Most people fall for the myth that saving money has to be a drastic action but the truth is that every little bit counts.

I’m sure we all would like to save more money and luckily, there are plenty of ways to save on expenses today and in the future. Here are 70 effective ways to generate savings today and tomorrow.

Enjoy!

Ways To Save Money When Living Paycheck to Paycheck At Home

1. Flip the Switch

Leaving the lights on in a room that’s not in use is an overlooked way to save money. My son used to be scared of the dark so we spent years leaving a hallway light on. Eventually, we just got some nice string lights to hang up in his room at night and that did the trick plus it was way more efficient energy-wise.

Another trick you can try for a nightlight is battery-powered holiday lights. They usually have a timer on them so they will automatically shut off each night after a few hours.

Be sure to turn off all lights when you’re not using them and you’ll see an improvement in your energy bill cost.

2. Decorate On A Dime

The dollar store is a treasure trove of great finds! Check it out for decorative pieces or items that can help you create D-I-Y decor. Check out the YouTube channel Do It On A Dime for great dollar store decoration ideas!

3. Rent Out a Spare Room (House Hack)

Renting out space in your home, whether short or long term, can help you save money by significantly reducing your monthly mortgage payments.

Related: How to Make Extra Money Renting Out Space in Your Home

4. Take Control

A ton of money is wasted each year through poor home temperature control. Update to a smart thermostat and utilize its advanced programming to help you save energy.

5. Don’t Power Trip

Did you know that you have phantoms in your home? Most electronics that are plugged in but turned off cause phantom power drain. 

Try using a smart power strip to conserve the power use of plugged-in electronics or simply unplug electronics that don’t need to be run 24/7.

6.  Replace Furnace/AC Filters

Filters are only supposed to be used in your system for a few months. Some people forget which isn’t good for your furnace or air conditioner and forces it to work a lot harder then it needs to. Changing the filter every 1-3 months can not only save you money, but also extend the life of your system and improve the air quality in your home.

  7. Stay One Step Ahead

Of the seasons that is! Winterize and/or summer-proof your home through a range of methods such as checking your windows and roof installation and cleaning out your gutters and downspouts.

These are great ways to save you money and headaches from massive repairs and high energy use bills.

8. Replace Your Lightbulbs

Replace your incandescent and older light bulbs to extremely energy-efficient LED bulbs. They are also long-lasting, durable, mercury-free and cost-efficient so they are well worth getting to light up your home.

9. Stop Wasting Water

Another resource that’s wasted a lot in homes? Water. To cut your water bill significantly install low-flow fixtures, run full loads in the dish and clothes washer, take fewer baths and more showers. 

Want to take efficiency to the max? Use a timer for showers to control water use as well.

10. Turn Down The Heat

Lower your hot water heater temperature a few degrees and you’ll save a bundle! Even though it still hasn’t warmed up much in our area, we don’t keep the heat on all day. Instead, we just dress warm in the house and open the curtains so the sun can get through.

11. Shop Around

Mortgage rates are competitive so you should shop around for when the time is right to ensure you get the best deal. You can also shop around for better insurance rates using resources like The Zebra and compare prices for your cell phone service.

12. Downsize

When it comes to clutter, Americans are crushing the stats. Decluttering your home not only can help with physical, emotional and mental clarity, but it can help you save money from having to store all these things while earning some extra money.

If you have Netflix, turn on Tidying Up with Marie Kondo and get inspired to declutter your home. Who knows, maybe you’ll even find some items you can sell for extra cash.

Ways To Save Money On Entertainment

13. Utilize Free Community Resources

When you have a library card! Visit your local library to borrow books, videos and other media forms for free. We also have a free little library in our neighborhood where you can borrow and donate books.

14. Use Coupon and Discount Sites

Every time I want to do something fun with my friends or family I always check out discount sites like Groupon and Local Flavor. You can find discounts on restaurants, local attractions, services, products, and more.

15. Challenge Yourself with a No Spend Weekend

A no-spend weekend will help you stick to your budget but it also doesn’t mean you have to be bored the entire time. Get creative with activities in and outside of your home. Pull out old games you haven’t played in a while, make a delicious dinner with food from your pantry, and go on a long hike to explore a new trail or state park in your area.

Related: 75 Free Things To Do This Weekend

How to Have a Successful No Spend Week

16. Bundle Up and Cancel Streaming Services

Yes, that’s right. While everyone is telling you to switch to streaming services like Netflix, ESPN, and Disney Plus, I’m actually recommending you limit the number of services you have. If you sign up for multiple streaming services, you could be paying as much as you would for cable. 

Narrow down which service you like best and stick with that or see if you can bundle. For example, Hulu has partnered with Disney Plus to offer both services to users for one low fee.

17. Be Open to Sharing

To save even more money, go in on a subscription for Netflix or Hulu with a friend or neighbor. I know Netflix will allow you to stream from multiple devices. 

Ways To Save Money On Food

18. Learn How to Cook With Fresh, Whole Foods

Ordering takeout is nice to do every now and then, but it’s important to know how to cook if you want to save money while living paycheck to paycheck. With helpful websites and YouTube channels that share different recipes, you’ll find some great tips, learn new cooking techniques, and be able to feed your family well for less. 

Related: Best Clean Eating Grocery List for Newbies

Frugal Meal Ideas That Are Easy to Prep

19. Pack Your Lunch

After you cook your amazing dinner at home, pack a lunch of leftovers for work instead of buying lunch to save money on costly daily lunches. Or, just plan out what foods you want to bring to lunch then prepare and pack everything the night before. 

Get into a routine of bringing your lunch to work and it will quickly become second nature.

20. Skip the Coffee Shops, Make Coffee At Home

If you love having some java in the morning to get your day going, make your coffee at home instead of picking it up from a gourmet coffee shop. While it seems like a minimal daily expense, coffee purchases add up quickly!

You don’t have to completely cut out Starbucks runs, but you can easily limit them by investing in a decent coffee maker and brewing your own lattes at home.

21. Take Advantage of Price Checking Policies

Most grocery stores offer the option of price matching to save on groceries and goods. This is a great and underutilized way to save a lot of money at the cash register!

22. Use a Cashback Rewards Site

While you may not want to go to the level of those you see on the show Extreme Couponing, but you don’t have to in order to save money on groceries. Instead, use a cashback rewards site like Fetch Rewards to get rebates on foods you normally buy at your favorite stores. 

This is an effortless way to save money at the store so be sure to check out my review below to see exactly how Fetch Rewards works.

Related: How to Save Even More Money on Groceries With Fetch Rewards

23. Have a Potluck

Hosting dinners and events can get expensive if you do it often enough. Still, you don’t have to limit fun times with your family or friends. Have a potluck with friends or family every month instead and keep being social without it burning a hole in your pocket every time.

24. Stock Up

We run a lot of errands especially on weekends. One thing you can do is carry snacks and drinks in the trunk of your car so you don’t feel tempted to buy them for marked up prices at gas stations (You can buy them from wholesale warehouse club stores like Costco).

25. Meatless Mondays

Meat can be expensive so this is a fun way to slash your grocery spending and try some new recipes out.

26. Eliminate Food Waste

We also save on food waste by using resources like Eat By Date. We also shop for groceries every 2-4 weeks which helps us save on food overall since I’m not in the store every week buying stuff.

27. Plan Out Meals

Meal Prep may take a bit of time, but it’s well worth it and will help you save money in the long run. In fact, planning meals actually saves me a lot of time and stress during the week. Check out these $5 Meal Plan if you’re looking for ideas and freezer meal prep options to help you get started.

28. Make A List Based On Your Meal Plan

Don’t go grocery shopping on an empty stomach and without a list! Creating a grocery list will help you stick to your budget and reduce your picking up impulse items that add up fast.

Before you leave the store, check your receipt to ensure errors aren’t made. This happens more than you think and can cost you more than you intended to spend.

29. Buy Your Favorite Foods in Bulk

Take advantage of awesome bulk stores and wholesale warehouses such as Costco. You get a substantial discount when you pay for larger amounts of items at once plus it saves you weekly grocery shopping time.

30. Get A Green Thumb

It’s easy to plant your own vegetables and herbs so if you have the space (herbs can even be grown in your home), set up a garden to help you reduce your grocery bill.

Ways To Lower Your Shopping Costs

31. Bulk Order Your Necessities Online

We order all of our toiletries for the month via Amazon Subscribe and Save. This is a free Amazon feature that lets you ‘subscribe’ to receive certain products each month, every 2 months, or quarterly. 

You save 5% automatically, but when you subscribe to 5 or more items you’ll save 15% per item. This allows us to save big on items we use all the time like toothpaste, soap, toilet paper and avoid overspending when shopping at the store.

32. Local Resale Options

For my first apartment, I was able to get all my gently used furniture for just $50 from a local furniture bank. Now, I typically buy some of my furniture around major holiday sales, used online, resale shops and places like Habitat For Humanity. I’ll admit, I’ve also grabbed some pretty great finds that have been on the curb in my neighborhood for garbage day.

33. Christmas In July

Why wait until the next holiday season to stock up on gifts?! Do holiday shopping right after the season or in the off months to get great clearance deals.

Related: Debt Free Christmas Challenge

34. Buy Household Items With Free Gift Cards

There are some household items that you just have to get each month. Why not save money on these purchases by using free gift cards? You can earn free gift cards by taking surveys online during your spare time with sites like Survey Junkie and Opinion Outpost.

