12 Fun Hacks That Make Saving Money Less Boring
Spending money on things you enjoy: Fun! Saving money like a responsible adult: Eh, not so fun. But whether you need to save money in the short term or long term, narrowing your budget can be an enjoyable experience. You just need to have the right perspective.
Take a look at some of our favorite (and fun!) ways to save money, from tricks our grandparents swore by to friendly competitions with your loved ones.
1. Try a Pantry Challenge
Instead of heading to the grocery store, take stock of what’s inside your pantry and refrigerator. The challenge: Make a week’s worth of meals with what you already have. Who knows — your creativity and resourcefulness might lead you to make a new dish you love.
2. Host a Swap Party
Want a new wardrobe without spending any money? Call up your friends and host a swap party, where you can all give some gently used clothing and accessories a new life.
3. Embrace Free Fitness
If you’ve been paying for ClassPass or have a monthly membership that you can cancel without a fee, consider giving up all gym memberships and trying out free fitness classes instead. There are countless free videos on YouTube from talented instructors, including Yoga With Adriene, Move With Nicole, and FitnessBlender.
4. Go on a ‘Free Sample’ Spree
There are no shortage of free product samples to be had. You’ll see them advertised on social media, handed out at department stores, and, for those who don’t mind leaving a review, listed on sites like PINCHme. Try turning it into a game by teaming up with friends to see how many free samples you can score.
5. BYO Coffee
No, eliminating your weekly coffee runs won’t save you enough money to buy a house, but it could result in a substantial chunk of change leftover at the end of the month. Instead of hitting up your neighborhood coffee shop (or, you know, Starbucks), perfect the art of making your own excellent cup of coffee at home.
6. Turn Saving Into a Competition
Restricting your spending can be a drag, but having a friend join you in solidarity makes it a little more tolerable. Have a competition to see which one of you can save the most over the course of a weekend, week, or month.
7. Challenge Yourself To Repair Before Replacing
This might be financial advice you heard from a boomer, but repairing before replacing is a solid plan if your goal is to save money. Make a list of all the repairs needed around the house and tackle them one by one. Bonus: You might fall in love with a new hobby.
8. Freeze Your Credit Cards … Literally
We know, we know — this strategy is a little antiquated, plus who has cash lying around anyway? But if you’re the kind of person who can’t help but whip out your card at the slightest temptation, you might benefit from throwing it in the freezer.
9. Plan a Staycation
It may not be the Four Seasons, but if you squint hard enough, your backyard could turn into a luxe hotel spa — for a fraction of the price. Make a batch of green juice, throw on your robe, and hit the patio for a little sun. If indoor relaxation is more of your thing, draw up a bath, light some deliciously-scented candles, and enjoy a soothing spa getaway from the comforts of your own home.
10. Go ‘Bill Hunting’
Hunt down all of your recurring bills and subscriptions and see what you can cancel or negotiate for a lower price. If you decide to cancel a subscription, be sure to take advantage of any free trials that can take it’s place — just remember to cancel once the trial is over.
11. Have a Digital Detox Day
Our phones often serve as a vehicle for instant (and expensive) gratification. Craving Thai food? Just order it on Uber Eats. Need some new shirts? A quick Amazon order should do the trick. To guard yourself from spending $20 with a simple click, just turn everything off and have a digital detox day. Kinda nice to be free from the constant barrage of ads, isn’t it?
12. Create an “Only Free Events” Calendar
Eliminate your entertainment budget by creating a calendar filled with events that cost exactly zero dollars. Scour your local publications, Facebook event pages, and more for ideas, or create your own free events by brainstorming outings like a picnic in the park (with food made from your pantry challenge, of course).
More savings tips:
- 10 Money-Saving Tricks Our Grandparents Swore By (That Still Work!) — In our age of modern convenience, these tried-and-true tricks can help us save money, reduce waste, and live more sustainably.
- Try One Of These Simple ‘Games’ To Make Being Frugal Way More Fun — We break down a few suggestions to help save money that might work for your specific situation.
- 10 Ways To Save Money Without Feeling Deprived — With a few smart tweaks, you can keep more cash in your pocket without feeling like you’re missing out.