Welcome to my 52 Ways to Save $100 a Month series. We’re serious about saving money in 2016. Sometimes it’s the little things and sometimes it’s the big things. I’m here to walk you through some little things that can add up to BIG savings. 52 little things to be exact. Every week, join me back here for another small money saving tip or idea that might not seem like significant savings until you see the overall yearly savings. It might just blow your mind. So pop in each Tuesday and read a new tip that will help you on your way to save $100 a month!
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The easiest way to save is not to spend. Sounds so very basic, and it is! But if you can get items, food and services for free, that’s money that can be funneled into other areas of your budget, or plopped into savings! Here are some freebies I take advantage of:
Activities: I could talk about this one ALL DAY. If you look around your city {depending on where you live} there are probably freebies all around you. Hiking trails, parks, free concerts, free festivals, free movie night in the park, free activities for kids, free workshops, free “learn to fish” events. And the list goes on and on. All you have to do is Google, “Free activities in {YOUR TOWN}” and you just might be blown away at all your city has to offer that won’t cost you a penny!
Food: The easiest way to score free food is to sign up for a restaurant’s loyalty program. So many different restaurants offer a free perk just for enrolling and then many more freebies throughout the year. Also, take advantage of all of the birthday freebies you can. You really shouldn’t have to pay for a single meal or dessert at all on your birthday. Here’s a complete A-Z list of birthday freebies across the nation.
Books: While your local library is full or freebies {books, movies, newspapers, magazines, music!}, you can also score so many free book downloads online. I post a few each morning that I find on Amazon, but there are literally thousands upon thousands of free books to read!
Learning: Did you know there are over 10,000 FREE college courses you can take online. Of course, it’s just in the name of learning, as no actual college credit will be given. But if you have a desire to soak up new knowledge like a sponge, there are an endless amount of free classes to choose from!
Samples: I’m not talking about the free samples from Costco {although those can make for a free lunch all on their own!} or even the sample sizes from hotels {thanks to my om, we are still swimming in them!}, I’m talking about samples companies will send you if you ask. If you ever see a new product advertised or see a food that you’d like to try out, simply email the company directly and ask to try their product.
They’ll typically send you a sample size or a coupon to try the product for free or a deep discount. Then you get to try a little bit of something new and decide if it’s something worth putting on your shopping list for good, without wasting money if it’s not. You also get to try out so many fun products, and that in itself sounds fun!
How Much Can You Save: Thousands! Since this money-saving post contains ideas all over the budget-saving spectrum, it’s had to come up with a dollar figure. I do know the average American spends about $2,800 on entertainment each year. If you were just to implement the actives portion of this post, and even slash that expense in half, you’d save $1,400 each year!
More Ways to Save:
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Clean Out Your Closet {Week 1 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Break Up with Cable {Week 2 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Barter Better {Week 3 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Change Your Own Oil {Week 4 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Adjust Your Thermostat {Week 5 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Take Advantage of Your Perks {Week 6 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Pack Your Lunch {Week 7 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Make It Yourself {Week 8 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Preserve Your Bounty {Week 9 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Keep the Change {Week 10 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | The Art of Borrowing {Week 11 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Ditch the Gym {Week 12 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Clip a Coupon {Week 13 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Start Your Garden From Seed {Week 14 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Learn to Cut Hair {Week 15 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Become a 1 Car Family {Week 16 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Make a Phone Call {Week 17 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Shop Christmas in July {Week 18 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Grow a Garden {Week 19 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Just Say No {Week 20 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Go Generic {Week 21 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Make a Budget {Week 22 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Use the Library {Week 23 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Kick the Soda Habit {Week 24 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Improve Your Credit Score {Week 25 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Shop Online {Week 26 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Save on Lodging {Week 27 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Play for Free {Week 28 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Save Big on Birthday Parties {Week 29 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Back to School Clothes on the Cheap {Week 30 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Inexpensively Entertaining {Week 31 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Buy Used College Textbooks {Week 32 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Buy Used {Week 33 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Buy In Bulk {Week 34 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Skip a Meal {Week 35 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Save on Medical Expenses {Week 36 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Save on Christmas Spending {Week 37 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Reduce Convenience Foods {Week 38 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Stop Paying Interest {Week 39 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Eat Less Meat {Week 40 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Curb Impulse Buying {Week 41 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Do Holiday Shopping AFTER the Holidays {Week 42 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Make a List {Week 43 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Cook in Bulk {Week 44 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Dress Minimally {Week 45 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Use Less Product {Week 46 of 52}
Amanda B says
Freebies are the best! I know you’re a pro at this one, 🙂 but I’ve been using the $10 off a $10 purchase coupons that various stores send out sometimes to score a few free Christmas gifts. Every little bit!
rachel says
So I thought I’d be frugal and we’d try out our free zoo day (they do ten to twelve a year where we live) and oh my gosh, I’ve never seen so many people in my entire life. It was like a concert, sporting event and airport put together. We skipped it and did other activities, vowing to just pay the price of admission some other time! I do love free birthday food though!
Ellen in Clackamas says
there was a gentleman on the bus last week talking about his free birthday meals. He was going to go to IHOP for breakfast, can’t remember lunch but then Izzy’s Pizza Buffet for dinner. He had it all planned out!
Candace Hassen says
I have been enjoying many free classes on line at creativelive,com. Hit the “On Air” tab. They are not college courses, but I have been finding them to be really interesting for someone who is trying to make a living as an artist. Many of the classes are about technology, such as using a certain design software or social media platform. Many are about photography since Chase Jarvis, one of the founders is a world c;lass photographer. The classes are available for purchase, in which case you can download them, and watch them at your leisure, but they always have some running on air for free. The one I have seen have been very helpful and interesting. Especially for a middle aged person, who is trying to navigate marketing in the digital world.