Related: An Honest Review: Can You Really Make Money Taking Online Surveys?

Survey Junkie Review: Make Extra Money with Survey Sites That Are Worth Your Time

35. Earn While You Spend

Start using Swagbucks, Rakuten, and other rewards programs to save money and earn cashback. I use cashback rewards programs to automatically save for Christmas each month. I use programs like Swagbucks and Rakuten to earn cashback and rewards that I add to my holiday savings account.

Related: Rakuten (Ebates ) Review: Earn Cashback For Everyday Shopping

Side Hustles Explored: Simple, Low Effort Ways to Make Money

My easiest strategy is downloading the Swagbucks search browser extension. It works just like Google and you can actually earn points for searching online (something I do for work often during the day). Those points can be redeemed for gift cards or cash via PayPal. I can also use this strategy to earn free gift cards for dining out and coffee shops.

36. Recycle & Reuse

When it comes to buying clothes, check out resale shops before buying from big box stores. ThredUp is an awesome online consignment that is well worth a look for fantastic and well priced secondhand items. Also, try setting up a clothing swap in your neighborhood and do some trading!

37. Only Bring the Cash You Need

If you’re afraid you may overspend at the store or when you go out, try bringing on the cash you need in your wallet. Leave your debit card at home. That way, you can’t go over budget. I’ve been using a cash budget for some of my spending categories for the past 2 years and it’s helped a ton.

Related: The Ultimate Guide to Budgeting

38. Use the 48-Hour Rule

Sometimes we spend money based on emotional impulse then regret the purchase later or find it was unnecessary. The next time you’re thinking about buying something, use the 48-hour rule. Sleep on the idea of making the purchase for at least 48 hours. Reassess whether you truly want or need the item at the end of that time period.

If you haven’t thought about the item much in the 48-hour period, it may be best to just not buy it.

39. Milk Your Birthday

Utilize all free gifts and offerings from stores and restaurants on your birthday! Most companies offer something a great birthday perk if you sign up for their mailing list or subscribe to their apps so don’t miss out on doing so for your favorite brands.

Related: Birthday Freebies Roundup

40. Simply Ask

You never know until you ask but discounts are sometimes available. Be sure to ask if there are additional markdowns (usually given for items that will be final sale) you can take advantage of. 

41. Read Reviews Before You Buy

Don’t forget how important reviews are to helping you save money! Take a look at a few reviews before you buy products, especially big-ticket items. Sometimes people share great coupon codes in there as well!

Ways To Lower Your Most Common Bills

42. Make It Automatic

Setting up automatic bill payments will help you avoid late payment fees and lowering your credit score.

Related: I Raised My Credit Score By 150 Points, Here’s How

43. Become The Negotiator

Negotiating medical bills is another thing I’ve started doing that helps a ton. Speak to your medical company administration team and see if you can work out a lower payment or a suitable payment plan.

Related: How to Keep Medical Bills From Going to Collections and Save Your Credit

44. Switch to Term Life Insurance

If you’re paying for life insurance you could be overpaying. Term insurance is pure insurance without bells and whistles which means you pay much less.

Grab a free quote from Bestow, a tech company that’s shaking up the life insurance industry. You’ll find out in seconds how much coverage you can get and how much you’d pay. 

Related: 7 Reasons To Get Term Life Insurance

45. Switch to a Family Phone Plan

Consolidate your phone bill -If multiple people in your household have a cell phone, see if you can get a family plan or switch to an affordable prepaid company to lower the bill. 

Most of the popular prepaid cell companies use a cell service from leading well-known companies (Sprint, Verizon). If you all have different plans, see if you can switch to the same service plan and use the ‘bring your own phone option.

46. Shop For Cheaper Internet Service

You may or may not have other options for internet in your area. You never know until you search and compare. Some internet providers will let you try the service for 30 days and switch companies or upgrade or downgrade if you need to.

For example, Xfinity offers prepaid internet starting at $40 per month.

47. Avoid Getting Into Long-Term Subscription Contracts

You want to be able to cancel services as you see fit so be sure to read the fine print. For example, your gym membership may come with a 12-month commitment while others allow you to cancel with just a 30-day notice. 

Another example would be home security companies. My husband and I unknowingly got locked into a 3-year contract which prevents us from canceling the service to free up more money without paying a high fee.

48. Exercise at Home For Free

Start working out at home instead of at the gym and save money on your membership. You can download free fitness apps or check out YouTube channels like 305 Fitness or Jillian Michaels. 

49. Consider Cheaper Housing

A good rule of thumb is to keep your housing expenses lower than 30% of your income. This means, if you bring home $3,500 per month, your housing costs shouldn’t be more than $1,050. This is a nice threshold to keep in place because it ensures you’ll have enough money to cover other important expenses. 

Explore your options and see if you can find affordable housing in your area whether that means renting a no-frills apartment or getting a roommate. If you live in an expensive city, you may want to move to the outskirts of town or the surrounding suburbs to save money. 

Related: 10 Cheap Housing Alternatives

How We’re Avoiding Becoming House Poor

Money-Saving Tips (Personal Finance)

50. Stop Paying Bank Fees

Reduce your banking fees by switching to a no or low fee bank account. I’ve been using Capital One 360 for several years now and I love how they have no fees and allow me to keep several checking and savings accounts open.

51. Monitor Your Bank Account to Avoid Going Overdraft

Limit and control your auto withdrawals to make sure you don’t go into the negative and have to deal with over withdrawal fees. Some banks will even let you set up overdraft protection.

52. Use Credit Cards Wisely to Get Points

If you use rewards credit cards, use them wisely as often as you can to save even more points and cash back. For example, I have a general cash back card that I use to for some regular monthly expenses. I use my cash rewards to help pay for travel and holidays. 

Related: Credit Cards Are Not Evil: Don’t Make These Common Credit Card Mistakes

53. Cash Is King

We use the cash envelope system for our flexible spending categories. It’s easier to stay on track when budgeting with cash because you don’t have anything extra once the envelope is empty so you make it work and spend more mindfully. 

At first, I was using just plain white envelopes, but I ordered some fun colorful ones on Amazon that I can reuse every month.

I was able to get some fun, reusable budgeting envelopes on Amazon for cheap.

54. The Countdown Is On

Another thing I like to do is budget down to zero each month. I used to leave extra money in my budget without assigning it a job but I found it more effective to budget and set a plan for every dollar of income that comes in. 

There are awesome ways to help you keep track of your budget. I recommend tracking your finances with a spreadsheet or my worksheet bundle and mapping out your monthly goals using a planner like the Living Well Planner. Both will help you get your budget down to zero each month!

55. Start Investing Spare Change

A fun way that I like to save and invest (outside of automating) is by using apps like Acorns. Acorns rounds up spare change from my purchases to the dollar and invests the difference. For example, If I spend $4.30 at Starbucks, Acorns will automatically invest $0.70 (rounding it up to the nearest hour). I hardly miss this money but it adds up over time.

56. Establish Sinking Funds

My bank allows me to have multiple savings accounts where I can save for planned expenses like travel, our pets, large household purchases, and car repairs. I call these sinking funds and contribute a portion of our income into these ‘buckets’ monthly. I love seeing the account balances grow!

Related: How I’m Rebuilding ALL My Sinking Funds

57. Monitor Your Credit

Monitoring your credit score is crucial if you want to maintain a good credit score. Securing lower prices for major purchases such as a car or a mortgage rate can save you thousands. Be sure to keep on top of your credit score with the free app Credit Sesame. It will help you ensure you save money in the long run. 

Related: I Raised My Credit Score By 150 Points, Here’s How

58. Start a Savings Challenge

Challenge your friends and family to start saving spare change with you. You can set a goal to save $1 a day, every $5 bill you have, or any other savings challenge to help you stash money away more easily.

Related: Best 5 Money Challenges To Improve Your Finances

59. Refinance Student Loans

Are your student loans a heavy load? To help you save money on payments refinancing may be a good option. Check out these student loan refinance companies like LendEdu to see if this could work for you. 

Ways To Save Money On Transportation

60. Give Your Car a Break

Rather than spend money on filling up your car with gas try an alternative such as walking, biking or public transportation. If you have to drive then try carpooling instead!

61. Keep Up With Maintenance

Take your car in for service appointments and preventative maintenance. Keep up with car maintenance – I found this article to be a great example of how keeping up with car maintenance can save you lots of money over time.

62. Ask Your Employer For a Transportation Stipend

I know this may not work for everyone, but it’s worth exploring if you do a lot of commuting for work. One of my first jobs was a paid internship and once they found out I would be commuting since I lived further from the office they offered to pay for my train fare.

This easily saved me $300/month. If your employer can’t cover your commuting costs, see if they’d be willing to provide a small transportation stipend or even reimburse for mileage.

63. Shop Around For Car Insurance Rates Every 1-2 Years

Regularly shop around for lower car insurance rates to make sure you’re always getting the best deal. 

64. Wash And Clean Your Own Vehicle

Taking your car to a car wash or getting it professionally detailed sounds nice but is probably not a necessary expense to have when you’re living paycheck to paycheck. All you need is a bucket of water, soap, and a rag to wash your own car at home.

You can also vacuum your car out for around $1 at most gas stations.

Ways To Save Money On Health & Beauty

65. Start Cutting Your Own Hair

Going to the salon is always fun but it can be a drain on your wallet. Learn how to cut your own hair and your family’s hair to save a bundle.

