Clever Ways to Spend Less Money This Month

A lot of us, and I mean a lot of us spend so much money on unnecessary things. From splurge shopping to dropping $50 on lunch with friends, we really do let our money go to waste. And most of the time, we spend money out of pleasure… Yes, I’m admitting it. I’m the type of person to drop $100 on a bottle of wine, and I actually have once (but I slightly don’t regret it) — but my wallet wasn’t too happy. I could've used that $100 to pay off some of my credit card debt. Instead, I added more onto my plate and soon I'll be drowning in debt if I don't start spending less these days.

It does sound hard, I know. Spending less? How? Well, that's why I'm here to give you tips and advise on how to manage your money wisely, and not do what I did, despite how tasteful that wine was. Yes, I know there are cheaper wine bottles out there, but that's not the point. The point is that money is actually really simple to use, but complex to save. Almost every single day we're spending money on either food, bills, car issues, clothes — some of us spend what we make and that's definitely not how it should be. So, these really easy and painless money lifehacks on how to save money can save you and your bank account. Consider any of these clever ways to spend less money.

Turn off the lights and television.

Many of us love flipping lights in the house and turning on the television when it's too quiet... Well, quit it. You're actually adding more onto your electricity bill.

So, if you aren't using a room in the place, turn the lights off in there. What about TV? Close that too if you aren't using it. There's literally no point in having the television on if you aren't watching anything. Also, there's nothing wrong with having silence in the house — this will get you to focus more on working or even reading.

Start selling.

One of the best ways to spend less money is selling things that are laying around the place that you don't need or want — like a yard sale! All those clothes, devices, kitchen tools, furniture, and other belongings that you don't want anymore can be sold to people who will actually use them.

Drink more water.

Your body literally doesn't need anything but water when you're parched. Yes, it's odd for me to say when a lot of us enjoy drinking sodas, juices, and wine... But water is not only cheaper than those drinks, but healthier for you.

However, when you're heading to work or going out, try not to drink from plastic water bottles. Instead, drink out of water bottles that are made out of either metal, or glass. This way you won't have to keep spending money on plastic bottles.

Always do price comparisons.

At grocery stores or when clothes shopping, always compare prices. There are certain brands that are pricier than others. So, the brands that you know are cheaper but still are good quality, stick to those. This even goes for foods such as chicken, fish, or beef. Certain meat brands are cheaper than others, so try to stick with those since you're spending much less.

Use your freezer more often.

From ways to spend less money, your freezer should be your best friend, lifesaver, and one of the most used things in your kitchen. Storing most foods in your freezer will keep them fresh for longer periods of time compared to putting foods in a regular refrigerator.

In your freezer, you should store all of your meats, breads, meal preps, etc. to keep them fresh so you can eat them either a week later or even weeks later, because they'll still be in good condition to eat! Just make sure you give food enough time to thaw once removed from the freezer.

Buy almost everything used.

We all want the newest and untouched versions of cars, textbooks, devices, etc., but to save more money, try getting your hands on used items that aren't too damaged. Trust me, there are used cars and textbooks that look brand new — used doesn't always mean cheap looking.

And when you're about to buy a used item, make sure you ask the seller multiple questions from the condition to how long they've been using it. Try to get the most information as possible, or else you'll be caught off guard when your car suddenly breaks down or that iPod completely shuts down. Be fully aware of what exactly you're buying all the time.

Write up grocery lists and stick to them!

If you're a food lover like me, we always leave the grocery store needing three things and leaving with 20. That's not what taking a quick trip to the grocery store should be.

When it's time to stock up on food, always make a grocery list and go by it! Don't trail off and head to the junk area to find your arms filled with chips, cookies, and candy. If you need chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, olive oil, and everything else to make proper meals, then buy those only. No matter how much junk food satisfies our sweet cravings, they aren't good for you. So, leave all those bags of chips at the store — one of the best ways to spend less money.

Stick to either one or no credit card.

I'm convinced that credit cards were invented by the devil himself. Because we know that credit cards don't directly take money out of our bank accounts, that's how we keep spending! It's like an addictive drug. And when it comes to online shopping? Forget about it. I'd have to cut my card in half to stop myself.

But honestly, own at least one credit card — that's all you need when you need to spend on big things. Don't have three of five, because you'll be suffering with all that debt. Either one credit card or none is the smartest choice you can make.

Avoid eating out a lot.

This is a major one from the ways to spend less money: stop eating out too much. Many of us are willing to drop $60 on food but hesitate to spend that much on repairing a car or buying shoes that you need. It's actually ridiculous.

There's no point in eating out when there's food at home. And try to bring food to work almost everyday. The nights before, prepare meals to bring to work or bring leftovers from dinner to work. Really try to avoid eating out, because nothing takes away your money faster than eating out.

You don’t always need the updated version of your phone.

Cellphones were originally made to make phone calls and even text message — basically communicating. But ever since 2010s rolled along, phones became more complicated and expanded their capabilities, including social media, taking photos, managing emails, etc.

Whatever cellphone you have now, you really don't need the updated version of it. So, if you have an iPhone, any version of it, you don't have to get the updated one — it literally does the same things. The only difference is the displays and format... that's it. You can still make calls, text, go through social media, and all that. So, there is no reason to spend $400 on the latest version when it just looks different.

