What Would You Give Up or Do Differently If You Had to Reduce Your Monthly Expenses? (50 ideas!)

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What Would You Give Up or Do Differently If You Had to Reduce Your Monthly Expenses? (50 ideas!)

Are you looking for creative ways to lower your monthly expenses? This list might give you some inspiration and ideas to try! (Find even more great ideas here!)

If you are forced to reduce your monthly expenses without increasing your income, what would you give up first? Here’s what many of our readers said when we asked the question on Facebook!

50 Easy Ways to Lower Your Monthly Expenses

FOODS TO AVOID:

Restaurants and fast food! (NOTE: this was the top answer from hundreds of readers!)
Hot lunch (pack lunch at home).
Coffee runs (just make it at home).
Starbucks.
Ice cream.
Meat.
Organic food. (Or find ways to save on them.)
Brand name foods – store bought are usually good.
Grocery splurges and impulse buys — get more intentional about menu planning.
Grocery shopping (one or two weeks by using items in your pantry and fridge).
Individually packaged items — buy in bulk to save.
Individual beverages – canned soda, Gatorade, sparkling water, lemonade, etc.
Alcohol and soda — in grocery stores and restaurants.
Junk food, desserts, and treats.
Machine snacks.

TWO MONTHS TO COMPLETION:

Streaming services (try Sling TV for FREE instead!) and digital subscriptions (NOTE: this was the next most popular answer!)
Mobile data usage.
Cell phone company — switch to one with a lower price.
A gym membership.
Amazon Prime.
Subscriptions to magazines and newspapers.
Cable TV or Satellite Dish.
Pet care — watch a YouTube video and do it at home.
Manicures & Pedicures — Do it yourself at home.
Delivery charges — get items only with free shipping.
Home appliance insurance – usually not worth it.
Services – call companies to negotiate a lower rate.

HABBITS FOR CHANGE:

Stop paying full price for anything!
Try shopping for groceries at places outside the box.
Stop traveling (at least a year or more). Or check out these money-saving tips.
Stop buying anything you don’t have room for in your budget (pay cash for everything).
Color your hair.
Hang clothes on the line to dry instead of using a dryer.
Say no to impulse purchases.
Switch to free/cheap entertainment like hanging out with friends or being with people instead of going out.
Stop online browsing that turns into shopping or random shopping.
Lower/raise the thermostat and unplug devices when not working.
Hunt, fish and grow a garden.
Use free cycle sites for clothes and toys.
Walk or ride your bike instead of driving everywhere.
Stop some of the kids’ extracurricular activities and games.
Save gas by doing all the chores in one day instead of several times a week.
Buy and buy in advance.
Learn to wait 24 hours before buying.
Go back on all holiday spending (food, entertainment, gifts, clothing, decorations, etc.).
Increase giving to those who need it most to help transform your vision.
Focus more on needs versus wants.
Make a budget and actually stick to it!
Try some cheap and free night ideas.
Be aware of things you may not need to buy.
Find the joy of contentment.