66. Have a DIY Spa Day

There is no reason why you can’t relax in a luxurious way at home! Do DIY spa days in the comfort of your own bathroom. Check out this article filled with awesome inexpensive spa ideas to create a fun spa day at home!

67. Switch to a Health Sharing Ministry If You Can’t Afford Insurance

Back when I couldn’t afford health insurance and when I became self-employed, I used a health sharing ministry to cover medical expenses for myself and my son. (I’ve used both Liberty Healthcare and Christian Healthcare Ministries).

68. Stop Spending Money on Unhealthy Habits

If you are looking to save money and your health, quitting bad habits such as smoking, drinking or other vices will be a big help to your savings.

69. Switch to Dual-Action Products

Look for products that offer multiple functions such as a two in one cleanser or a moisturizer that does double duty.

70. Practice Self Care at Home For Free

Don’t let your budget lead you to put yourself on the back burner. I love these free self-care ideas for moms but anyone could benefit from them really.

Related: Self-Care: My New Not So Guilty Pleasure to Spend Money On

Summary

Living paycheck to paycheck can make you feel limited in terms of how fast you can pay off debt and what you can save. The key is to get creative with your budget and how you manage money.

Start with these 70 tips if you’re looking to save and also realize that living paycheck to paycheck doesn’t have to be your future. Take steps to start building up your emergency fund, increasing income, and taking specific action steps to improve your financial situation.

Also, check out my Budget Beyond Your Paycheck worksheet bundle to help you stay on track.

What ways do you like to save money?

The post 70 Ways to Save More Money While Living Paycheck to Paycheck first appeared on My Debt Epiphany.

The post 70 Ways to Save More Money While Living Paycheck to Paycheck appeared first on My Debt Epiphany.

Slowly but surely, lifestyle inflation will creep up and it has the potential to ruin you financially, burying you in piles of debt and keeping you from your long-term goals.

An undeniably real thing many college grads will experience (including me) is the rush of going from an internship or job in college (or no job) to suddenly having a steady paycheck, paying you more money than you’ve likely earned in your entire life.

If you’re not disciplined, there’s a good chance that you’ll soon grow accustomed to your new-found income; by itself, this isn’t bad, but as you continue to earn more, it leaves you in a position to start racking up debt and buying stuff just because you “can”.

If you want to retire early (or maybe even at all), nipping lifestyle inflation in the bud will help make sure that you can live an enjoyable life now and also hit your goals.

Here are the four best ways to battle lifestyle inflation and save money.

Quit Comparing Yourself To Others

There’s only one person you should be comparing yourself to, and that is yourself in the past. Keeping up with the Joneses is a surefire way to spend more than you save and let lifestyle inflation in.

When that neighbor has that shiny new toy, something inside of us envies that and makes you want it. It’s human psychology; you want what you can’t have. Whenever I want something that I deep-down know I can’t afford or shouldn’t buy, I think about what I need to give up in return.

Take for example the neighbors who roll into their driveway on a Tuesday night with a brand new Mercedes fresh off the production line.

If the only person you’re comparing yourself to is yourself, then you’ll be less likely to care about what your neighbors have and more likely to care about making sure you’re making progress on your goals.

It’s one of the best ways to battle lifestyle inflation!

Doing this also means caring less about stuff and caring more about what provides meaning and value in your life – likely things like friendships, relationships, and experiences over having the latest iPhone or Mercedes.

This brings me to my next point.

Skip The Lease Or New Car, And Buy Used

Americans buy an insane number of cars with debt. Over $1 Trillion in auto loans is a staggering number, and financing a car – or leasing one – is putting yourself on the hook for a depreciating “asset” (some would say cars are a liability).

I’m not recommending that everybody totally skip the car and take public transportation or bike everywhere. If you can do that, great. It’s an awesome alternative, and walking/biking will help you stay in better shape but quite frankly it’s just not realistic.

Buying used, however, is very realistic and will save you thousands and thousands of dollars, especially when you repeat that process every time you need a new car.

I bought my car lightly used back in 2015. I chose a newer vehicle than what I probably could have gotten away with, but we’re now down to 1 car between the two of us and have no immediate plans of buying a second one.

Making the conscious effort to figure out our schedules on one vehicle was a little bit tricky, and it’s not always the most convenient thing. That’s where Uber/Lyft comes into play.

Instead of making a $300-$500 car payment, you could instead use that money for many things like beefing up your emergency fund or investing.

Paying more than you need to for a car is one of the easiest financial mistakes to make, especially if you go to college and land a nice “real” job afterward, but staying within your means and paying cash for a decent used car will put you in a much better position down the road.

Related: Why Do You Need a Full Emergency Fund?

Bank Your Raises, Bonuses, And Tax Returns Immediately

If you get a raise or an annual bonus at work, or you get a tax refund, saving it instead of spending it will make sure you don’t count on it as part of your ‘regular’ income.

These things aren’t guaranteed. While nothing ever is a slam-dunk, raises, bonuses and tax refunds are rarely things you can rely on with much consistency, so it makes sense to treat them a little differently.

Admittedly the raises will be a little more difficult to deal with in this way psychologically, but they’re pretty easy from a mechanics standpoint.

If you get a raise that increases your bi-monthly paychecks by $75 each, just adjust your automatic savings up by $150 once the raise kicks in. At first, this may seem to be totally against the point of working hard to get a raise, so starting it at something like $100 will let you enjoy a little bit of your raise now and still move you ahead on the savings.

Be as aggressive as you can with these. The more you can save now, the more you’ll be able to enjoy compound growth and the freedom your money buys you later.

The same goes if you get a new job in which you’re making more money. If you go from a job making $50,000 a year to a new job making $65,000, your paychecks will undoubtedly increase; make sure you increase your savings if you don’t want to blow your extra income on something silly.

Related: How to Find An Employer Who Can Afford to Pay You More 

Increase Your 401(k) Contributions

This is one of my favorite secret weapons. If you have a 401(k) (or similar) retirement plan through work, it’s an easy trick.

In addition to bumping up your savings when you get a pay increase, bumping up your 401(k) contributions by 2-3% each year will help you inch toward your goal.

At some point, you’ll be able to max out your 401(k) and, since the change is gradual, likely, you won’t feel it too much in your take-home pay. Doing this will help you sock away $18,000 each year, and the sooner you start the better.

This isn’t exactly the quickest way, but it’s definitely effective. Make sure that at a minimum you’re always contributing at least the company match (if applicable), and then bump up each year after that.

Related: 9 Tips for Preparing for Retirement

Have Debt But Want to Invest? Here’s What You Need to Know

Conclusion

You now know about some of the best ways to battle lifestyle inflation and save money!

Lifestyle inflation can creep up on you and cause havoc on your finances so you need to get in front of lifestyle inflation and stop it from happening to you.

It’s not a bad thing to buy things for yourself but you need to decide when it’s enough.

Simply, be mindful of how much you are spending and what you are spending on to make sure it’s really worth it. This is the key to managing your money like the rich!

What tips and tricks do you use to battle lifestyle inflation? Do you have specific tools you use or is this purely a head-game?

The post 4 Best Ways to Battle Lifestyle Inflation and Save Money first appeared on My Debt Epiphany.

The post 4 Best Ways to Battle Lifestyle Inflation and Save Money appeared first on My Debt Epiphany.

I’ve only been married for a few years, but I know that relationships (especially marriages) can start to feel very routine if you put them on autopilot instead of nurturing them. When my husband and I got married in 2016, we got hyper-focused on reaching our financial goals and worked together to pay off my husband’s credit card debt ASAP.

Our newlywed season was spent hustling and while we made financial progress, I wish we would have slowed down to spoil each other or prioritize dating still. Strengthening your bond with your partner and going on dates don’t have to be super expensive either. I hope these 60 ideas get your creative wheels turning!

1. Cook a Meal

If your spouse usually does the cooking, give them a day off and cook their favorite meal for them. I love nights when I don’t have to cook!

Check out the $5 Meal Plan for stress-free, picky eater-free affordable meal plans delivered to your email inbox weekly!

2. Write a Love Letter

I know this sounds a little juvenile, but I consider it old school. It can be very romantic to slow down and write a thoughtful and affectionate letter to your partner sharing what you love about them and how grateful you are for them.

3. Pick Up an Extra Household Chore

People love receiving acts of service. Doing a household chore for your partner can really make their days especially if it’s been a long and hectic one.

4. Have a “No Nagging” Day

Sometimes we nag and don’t realize we’re doing it. I’m especially guilty of this I simply ask my husband to run errands and do quite a few favors for me and while I know he doesn’t mind, it would be nice to not ask him for any of that every now and then.

5. Let Him or Her Sleep In

Whether your partner loves sleeping in or is a morning person, they’d probably enjoy a few extra Zzzzs. Adjust your schedule so your significant other can enjoy a few extra hours of sleep then dim the room, close the door, and keep the house quiet.

6. Treat to Breakfast or Lunch

Can’t afford an expensive 4-course dinner? Go out to breakfast or lunch instead. Breakfast is the cheapest meal when dining out and lunch doesn’t have to be too pricey either. The other day, my husband and I ran some errands on his off day then I surprised him with lunch at Chipotle afterward.

It felt good to spend that time together and we only spent $15. Another option is to bring their favorite meal or a special treat home to them. I love bubble smoothies and enjoy when my husband stops by to grab me one on his way from work.

