14 Little Tricks To Help You Actually Save Cash In 2016 (2024)

    You'll be rollin' in dough before you know it.

    by Christina LanBuzzFeed Staff

    We asked the BuzzFeed Community what little tricks they use to save money. Here are some of the best responses about spending and saving actual cash money:

    Goldcrest Films International

    1. Save bills that have a specific number on them.

    "My mom always keeps bills that have a 7 in their note number. So for example, is she has a $20 bill that has 'G7' on it, she will not spend it. Note numbers go up to the number 12 I believe, with letters going up to L."

    Dee Rubio, Facebook

    2. Or pick a random bill and then save all of them that you get for a month.

    msniiina.tumblr.com

    "Pick a note. Any note, a 5, a 20, a 50. And every one of this note you get, save it in a money box. Every last one. See how much you have at the end of the month."

    elliek4d980a92e

    3. Get a digital coin bank that'll show you exactly how much you're saving.

    "Also buying a cheap coin bank with a digital counter. I'm less likely to grab change for an impulse snack the higher I see the number go. Around Christmas, you can find a small one for about $5."

    Claire Harden, Facebook

    This one is available here.

    4. Or get one that's so cute you'll want to give it all your coins.

    amazon.com

    Buy one here.

    5. Put increasing (or decreasing) amounts of money in a piggy bank every week.

    14 Little Tricks To Help You Actually Save Cash In 2016 (6)

    Pictures of Money CC BY 2.0

    14 Little Tricks To Help You Actually Save Cash In 2016 (7)

    OTA Photos CC BY-SA 2.0

    "Get a piggy bank and put it on a high shelf that you can reach. Start with $1, next week put $2, then $3… Write it on your calendar. After a year you will have $1,405!"

    This also works the other way around if you start by putting $52 the first week, $51 the second week, and so on. That way the savings will be easier on your budget towards the holidays.

    ashtonp45c4fa2ca

    6. Open up separate accounts for bills and spending.

    foxadhd.tumblr.com

    "I have one bank account for savings, one for bills, and one for spending. My paycheck gets disposited and I have a plan that automatically puts the money into each correct account. I never spend more than I have now."

    Shannon Ri Zen Small, Facebook

    7. Or have two checking accounts: one where you know the pin number and one where you don't.

    "I have two checking accounts: one that I use, and a second that I don't use. I don't remember the PIN number and my ATM card isn't activated, so I can't even use it or transfer money from that account, only into it."

    sweetpeachikadee

    8. When possible, use cash over credit cards.

    14 Little Tricks To Help You Actually Save Cash In 2016 (10)

    401(K) 2012 CC BY-SA 2.0

    14 Little Tricks To Help You Actually Save Cash In 2016 (11)

    frankieleon CC BY 2.0

    "My husband and I discovered that we spend less when it's in cash. We pay the bills, then take whatever's left over for two weeks out of the bank, and we don't touch our debit cards until it's time to pay bills again. When you see your money, you wanna hoard it."

    lrswifey

    9. Pull out the exact amount you want to spend for the week in cash.

    Disney / Via i.imgur.com

    "Pull out cash at the beginning of every week and use only the cash you have for your every day instead of swiping your card. You become more aware of how much you're spending every day."

    lisam4c279b91e

    10. Just hide your credit cards.

    tvland.tumblr.com

    "I 'hide' my credit cards and only use them on the thing that's most rewarding. So right now I get 5% cash back at gas stations. So I will use my credit card to fill up my tank once a week and then stash my cards back in my closet. This way if I'm ever tempted to spend $150 on article of clothing or something I'll only have my debit card. For me personally this usually stops my unneeded purchasing, because I don't want all that money taken out of my account at once."

    lizzic4854f60c1

    11. Get paid to work out with the Pact app.

    14 Little Tricks To Help You Actually Save Cash In 2016 (12)

    pactapp.com

    "I signed up with my health insurance's wellness program for free (most large providers have one), which lets me earn points for being active and learning about wellness. I also use Pact, which lets me earn actual money for working out and eating my fruits and veg."

    aliciareneeg

    12. Get an amortization schedule for loans.

    14 Little Tricks To Help You Actually Save Cash In 2016 (13)

    amortization-calc.com

    "Get an amortization schedule for any loans you have. Make your payment plus the principal of the next month to save $$$."

    ashleym4636656d3

    Calculate yours here.

    13. Before making an expensive lifestyle change, test-drive your expected budget.

    14 Little Tricks To Help You Actually Save Cash In 2016 (14)

    Paragon Apartments CC BY 2.0

    14 Little Tricks To Help You Actually Save Cash In 2016 (15)

    Justin Ruckman CC BY 2.0

    "When you decide you need to save money for an apartment or a new car or whatever it may be, save the amount of extra money you will need to pay for it every month to see how it feels. So if I was getting an apt for $550/mo I would save $550 every month (less the amount of my current rent). This way I can see how the costs will affect my money and I can actually save for a deposit in the process."

    ever1456

    14. Be careful where you go.

    ABC / Via jaded4hope.tumblr.com

    "In the words of my 7-year-old daughter: 'Don't go to places where you spend money.'"

    k4756ac9a6

    Answers have been edited for length and clarity.

