Sometimes you reach the end of the month have to ask yourself one question: Where did all my money go? We are constantly asking ourselves this, so you must be too. It is much harder to make money yet so easy to spend it. That's when we wish we could be more frugal. But budgeting and not spending money isn't something you learn how to do overnight. It takes time and effort. But don't worry, we're here to help your bank account and stop you from unnecessary spending and wasting money. From recycling to reusing items, here are the smartest hacks that will help you save money.
No more paper towels
One easy way to stop spending so much money on paper towels is to stop buying them. You're probably wondering what could be a good replacement for them. A simple and cheap substitute is DITY dish towels. Rags and washcloths can be reused repeatedly and do the same job as paper towels.
Reusing dishcloths is not only more eco-friendly because you just wash them when they get dirty. It also means fewer trips taking out the trash. Soon you will find that washing and reusing these will make your life easier.
The same product will be 75-90% cheaper
The international aisle in the grocery store (or an ethnic foods store) is the best place to buy universal items, such as spices, rice, beans, lentils, and so on... In comparison with western or local brands, foreign brands can be 75-90% cheaper.
If you want turmeric powder, for example, the Indian brand is less than half the price of the branded one. Plus, you get more grams per dollar! Next time you buy groceries, compare prices, and you will be surprised to find out we are right.
Donating old clothes isn't the only option
We all have a favorite piece of clothing that we don't want to throw out, no matter how worn out it gets. Sometimes, it gets so torn up that we can't even give it to Goodwill. And let's face it, no one likes to throw away clothes. There has got to be another solution.
Rather than throwing away the fabric, repurpose it, like in this picture. The owner of this rug shared that it is made from no less than 11 leggings, 9 tank tops, 1 top, and (part of) a skirt.
Free wrapping paper
Nowadays, everyone has a map on their phone, making it easy to get directions to any place on earth. But in the past, everyone had to use maps when traveling. And if you look in your old drawers, we bet you will find more than one.
There are probably many old maps lying around your house that you aren't sure what to do with. The answer is simple: use it as wrapping paper. Reusing maps or newspapers is a unique way to wrap gifts, giving off a vintage and homemade look.
Give an old backpack a new life
Since they're always on our back behind us, our bags get overlooked even if they're worn out. But one day, we realize that they're so beat up we can't use them anymore; they don't look presentable enough.
Luckily, there is an alternative to throwing it away and having to buy a new bag. As the picture shows, an old backpack can find a new life. Buy some fabric dye and cover the whole bag for a fresh, vibrant look. After all, what is cheaper? A new bag or a bottle of dye?
Strong music. Literally
Many people use Bluetooth speakers to listen to music. But not so long ago, people bought home theaters and robust audio systems. You may still have some around your house, but they have lost value or have broken over time. Please don't throw them away!
There are some excellent alternatives. As they always come in pairs, you can use them as shelf holders to store all your books and movies, just as you can see in the picture. On top of being resourceful, your friends will be jealous they couldn't find such unique furniture at Ikea.
From dishes to furniture
After using sponges to wash the dishes, you will notice they deteriorate, which is a signal to throw it away and buying a new one, right? Well, no. You can still reuse them to clean around your house.
Imagine how much money you will save on sponges by reusing them. While they become a little worn-out and dirty after several dishes, you can still use them to clean your kitchen or the house. That way, you only have to buy one sponge instead of two. Just make sure to differentiate between them.
An old razor can become good as new
When you count them up, it's hard to believe how much it costs to buy new razor blades. And yes, plenty of companies provide services for blade replacements. But even those are expensive when you think about it, and you will pay every month.
An economical alternative is to find an old razor just like the one in the picture. They're made of durable materials and stainless steel. If you take your time, you can clean it and make it look as good as new, or even better. That way, you won't be spending any money on disposable blades in the future.
Being a good citizen pays off
If you have too much free time and need a new hobby, consider joining a local clean-up crew. These teams get together to find trash in public spaces and dispose of them. But wait, there's more.
Imagine all the benefits. You will make new friends, all with the same goal of cleaning; you will be more active, walking around and collecting cans; and the best part of it: you will get paid for all of that. You can make money hanging out with your friends while being a good citizen at the same time.
Renovating furniture with stickers
Remodeling your bathroom or kitchen can be expensive and time-consuming. No one wants a contractor and construction crew working in your house for weeks, knowing that they will be there longer than they said. But, fear not, here we come with a solution for your remodeling needs.
