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With the cost of living rising, people are looking for simple ways to save money. According to a survey by Forbes Advisor, 46% of Americans expect to save more in 2024 than they did in 2023. Gen Z is primarily saving for a car, Millennials and Gen X for an emergency fund, and Baby Boomers say they're focused on retirement savings.

If you're looking into how to start saving more, Pandas, we've got some tips for you right here. We've compiled people's advice from two threads online, where they shared simple but efficient ways to be more frugal. Who knows, maybe you'll learn something new? And if you know any clever ways to save money, share them with us in the comments. Sharing is caring!

#1

30 Clever Money Saving Hacks That People Tend To Overlook, As Shared By Folks Online This will get lost but hopefully it will help the one person who reads to the bottom:

Carry with you the knowledge that your parents and grandparents didn't magically start out with a house full of bathrooms, stainless appliances, multiple TV's and other electronics. Granite.

Its OK to not have everything, to accumulate your stuff over time.
Don't get suckered in by the lifestyle TV shows or articles online or from your peer group.

Its OK and financially responsible to defer gratification...it will come.

Anabeer , Pixabay / pexels Report

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Papa
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a big one. I've often seen young married couples who want everything their parents have, but they want it right now, not after working for 30 or 40 years, and if someone will loan them the money they'll get it.

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#2

30 Clever Money Saving Hacks That People Tend To Overlook, As Shared By Folks Online On every payday, I move half of what I had leftover from last pay period over into my savings account. (Paying yourself). Sometimes it's not a lot but it has added up quickly. I also add 5$ to each of my kids savings accounts every payday. They each have over $1,000 and my personal savings has just reached 5 figures. As a single mom, who has always lived paycheck to paycheck, I have surprised myself.

cupcakejenn , Karolina Kaboompics / pexels Report

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censorshipsucks
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

left over money from a last pay period?! ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

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#3

30 Clever Money Saving Hacks That People Tend To Overlook, As Shared By Folks Online Whenever you feel the urge to buy a non necessity, give yourself a couple of days before you buy it. Often times, the impulse will have passed and you'll be glad to still have the money.

OpinelNo8 , Diana / pexels Report

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Magenta Blu
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Days pass and i spent the money on food anyway.. and still need a pair of shoes that which prize had risen...

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#4

30 Clever Money Saving Hacks That People Tend To Overlook, As Shared By Folks Online Rice. That son of a b***h goes with everything.

Even rice.

this_is_original1 , Alesia Kozik / pexels Report

#5

30 Clever Money Saving Hacks That People Tend To Overlook, As Shared By Folks Online - If you are a student - Learn to cook.

- If you are working - Bring lunch to work every day. You'll save a lot of money.

- When you go shopping, especially grocery shopping: make a list and stick to it. And never grocery shop on an empty stomach. Or after a busy day or week. You'll be more inclined to buy bad food and make poorer purchasing decisions

People waste a ton of money ordering food and prepared stuff. Just look up some tutorials and save some real money.

Sumit316 , cottonbro studio / pexels Report

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Alexia
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a student with little to no resources, I discovered frozen veggies. Cheap and nutritious, you only need a pan and some salt, and here's your meal. Life savers.

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#6

30 Clever Money Saving Hacks That People Tend To Overlook, As Shared By Folks Online A trick that always works for me is to think about how many hours wages I am spending on something. As someone who previously had a huge spending problem, this has helped me realise that I've worked hard for my money, and I'd rather be working my a*s off for a stress free life financially than living pay day to pay day buying meaningless s**t.

diddlesdiddles , Tima Miroshnichenko / pexels Report

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arthbach
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The follow up to this trick is to take the money you were thinking about spending, and squirrelling it away into a savings account.

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#7

30 Clever Money Saving Hacks That People Tend To Overlook, As Shared By Folks Online Make as much food as you can. Buying lunch every day at work adds up.

Statscollector , Boca Dorada / flickr Report

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Rayne OfSalt
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, nah. I'll just make my one cup noodle at a time, thank you very much. Only a schmuck prepares cup noodles in advance.