You can earn free gift cards to top retailers and restaurants when you use Swagbucks. I’ve been using Swagbucks for years and I often use the rewards to pay for holiday expenses.

7. Spa Service

The spa sounds like an expensive place to go but you can save money by just booking one service instead of a full package that will take up all your time for that day. Check out sites like Groupon or Living Social for local spa deals or bring the spa services home and give your partner a nice massage instead.

Extra Tip: You can receive coupons and earn cash back on Groupon and LivingSocial purchases by using Rakuten. Check out my review of Rakuten here.

8. Send a Text During the Day

Do you only text your spouse during the day when you need something or have to tell them something important? Start texting them just because you miss them or want to see how their day is going.

9. Join in On One of Their Hobbies

You both may not share the same hobbies but occasionally participating in your partner’s favorite activity makes them feel good and shows how much you care for them. For me, this often means watching sports with my husband or playing games at the arcade. They’re not my favorite thing to do but I don’t hate it either and it helps us bond.

10. Random Surprise Outing

Everyone loves surprises! Find out when your partner has some free time then search for free and affordable upcoming events and surprise them.

11. Vacuum and Clean Out Their Car

I am really bad at cleaning my car out and washing the outside so I love it when my car gets kidnapped and returns fresh and clean.

12. Make Some Bath Bombs

This could be a great frugal gift idea as well if your partner loves bath and shower gift sets. Check out tutorials on Pinterest and get creative with this one.

13. Put Down Your Phone

Another easy way to spoil your spouse is with your undivided attention. Checking notifications constantly is a bad habit and usually doesn’t result in any groundbreaking news most of the time. Put down your phone without having to be asked to be fully present when initiating a conversation during your time together.

14. Make a Playlist

Take some of your favorite love songs and organize them into a playlist or you can create a productivity or gym playlist that your significant other would enjoy.

15. Let Them Enjoy Time Away

Sometimes, spoiling your spouse means giving them some breathing room and free time to hang out with friends and family. My husband and I take turns watching our son when I go out for girls nights and he visits friends. Initiate or help plan an activity your partner can do with their friends and help accommodate everything.

16. Watch Their Favorite Show With Them

If you like to watch T.V., bonding over a show can be pretty fun and exciting. Before my husband and I got married, I got him hooked on the show Pretty Little Liars which was funny because most men don’t watch it, but it was a pretty good show during the first few seasons. It also meant a lot that he gave the show a chance for me. We also watch shows like Game of Thrones, Power, Empire, The Fosters, and How to Get Away With Murder Together.

17. Be Extra Attentive

How well do you pay attention? Focus on spoiling your partner by being super attentive to their needs and listen carefully to what they have to say. This may result in simple actions, like putting the food on their plate at dinner time, pouring them a drink when they’re out on the son, ironing their work uniform, or anything else that makes them feel loved and special.

18. Make the Plans

Is your spouse always making the plans? Switch it up and take over the reins for a week. Create the schedule, plan out appointments, find fun ways to entertain yourselves, make the grocery shopping list, etc.

19. Pack Their Lunch

Sometimes there’s no time to do this every day if you’re busy, but doing this occasionally can make a big difference especially if your spouse seems to be running out the door to work each morning barely in one peace.

20. Recreate One of Your First Dates

You’ll have to get creative with this one, but it can be a really romantic idea and it’s the thought that counts. If you can’t literally relive your very first date, try to recreate it at home. For example, if you has dinner and saw a movie, cook some of the foods you ate together at home, then watch the same movie you saw in the theatre and indulge in a yummy dessert.

21. Be the First One to Make Coffee In the Morning

If you are both coffee drinkers, take it upon yourself to make coffee for you both in the morning, then serve it to your partner in bed. Or, you can get the coffee maker all ready to go for them when they get around to it.

22. Flirt

Do couples with long-term relationships still flirt? There’s no reason why you shouldn’t as it will bring back some of those butterflies you used to feel during the beginning of your relationship.

23. Support Their Dreams

It’s important to support your partner’s personal and professional dreams wholeheartedly. You can find your own way to do this whether it’s buying them a book, finding a relevant networking event they can attend, or sharing inspirational videos or TedTalks with them. Ask what you can do to help them reach their goals and how you can make it your goal as well.

24. Offer a Break From the Kids

Moms and dads both need time off from their little ones. If your spouse normally has a daily routine or responsibility with the kids, take over for a day and send them to relax or go to Starbucks and read with a $10 gift card.

25. Start Earning Some Passive Income

Do you feel your partner works way too hard? Start exploring the idea of earning some passive income that the both of you can enjoy. You can start a blog, get more serious about investing, write an e-book, look into real estate, or start selling digital products online.

Related: How and Why You Need to Earn Passive Income

How to Give the Gift of Stock

26. Show Up At Work With a Surprise

If you can’t pull off a random surprise outing right now, bring it to their job instead. Stop by with lunch, a home-based dessert, or send flowers or chocolate to their work to make them feel special and brighten their day.

27. Make a Care Basket

Take all of your spouse’s favorite things and organize them in a gift basket.  Shop the clearance aisle if you’re on a budget or theme your basket for “self-care”, “romance”, “sports”, etc.

28. Custom and Engraved Gifts

For our first anniversary, I purchased a customized engraved glass plaque that we still have today. You can go to Amazon and shop for all types of engraved gifts for under $40 and customize it with both your names, your anniversary, your favorite quote, or all three.

29. Bake a Cake For No Reason

If your partner has a sweet tooth, they’ll love this one. You can buy cake and brownie mixes for just $1 at the grocery store then surprise them with a delicious treat when they get home.

30. Say “Thank You”

These two words are very powerful and unfortunately, many of us don’t say them enough. Be sure to thank your spouse regularly for the things they do both large and small. Don’t wait until birthdays and holidays to show gratitude.

Find Out Their Love Language

While I’ve given quite a few easy ideas for spoiling your spouse, you have to understand that it all comes down to knowing their love language. Knowing your partner’s love language can make the difference between an okay relationship and a satisfying one. You must know whether your partner likes displays or affection over words of affirmation in order to make their feel special.

The 5 main love languages include physical touch, quality time, acts of service, words of affirmation and receiving gifts. It’s common for some of these to overlap. Here’s a quick quiz you and your partner can take to determine your love language.

Budget Date Ideas

In the Home

• Game night (board games or video games)
• Vision Board Party
• Movie marathon with ice cream sundaes
• Make a time capsule
• Paint a room together and order pizza
• Cook dinner and dessert at home and dine under candlelight
• Take an in-home yoga class with YouTube videos
• Work on a puzzle
• Paint and wine night (buy all the materials at a craft store)
• Have your own wine and cheese tasting party
• Stargaze and play cards on the porch
• Paint and decorate plain coffee mugs for each other
• Play the ‘newlywed game’ and see how well you do – You can check out some great questions here
• Watch a sports game, complete with finger foods

Outside of the Home

• Matinee Movie
• 1-Night Getaway
• Free Museum Days
• Comedy Show
• Hiking
• Volunteer
• Dance Class (search for free or cheap couples salsa or ballroom dance lessons)
• Bowling
• Ice-skating or roller skating
• Have a picnic in the park
• Go on a day trip
• Ride bikes
• Find a cheap class to take on Groupon
• Go to a trampoline park
• Go to a karaoke bar

Ready to get serious about budgeting and STOP living paycheck to paycheck? Check out my Budget Beyond Your Paycheck Worksheet Bundle to help you get started, hold yourself accountable, and get results. 

Which one of these ideas is your favorite?

The post 30 Frugal Ways to Spoil Your Spouse (+30 Budget Date Ideas) first appeared on My Debt Epiphany.

The post 30 Frugal Ways to Spoil Your Spouse (+30 Budget Date Ideas) appeared first on My Debt Epiphany.

Back in 2013 when I started thinking about improving my finances, I had a very low income. The idea of making a budget and actually using it seemed pointless. Then, I hit rock bottom and had nowhere to go up. After realizing I’d much rather be in control of what little money I had at the time vs. letting it control me, I decided to start budgeting.

From there, I went on a journey of truly understanding my relationship with budgeting and developing healthy money habits. It took time to learn how to budget best for my situation.

One of my favorite budgeting styles to this day is the reverse budget. Reverse budgeting is easy, effective, and you can add it to any existing budgeting method you’re currently using.

What is a Reverse Budget?

A reverse budget is when you basically switch the order of handling your money. Traditional wisdom teaches us to start paying bills and covering other important expenses as soon as we get paid. Then, if there’s anything left over, some money can go toward savings or debt payoff.

In reality, this method rarely works. Most people I talk to (and myself included) struggle to actually set aside ‘leftover’ money toward the end of the month. Most times, there’s nothing left over to use. Life happens, expenses come up and your money usually finds a way to spend itself on one thing or another.

With a reverse budget, you start paying yourself first and putting money toward your goals. This could involve adding money to your emergency fund or investment account right when you get paid. 

Afterward, you budget with the rest of your money for the remainder of the month.

Related: Budgeting With a Low Income, Yes It’s Possible

How to Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck Once and For All

How Does Reverse Budgeting Work?

Reverse budgeting isn’t meant to have you sacrifice your basic needs like food and housing. Rather, it helps you prioritize money and financial goals that will improve your life long-term. Personal finance and budgeting are very much multi-faceted. On one end, you want to make sure you can meet your basic needs and live comfortably.

But, you shouldn’t just stay at this point since it can lead to living paycheck to paycheck.

