Are you looking for creative ways to save money? Sometimes, the best money-saving tips are the ones that are a little unconventional. In this article, we’ll explore 20 weird ways to save money that you might not have thought of before. From toilet tank tricks to DIY cleaning solutions, these tips can help you cut costs and stretch your budget further.
1. Make your own cleaning products
One way to save money is to make your own cleaning products. Instead of buying expensive cleaners from the store, you can make your own using simple ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice. Not only is this more cost-effective, but it’s also better for the environment since you’re not using harsh chemicals. I have switched to a combination of hoem made products and refillable monthly subscriptiosn for washing tablets instead of buying laundry detergent and I’m currently looking at options for toilet paper. These essential household items always affect your bank balance so it’s a good idea to do some research and work out the best value options to suit your lifestyle.
2. The pantry Challenge
Another way to save money is to try out the “pantry challenge.” This means eating only the food you have in your pantry and fridge instead of going out to eat or buying more groceries. It can be a fun way to get creative with your meals and save money at the same time. I would start by decluttering all the kitchen cupboards and storage spaces including the freezer. Write a list of what you have and then try to think about meal ideas. You might be surprised by just how much you have stored. It’s a good idea to check dates and get rid of things you do not need and also keep a track of what you tend to buy repeatedly. I have bad spending habits when it comes to herbs and spices so I have plans to put everything in to nice jars on display so I do not forget what I have and add paprika to my basket every time I am in store. There are some funny ways to enjoy this including having a “picky tea” and using all the random junk food in the freezer for a random meal – kids will love this crazy idea!
Whether you’re looking to save money on household expenses or just want to try something new, these weird ways to save money can help you reach your financial goals. So, let’s dive in and see what tips and tricks we can find!
3. Repurpose Everyday Items
If you’re looking for ways to save money, you don’t have to look any further than your own home. There are plenty of everyday items that you can repurpose to save money. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
First things first as you go through everything make sure you have a discard box or bag. Anything which still has life in it can be sold on vinted or donated to charity, theres a great market for second hand items and this could earn you some etxra pennies too. The first step is delving in to the cupbaords you don’t want to!
4. Turn Old T-Shirts into Cleaning Rags
Instead of buying expensive cleaning rags, why not repurpose your old t-shirts? Cut them up into smaller pieces and use them as cleaning rags. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also be doing your part for the environment by reducing waste. If you;re crafty then there’s lots of ideas for making all sorts of projects from random bits of cloth.
5. Reuse Glass Jars as Food Storage Containers
Instead of buying expensive food storage containers, reuse glass jars. They’re perfect for storing leftovers, snacks, and even bulk items like rice, pasta, and beans. Just make sure to clean them thoroughly before using them for food storage. I have turned some old jam jars in to beautiful cocktail glasses as it’s pretty trendy and I have also used them to displaay small bunches of flowers. I have even used jam jars to fill with sweets and treats for home made party favours and gifts. Using scraps of ribbon and stickers these are an easy way to reuse and recycle.
By repurposing everyday items, you can save money and reduce waste at the same time. It’s a win-win situation!
Adjust Your Living Situation
If you’re looking for ways to save money, adjusting your living situation can be a great place to start. Here are a couple of weird ways to save money by changing where and how you live.
6. Downsize Your Living Space
One obvious way to save money on housing is to downsize your living space. If you’re living in a large house or apartment, consider moving to a smaller one. This will not only save you money on rent or mortgage payments, but it will also reduce your utility bills and maintenance costs. You might be surprised how much money you can save by downsizing your living space. For example, if you’re currently paying £1,500 per month for a 2-bedroom apartment, you could save £300 per month by downsizing to a 1-bedroom apartment that costs £1,200 per month. That’s a savings of £3,600 by the end of the year.