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#8

30 Clever Money Saving Hacks That People Tend To Overlook, As Shared By Folks Online Counterintuitive but buy the best you can afford and take good care of your stuff. Since you know you have the best you can afford you don't have the constant itch to replace and upgrade.

For example, buy quality clothes, get them tailored so that they fit (no stretching to wear them out) and then clean them correctly. Rather then constantly buying/replacing cheap stuff keep good stuff long-term. Same thing with cars, appliances, etc.

Good quality has higher upfront costs but can have long term savings.

CaffeineChristine , Erik Mclean / pexels Report

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Kim Kermes
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Shoes! 2 pair of quality shoes worn alternate days will last 3 times as long as one worn daily. Of course, Capt. Vimes boot theory comes in to play.

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#9

30 Clever Money Saving Hacks That People Tend To Overlook, As Shared By Folks Online I pay with credit card for everything I buy. I get points from my credit card. I pay off my credit card in full each month and there are no fees for the card. Essentially MasterCard pays me several hundred dollars a year for using their card

If you are actually good with money and credit

gonecrazy_backsoon , Cup of Couple / pexels Report

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Michael Largey
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Rule of thumb. If you're doing well enough financially to not actually need a credit card, it may be safe to use one. It's people who really need credit cards who are the ones who should avoid using them.

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#10

30 Clever Money Saving Hacks That People Tend To Overlook, As Shared By Folks Online Pay your credit card off completely every month. Don't let it accumulate interest. Don't purchase things you don't have the cash for. Too many people get over their heads in credit card debt and its hard to dig yourself out at 18% interest.

Swarleysmomma , Cup of Couple / pexels Report

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Wintermute
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You guys are getting 18%?! Damn, which company. My credit score is in the 830s and they just bumped mine to 27%. Fortunately I don't have to use it, but one minor accident and Visa will own my a*s forever.

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#11

30 Clever Money Saving Hacks That People Tend To Overlook, As Shared By Folks Online Quit drinking alcohol and cigarettes. Theyre both money suckers that make you unhealthy.

MACKSBEE , Craig Dennis / flickr Report

#12

30 Clever Money Saving Hacks That People Tend To Overlook, As Shared By Folks Online Make a game of going as many days as you can without spending a penny. Excluding absolute necessities like gas/groceries/bills. Works like a charm for me.

WunderDude , Karolina Kaboompics / pexels Report

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Magenta Blu
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ha, that's how I live. No money left after, but i least I'm no homeless. I can't get sick tho, because I wouldn't be able to afford it, but I just avoid thinking of this and that's works like a charm too.

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#13

30 Clever Money Saving Hacks That People Tend To Overlook, As Shared By Folks Online You don't have to pay for the basic necessities if you go to prison for Tax Evasion

anon , Donald Tong / pexels Report

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Michael Largey
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not a foolproof plan. As a former IRS auditor, I can tell you that most people don't earn enough money to owe enough taxes to go to jail for not paying. You'll get charged with Civil Fraud so you can keep working to pay the government the taxes, the interest, the penalties, and the fine.

Magenta Blu
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Completely true for any crime, including the most hideous and atrocious crimes, while victims still have to struggle on daily basis... I wish I had gone to prison instead of my abuser.. i would have everything granted, food, bed, roof and specially free lawyers

Not Bored
Community Member
3 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This. At least in Canada. One can get free dental and health care. This. And the Correctional Service of Canada will cover your medical and dental costs. Plus they will help people to upgrade their education. What's not to like

Charlotte
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What's not to like is the company you will be forced to keep, the lack of privacy, and absolutely no control over your day

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censorshipsucks
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

but you also get abused and traumatised. Unless you do it in scandinavia.

Magenta Blu
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most of the people get abused and traumatized in their jobs anyway.. and they still don't get a minimum living wage

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#14

30 Clever Money Saving Hacks That People Tend To Overlook, As Shared By Folks Online Buy greeting cards at the Dollar Store.