The next aspect we should all be focusing on is how to improve our situation and get ahead financially. There is where things like saving, accelerated debt payoff, and investing come in.

With reserve budgeting you:

• Still keep your existing budget and get clear on your expenses and how much they will cost
• Automatically or intentionally transfer funds to savings and investments first

In order to prioritize savings, you still need to budget for it.

Here’s an example of some financial goals that you can put first so long as it fits in your budget.

• Maxing out your IRA: $542 per month (2023 annual contribution limit is $6,500)
• Emergency fund: $300 per month
• Paying off credit card debt: $350 per month
• Saving for a down payment on a home: $400 per month

Total: $1,592 per month OR $796 per per paycheck if you get paid bi-weekly

Related: How to Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck Once and For All

How to Start Investing in Stocks With No Regrets

5 Things That Helped me Find Money to Start Investing

How to Start Using a Reverse Budget (For the Best Results)

Using a reverse budgeting style is pretty easy, but these tips will help prepare you for success and results.

Determine Your Goals

Start by getting crystal clear on your goals and how you plan to use your finances to help you reach them. Do you want to buy a house someday or go back to school? Are you hoping to catch up with retirement savings or start a business?

Knowing exactly what your goals are will help you determine how much to save or put toward debt. It also gives you a clear focus and motivation to stick to a reverse budget.

Review Your Spending

Review your spending and budget line-items with a fine-tooth comb to see exactly where your money is going each month. This may sound overwhelming but doesn’t have to be.

• Set a timer for 15 minutes
• Log into your mobile banking
• Then start scrolling through transactions for the past 30 days and jotting them down

Make note of how much you’re spending on budgeted and unplanned expenses. If you’re using budgeting software or an app, the tool may even do most of the hard work for you and categorize your spending clearly.

This is an important step because you’ll need to ask yourself if and where you can reduce or adjust spending to make room for savings goals.

Related: How to Make Your Paycheck Last Two Weeks

Get Organized

Once you know exactly where your money is going and what your goals are, organize your budget to include all your necessary expenses AND saving, debt payoff, and investing.

If you don’t budget for your goals, it will be nearly impossible to prioritize or reach them. Given our example above, paying yourself $1,592 per month with a reverse budget may seem difficult.

However, you never know if you’ll be able to reach this goal or even save a portion of this money if you don’t get organized and run the numbers.

If you have debt, list out all your debts, including the minimum payment and interest amount. This will help you decide how you want to pay them off.

Make it Automatic

Make paying yourself first automatic and easy by setting up transfers to your savings account and investment account. For accelerated debt payoff, you can schedule transfers weekly or whenever you get paid to make sure you’re throwing extra money toward debt.

Remember, all your savings goals should already be included in your budget, so you don’t have to be afraid of overspending or overdrafts.

If you prefer,  keep some money in your checking account to serve as a buffer if unexpected costs come up and you have automatic transfers set up during the month to make sure you keep a positive account balance.

Keep in mind that getting organized is going to be key for reverse budgeting.

I provide a free printable bill calendar to all my email  subscribers to be sure to download your copy when you sign up for my list!

Maintain Your Budget Regularly

A budget is not just something you set and forget about. Make sure you’re actively managing your spending and reviewing your budget at least once per week.

Feel free to make any changes to your savings goals whenever you feel necessary. The beauty of budgeting this way is that you can be pretty flexible so long as you’re meeting your basic needs.

Take it Step-By-Step

Don’t feel that you have to become a master at reverse budgeting to benefit from this method. Start slow and develop a habit of saving money and throwing extra funds to debt when you can. Even if you can afford to save $100 per month and pay yourself first, this is a great start.

Get a handle on affording your basic needs first and paying any debt that’s creating a burden on your finances. You may find that your money gets freed up once you get rid of a few credit card balances.

Also, realize that you may already be practicing a reversed budget if you contributing to a 401(k), since a portion of your paycheck gets invested before anything else. If you want to boost retirement savings, see if you could increase your contributions by 1%. Every bit counts.

Related: How to Save Your First $1,000 This Year

Pros and Cons of Reverse Budgeting

Pros:

• Helps you prioritize saving and paying yourself first
• Easy to use with any budgeting method you’re currently using
• Helps you focus on the big picture and improving your financial situation long-term
• Easy to automate

Cons: 

• May require you to be stricter with other expenses in order to pay yourself first
• Some math and sacrifice may be required – (but it’s all for the greater good!)
• May not work for you if you don’t have the discipline yet to direct more money toward future goals

A Reverse Budget is Worth a Try

As you can see, I’m all for a reverse budget. If you’re serious about improving your finances and reaching certain goals, a reverse budget is well worth a try.

You’ll need to truly commit to it to see the best results, though. Use these tips to help you get started and let me know if you have any questions along the way.

Be sure to check out my other budgeting posts:

• The 50-30-20 Budget Plan: What Is It and How Does It Work?
• My Monthly Single Mom Budget & Living and Paying Off Debt on $32,000/year
• Why and How to Create an Annual Budget
• 4 Common Budgeting Mistakes You Need to Stop Making

The post What is a Reverse Budget? first appeared on My Debt Epiphany.

The post What is a Reverse Budget? appeared first on My Debt Epiphany.

Most of my days are spent working, cooking and planning meals, doing things for my son, cleaning, laundry, etc. As an entrepreneur, it’s also very hard to turn work and the ‘hustle life’ off. I’m always thinking, planning, and trying to grow something.

I know I’m not the only one. But then it hit me. I have the freedom to change how I live. Hobbies and interests that have absolutely nothing to do with hustling and earning a profit are so important – especially as an adult.

Having hobbies can help relieve stress and even lower anxiety levels. Plus, for me, it’s a way to slow down and take the time to enjoy life and the things I find interesting.

Don’t Think You Have Time? Guess Again?

Many of us can say that we lack the time and energy to do much outside of working and keeping things afloat around the house. However, studies have been conducted on how most Americans spend their time and the data tells another story.

Sure, most of each day includes several hours of sleep and work for the average person along with everyday tasks. But when we get to leisure time, most people are spending around 2 to 3 hours watching TV. Add this to the fact that most people are spending 2 hours per day or more on social media as well.

While social media can be a great way to connect people, the digital society we live in has also done a great job of separating us from each other as well. Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of the American Community is a great book written by Arthur Morey that reveals how social structures have changed. According to the data and stories in the book, many people have misplaced their free time and it really shows.

All this is to say that if you really want a hobby, you do have time or can simply make time. You also don’t have to spend tons of money on your hobby either.

Below are a few frugal hobbies for adults that I’ve rounded up that are virtually free or will cost you very little.

1. Reading

Reading is such a great hobby that helps you relax and escape while also strengthening brain activity. I highly encourage you to pick up a paperback book and start reading. Usually, I aim to read around 20 books per year give or take.

I have had an Audible subscription for a few years now but set a goal for at least half of the books I read to be paper copies. You have to start somewhere.

Reading can even be a social hobby if you were to join a local book club. Regardless, you can go to your local library and rent books out for free or see if there’s a free little library in your neighborhood where you can just pick up and drop off books at your leisure.

I just started a GoodReads profile if you’d like to add me on there!

2. Coloring

Coloring reduces stress and anxiety and also allows you to unlock more creativity. I like coloring over painting and art projects because it’s less overwhelming for me and I don’t have to worry about learning a new skill or messing something up.

I just grab a few adult coloring books from the dollar store and some colored pencils and I’m good to go.

3. Photography

Like taking pictures? Make a hobby out of this and take pictures of various things whenever you’re out. You don’t even need a fancy camera to start since most smartphones have excellent cameras. Learn how to edit your photos and share them for fun.

If you want to invest in equipment or certain techniques later on, consider taking a photography course to learn more. Udemy has a free photography course.

4. Exercising

Exercising regularly is a great habit to have, but it’s also a hobby since you can choose when, where, and how you’d like to workout. From going to the gym or taking classes to running or kickboxing, there’s so many possibilities when it comes to moving your body.

Right now, I prefer exercise classes or working out at home. I have some down time when I drop my son off for basketball practice and figured I’d try to go to the local library. Come to find out, the library has an early evening fitness class that I may have to start checking out.

5. Hiking

Hiking is another frugal hobby that I love. Since we moved over the summer, our new area has lots of great hiking trails with views of lakes, ponds, and other natural elements. I recently joined a hiking meetup group and I’m loving it so far.

As someone who’s newer to hiking, I wanted to do it with a group so I could find the best places to go and learn more about the area. While I love a good hike, I’m not into messing with snakes or bears so it’s great that I was able to join a group to get the lay of the land.

Depending on what’s near you, you may want to check out different trails and state parks. Aside from any materials or gear you might need, most hikes are completely free.

6. Dancing

Dancing is a nice social hobby that could be a healthy challenge. See if there are any places that offer dancing lessons in your area. To save money, it’s best to book a group dance class vs. getting private lessons. There are classes for salsa dancing, ballroom dancing, adult ballet, hip hop, and basically anything you’d want to try.

7. Playing an Instrument

If you’ve always wanted to learn how to play an instrument, what’s holding you back? A few years ago, I picked up playing the drums again since I used to play as a kid. This was such a great decision because playing drums is something that I enjoy and allows me to use a different side of my creativity as opposed to what I do with writing and blogging.

I signed up for weekly 30-minute lessons for just $30 per lesson and my teacher actually drove to my house for the lessons so it was very convenient. About a year ago, I also signed my son up for ukulele lessons through another company and weekly lessons were just $30 as well so this is a pretty standard range you can expect to pay to start.

