Money doesn’t grow on trees — but what if it did? With the right money hacks, you can make your wallet feel a whole lot fatter without planting a single seed.
Sick of the paycheck-to-paycheck grind? Me too! Time to flip the script and save more money this year. These bold, no-nonsense tips will show you how to stretch every last dollar, build your emergency fund, and claw your way toward financial freedom. Sneaky shopping tricks, genius ways to rake in extra cash — this list is packed with advice that actually works.
Ready to save big without giving up the good stuff? Let’s do this!
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1. Stop Paying Full Price
Ladies, repeat after me — full price is a scam. A little cheesy? Perhaps, but the reality is this: with a little effort and planning to shop smart, you’ll save loads at checkout…repeatedly.
Start using online tools like Honey, My Points, Fetch, or Rakuten to score discount codes and find deals and cashback opportunities when shopping. They’re out there just waiting for you to find them. Many retailers even offer discounts for signing up for their email lists or rewards programs — so don’t be shy about snagging those deals. Own them!
Bookmark apps like RetailMeNot and Slickdeals to easily find promotions, beauty deals, and other killer sales and promos from your favorite brands, but don’t stop there. Stack them with credit card perks, sales, digital and physical coupons, and rebates (more on the credit card perks later) for maximum impact.
2. Stack Coupons Like a Pro
Your mom and grandma knew something about couponing, and she likely didn’t do it for something fun to do on a Saturday night, either. In fact, couponing isn’t just for your grandmother — it’s a legit financial weapon in any frugal shopper’s arsenal. But you gotta do it the right way, ladies. Toss the guesswork and get purposeful with it.
Start by looking up store coupon policies online. You need to know the rules for each store before you shop. Many will double coupons, but only up to a certain dollar amount. Some allow you to combine one store coupon and one manufacturer coupon on the same product for double the savings (but those stores are few, so watch for them). And if you find them? Double down on your efforts there because double savings = double the satisfaction. It’s a win-win scenario.
As of the date of this article, Family Dollar still allows you to use one manufacturer’s coupon and one store coupon (digital coupon counts) for the same item. You can read through their coupon policy online for more details. And you’ll find store coupon policies on its website for any store you shop that accepts coupons.
Pro Tip: Only use coupons for products you already buy or plan to try.
3. Time Your Purchases Perfectly
Want to know the secret sauce to budget-friendly shopping? It’s all about timing your purchases. Think clearance items, seasonal sales, and in-season produce. These sales are your new besties. Stores often drop prices on specific items at predictable times throughout the year.
Stick to buying fresh fruits and vegetables in season when possible — they’re also tastier and more affordable for your food budget. Need to make larger purchases like appliances or furniture? Shop during big sales events like Black Friday, Labor Day, or at the end of the fiscal year when stores are clearing out inventory to make way for new stock.
Check apps like Flipp to view local sales flyers and plan your purchases with sales to maximize savings.
4. Slay Your Bills
Nothing gets my ‘knickers’ in a twist more than handing over my hard-earned money to my monthly bills. Yes, I’m joking. Bills — any bills — are the bane of your wallet. But some of them are necessary to maintain your four walls of living.
- Mortgage or rent
- Food
- Utilities
- Transportation costs
These are the most important and the ones you must prioritize. All the rest are secondary. And while necessary, having bills doesn’t mean you must pay every cent you’ve earned. If high monthly bills drain your wallet, it’s time to put your foot down.
Service providers (like internet or cable companies) are often more flexible than they seem, especially if you mention you’re considering switching to their competitors. Call them up and negotiate payment terms or a discount.
5. Bundle up, Buttercup!
Bundle services like insurance, cable, and internet to lower your overall cost. But compare prices before diving in. Bundling usually saves money, but not always. Remember, knowledge is power. So, empower yourself first.
Want another money hack? Continually reevaluate any memberships or subscriptions you no longer use or use often enough to rationalize the spend. That gym membership you forgot about? Cancel it, snag yourself some DIY workout gear to use at home, and save those dollars!