I get greeting cards for 99 cents that are as good - or better - than ones selling for $4.99+ elsewhere.

anon , Open Grid Scheduler / flickr Report

#15

30 Clever Money Saving Hacks That People Tend To Overlook, As Shared By Folks Online Buy store brands

buy in quantity when stuff on sale. i like a particular toothpaste but it is expensive, except every few months it goes on sale for like 1/3 off. when that happens i buy 6 or 8 tubes, then i've got a supply until it goes on sale again.

i do that with a lot of stuff, even cheap stuff. like soda. 2 liter bottles are usually between $1.00 and $1.50 each. i just bought a dozen bottles of my favorites for $0.88 each. yeah, my average savings is maybe $0.25 each but it adds up. I do the same with cereals, sometimes the $4.00/box is on sale for $1.75 so i buy six of them.

nucumber , Miriam Alonso / pexels Report

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Magenta Blu
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3 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My grandma did this, but there is no way I can afford bulk buying. If I buy a dozen soap bars, then I can't buy bread... So I have to buy bread and groceries and one soap bar if i can squeeze it between.

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#16

30 Clever Money Saving Hacks That People Tend To Overlook, As Shared By Folks Online Look at your bank statement. Actually look at where your money goes.

tallish_possum , Liza Summer / pexels Report

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Garth
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Look at your monthly transactions. I found a forgotten online subscription that was on autopay hitting once a year.

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#17

30 Clever Money Saving Hacks That People Tend To Overlook, As Shared By Folks Online Don't waste money buying water in jugs. Instead, buy powdered water. Comes in boxes. Cheaper. Just add water.

AsianHawke , Pixabay / pexels Report

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troufaki13
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can also boil some water and put it in the freezer. This way you can have boiled water any time you need it! 😅

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#18

30 Clever Money Saving Hacks That People Tend To Overlook, As Shared By Folks Online Cook. For f***s sakes cook. Take out, drive thru and delivery adds up.

Every month or so I make a batch of 15-18 meat balls ($12 of lean ground beef) and sauce and freeze them in old yogurt tubs. A tub can hold 2 portions which I thaw in a small pot over low heat. Boil up some spaghettini once the sauce is almost thawed (about 45 minutes), load up some glassware and you've got lunch figured out for tomorrow and the next day. Delicious, cheap, filling and microwavable.

Pro tip: good spaghetti sauce doesn't come from a glass jar.

anon , Mikhail Nilov / pexels Report

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arthbach
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Take your frozen food, and put it in the fridge. With a lunch-sized portion, it will be fully defrosted in 24 hours.

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#19

30 Clever Money Saving Hacks That People Tend To Overlook, As Shared By Folks Online Ask yourself if you need it or only want it.

If you want it, but don't need it. Give yourself 24 hours to decide whether it's worth purchasing.

TrickyWenis , Ron Lach / pexels Report

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Dragons Exist
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But who decides "need"? If "need" only means "need it to live" then never buying anything fun or that makes you happy could affect that

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#20

30 Clever Money Saving Hacks That People Tend To Overlook, As Shared By Folks Online Drink at home, alone. No buying drinks, no tipping, and nobody will judge you for drinking the cheapest stuff you can.

SlightlyStable , Pixabay / pexels Report

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LapCat
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Be careful though, as this did become a problem for me. I was drinking too much at home alone to save money and the first issue I noticed was unhealthy weight gain.

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#21

30 Clever Money Saving Hacks That People Tend To Overlook, As Shared By Folks Online When you're about to buy something, imagine a person holding the product in hand and it's worth cash in other hand. If you're picking cash, don't buy it.

ckreddituf , Karolina Kaboompics / pexels Report

#22

30 Clever Money Saving Hacks That People Tend To Overlook, As Shared By Folks Online I was quite bad for really wanting things and buying them as soon as I got paid, of course as the end of the month came near I had barely any money left and struggled. To fix this, instead of buying things at the start of the month I decided to buy things at the end of the month if I still had enough of that months wages left over to do so. If I didn't then I did the same again and wait till the end of the next month, and of course last months leftovers plus the new months wage by the end of the 2nd month I had enough, and sometimes saved money as the item was now cheaper.

