Money hacks

Even though inflation has slowed from its post-pandemic heights, consumers are still looking for ways to save on everyday items. And unless you’re a frugal expert, there may be tons of tricks and secrets you’re not aware of.

Keep reading to learn about the top 15 things you can do to save money.

Use YouTube to Fix Things

If you’ve never used YouTube to fix your car or an appliance, you’re missing out on potential savings. Tutorial videos can show you how to fix almost anything. Sure, it’ll take some time, but you could end up saving hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Laundry Detergent

Most people use way more laundry detergent than they actually need. With a high efficiency washer, you only need a couple of tablespoons to run a full load. And don’t even get me started on fabric softener — white vinegar is a better and cheaper solution. You also don’t need to buy dryer sheets — some reusable wool balls can do the trick.

Calculate the Cost-Per-Use for Things You Buy

Before you buy something, you should calculate its cost per use based on the number of times you’ll use it. For example, buying a pair of sturdy work shoes for $100 may have a lower cost per use because you’ll get more wear out of them than a $50 pair.

Check Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist Before Buying New

If you’re always buying new items, you could be wasting a lot of money. Nowadays, people will list almost anything for sale. If you’re like many new homeowners, you’ll need to buy tools and other items. Used items could save you a ton of money.

Use Your Local Library

Your library isn’t just a place to borrow books or DVDs — you can also find other items like bakeware, tools, and more at some locations. Some libraries even lend passes for local attractions. Not sure how to get started? Visit your local library and ask them how to maximize your membership. Plus, many libraries don’t charge late fees anymore.

Wait Before Buying Non-Essentials

Impulsive spending happens to all of us. Instead of giving in, try waiting between 24 hours and a week before buying something you don’t need. This can help you save money since the dopamine rush will have faded. If you’re worried about forgetting what you were interested in, you can create a list on your phone or computer and save items there. This is also helpful to let other people know what you want for your birthday or Christmas.

Use Ethnic Grocery Stores for Spices

If you love to cook with some flavor, you may be overpaying for spices. Instead of buying them at your regular grocery store, go to an ethnic store and shop there. You may be shocked at how much you can save. If you need other interesting ingredients, look there first.

Make Better Coffee at Home

If you’re always tempted to grab Starbucks on your way to work, you could be spending thousands of dollars each year. Instead, figure out how to make delicious coffee at home. That could mean investing in an espresso machine, buying better locally roasted beans, or stocking up on your favorite syrups.

Use a Vacuum Sealer

If you don’t already, consider buying a vacuum sealer so you can freeze large purchases and save them for later. For example, let’s say you see a great deal on chicken breast. You can stock up, vacuum seal and freeze the portions for later. You can even do this with delicious in-season fruits. Buying a vacuum sealer can seem pricey at first. However, it can pay for itself over time.

Meal Prep Based on Your Pantry

While prepping your meals or menu ahead of time is a good way to save money, it’s even better if you can use ingredients you already have. Look at what is already in your freezer, fridge and pantry and then plan based around that.

Calculate the Cost-Per-Hour Before Shopping

If you have a shopping problem, one way to curb that is to calculate how long it’ll take you to earn enough before you buy it. For example, if you earn $30 an hour and want to buy a $60 video game, visualize working for two hours and think about if the video game would be worth it. Using this method can help you understand the actual cost of buying something in terms you understand.

Find Coupon Codes for Online Shopping

There’s almost never a reason to buy something online without a coupon code. Sites and browser extensions, like Rakuten and Capital One Shopping, can automatically show you which codes are active. Subscribing to an email newsletter also often gives you a special code. And if you put an item in your shopping bag and wait a few days, you may receive a special email code.

Never Shop Hungry

Research shows that if you’re shopping hungry, you may wind up spending almost 60% more than if you had eaten before going to the grocery store. If you’re out shopping and realize you’re hungry, stop and get a healthy snack, like a protein bar. It might also help to carry a few healthy snacks in your purse or car, just in case.

Rotate Streaming Subscriptions

If you’re the type of person who loves watching streaming channels, like Netflix or Amazon Prime, you should try only keeping one or two streaming plans at a time. These plans are easy to cancel and reinstate. Just go through and see what shows you’re currently watching.

Cancel Subscriptions …

… even ones you still use.

Every few months, you should go through your subscriptions and try to cancel all of them — even the ones you still use. For those, you may get a huge coupon or discount if you attempt to cancel. And you’ll save lots of money by canceling unused subscriptions. Remember, you can always sign up again, so there’s no harm in canceling.

This article was originally published on Cheapism