7. Use less energy
This one might not be the most practical but another thing to think about is using less energy with your gas and electricty bill – you could reduce this by thinking about your living space. I have turned off the heating in rooms which are used less or do not need to be heated – for example the only time I am in my kitchen is when I am cooking so that radiator does not need to be on at all. I swap aroound the furniture in my downstairs rooms in the winter and put the sofa and television in the smaller room and the dining table goes in to the bigger room. This great tip gives a cosier vibe and takes less energy to heat up overall cutting down on energy costs and saving money on my electric bill.
8. House Sit for Others
Another way to save money on housing is to house sit for others. This can be a great option if you’re flexible and don’t mind living in different locations for short periods of time.
House sitting involves taking care of someone else’s home while they’re away. This can include tasks like watering plants, feeding pets, and keeping the home clean and tidy. In exchange, you get to live in the home rent-free.
There are many websites that connect house sitters with homeowners who need their homes taken care of while they’re away. Some of these websites include TrustedHousesitters.com, HouseSittersAmerica.com, and MindMyHouse.com. By house sitting for others, you can save money on rent or mortgage payments, and also get the opportunity to travel and explore new places.
If you can’t stretch to house sitting then you can conduct a house swap – a little bit like that Cameron Diaz / Kate Winslet movie. If you have friends or family in a different location then consider swapping houses to avoid paying over the odds on accomodation for a holiday. As long as you can get there at lower prices then this is a simple tip which could lead to so much fun.
9. Embrace Unconventional Transportation
When it comes to saving money, transportation is a big expense for many people. But there are unconventional ways to get around that can help you save money and even improve your health. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
10. Use a Bicycle for Errands
If you live in a city or town, using a bicycle for errands is a great way to save money on gas and parking fees. Plus, it’s a great way to get some exercise and fresh air. You don’t have to be a professional cyclist to ride a bike. Just make sure you have a good quality helmet and a sturdy bike lock. If you’re worried about getting lost, use a map app on your phone or print out a map of your route before you go.
11. Carpool with Neighbors
If you live in a suburban area, carpooling with neighbors can be a great way to save money on gas and wear and tear on your car. Plus, it’s a great way to get to know your neighbors better. You can take turns driving or chip in for gas money. Make sure to set clear expectations about pick-up times and drop-off locations to avoid any confusion. This is one of the best ideas for saving time and money – you could do this both for work and for the school run.
By embracing unconventional transportation methods like biking and carpooling, you can save money and reduce your carbon footprint. Also look at public transport options in your area and any offers and disocunts associated iwth their use. As local councils attempt to encourage uptake on buses and trains you might find that local attractions have discounted entry to ticket holders. You may also find that children and pensioners can travel for free or at heavily subsidised rates. Travelling off peak or with open returns can also save money and that extra time spent on transport can give you teh opportunity to read a book or check emails which you do not get to do when you’re caught in traffic in the car. Give it a try and see how much you can save!
12. Challenge Conventional Shopping
When it comes to saving money, challenging conventional shopping habits can be a great way to cut costs without sacrificing quality. Try switching to your local budget supermarket and looking around for the best deals. I buy my eggs from a random place I pass by every weekend, I saw a little cardboard sign and an honesty box so I pay for fresh free range locally sourced eggs which are much better quality than shop bought eggs. Here are a few unconventional shopping tips that can help you save money:
13. Buy Groceries in Bulk
Buying groceries in bulk is a great way to save money on your grocery bill. Many grocery stores offer discounts when you buy in bulk, so take advantage of these deals by stocking up on non-perishable items like canned goods, pasta, rice, and cereal. You can also buy meat in bulk and freeze it for later use. Not only will buying in bulk save you money, but it can also save you time by reducing the number of trips you need to make to the grocery store. There are usually a wide range of offers and different ways to approach this. I tend to look at the best prices by comparing between different stores and also lookinh at pack sizes and costs per kilogram too. Store brands are just as good as normal brands these days so don’t be a snob about the labels. Good food is good food!