Basically patience and timing means I can still have the things I want and not be struggling near the end of the month, I'm in a much better place financially now.

DarkangelUK , Thirdman / pexels Report

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#23

30 Clever Money Saving Hacks That People Tend To Overlook, As Shared By Folks Online If you have kids, buy what you can used. Toys, clothing, furniture etc. They go through clothes so fast, so paying full price is stupid, you can often find brand new with tags stuff at the goodwill, garage sales or local buy and sell pages.

Thrifting your own clothing isn't a bad idea either.

funsizedsamurai , cottonbro studio / pexels Report

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liz MacClain
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My son wore second hand rummage sale clothes for the first 6 years of his life. He outgrew things in sometimes WEEKS so I saved a lot by doing that. I also registered for diapers, wipes etc for my baby shower

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#24

30 Clever Money Saving Hacks That People Tend To Overlook, As Shared By Folks Online I made an Excel spreadsheet to budget with. Has all my bills, what I make each month, and what to put aside to save any specific amount. So far this year alone, I've managed to save $4,000.

anaslex247365 , Wavebreakmedia / envatoelements Report

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Mike F
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And, save them for tax time. You have everything you need to file.

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#25

30 Clever Money Saving Hacks That People Tend To Overlook, As Shared By Folks Online Don't buy anything bigger than $20 unless you've given yourself at least a day to think it over (obviously excluding gasoline, groceries, and other necessities). A lot of people buy stupid s**t in the moment and regret it not long after.

ShlomoKenyatta , Kampus Production / pexels Report

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#26

30 Clever Money Saving Hacks That People Tend To Overlook, As Shared By Folks Online I once bought a 500 pack of teabags. That was 3 years ago. I ran out this week.

HearingSword , Michael Pardo / flickr Report

#27

30 Clever Money Saving Hacks That People Tend To Overlook, As Shared By Folks Online Potatoes. Keep plenty of them in stock - they can sit for a long time in the pantry or fridge, they're versatile, easy to cook, and filling.

Aggyness , Pixabay / pexels Report

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Becky Samuel
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Potatoes used to keep so well. Nowadays they're all over-washed and packaged in sweaty plastic, so they go damp, moldy, and sprouty in less than a week.

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#28

30 Clever Money Saving Hacks That People Tend To Overlook, As Shared By Folks Online Get water with your meal when you eat out. $1-$4 savings immediately.

SpockHasLeft , Ron Lach / pexels Report

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censorshipsucks
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Depends on whether it's tap or bottle. Restaurants here default to bottle unless you specify tap.

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#29

30 Clever Money Saving Hacks That People Tend To Overlook, As Shared By Folks Online Don't spend money.

Ha, but really don't waste money on "sales" for things you don't need, do meal prepping, make a budget for yourself, carry cash as it's harder to spend money when you can actually see it, sign up for email newsletters and use coupons whenever possible, and cut out anything unnecessary or that doesn't serve a really positive purpose in your life.

Leegala , Ivan Samkov / pexels Report

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#30

30 Clever Money Saving Hacks That People Tend To Overlook, As Shared By Folks Online I always get my change at put it in my piggy bank - yes it's a pug, a chalkboard pig so it's tons of fun to draw on. I very rarely use cash as I like my reward points but it still comes out to $100+ every year.

Don't feel bad for getting your change. So many people walk out without it thinking it's what you're supposed to do. . .but now your $2.56 coffee every morning costs $3, that's 20% more!

egnards , maitree rimthong / pexels Report

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I_imagine_even_worse_w***s
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Must be a cultural thing where people tend to leave change ...presumably as a tip? Nit the norm here.

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Note: this post originally had 50 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.