Try cutting your own hair.

If you're experienced, kind of know what you're doing, or know someone who can cut hair for free, than consider those rather than getting a hair cut from a hair salon. Getting hair cuts these days can be a bit pricy, especially depending on the hair salon. That's why one of the best ways to spend less money is to cut your own hair.

If you're inexperienced, you don't have to cut your hair in any crazy way. A simple trim if that's what you're looking for. But this doesn't mean you have to go out and buy the best hair buzzers, scissors, or brushes. A cheap buzzer and scissors will do. And as a tip for those who don't know how to properly cut hair, go slow.

Repair clothes rather than throwing them out.

If there's a hole, small or large, in your jeans, shirt, sweatshirt, or any piece of clothing, this doesn't mean that it's useless and should go straight to the garbage. You can repair them! If you know how to sew or know someone who can, you can easily stitch up the holes and rips in your clothing.

Or, teach yourself how to sew — it's a really handy skill when it comes to issues like these. So, don't throw out that sweater that you ripped recently, get it fixed. And so what if you have holes in your jeans, that's the style now, right?

Invite friends over instead of going out.

Going out with friends most of the time means spending money. Wasting money on food, drinks, transportation, etc., it can be expensive depending on where you and your friends hang out. But you don't have to go out with friends every weekend, consider inviting them over. Whip out some snacks, drinks, and your friends can bring a few things, too — one of the great ways to spend less money.

Not only is this a much cheaper choice to hang with pals, but it's definitely a better time, because you're with your friends and that's all that matters (from my perspective). As a plus, you don't have to worry about how you're getting home after a few cups of that cheap wine that you were smart enough to buy... because you're already at home! Just don't let your friends who are driving drink (they can drink next time when they aren't driving).

Borrow books, music, and DVDs from your local library.

From ways to spend less money, many people don't think of this, but you can actually borrow books, music CDs, and even DVDs at your local library for free! You just have to be a member at your local library and you're good to borrow almost whatever you want. Just make sure you return anything that you borrowed, or else they'll charge you with a certain fee.

But a lot of people think that the library is an "uncool" place. It's actually one of the greatest places you can visit, because you can borrow forms of entertainment for free and for a long period of time — depending on what you borrow. So next time you check out a DVD that costs more than your grocery bill, see if your town's library has the DVD, then you can watch it for free!

Stop speeding.

In general you shouldn't speed, but speeding can actually kill your gas more quickly. Plus, if you get caught, speeding tickets aren't cheap, buddy, depending on how much you were above the speed limit.

So, stay around the speed limit to save your gas and your wallet.

Make DIY gifts instead of buying.

This is a fun one from ways to spend less money — DIY gifts! Buying gifts can be expensive at times, so why not make gifts from your own creativity? If you're gifting a family member or a close friend, I'm sure they'll love whatever you give them that you solely made with your two hands.

There are a lot of DIY gifts that are dirt cheap but look amazing when it's fully completed. Just know the interests of the person you're gifting. Like if your friend enjoys taking photos, DIY picture frames would be a great idea. Or if your mother loves potted flowers, buy a cheap potted plant and decorate it! The possibilities are endless, you just have to be creative.

Stock up on coupons!

Coupons are actual lifesavers, because they make almost anything you buy way cheaper. If the grocery store offers free coupons, or the convenient store supplies you with tons of coupons whenever you buy something from there, stock up on them and always use them when shopping for necessities!

They don't take up much room, depending on how much you collect. But you have to be aware of which coupons have expiration dates and which don't. Always use the ones that will soon expire first before you use the others. With coupons, grocery and other necessity shopping won't break your bank as much anymore.

Don’t over-shop.

From the ways to spend less money, many people tend to do this a lot, including myself — shopping too much. Sometimes, we don't know our limits, because once we're out of cash, our credit cards slowly show themselves and there's that pair of shoes that finally restocked... Don't over-shop.

Buy the clothes that you really do need, not those pair of $600 heels that you think will look great with that dress that is tagged $500. If you're in desperate need of a coat, buy it. Sneakers for work? Get it. But that $900 diamond ring won't give you anything but sparkles and an empty wallet. So, buy the necessities and leave out the luxury items until you're positive you have enough money to buy them.

Use fee-less ATMs

If you don't use an ATM from your bank, they're an actual pain in the butt. Even if you want to withdraw $20, there is still a fee for using the ATM. Ridiculous, right?

Other than your bank's ATM, search for ATMs that don't have fees. This way, you can withdraw however much money you need without being charged. And yes, ATMs without fees do actually exist — you just have to search really hard or ask around.

Exercise outside.

These days, gym membership fees are pretty expensive. And even if you haven't hit the gym in months and you're still paying for the membership each month, why are you still a member? You're wasting precious money on a gym membership that you haven't used in months.

Instead of the gym, one of the best ways to spend less money is to try exercising outdoors. You don't have to use gym machines to get you fit, running is actually a great workout for your entire body. You don't have to use gym machines to do squats, lunges, push-ups, sit-ups, etc. Plus, breathing in the fresh air is a plus and you won't smell the sweat off of other members at the gym... and no one will smell yours. So, exercising outside is not only free, but it's a better alternative for a setting to work out in.