10 Ridiculously Easy Ways To Save Money This Year

It seems like no matter how hard we try, we’re always spending more money than we would like. There are always bills to pay, and there’s always room for more money in your savings account or retirement fund, but it can be hard to scavenge the money needed with all of our everyday expenses.

Setting a budget and changing your overall habits is a good way to start, but it can also be daunting. Sometimes, starting small is the way to go. If you’re looking to grow your bank account without much effort, consider these 10 ridiculously easy ways to save money.

1. Make Your Own Lunch

Buying a meal everyday can quickly add up, so pack your own lunch to save $5 to $15 a day. If you don’t have time during the week, do your grocery shopping and meal preparation on Sunday nights to have lunches that will last you the rest of the week.

RELATED: 7 Delicious Desk Lunches Under 400 Calories

bagged lunch photo
Photo by Jeffrey Beall

2. Skip The Drinks

Hitting up the bar can be fun, but buying drinks out is pricey. Skip the alcohol when at a bar with friends or at dinner, and if you really want to drink your gin and tonic, prepare it at home, which is much less expensive.

drinks photo
Photo by www.metaphoricalplatypus.com

3. Sell Your Stuff

Whether you want to get rid of old clothes or furniture, selling your stuff is a great way to make easy cash. Consider having a yard sale, or use an online website or app such as Craigslist or Poshmark.

yard sale photo
Photo by JeepersMedia

4. Set Up An Automatic Transfer

If you have a hard time parting with your hard-earned money, set up an automatic transfer each month from your checkings to your savings. Even if it just a small amount of money, it will ensure you put a little bit away every so often in case of an emergency.

bank photo
Photo by Alan Cleaver

5. Adopt Meatless Mondays

Going vegetarian can help cut down on costs, and studies show that not eating meat can help you save at least $750 a year. Start off by designating one day a week without meat to help cut down on costs, and decrease your intake from there.

RELATED: 11 Cheap Vegetarian Meals: Because Being Healthy Doesn’t Have To Break The Bank

vegetarian photo
Photo by B*2

6. Sell Unused Gift Cards

If you have a bunch of unused gift cards lying around, don’t let them go to waste. Sell them on sites such as GiftCards.com or CardPool.com to receive cash for your unwanted plastic.

gift card photo
Photo by PersonalMoneyNetwork

7. Switch To A Generic Prescription

Monthly prescriptions can add up, but you may be able to lessen your costs by switching to a generic brand. The FDA says that generic prescriptions are just as effective as their name-brand counterparts, and they can cost up to 85 percent less.

prescription photo
Photo by StockMonkeys.com

8. Get A Bank Or Credit Card With Perks

If you’re going to be spending and saving money, you might as well use it to your advantage. Sign up for bank accounts that include added bonuses, and use a credit card with cash back or other rewards. Just be sure to stay in your budget and avoid any balances or overdue fees.

credit card photo
Photo by frankieleon

9. Use Deal Sites

Websites such as Groupon and LivingSocial have frequent deals, so if you’re looking to go to a new restaurant, try a new workout class, or even book a trip, look to these websites first to see if you can score any deals.

groupon photo
Photo by JeepersMedia

10. Get Your Hair Done At A Local Beauty School

Getting your hair cut and colored can get expensive, but you can help cut down on costs by attending a local beauty school instead of a salon. Prices are often very low, and students are supervised by trained professionals.

hair salon photo
Photo by goMainstream

Photo by free pictures of money

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About the Author
Carina Wolff
Carina is a health and wellness journalist based in Los Angeles. When she’s not writing, doing yoga, or exploring mountains and beaches, she spends her time cooking and creating recipes for her healthy food blog, Kale Me Maybe. Carina is also an ongoing writer for Bustle, Reader's Digest, FabFitFun, and more.

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