8. Sports League

Most communities have various sports league opportunities so check with the recreational department or your local park district. Some local churches even have leagues for basketball, softball, and other sports.

Joining a sports league can be a great way to stay active, meet friends, and enjoy some fun competition.

9. Volunteer

When was the last time you volunteered somewhere? Volunteering helps you give back and also fulfill a passion or interest you have without working about earning money. You can volunteer at a food pantry, children’s hospital, or animal shelter.

Volunteer opportunities that utilize your skills can also make a great hobby. Years ago, I used to be a part of this resume writer’s organization and I would edit the monthly newsletter as a volunteer. I’ve also enjoyed volunteering to pack meals for children overseas with some groups I’ve been part of.

Start calling around and asking who could use a volunteer and even if it’s just 1 to 2 hours per week or month, it’s still a great use of your time.

10. Learn a New Language

Learning a new language can be fun and not cost you much at all. Dueling is a free site that can help you learn languages like Spanish, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Japanese, and more. It’s a very interactive site with activities that also saves your place in the lesson so you can pick back up with the activities at any time.

I find it pretty amusing that this site can even teach you how to speak High Valerian and if you’re a Game of Thrones fan, you definitely know what this means.

Summary: Frugal Hobbies Anyone Can Enjoy

Taking the time out to establish some frugal hobbies is something you won’t regret. Whether you like to get outdoors, help others, or stay around the house, there are plenty of ways to use your talents and find something enjoyable to do that interests you.

This list just scratches the surface. I’d love to hear what some of your favorite frugal hobbies are and I’ll consider adding them to the list! 

The post Best Frugal Hobbies For Adults first appeared on My Debt Epiphany.

The post Best Frugal Hobbies For Adults appeared first on My Debt Epiphany.

It doesn’t have to be a hopeless situation.

If you want to see just how much you can save on your bill without the hassle of negotiating yourself then you’ll want to learn more about Billshark.

In this article, you’ll learn all about what Billshark can do to help you keep more money in your pocket when bill time comes each month.

What is Billshark?

Billshark is a bill negotiation service that works on your behalf to lower your monthly bills. 

CEO of Billshark Steve McKean helped to found the company in 2016 with the vision of helping people live out “Smart Money” values by helping them lower their monthly bills. 

The company is one of the leading options in the bill reduction services sector and for good reason. 

Since the company started, they have saved their customers millions of dollars. It also has a strong A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and an average 4.5 star rating on the BBB  and 4.9 on Google Reviews. Plus Billshark garnered the attention and acclaim of Shark Tank’s Mark Cuban who now backs and advises the company.

How Does Billshark Work?

The company currently works by helping you lower your internet, cellphone, landline, home security, cable and streaming options, as well as satellite radio bills. 

If you’re already in good standing with your service providers, Billshark negotiates with them in order to figure out a way to provide you with a deal that results in saving you as much money as possible.

Once you become a Billshark customer, their team of experts (referred to by the company as Sharks) utilizes proven methods to successfully negotiate your bills. They have worked on thousands of bill negotiation deals and have a 90% success rate for lowering bills. 

Also, these Sharks average between $300-$500 of savings per bill negotiated for you, and the savings are automatically applied to your bill in your next billing cycle. 

Billshark also offers a great customer service experience that easily notifies you of updates regarding your bill negotiation via a concierge service and SMS updates within a few days.

In addition, the company keeps track of when your savings expire and will automatically restart negotiations for you to help you keep the best rate possible.

Is Billshark Free?

Yes and no. Billshark’s savings calculators are free to use to provide you with an estimate on what you could save. 

Once you decide to work with Billshark directly, you will be charged a one-time fee of 40% of savings however if they can’t find a way to save you money then you aren’t charged anything at all.

Is It Safe to Use?

The company prides itself on using the best security measures. Billshark uses 256-bit encryption which is bank-level security, and they never store your credit card or share your information without your permission.

How Can I Get Started With Billshark?

The first step is to get started by taking advantage of their estimate savings calculator on their website to get an idea of what you could possibly save. 

If you feel the estimates show potential for savings for you then you will create your account and upload a copy or photo of your internet, cellphone, landline, home security, pay-TV, and satellite radio bills.

It’s very easy to become a Billshark customer. You can go to their website and sign up or download the app and sign up. 

Both methods allow you to create an account using your Facebook or Google profile or you can enter your first and last name, phone number, email address and create a password.

Does Billshark Offer Other Services?

Yes, they offer other ways to help you save money such as the opportunity to cancel subscriptions and compare your car and home insurance.

The Billshark website offers a savings calculator to help you see how much you could save by canceling the subscriptions you no longer use but are still paying for. 

Plus you can use a savings calculator to see how much you could save by finding a lower-cost car and home insurance quote.

For each subscription you decide to cancel with Billshark there is a $9 charge but there is no cost to use their insurance comparison savings calculator.

Are There Pros and Cons?

Like anything, there are always good and not-so-good points. For Billshark consider:

Pros

• You can get an idea of what you’ll save before committing to the process by using the savings calculator for an estimate
• It takes only a few minutes to sign up and get the process started
• They allow you to speak to a person over the phone as well as email —1-800-957-1710 Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm ET or help@billshark.com
• You can save money on your current monthly service bills, cancel subscriptions as well as find lower insurance options all in one spot
• They have a reward program and a referral program
• They offer a payment plan if you can’t pay their 40% one-time fee all at once

Cons

• Estimates given from the savings calculators are not guaranteed
• 40% fee could be high depending on your particular savings situation
• Subscription cancellation costs $9 per subscription

Billshark Summary

Essentially, you could also call your bill companies to negotiate your bills on your own but negotiating on your own can be time-consuming, stressful, and a negative experience. Billshark makes it fast and easy for you by providing a service where bill negotiation experts do this for you. 

With a 90% success rate and lots of positive customer reviews, Billshark is really a great risk-free option for saving money on your monthly internet, cellphone, landline, home security, cable TV, and satellite radio bills. 

Ultimately, Billshark saves you time and money and is definitely worth looking into!

The post How To Negotiate Your Bills To Save Money first appeared on My Debt Epiphany.

The post How To Negotiate Your Bills To Save Money appeared first on My Debt Epiphany.

The biggest issue when it comes to actually implementing these is just how expensive decorating can be! When you’re on a budget, finding alternatives to buying high-end brands is crucial but who would’ve thought you could find cheap home decor right in your local dollar store?! 

Here are some great ways to beautify and decorate your home without having to break the bank.

Cheap Home Decor

It is so important to have a home that expresses who you and your family are because it’s a place you spend quite a lot of time in. Luckily, it’s easier than ever to create those Instagram worthy home settings without having to spend a lot of money. 

With a little bit of roll up your sleeves, DIY work you can make cheap home decor transform your space in a BIG way! Set out a bit of time on your weekend to complete these awesome projects and you’ll be happy you did!

Before you get started though, a heads up: You will probably need a few extra supplies. The great thing though is these basic supplies will be able to be used again and again for so many awesome decor ideas and you can find some of these supplies at your local dollar store. Here are a few that are the most commonly listed in DIY decor projects:

• Glue & Glue Gun
• Modge Podge
• Paint Brushes/Sponges
• Painters tape
• Spray Paint
• Tape measure
• Power tools like a saw, drill
• Wood
• Wood Glue

While it may seem like these supplies are adding to your costs in a big way, you’ll save a ton of money in the long run when compared to having to buy high-end store decor!

Related: Can You Buy a House With a Low Credit Score?

How We’re Avoiding Becoming House Poor

Check out these cool and easy cheap home decor ideas that can give your home a quick upgrade!

13+ Best Dollar Store DIY Decor Ideas

Pallet Wood Bathroom Organizer: This cute way to display your everyday bathroom supplies is easy to create and can add to your current bathroom style.

Mason Jar Soap Dispensers: This is a great way to modernize rustic mason jars and make them functional in your kitchen and bathroom spaces. 

Farmhouse Enamel Tub Planter: I loved this farmhouse style decor idea! The possibilities on how to use this enamel tub are endless!

Mounted Mug Rack: Who knew that with a few kitchen staples you can create something so handy and beautiful?! It says it’s a mug rack but if you get creative it can be used for different things in different rooms in your home.

Rae Dunn Inspired Hacks: Save your budget by making these awesome inspired pieces yourself!

Hula Hoop Farmhouse Shelf: This looks like it’s straight out of a Restoration Hardware catalog but you can make it for a few dollars!

Hurricane Lanterns Out of Frames: These stunning lanterns never go out of style and now you can create them yourself and stay well under budget!

Plastic Animal Bookends: This crafty idea gives you a whole new reason to keep all the animal toys your kids have outgrown!

Picture Frame Luminaries: A magical way to display pictures while creating a beautiful mood in your home.

Window Pane Mirror: This gorgeous mirror is a must-have visual piece in your home and well worth the time it takes to make it!

Succulent Planter: These popular and versatile little plants look fantastic in this easy to make a planter. Perfect for any room in your home!

Wood Block Lanterns: How cool are these?! Can you guess what fun game is used to make these lanterns? Check it out for yourself.

Hobnail Milk Glass: This cool piece delivers so much style and it only takes 4 things to make it!

