation habits. ...
  • Cancel subscriptions you don't really need or use.

What is the 30 day rule? ›

The premise of the 30-day savings rule is straightforward: When faced with the temptation of an impulse purchase, wait 30 days before committing to the buy. During this time, take the opportunity to evaluate the necessity and impact of the purchase on your overall financial goals.

What is the 3 saving rule? ›

This model suggests allocating 50% of your income to essential expenses, 15% to retirement savings and 5% to an emergency fund. This plan allows you to meet your immediate needs and plan for the future before you spend on anything else.

How much savings should I have at 50? ›

By age 50, most financial advisers recommend having five to six times your annual salary saved.

How to budget $4,000 a month? ›

How To Budget Using the 50/30/20 Rule
  1. 50% for mandatory expenses = $2,000 (0.50 X 4,000 = $2,000)
  2. 30% for wants and discretionary spending = $1,200 (0.30 X 4,000 = $1,200)
  3. 20% for savings and debt repayment = $800 (0.20 X 4,000 = $800)
Oct 26, 2023

How to budget $5,000 a month? ›

Consider an individual who takes home $5,000 a month. Applying the 50/30/20 rule would give them a monthly budget of: 50% for mandatory expenses = $2,500. 20% to savings and debt repayment = $1,000.

How to be cheap? ›

  1. Admit that you need a budget. There's no way around this. ...
  2. Search for deals and discounts. Coupons and sales are always on the radar for frugal people. ...
  3. Rethink your meals. ...
  4. Keep your home clean for a cheap. ...
  5. Don't be fooled by “Get Rich Quick” schemes. ...
  6. Use every drop wisely. ...
  7. Purchase used items. ...
  8. Do-it-yourself (DIY).
Aug 22, 2023

What is the trick to saving money? ›

Set savings goals

Set a specific but realistic goal. It may be “save $5,000 in an individual retirement account this year” or “pay off my credit card debt faster.” Use a savings goal calculator to see how much you'd have to save each month or year to reach your goal.

What are 6 ways to save? ›

Here are some tips for getting into the habit of saving.
  • Set goals. Set savings goals that motivate you, like saving up for a house or going on a dream vacation, and give yourself timelines for reaching them.
  • Budget. ...
  • Cut down on spending. ...
  • Automate your savings. ...
  • Pay off debt. ...
  • Earn more.
Feb 14, 2024

What is the 10 rule for saving money? ›

The 10% rule of investing states that you must save 10% of your income in order to maintain a comfortable lifestyle during retirement. This strategy, of course, isn't meant for everyone as it doesn't account for age, needs, lifestyle, and location.

How can I save 100 fast? ›

Canceling unnecessary subscriptions and automating your savings are a couple of simple ways to save money quickly. Switching banks, opening a short-term CD, and signing up for rewards programs can also help you save money. Making a budget and eliminating a spending habit each day can help lead to long-term savings.

What is a common mistake when saving? ›

"The biggest savings mistake people make is leaving too much money in their checking and savings account," said Dewan Farhana, founder of Doctor Finances. "You only need about 3-6 months of an emergency fund in a high-yield savings account, and the rest of the money should be invested.

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