14. yellow stickers and Offers
Keep an eye on discounts in supermarkets at certain times of day. This is very store dependant but quite often I find fresh fruits and things with a time limit on their use by date are heavily discounted. If i can make use of these on the day of purchase / very next day or freeze them for later use then these are a great addition to the shopping cart. I have also got apps such as “too good to go” – they can be hit and miss but if you’re open to a surprise and enjoy the restaurant then it’s worth testing it out.
15. Take your own bags
Even before the tax on plastic bags was introduced I have been reusing bags when I do my grocery shopping. All these pennies add up and any small change that you would spend on these can be saved and put to better use elsewhere. Plus it’s also good for the environment so you’re winning all round. Not a crazy idea but next time you go to the cra pop a few bags or a box in the boot so you have it to hand.
16. Purchase Clothes Off-Season
Buying clothes off-season is a great way to save money on your wardrobe. Retailers often mark down seasonal items at the end of the season to make room for new inventory. For example, you can buy winter coats and boots at a discount in the spring, or summer dresses and sandals at a discount in the fall. By planning ahead and buying off-season, you can save a lot of money on your clothing purchases. My advice would be to stick to classic looks and your wardrobe colour pallet. Anything too trendy will go out of style but there are certain things which never lose their value. If it’s for yourself and you know your size then thats easy. If you’re buying for kids then think about how much they will potentially grow by the next season and buy a size ahead.
17. Check your subscriptions
I like to regularly check my banking app for subscriptions. Keep an eye on any direct debits you may be paying out without even realising, look at your bank statements too. Free trials on apps always catch me out as I forget to cancel them – I check these in my phone settings too. All too often these small charges are taken off my debit cards every month without me even noticing. Kepp an eye on permissions on all of your childrens devices and things they have access to – Alexa can be a culprit as can in app and in game purchases on consoles. Cancel everything you do not need or plan to use, and also look at how you could potentially get lower rates and spend less money on essential services. Just making a call to your service providers and streaming services can save money as attempting to cancel a service will prompt a customer service agent to offer you a better deal which saves extra money in the long run.
18. Bank account management
I am a horror for impulse purchases, so now I keep my money in a bank account which I do not carry the cards around for. This means that if I want to make an impulse purchase I am forced to log in to my online banking app to transfer the money across. This means that I get the chance to check my actual bank balance before making these uneccessary impulse buys. I have often saved myself huge amounts by giving myself thinking time and whilst my phone is in my hand I can compare the costs of items – online shopping is where I can save the most money.
Take the time out to thorougly research your investment accounts and make the right choices when it comes to high-yield savings account options. Quite often there are optiosn to transfer credit card balances and switch accounts to make your money work for you. Get all your money questions answered before makingbig financial decisions.
19. Check meal deals and offers
Eating out is a luxury but there are still ways to save money. Looking out for free meals is the best thing I can suggest. During school holidays many places offer kids eat free or two for the price of one deals. Eating earlier or at off peak times can also be cheaper as there are different menus available during lunch and weekday services if these times are available to you. Also keep an eye on apps and savings from fast-food restaurants. Points and rewards can stack up and often have a use by date so once you have enough money for a portion of fries or a drink then go ahead and treat yourself.
20. Money Saving
I have downloaded a couple of different things to try out, my favourite money-saving app collects the loose change from every time I use my debit card. Girl maths is that when something costs £1.70 you will round it up to £2 – so that 30p gets collected and deposited in to a savings account. These small amounts of loose change add up over the course of a month and before you know it you have reached a savings goal. This is one of the best ways to save money without even realising it and its a great way to build up an emergency fund and set savings goals. I have different apps such as “snoop” where I track all of my monthly spending and set specfic goal amounts for my budgets including eating out, entertainment and even car expenses. I get notified when I am nearing my spending goals and this gives me enough time to reconsider plans or adjust my spending to make sure I am within my budget.
By challenging conventional shopping habits, you can save money without sacrificing quality. Buying groceries in bulk and purchasing clothes off-season are just a few examples of unconventional shopping tips that can help you save money.