Tips For DIY Success

When it comes to creating awesome DIY decor, it can be overwhelming to decide where to start. These tips will help make the process even smoother:

Fully read and understand the instructions before beginning

I know that this seems obvious but I’ve seen enough posts about crafting fails to know that instructions are often assumed rather than understood. Making sure you understand the instructions fully and have all the proper supplies in advance will save you from hassles down the road.

Decide your decorating plan by room

If you want to try several DIY cheap home decor ideas for different spaces in your home then map it out by room. Make a list of what decor you want to do for each room and work your way through to the next part on your list in an orderly manner. This will help reduce overwhelm when you have quite a few projects in mind! 

Related: 10 House Projects You Can Do For $100 or Less

Be true to your style

Sometimes we can get carried away with all the pretty and cool things we see others creating for their home decor. Be sure to ask yourself if the project you want to try will be something that goes with your particular theme and vision and if it will be something that you’d like for a longer period of time.

Here is one of her awesome videos to give you even more awesome cheap home decor ideas! 

What are your favorite cheap home decor ideas? Which one do you want to try from the list above? What are your tips for DIY beginners?

The post 13+ Best Dollar Store Decorating Ideas first appeared on My Debt Epiphany.

The post 13+ Best Dollar Store Decorating Ideas appeared first on My Debt Epiphany.

I drive an SUV and even though I work from home most days, it’s still taking me about $60 to $70 to fill up my tank. Sometimes I need to fill up twice a week due to having appointments and other errands. Whether gas is $3.99 or $7 per gallon in your area, I wanted to share an app that can help you save more money at the pump. I’ve been wanting to write this GetUpside review for a while now.

So I hope you enjoy this in-depth review and stick around for the additional tips for saving money on fuel later in this post.

What Is GetUpside?

GetUpside is an app that helps you earn cash back and rewards for spending money at certain gas stations and stores in your area. The app partners with 45,000 businesses that you know and love including places like Dunkin Donuts, Wendys, Woodman’s Markets, and more.

In this GetUpside review, I’ll be speaking more to the gas stations you can earn cash back at through the app. GetUpside partners with most gas stations including BP, Marathon, Shell, Valero, and more.

You don’t have to sign up for any special membership cards to earn cash back per gallon. This is nice because you can focus on finding the best prices instead of being loyal to one particular place.

How Does GetUpside Work?

GetUpside uses your location to narrow down the best fuel savings for you when you need to fill up. The app shows the current price of gas at places nearby in real time along with how much cash back you’ll get when you choose to fill up there.

You can also use the Restaurants or Groceries tab in the app to find cash back offers as well.

To start earning cash back, you’ll need to claim the offer you want first by clicking the ‘Claim’ button.

Once you claim an offer, you’ll have 4 hours to make your purchase.

When you arrive at the gas station and fill up your tank, tap ‘Check In’ on the app. Then, simply tell GetUpside which card you used to make your purchase. You can add your payment cards to the app ahead of time so it’s easier to confirm this.

It will take 24 to 48 hours for cash back to be credited to your account after a purchase.

Sign up for GetUpside and download the app here

Use my code to earn an extra 15%/gal back when you sign up: CHONCE5236

Getting Started

To start using GetUpside, download the app and allow it to track your location (either only during active use of the app, or all the time). The only potential benefit of allowing the app to track your location all the time would be if you’d like to be notified of savings opportunities when you’re out and about.

Otherwise, just decide to let the app see your location only when you’re actively using it and looking for a gas station.

Next, add a card or two that you normally use to pay for gas to the Wallet section of the app.

You can track your earnings on the app and cash out by transferring the money to your bank or redeeming a gift card.

How Much Free Gas/Rewards Can You Earn?

GetUpside pays up to $0.25 cash back per gallon of gas that you put into your car. This means if I added 11 gallons of gas during one fill up at this rewards price, I’d earn $2.75 back. Add another fill up at this rate and I’d earn a total of $5.50 back which would get me a free gallon of gas in some areas.

You won’t always earn $0.25 cach back per gallon of gas so be sure to watch both the gas prices AND the rewards offers in the app to decide the best place to fill up. How much you earn with the app all depends on the local offers you claim and how often you fill your car up with gas.

Also, remember that you can earn cash back for groceries and restaurants too. If you use GetUpside for all three categories, you’ll maximize your earnings. Some restaurants can offer up to 59% cash back while grocery stores can offer around 30% cash back.

Sign up for GetUpside and see how much you can earn

Use my code to earn an extra 15%/gal back when you sign up: CHONCE5236

Pros and Cons

This GetUpside review wouldn’t be complete without going over some of the pros and cons of using the app. I always try to give a fair review and rating with my reviews. Honestly, I didn’t really find much not to like about GetUpside which is great.

Pros:

• Free app and easy to use
• No need to get a credit card or sign up for loyalty rewards at your local gas station
• Rewards are often better than what gas stations offer
• Earn cash back for groceries and restaurants in addition to gas
• Cash out via direct deposit or by redeeming a gift card

Cons:

• Must share your location to use the app
• You can’t use other offers with GetUpside (this includes gas station rewards so you can’t stack the cash back)
• Most fuel cash back offers are limited to the first 50 gallons of gas (there’s a fine print section under each offer so you can review this on a case-by-case basis)

Other Ways to Start Saving Money on Fuel

Of course, there are other ways to start saving money on fuel and I want to highlight some of my top recommendations.

Increase Your Vehicle’s Fuel Efficiency

Some cars are made to be more efficient than others, but that doesn’t mean you still can tweak your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. Start by lightening the load and removing anything extra from the vehicle that you don’t need. Carrying around racks and spare parts can weigh your car down and reduce its fuel efficiency.

Also, be sure to check your tire pressure regularly and make sure your tires are properly aligned. Your car might even display the current tire pressure on the dashboard and most shops will put air in your tires for free. With newer cars, tune ups are less helpful but you can get a full-service oil change so the mechanic can do a thorough check on your car’s fluids and other systems to make sure it’s running as efficiently as possible.

Optimize Your Miles Per Gallon

Do you know how many miles per gallon your car gets? You can look this up online by searching your car’s model and year. It’s no secret that speed can kill your gas mileage. The faster you drive, the quicker you’ll So, try to drive no faster than 50 mph on regular streets and use cruise control on the highway when you can.

Also, be careful when braking since constant and intense braking will wear down your brake pads and minimize your car’s miles per gallon.

Consolidate Your Trips

Ultimately, the best way to start saving money on fuel right now is to drive your car less. This isn’t always possible for people who live in areas where alternative modes of transportation are not common or realistic to use. For example, you may not be able to ride your bike 5 miles to the grocery store and buy $150 of groceries.

Instead, try to consolidate your trips and pair up errands when it makes sense. This might mean stopping by the store that’s on your way home from work or choosing one day a week to run errands in the same area. Or, maybe it’s cheaper at this point to order some things online and get free shipping.

If your job allow you to work remotely part of the time, utilize this to drive less and save money on fuel.

GetUpside Review: Is It Legit and Worth It?

Overall, this GetUpside review has my full approval. GetUpside is a free app that you can use to earn cash back rewards on your fuel, restaurant, and grocery spending. You have to fill up your tank and spend money at stores anyway so you might as well earn cash back for this spending. This money can help lower your out of pocket costs on fuel and stretch the length of time between gas station trips.

To give GetUpside a try, click here and be sure to use my code to earn an extra 15%/gal back when you sign up: CHONCE5236

The post Saving Money on Fuel: GetUpside Review first appeared on My Debt Epiphany.

The post Saving Money on Fuel: GetUpside Review appeared first on My Debt Epiphany.

Food is the at the center of our lives. Each day we make meal choices that nourish our bodies or indulge our cravings.

While we all love a great meal, our budget and time constraints can sometimes leave us with a lack of desirable culinary options. Creating a list of go-to meals that don’t break the bank, take hours to make and yet still satisfy in a big way is a great tool to have in your financial and time management toolbox.

These tasty and frugal meal ideas below will have you coming back to them time and time again—even after your budget increases and your schedule opens up.

Ways to Save Time and Money on Groceries

The landscape of the grocery store has changed drastically over the past few decades.

With newer options such as self-checkout, online grocery shopping with delivery and high-end selections from all around the world all in one spot, it is clear that people are quite busy and want ways to save time.

In addition to this, the cost of food is 80.95% higher in 2018 than it was in 1990 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. For many individuals and families, this inflation can create an issue with the allocation of finances as budgets become tighter.

Here are some great tips to help you save time and money when grocery shopping:

• Be prepared with a list of items before you go shopping. This will help you to keep your purchases in check so you don’t overspend. This list of foods that can help to keep your budget in check are must-buy items to help stretch your dollar.
• Try to go grocery shopping alone, on a full stomach, and when you are energized so you will be undistracted and alert to make good choices.
• Basic ingredients such as onion, garlic, and spices go a long way in adding flavor to any dish and are very cost effective. Also stocking up on common pantry items such as flour, pasta, beans, and condiments will be beneficial because they are used quite often in many recipes.
• Utilize apps such as Ibotta, Checkout51, and Food on the Table to locate the best deals in your area and maximize your savings.
• If you have kitchen gadgets, use them or lose them. If you use them (i.e. a bread maker that you can use to make fresh bread at a fraction of the store-bought price) or lose them (a.k.a. sell them) you can end up with more money in your pocket.
• Use coupons and store reward programs to get deeper discounts. For more money stretching grocery budget ideas this article on how to eat well on a $300 monthly budget is worth a read.
• Look for sales on pricier items such as animal products (meat, fish, and poultry). Once you find a good deal plan to stock up and freeze these products for future use.
• Create a weekly meal prep schedule and shop once a week. Both points will help you save money so you aren’t tempted to buy more throughout the week which can cause you to spend more than your budget called for. Check out the $5 Meal Plan for easy and budget-friendly meal ideas and prep instructions.