You can give your furniture a whole new look without hiring a contractor. Go to Home Depot or your local home repair store, buy adhesive paper, and make your furniture look how you've always wanted. This is a more affordable way to get a professional job done.
Six mirrors for the price of one
Having a large mirror on your wall is an excellent way to make your room look bigger. Unfortunately, these vast mirrors are expensive. But don't worry, you won't have to spend all your cash on just one mirror.
You can achieve the same effect if you put several mirrors together. Hanging a few mirrors can be a stylistic design choice, and after looking at the picture, it will look perfect. We think this will be our next DIY project.
Ask for the ugly vegetables
Sometimes, you can talk your way around buying full-priced food, just like the person in the picture did. They went to the local farmer's market and asked for any produce that wasn't good enough to sell. Look at how big the loot was when they got home.
There are usually some spotted tomatoes or old pumpkins that no one buys. They are still perfectly fresh and edible but not as nice to look at on the stand. The market owner separates the “ugly” vegetables that won't sell from the presentable ones. If you ask nicely, they will probably give the hidden products to you for a discounted price, or even free.
Repurposing bad polaroids
Everyone likes to take pictures with a polaroid camera. And nowadays, you can get one for a relatively low price. No one tells you that it takes time to learn how exposure and lens aperture work. So be prepared for your first pictures not to turn out so good.
If it happens to you, don't worry; you can repurpose them, use them as little canvases and transform them into paintings. That way, the money you paid for the film won't go to waste, and you end up with artwork to put around the house. As to not waste more film, practice your photography skills!
From wines to books
Here we have another example of an improvised bookshelf. In this case, it was made with old wine crates. They are made with good quality wood and make for sturdy furniture. On top of that, it's a creative and cheap way to hold your books.
Perhaps you are not a wine-drinking person. That is okay; in any case, you can go to your local liquor store and ask if they have any crates they don't need. We bet you that they won't have any problem selling them for a low price or giving them away for free. This is way cheaper than buying a new bookshelf.
Can your own veggies
If you are trying to save money, you might already have a garden for home-grown vegetables. If not, it may be something you would want to invest in. You won't believe how much you save from not buying vegetables from the farmer's market or grocery store. See how growing your own can be a lifetime investment.
If you have a new garden, you might have extra vegetables, and -especially if you live alone- you don't have enough meals or people to eat them all before they expire. An excellent way to preserve them is can them and save them until next season. Canning or pickling is a great way to stock up on fresh vegetables.
Borrow books
Books don't have 60-second trailers. Movies can show you what they are about and tell you about the characters. Before buying it, the only information you have about a book is the name, author, and cover. You usually don't know if you will like it until you start reading it.
That is why you should start to borrow books from your local library instead of outright buying them. If you prefer E-books, you can also borrow them from an online library. When you think about it, this works as a book trailer. You can read it all and only pay a fraction of the actual amount. And in the end, if you like what you read, you can buy it and keep it.
From shirt to skirt
One way to save on clothes is hand-me-downs from parents and siblings. But often, you're given clothes that don't fit you or match your usual style. If you are willing to spend the time and effort, you can adapt your inherited clothes to suit you better.
As shown in the picture, all you have to do is get a little creative. With an old t-shirt or dress shirt, just cut away and voilá! You have a new two-piece skirt set to wear to your next party. Just think about how much you saved on a new outfit.
Live in the wild
Here is a specific example, but effective nonetheless. If you live on your own, you know that most of your hard-earned money goes to paying your rent. Just imagine if you could live in a house without having to pay one single cent.
In this picture, we can see a house that would cost around $1300 a month. But the people who live there don't pay anything. That is because it is a wildlife sanctuary, and in exchange for eight hours of work every week, they are free of paying rent. Not to mention the bonus of being surrounded by nature. So if you want to be one with nature and live rent-free, look into a deal like this.
Another use for masks
Since Covid, everyone has extra face masks lying around the house. Sooner or later, these masks break; the strings get cut, they get torn apart, or too dirty. Many people throw them away, but there is another use for them.
As you know, the masks have a little wire to help them fit your face. If you open the mask and take that wire out, you can use it to tie up cables, close opened chips bags, among other things. There's always a clever hack to recycling your everyday items.
Wine in a box
If you like drinking wine, you may buy it in a carton. If you have ever recycled a box of wine, you will notice there is still a lot of wine inside when you cut it open—almost enough wine to fill another glass. Imagine wasting a glass of wine every time you through away a box.
