52 Small Changes to Save More Money (2024)

December 18, 2016 by Alea Milham 1 Comment

If you are looking to better your finances in the New Year, you need to take steps to save money, but those steps don’t need to be huge.

You can make small changes to save money and you can make these changes incrementally throughout the year. Making small changes makes it more likely that you will follow through and will not feel deprived. This will help you have cash on hand for unexpected expenses as well as pay off any debts you have.

So often we make a huge goal for the new year without a plan for how to make it happen. I have found that I can make a bigger impact on my lifestyle if I make small changes to my daily life and then slowly add more small changes as the last changes start to become habits. This year I will be examining every aspect of my life looking for small ways to save money.

Read on for 52 changes you can make to save more money in the new year. Try to implement one a week (in any order that works for you) to make the year amazing for you and your bank account! You candownload aprintable list of the money-saving ideasbelow as a reminder.

Join the Facebook group tokeep yourself accountable and discover more ideas for saving money.

1. Make a budget.Here are some resources for creating a budget. You will always save more money with a plan!
2. Start a savings account. Here are tips for setting up a savings account. Move money to this account automatically with each paycheck if you can.
3. Track your spending. Be detailed so you can see where every penny is going! Here are some ways to track your spending.
4. Stop impulse buys. Plan your purchase and give yourself time to think about an item before you invest your money in it. Here are tips to help you stop impulse shopping.
5. Cut up your credit cards. Relying on cash and checks will save you on interest rates. Here are tips on how to stop using credit cards.
6. Cut the cable cord. Use online options like Netflix and Hulu for a fraction of the cost. Here are more ways to save money on cable.
7. Join rewards programs. When you do spend money at certain stores, you should be able to save! Here is why you should join rewards programs.
8. Save your change. Empty your pockets daily into a piggy bank, and deposit the money into your savings account when full. Here are some easy ways to save your change.
9. Carpool with friends. Cut down on gas expenses and have a fun commute. Here are tips for starting a carpool.
10. Cook at home. The money you spend on dining out one time can just about pay for a week’s worth of groceries. Here are some ways to make it easier to cook meals at home.
11. Start clipping coupons. Only clip for items you need! Check out The Busy Person’s Guide to Coupons for time-saving (and money-saving) tips on couponing.
12. Browse sales ads before shopping. Combine this with your coupons for even more savings. Here’s how to use comparison shopping to get the best deals.
13. Create a weekly meal plan. Having a plan makes it easier to stick to your budget and save more money. Here are 4 easy ways to create a meal plan.
14. Try growing a vegetable. This can reduce your expenses on groceriesbecause produce can get expensive! Here are 6 ways gardening can save you money.
15. Never shop when hungry. It’s a recipe for disaster – for your wallet! Here are 5 more ways to save money at the grocery store.
16. Check out consignment shops for clothing. You can find items in good conditions for pennies on the dollar. Here are 5 reasons to shop consignment stores.
17. Save at least half your bonuses or raises from work. It’s extra money so you won’t miss it! Here are more clever ways to create savings.
18. Change bank accounts. You need one that doesn’t charge you a monthly fee for using them. Here are some reasons you may want to change bank accounts.
19. Turn off the lights. Save money by conserving energy in your home. Here are more ways to save money on your electric bill.
20. Buy a programmable thermostat. This prevents you from wasting money on heating and cooling the home when you aren’t there. Here are more tips on how to save money on cooling your homeand how to save on winter heating.
21. Shop on eBay. You can find great deals on anything you may need! Here are 6 money saving secrets on eBay.
22. Do Meatless Mondays. Enjoy new recipes while you save. Here are simple ways to do a meatless Mondays.
23. Drink water. It’s much cheaper than sodas and tea. Here are more simple food substitutes that will lower your grocery bill.
24. Buy local. Your farmer’s market will likely have better prices on veggies, fruit, and eggs than a supermarket. Here are 6 easy tips for shopping locally.
25. Take your lunch to work. Those $5-10 meals can quickly add up. Here are 15 Easy Lunches to take to work.
