6 Surprisingly Simple Ways to Save Money (That You May Not Have Thought Of Yet!)

Let’s be real—saving money isn’t always fun. But what if I told you that a few clever (and even fun!) tweaks to your daily routine could help you keep more cash in your pocket?

I’m all about finding practical, low-effort ways to save because, honestly, who has time for complicated budgeting spreadsheets and extreme couponing marathons? I’ve never been able to get into that! So here are six unique ways to save money—without sacrificing little luxuries.

1. The “One-Week Pause” Rule 🛑

Impulse shopping is sneaky—it happens to all of us at some point. The next time you’re tempted to splurge on something non-essential, pause for one week. If you still want it after seven days, then go for it! More often than not, you’ll realize you don’t really want it or need it (which means you just saved yourself some cash).

2. The “No-Spend Swap” Challenge 🔄

Instead of buying something new, challenge yourself to swap it out with something you already own. Need a new outfit? Try mixing and matching pieces from your closet in new ways. Want a book? Check your bookshelf for one you haven’t read yet, swap books with a friend, or use your local library to borrow books. It’s a fun way to trick your brain into feeling like you’re getting something “new” without actually spending a dime.

3. Pay Yourself for Skipping Takeout 🍕➡️💰

Every time you skip takeout and cook at home, transfer the money you would have spent into your savings. If a pizza would’ve cost you $25, move that $25 to a separate “Treat Yourself Later” fund. You’ll be amazed at how quickly it adds up—and you’ll still get to enjoy a guilt-free splurge later!

4. The Subscription Audit 🔍

When was the last time you checked your subscriptions? Streaming services, apps, beauty boxes, gym memberships—those little charges add up fast. Do a quick audit of everything you’re subscribed to and ask yourself:
✅ Do I use this regularly?
✅ Can I share an account with family or friends?
✅ Is there a cheaper alternative?
Cutting just one or two unused subscriptions could save you hundreds a year! This is my downfall. I start a subscription to a new streaming service on Prime because there is something specific I want to watch, forget about it, and then months later realize I haven’t watched that channel in a while. I’ve been trying to clean up the channels I watch and only keep the ones I’m really going to use.

5. The Grocery “Use It Up” Week 🥫

Use up the groceries you already have at home.

This also forces you to be creative with your meals.

Once a month, dedicate a week to eating only what’s already in your fridge, freezer, and pantry. This is best done a week before your next grocery shopping trip. Get creative with your meals! It’s a great way to reduce food waste and save money on groceries at the same time.

My husband and I have made sure to do this in the last 6 months and have realized how much food we have sitting in our pantry that we always pass by. It also helps you get creative with items that you rarely use. The bonus is that we have also found that we’ve been eating much healthier because we are using our frozen vegetables, tins of sardines or tuna, frozen fish, and beans.

6. Set Up a “Fun Fund” (with Free Money!) 🎉

Saving doesn’t have to be boring! Use cashback apps like Rakuten, store rewards, or credit card perks to fund a special “fun” savings account. Whether it’s for a future vacation, a fancy coffee fund, or a new gadget, letting free money work for you makes saving feel like a game instead of a chore.

Saving money doesn’t have to mean cutting out all the fun. With a few small tweaks, you can keep more cash in your wallet without feeling deprived.

What’s your favorite way to save money? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your best tricks!