    14 Little Tricks To Help You Actually Save Cash In 2016 (2024)

    FAQs

    What is the 30 day rule? ›

    The premise of the 30-day savings rule is straightforward: When faced with the temptation of an impulse purchase, wait 30 days before committing to the buy. During this time, take the opportunity to evaluate the necessity and impact of the purchase on your overall financial goals.

    How can I trick myself to save money? ›

    6 ways to train your brain to save money
    1. Envision the future. ...
    2. Appreciate what you already have. ...
    3. Delete and unsubscribe. ...
    4. Only use money you've already got in the bank. ...
    5. Create separate savings accounts for separate expenses. ...
    6. Call your friends more often.

    How to save your first $1,000? ›

    Financial expert Dave Ramsey has a lot of ideas on the subject, and here are some of the most practical ways to save your first $1,000 quickly.
    1. Cancel Subscriptions. ...
    2. Bring Your Own Lunch. ...
    3. Avoid Coffee Out. ...
    4. Re-Sell Old Items. ...
    5. Shop at Cheaper Grocery Stores With Rewards Programs. ...
    6. Buy Generic. ...
    7. Join a Carpool.
    Dec 28, 2023

    How to save thousands of dollars? ›

    What Is the Best Way To Save Money?
    1. Set goals. Set savings goals that motivate you, like saving up for a house or going on a dream vacation, and give yourself timelines for reaching them.
    2. Budget. Make a budget and make saving a necessary expense. ...
    3. Cut down on spending. ...
    4. Automate your saving. ...
    5. Pay off debt. ...
    6. Earn more.
    May 3, 2024

    What is the 9o day rule? ›

    In other words, staying more than 90 days on one stay, then leaving the country and returning, resets the “90-day clock.” To avoid breaking the 90-day rule, an applicant must wait 90 days since their most recent entry to the United States before marrying or seeking to adjust their status..

    What is the 50/30/20 rule? ›

    The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals.

    How to save $10,000 in 12 months? ›

    To reach $10,000 in one year, you'll need to save $833.33 each month. To break it down even further, you'll need to save $192.31 each week or $27.40 every day. These smaller chunks are much more realistic and simple to comprehend, making it easier to track your progress.

    How much will I have if I save $1,000 a month for 5 years? ›

    In fact, at the end of the five years, if you invest $1,000 per month you would have $83,156.62 in your investment account, according to the SIP calculator (assuming a yearly rate of return of 11.97% and quarterly compounding).

    How to save $5000 in 12 months? ›

    Ways To Save $5,000 in a Year
    1. “Chunk” Your Savings. The first step to saving $5,000 in a year is to break down your savings goal into manageable portions. ...
    2. Automate Your Savings. ...
    3. Save in a High-Yield Saving Account. ...
    4. Track Your Cash Flow. ...
    5. Boost Your Earnings. ...
    6. Declutter for Cash. ...
    7. Evaluate Your Subscriptions. ...
    8. Challenge Yourself.
    May 3, 2024

    What is the only place you should keep your emergency fund money? ›

    Bank or credit union account — If you have an account with a bank or credit union—generally considered one of the safest places to put your money—it might make sense to have a dedicated account where you can keep and maintain these funds.

    How to aggressively save money? ›

    How to Save Money
    1. Set a savings goal.
    2. Set up direct deposits to go into savings.
    3. Buy generic.
    4. Stay out of “that store.”
    5. Cancel some subscriptions and memberships.
    6. Join gas rewards programs.
    7. Meal plan.
    8. Use cash-back apps and coupons.

    Which strategy will help you save the most money? ›

    The 5 Most Effective Strategies To Save Money For The Future
    • Set Your Goals Early On. Setting a financial goal early on will boost you to stick to your savings plan. ...
    • Understand Your Cash Flows. ...
    • Open a Savings Account. ...
    • Rethink Debit Cards. ...
    • Monitoring Your Spending. ...
    • Revise Your Emergency Fund.

    How does the 30 day rule work? ›

    The so-called 30-day no contact rule is a different category because people tend to think that there's this magic number of days to where your ex is ready for you to contact them and that's sort of what it's suggesting, that if you just wait 30 days then you can contact your ex.

    What is the 30 day wash rule? ›

    Q: How does the wash sale rule work? If you sell a security at a loss and buy the same or a substantially identical security within 30 calendar days before or after the sale, you won't be able to take a loss for that security on your current-year tax return.

    What is the 30 day rule for capital gains tax? ›

    1) Use or lose the annual CGT allowance

    If you do this within 30 days, then you would be deemed to have bought it back at the original cost and not realised any gains. This tax avoidance rule is sometimes known as the 'bed and breakfast' rule.

    What is 30days rule? ›

    Here's how it works: When you have the urge to make an impulse purchase, wait for 30 days and give yourself time to think about it. While considering the purchase, deposit the money you need for it into a savings account. If you still want to buy that item after the 30-day period is up, go for it.

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