26. Invest in a slow cooker. This will save you from dining out on nights you don’t feel like cooking. Plus, some recipes will feed your family for 2-3 meals. I use a programmable slow cooker to make it even easier to cook at home.
27. Look at the big picture. Is that $40 sweater really worth the 4 hours (at $10/hour) you worked to pay for it? Here are sometips to help you stop impulse shopping.
28. Compare prices. In-store or online, you can start to see patterns and know where to buy things to save. Here are 6 simple substitutes to lower your grocery bill.
29. Avoid window shopping. It may be fun, but it can cause you to spend your money on the wrong things! Instead, use comparison shopping to find the best deal on the items you need.
30. Always shop with a list. Whether it’s groceries, clothing, or household items, have a list that acts as your plan for spending. Here are ways to save money at any store.
31. Pay bills online. This reduces the need for stamps, envelopes, and checks. Here are tips for always paying bills on time.
32. Use generic medication. Speak to your doctor about the generic brand of any prescriptions you are taking to see if you can save that way. Here are more ways to save money at the pharmacy.
33. Work hard to pay off credit card debt. The faster you pay it off, the less money you will spend on finance charges and fees. Here are 5 ways to start paying off credit card debt.
34. Call your car insurance company. It never hurts to ask about a lower rate on your policy. Here are 5 ways to negotiate lower bills.
35. Reduce your cell phone bill. Lower the minutes or data plan in order to save each month. Here are 5 ways to lower your cell phone bill.
36. Use Gas Buddy. This mobile app helps you find the cheapest gas in your area. Here are more ways to save money on gas.
37. Cash in with IBotta. Another easy to use app that helps you get cash back for purchases you may already be making. Here are 8 ways to get more out of Ibotta.
38. Opt for the bus. Having a bus pass will save you a great deal over hailing a cab every day. Here are more ways to save on your daily commute.
39. Complete surveys for gift cards. There are a number of survey sites online that will pay you for your opinion. Use these gift cards and save your cash! Here are more tips on how to get free gift cards.
40. Consider reviewing products.Join sites that send you free products just for your thoughts and shares. Good ones to join areCrowdtap,influenster, andBzzAgent.
41. Start a side hustle. Making more money is a great way to save more! Here are 6 tips for starting a side hustle.
42. Have a “no spend” day. Discipline yourself to regularly go without spending money. Here is why you need a no spin day every week.
43. Use blankets and extra layers to stay warm. Regulate your temperature in ways other than cranking up the heat. Here are tips for getting help on heating costs.
44. Choose a basic hairstyle. Cut back on highlights, perms, or dye jobs to save money. Here are tips for creating a minimalist beauty routine.
45. Borrow books from friends. I’ve heard the library is a great place for this too! Here are more ways to save on entertainment.
46. Downsize your closet. Sell the items you no longer wear and put the money in savings. Here are 6 ways to sell your clothes for cash, so you can make some money while downsizing.
47. Do home repair on your own. It may take longer, but not having to pay for labor will save you a ton. Here are tips for doing your own home repairs.
48. Have date nights at home. Creating a meal together and snuggling in front of a movie can be just as fun as going out for an expensive meal. Here are ways to make day nights at home more exciting.
49. Fix your clothing. Don’t just toss it out and buy something new! Cover a tear or hole with a small patch so it’s good as new. Here are 7 ways to make your clothes last longer.
50. Shop for the holidays all year long. You never know when you’ll find a good deal that will make a great gift. Here are ways to save money on the holidays all year long.
51. Stay up to date on car maintenance. Protecting the life of your car will save you lots of money in the long run.
52. Participate in a money-saving challenge. Start with saving a set amount, and then try to increase it each week. Here are 5 Money Saving Challenges to consider.

Printable List of Changes You Can Make To Save Money:

You can click on the image below or click here to download the printable list of money saving ideas.

Hopefully, these 52 small changes will help you save more money so you can enjoy a vacation, pay off debt, or have money saved for college or retirement! Don’t forget toJoin the Facebook group tokeep yourself accountable and discover more ideas for saving money.