Using these tips will bring you closer to grocery shopping time management and budget success.

Frugal Meal Ideas

Two major concerns for grocery budget users are a lack of flavor and variety in their meals. When you’re on a budget it doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the good stuff. Instead, you find creative ways to make your recipes tasty and diverse!

Take a look at these 14 great meal prep recipe ideas that offer something delicious and easy to make for every diet and every budget.

Bowls

The everything-in-a-bowl idea is very popular. Here are two that will become your favorites for either lunch or dinner.

Meat recipe: Chicken Burrito Bowl Meal Prep

Meatless recipe: Vegan Buddha Bowl (pictured above)

Salads

Salads aren’t just for veggies anymore. There are so many variations that you will never run out of ones to try!

Meat recipe: Fajita Chicken Salad

Meatless recipe: Protein-Packed Roasted Vegetable Salad

Soups/Chili

Great at any time of the year, soups and chili always provide a nutritious and hearty meal! Plus, they’re super affordable to make.

Meat recipe: Sausage, Potato, and Spinach Soup (pictured above)

Meatless recipe: Easy Vegetarian Chili

One Pan/One Pot

The one pan/one pot cooking style is on the rise! These methods are the easiest for meal prep.

Meat recipe: Sheet Pan Parmesan Pesto Chicken with Potatoes, Broccoli, and Carrots

Meatless recipe: Instant Pot or Slow Cooker African-Inspired Peanut Stew (pictured above)

Seafood

With the option to purchase frozen seafood rather than fresh, your money will go a lot further.

Parchment Salmon with Broccoli, Red Pepper Tomato Parcels

Garlic Shrimp and Quinoa (pictured above)

Pasta

Pasta is the ultimate budget-friendly food and is a fail-safe favorite!

Meat Recipe: Cheesy Chicken and Bacon No-Boil Pasta Bake

Meatless recipe: Linguine with Kale and Chickpeas

Desserts

There is ALWAYS room for dessert! With these budget and time friendly options you can indulge your sweet tooth more often.

3-Ingredient Souffle Cheesecake 

Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies  (pictured above)

Need more meal ideas? Check out the $5 Meal Plan especially if you’re trying to feed your family well on a budget. You’ll get tasty and frugal meal ideas and shopping lists delivered directly to your email inbox each week. You can get your first two weeks of the service free to try it out!

As you research and try new ways to make cost and time friendly meals that are exciting and flavorful, you’ll see that easy, frugal meals and tastiness can go hand in hand.

What are your favorite grocery budget tips? Which recipe(s) will you try from the list above?

The post Frugal Meal Ideas That Are Easy to Prep first appeared on My Debt Epiphany.

The post Frugal Meal Ideas That Are Easy to Prep appeared first on My Debt Epiphany.

Lately, I’ve just been trying to stay afloat and work toward many of my annual goals. We are already halfway through the year and I’m glad to have met my goal of buying our first house.

Now that we’re getting all settled in, we’ve been doing a ton of house projects to improve the space. My goal has been to knock as much as I can out this month then take a break for a while and do some of the less important things slowly.

There have been so many late nights and early mornings but it’s all a labor of love. It’s also been hitting our wallet pretty harshly too.

Related: How to Grow Your Account Fast and Where to Start

My husband and I decided it was wise to create a budget category for house updates and maintenance so we can either spend the money each month or roll it over to the next month.

On the bright side, there are plenty of house projects that can be done pretty affordably. Of course, you’ll have to DIY if you really want to save money. If you’re willing to do that, you can successfully pull off some of these 10 house projects for $100 or less.

1. Convert Your Closet Into Office Space

You can never have too much closet space until you truly don’t need it. I’ve always thought about converting an unused closet to office space was such a cool idea and may even try it in my home.

My son has an extra closet in his room and we’re thinking about turning it into a homework or art space. We can do this by removing the closet doors to open up the space and installing a floating shelf to serve as the desk. Then, we can paint and add a few other cool details.

What you can do with this project all depends on how much space you have and what the set up currently looks like. Installing a floating shelf to a wall may save more space than moving in an entire desk, but just have fun with it. I love this concept with a corner desk and a comfy bench.

To save money, you can use reclaimed wood and spray paint or refinish it to create extra shelving and shop around at garage sales for inspiring office supplies.

2. Stain Furniture

As I’ve been searching for furniture, I realized barn-themed doors and farmhouse style furniture are really popular these days. I personally love the look, but it can be so expensive. Even if you want to buy a used farmhouse accent table or entry table, you can still wind up spending hundreds of dollars.

Whether you’re going for a farmhouse style or not, you can always stain your existing furniture to freshen it up and give it an entirely new look.

Wood staining is easy and doesn’t require too many materials. You’ll need to sand the furniture down and you can invest in a palm sander for only $25 on Amazon.

3. Trim Trees and Plant Flowers

Landscaping is one of the biggest hidden costs and time commitments for homeowners in my opinion. There always seems to be something to do or maintain and you can easily create several affordable house projects from this.

Trimming the trees in your yard and planting a few flowers can do a lot to transform your home’s curb appeal. Annuals are pretty cheap and often come with their own potting soil filled with food and nutrients to keep the plant alive for at least 6 months.

You can even add curb appeal by installing a window box outside some of the main windows and filling it with flowers and greenery.

4. Install a Backsplash

Even if you can’t install cabinets, you might be able to do a kitchen backsplash. Keeping this project under $100 will depend on the type of tile you decide to use and how big your space is.

Our backsplash project was affordable because we went to a discount home store and used tiling that was in our budget. Some fancier tiles can easily cost $10+ per square foot. Ours was around $5 and you’ll likely even find basic styles like subway tile for $1 – $3 per square foot.

For this project, you’ll also need to purchase thinset, grout, a cutting tool to cut some of the tiles, and a level.

5. Paint the Interior of Your Home

Painting is one of the cheapest home projects you can do. If you can get you can get the whole family involved, the job will be done in no time.

Our sellers actually left us some paint and primer at the house and labeled each container with the name of the room it was used in. This was great to use for touch-ups.

Lowes will charge you around $4 for a sample paint can and you can purchase a decent-sized can of paint for $20-$40.

Spray paint cans are cheaper and may be ideal for smaller items and furniture you wish to update.

6. Fix or Replace Your Light Fixture

A new light fixture can change the entire look of the room. Plus, it’s an easy house project for $100 or less. You can find some nice ones for under $50. This is a quick and cheap project you can do especially if it’s something you’ve been putting off for a while.

7. Install New House Numbers

I hate when people don’t have the address number on their house or it’s super hidden. It makes it harder for me when I’m using directions to locate someone’s one.

My husband was slightly obsessed with putting new clearer address numbers on our home and I let him knock himself out with this $20 project.

8. Stain Your Bathroom Window

Window privacy is important, especially in your bathroom. When you have a window in your bathroom it might look weird to install curtains or blinds to cover it. What you can do is cover or stain the window in a creative way.

You can turn it into a painting project, or you can buy a peel and stick window film that is already colored and designed to fit your preferences.

9. Makeover Your Fireplace

If you have a fireplace, it’s probably one of the main focal points in your living room or family room. Why not make it stand out? If you have brick fireplace, you can either strip the color and restore it back to its original glory, or you can whitewash it to your liking.

10. Upgrade Your Home Decor

If anything, you can always update your decor. This can easily help turn your house into a home and it’s one of my favorite house projects for $100 or less because I can cover a lot of ground with $100. My husband and I love putting up pictures and I like organizational bins, table accents, decorative pillows, wall hangings, and canvases.

I like to look for home decor on sale anywhere I can find it. Some stores have discount or clearance sections, or I use Ebates to earn cash back when I’m shopping online.

I love canvases so I was super excited when Canvas on the Cheap reached out to me and offered to send me one for free. I customized a canvas with one of our wedding pictures last year as an anniversary gift and felt like my husband and I already had enough pictures of ourselves around the house so I ordered a canvas showing a view of Chicago’s Millennium Park.

I found a High Res image on Unsplash.com and like that you can just upload any picture you want to customize your canvas with Canvas on the Cheap.

In honor of our new house purchase, Canvas on the Cheap has decided to sponsor a free 16 x 20 canvas to one lucky reader as well so you can spruce up your home decor too.

I’m grateful for all the well wishes and support many of you have provided over these past few months. Even if you didn’t reach out and just read my posts and emails about our home search and process, that still means a lot to me that you took the time out to hear me out.

We’ve wanted to buy a home for a while now but wanted to get our finances more in order and were almost afraid to even set a goal because I didn’t know if it would happen with me being self-employed and having a fluctuating income.

That just goes to show you that you shouldn’t let your goals and desires scare you out of even researching and trying to see if you can bring it to fruition.

You can enter the giveaway below! I’ll be randomly selecting a winner next Friday, 7/27!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have you done any of these house projects for $100 or less lately? What’s on your home improvement to-do list for the next few weeks?

The post 10 House Projects You Can Do For $100 or Less first appeared on My Debt Epiphany.

The post 10 House Projects You Can Do For $100 or Less appeared first on My Debt Epiphany.