Personal money-saving tricks do not always have to be extreme. Sometimes it comes from small habits that add up, like packing lunch, cooking at home, using coupons, waiting before buying, and driving less. In a Reddit thread, users are sharing the simple money saving habits that actually work for them:
Sleep on It Before Spending
These users say waiting a few days can help separate real needs from impulse wants.
Reddit users LBeifong0614 and retief1 admit that:
“Making my brain practice asking the question “Do you really need it or do you just want it?”
“Or just waiting a few days before purchasing stuff (depending on how expensive the thing is). If you wait a while and still want it, it’s more likely to be a good idea.”
“We Have Food at Home”
This commenter saves by eating at home, stocking up on basics, and using coupons.
Reddit user Apart-Landscape220 admits that:
“eating at home, stocking up at costco on toilet paper, dish soap, laundry detergent at the beginning of the year, using COUPONS!”
Driving an Older Car Can Pay Off
Keeping a reliable older car can save thousands compared with constantly upgrading.
Reddit user Illistrious_Hotel527 admits that:
“Continuing to drive my 2005 Camry. Some of my friends are on their 5th or more car since then and have spent multiple times more on cars than I have.”
Turn Impulse Buys Into a “Maybe Later” List
Taking a photo or adding something to a list can satisfy the urge without spending.
Reddit user hetsteentje admits that:
“Replacing impulse buying with adding things to lists. For me, taking a photo and adding it to the ‘maybe ask for a birthday’ list, satisfies that same impulse, without the cost.”
Cook Once and Freeze the Extras
Cooking bigger meals and freezing leftovers saves time, money, and extra store trips.
Reddit user wt_2009 admits that:
“Always cook larger, freeze leftovers if you know you hate eating the same meal twice. Less waste, less driving to a shop, less work, less cleaning.”
Trending on Cheapism
Cook From Scratch to Save More
Skipping premade foods and cooking from ingredients cuts grocery costs.
Reddit user redalmondnails admits that:
“I have a self imposed “ingredients household”. I make my own bread, don’t buy processed or premade foods, buy and cook in bulk whenever I can and then freeze the leftovers, etc etc.
Saves me a ton of money on groceries and I love to cook so it’s a win win. People don’t realize how expensive it is to not cook.”
Meal Plan
Meal planning helps avoid wasted food, forgotten groceries, and unnecessary work lunches.
Reddit user Urbanyeti0 admits that:
“Meal plans and meal prep, the amount of money wasted on foods that ended up in the bin, on lunches at work and needless duplications because I’d forgotten we already had”
Shop for Clothes in Person to Spend Less
Trying clothes on before buying can reduce returns, regrets, and trend-driven spending.
Reddit user YellowVest28 admits that:
“Limit myself to shopping for clothing in person. Getting to try everything before you buy means less returns, which means less time wasted shipping them back and also less chance that you’ll waste money by forgetting to return something.
Also, hear me out: limiting your choices, and having the barrier of needing to go to a physical store makes you spend less money overall. I used to spend thousands on clothes every year, chasing Instagram trends that weren’t available in my city yet. I was always looking for the perfect version of the perfect thing. At the end somehow I still wasn’t satisfied with my wardrobe bc I had bought everything based off a photograph, without really being able to understand if it was worth it to me or would even suit me and my life.
There’s obviously downsides to having a smaller set of choices, but for me it’s made everything easier and cut my spending immensely.”
Sign up for our newsletter
Bring Lunch to Work
Packing lunch makes a lot more sense when a simple work salad costs $13 or more.
Reddit user Duke0fChutney admits that:
“Bringing a lunch to work. Paying $13+ for a salad is criminal.”
Don’t Let Trends Drain Your Wallet
Save by staying out of collectible crazes and passing on popular hype.
Reddit user lauren0526 admits that:
“Not being into whatever is a popular collectible like labubus, funko pops, or Pokémon cards…”
Plan Errands Before Your Drive
Bundling errands into one trip saves gas, time, and unnecessary driving.
Reddit user AntontheDog admits that:
“Planning your trips out. Rather than taking the car out to one store and back, we plan on hitting multiple locations, even if that means delaying a trip by a day or 2.”
Stop Overusing Laundry Soap
Using only the amount of detergent you actually need can make one bottle last much longer.
Reddit user Mountain_Top802 admits that:
“I only use one or two tablespoons of laundry soap (depending on the size of the load). Lasts me for well over six months.”
Use Fuel Points and Digital Coupons
A few minutes of checking coupons and rewards can add up to serious gas savings.
Reddit user UrkelGrueJann admits that:
“Digital coupons and fuel points. Saves literally thousands and I get $1 off basically every gallon of gas I buy. Takes 10 minutes a week tops.”
Drink Less and Save More
Cutting alcohol as a regular purchase can remove a surprisingly expensive habit.
Reddit user dbx999 admits that:
“Not drinking alcohol regularly.
I don’t order it in establishments that serve it. I don’t purchase it at the grocery store or liquor stores.
I will have a drink if it’s offered at a social event. That’s really the only time I will have it.
As a result, I get to drink but on rare occasions and at no financial cost. Both of those conditions make my alcoholic consumption to be extremely low and carries no financial impact.”
Unplug What You’re Not Using
Unplugging unused devices is a simple habit that may help lower the electricity bill.
Reddit user -lmthedude admits that:
“Unplugging anything that I’m not currently using/charging.
Last month’s electricity bill was $60 USD”
Cut Your Own Hair at Home
Buying clippers once can save years of barber or salon costs.
Reddit user average_rowboat admits that:
“Cutting your own hair! Invest in a quality set of hair clippers. I’ve probably saved thousands over the years.”
These habits work because they are realistic. You don’t have to give up everything fun to save money, you just have to notice where money slips away and try to make a few smarter choices.