Heck! Even things you’ve already got can double for a home workout. I use my front porch steps for stair climbing. Do passing passersby toss me the side brow? Maybe, but who cares. Let them do them. You do you.
6. Avoid Unnecessary Spending
Sometimes, we buy stuff we don’t need. There was a killer sale. It was on clearance. We’ve got a plan for it later. The problem is, later never comes. It keeps getting pushed off while life happens. That item is forgotten and collecting dust and sucking up space somewhere in the back of the closet.
Sound familiar? Trust me, it hits home for me, too. Been there and done that far too many times. In fact, I still have things I need to use or purge today. Sad, but true.
You can save money by asking yourself, “Is this a need or a want?” and “When and how will I use this?” Be specific, or pass it by. By avoiding spending on things you hope to someday use — or just because of items — you’ll save yourself a stack of cash and a headache later.
7. Cash Back or Bust — Earn While You Spend
Why buy stuff when you can get paid to shop? Cashback credit cards like those recommended on WalletHub make earning a percentage back on your purchases easy. WalletHub Premium offers some amazing budgeting and credit report tools, debt and net worth trackers, and so much more. This is one tool I highly recommend for any gal looking to embrace her inner money maven and rock her finances all year long.
Combine that with store programs designed to help you save, like Amazon Prime, and you’ve got a sweet little payday every time you stock up on those must-have items.
8. Get Paid to Do What You’re Already Doing
Errands are another way to rake in some dough. They are a necessary time suck to get things done. But what if you could turn that time suck on its head and earn extra cash while running those errands?
Say hello to apps like TaskRabbit, Uber Eats, Gigwalk, DoorDash, and Rover. Whether out for your daily walk, shopping, or grabbing takeout, you can earn for those tasks and help someone else, including a furry, four-legged friend. And you can do it all on YOUR schedule!
9. Turn Your Passion into Side Income
Got a knack for writing, art, baking, or even social media? Turn that talent into cash, ladies! Start a blog and build a dedicated following to make money online. Freelance your writing or editing skills on WorkGenius or Upwork for extra cash. You can also become a DoorDasher or Uber driver and earn extra money in your free time. These are great ways to earn extra cash, whether you need a little more wiggle room, are saving for a rainy day, saving for something special, or even trying to keep college costs down.
Heck! I know someone who drove for DoorDash to cover her car payment and give herself some extra monthly financial wiggle room by investing just a few hours a week after her day job.
Love social media? Don’t we all! You can also build an influencer profile by sharing your favorite products, how you use them, and why you love them. As you build a strong and engaged following, monetize your influence with brand partnerships. The options are endless!
10. Rent Out Your Stuff
When did you last use that pasta maker, luggage set, or extra camping gear? Instead of letting these items gather dust, why not rent them out and earn cash?
Websites like Fat Llama make it easy to lend everyday items — from kitchen gadgets to tools, even spare driveways — to people who need them, all while you make a little extra money. After a quick search of Fat Llama, I found that I could rent a pasta maker for $12 to $25 per day.
Now, imagine if that were your pasta maker that you were renting.
Items sitting around collecting dust could be collecting cash instead. So, go ahead. Put your household things to work.
11. Start Small and Build Momentum
Financial wins, big or small, are worth celebrating because they help you build a saving habit! So, start small — round up your purchases with apps like Acorns to save spare change seamlessly.
Better yet? Do what I do and automate savings transfers from every paycheck, so a fixed amount or percentage of each paycheck is added to your savings account. Small steps lead to big wins.
Stop Waiting—Start Saving Like a Genius Today!
Saving money doesn’t mean sacrificing the things you love, nor should it! It’s about spending smarter, not harder, and leveling up your money goals. Try these eleven genius money hacks, and watch how small efforts free up more cash.
Want more tips on balancing your budget and living large on less? Subscribe to the Frugal Hen blog today to keep leveling up your money game!
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I always enjoy your posts!
Thank you, Crystal. I appreciate your comment.