Looking for simple ways to save money and reduce household expenses?
Whether it’s skipping the hot water for most washes, installing a budget-friendly bidet, or shopping smart at thrift stores, small changes can add up to thousands worth of savings per year.
Here’s a few small life hacks that can save big bucks over time.
Machine Wash on Tap or Cold
Most people either follow the washing instructions on the tag attached to their clothing or don’t think about it much.
However, heating water for laundry can add anywhere from $50 to $200 per month to your energy bill, depending on energy prices in your area. While there are times when you might need to use hot water—such as for stubborn stains that can’t be removed with stain remover or by soaking—choosing the “cold” or “tap” water setting when possible can help you save money.
Bidets
If you’ve ever visited Europe, you might have wondered about those little faucet things in the toilet or even gotten squirted by one.
They’re called bidets, and they’re designed to get you a little cleaner than you might get through using toilet paper alone. Actually, getting one of those things for your home (about $50) can save you up to $150 per year on toilet paper.
Other perks of owning a bidet includes not having to make an emergency run to the store to get more toilet paper because you ran out and potentially having fewer germs on your hands after using the restroom.
Bonus: Bidets are more environmentally friendly, so it’s like two life hacks in one.
Travel Planning in Incognito Mode
Do you check the price of plane tickets two or three times before buying? Sometimes, a website’s cookies notice your repeated visits, signaling you’re serious about booking, and may raise the price after a few searches.
To avoid this, it helps to know the best time to buy tickets and use incognito mode to prevent price hikes. Incognito mode ignores cookies stored on your computer, which could help you get a better deal by preventing the site from tracking your search history.
Growing Your Own Fresh Herbs
Not everyone has a big yard for a garden, but that doesn’t mean you can’t grow your own herbs. With just a few pots, potting soil, seeds, and shelf space near a sunny window, you can create a mini indoor herb garden.
It’s easy, and the pots are a one-time investment—thrift shops often have some cute, affordable options. By growing your own herbs, they’ll always be fresh when you’re ready to use them.
If you’re feeling more ambitious, growing vegetables in larger pots is fun and can save you even more money. For example, if you’re a fan of cherry tomatoes, you could save up to $240 by growing them yourself.
Start with small vegetable plants like lettuce, which won’t take up too much space, or try vining plants that can climb a trellis to maximize your growing area.
Save on Pet Toys
A common joke among cat lovers is that they’ll order a fancy bed and toys from Chewy, only to find their cat more interested in the box they came in.
It’s a reminder that cats care less about how cute toys are and more about how fun they are to play with—some are happy just batting around a twist tie!
The good news is, you don’t need to go overboard on expensive toys. In fact, you can make your own pet toys for as little as $5, especially if you have extra fabric scraps from past projects. DIY options like squeaky or rope toys for dogs are often cheaper than buying them in-store and can be just as entertaining for your furry friends.
Even the crinkly sound of a cellophane wrapper can keep many cats entertained for hours.
Soup
Did you get one of those rotisserie chickens at Sam’s Club? That’s awesome, but what are you going to do with all that chicken meat? In this situation, yesterday’s rotisserie chicken can become today’s big batch of chicken noodle soup. This is also great for using up carrots and celery.
Then just freeze some in containers for those days when you don’t particularly feel like making supper.This can help reduce the food waste that costs you money. It’s easy to think of food waste as the “too ugly to sell” produce that gets tossed or (if lucky) sold to Campbell’s to put in its soup cans.
The USDA estimates that the average American household of four tosses around $1,500 per year in food waste. Soup can absorb a lot of that — when food is getting close to toss levels, throwing it all into a big pot can make consuming groceries more efficient.
Change Your Own Car Filters
How often do you call the plumber for a leaky pipe under the sink or take your car to the shop? Learning how to do some basic maintenance tasks for your vehicle and home can save you some money in labor costs.
You can save $10-20 by changing the filter in your car, for instance. (Changing the oil is apparently a bit trickier, though it can be done with some caution.)
Rent Tools and Equipment
Don’t have the tools for the job? Consider renting them. Many household wares retailers like Home Depot will rent you tools.
Know how to time it just right and you may even be able to hold onto the tools until the next morning for not much more money.
To double down on the life hacks: Renting tools after 4 p.m. can buy you extra hours in case the job that takes a little longer than you expect.
Shop Resale for Short-Lived Items
Thrift shops often have a rotating selection of children’s items like toys and clothing, which can be a great money-saver since kids outgrow things quickly. Instead of paying full price, you can find gently used items for a fraction of the cost. Garage sales are also a good place to browse for items that may only be needed for a short time.
For things you’ll only use occasionally, consider renting instead of buying. This can include tools, party tents, inflatable bounce houses, musical instruments, or even junk-hauling trucks. Renting can save you money and storage space for infrequent-use items.
Get a Library Card
Libraries offer more than ever before. Some even have a selection of home tools, park passes, sewing machines, 3D printing services, board games, and even metal detectors. Many libraries also offer free workshops for improving reading, computer skills, or even learning a new language. Becoming acquainted with what your library has to offer can have a big payoff over time.
If you’re looking for a specific item, librarians can help locate it through an interlibrary loan, meaning they can borrow it from another library for you. This makes libraries not just great for discovery but also for finding hard-to-access materials.
Check the International Sections of Your Grocery Story for Spices
Closing out our list of life hacks: The Hispanic and Asian aisles will often have spices that are cheaper than you’ll find in the regular “spice aisle.”
Even better, see if you can find local food stores that cater to particular demographics because they will often have a better selection of ingredients that one dish you loved when you visited another country for less money.
Related: 82% of Americans Miss Out on High-Yield Savings Accounts, Leaving Money on the Table