So next time you are about to throw away your carton, cut it open and squeeze out every last ounce of liquid. You don't want to regret throwing away all those glasses of wine you could have drank. You paid for the wine, and you should drink every last sip.
DIY a new chair
It seems as if every Youtuber has one of those fancy gaming chairs with headrests and speakers. They sure look comfortable, but also expensive. You must be PewDiPie to afford one of those to go in front of your computer. Don't even bother looking at how much they cost.
Instead, you can be like this clever person here. Rather than splurging his savings on a new chair, he used a cheaper and more efficient solution. He put a pillow and pillowcase inside the back of the chair, resembling the expensive gaming chair he wanted. Instead of investing in a new chair, use things you already own. This is a quick and cheap solution for lumbar support.
Make an expiration list
Everyone makes a grocery list before going to the store. That way, you know exactly what to buy. But what people don't do is make a list to track what they purchased, what they have, and what will expire soon.
It may look like a lot of work, but it will pay off. As you can see in the picture, someone wrote on their fridge doors everything they have inside and what they can prepare with it. This is a genius way to meal prep and be less wasteful with groceries.
Homemade McDonald's
Here we have a mother who decided to save on Happy Meals. If you have kids, you know how much they love these little food boxes. And to be honest, everything in it could be fresher and healthier. Happy Meals are overpriced, considering the low quality of ingredients. You do not get what you pay for.
What better way to solve this costly problem than with a homemade version of a Happy Meal. This mom kept the packaging and cooked everything at home, and the children didn't complain at all. This is a cheap way to make your kids happy while feeding them healthy foods. It also has a secret ingredient McDonald's doesn't have: Love (And less sugar).
Stripping wires
Every house has a drawer or shed full of wires that no one uses. Have you ever broken cables before? You might not know that the copper inside them has a lot of value. With so many useless wires around, you may be sitting on a gold -or rather copper- mine.
Selling copper wire is a quick way to make cash. They aren't that hard to get stripped of their rubber coating, and if you do it well, you will end up with a ton of copper. You can do it while binging a TV show, and by the end of the season, you will be a little richer.
Vacuum hack
If you are a Nintendo fan, you've probably played Luigi's Mansion. This is a game where you use a vacuum to suck up and capture ghosts inside a haunted house. But unlike the rest of us, he carries his vacuum strapped on the back, just like those expensive ones you see on TV.
Next time you want to clean your house, you can do it like Luigi; put some rope around your vacuum and hold it on your back. This way, you can easily vacuum every room around the house without lugging the machine everywhere.
Reuse your birthday cards
Buying cards may seem like a cheap and thoughtful way to wish someone a happy birthday. It may be kind, but when you add up how many birthday cards you send a year, you realize it's not as cheap as you thought.
A cheap alternative to this is to do just like in the picture above. Reuse the birthday cards you receive and send them back to the person who bought them for you. You're not only saving money but creating a long-lasting conversation throughout your birthdays. That is even more thoughtful and a unique way to document your birthdays.
Remodeling your old crib
If you have kids, you know how expensive baby cribs are. You spend a lot of money on something your child will inevitably outgrow. And after that, you have to either find someone who might need it just get rid of it.
But following our reusing trend, there are ways to repurpose that crib into something useful. As seen in the picture, you can transform it into a bench for your patio or garden. This nostalgic piece can be turned into something new. You can tell your children that they used to sleep on it when they were little.
Don't throw it away
Do you know how gas stations have ready-made food? When you are traveling or don't have time to stop for a good meal during the day, they are good options. Did you know that it gets thrown away if no one buys that food?
That is what the person who submitted this picture found out. He realized that before the end of the day, the employees at the gas station were about to throw away all the sandwiches no one bought. So he asked if he could take them home before they were thrown away. This is a smart way to get a cheap or even free meal.
Design a new dress
We all have a dress we wear at every party. But after so many functions, it will inevitably get ruined. Stains that are impossible to get off, holes, and discoloration are possible wardrobe malfunctions. But maybe consider this hack before buying a new dress.
Yes, some dresses are impossible to fix. But others can find a new life, and you can put off buying a new one. Decorate your old dress with beads strategically placed on the stains or holes. This easy trick will turn your old dress into a new, even better one.
Simple wedding
Getting married is one of the most expensive events in a person's life. The ceremony alone can be costly, but add dresses, food for your guests, a band, a venue, flower arrangements, and more to the bill. Maybe it's time to forget traditions to save our money.
Take this couple, for example. They decided to go simple for their wedding, and they looked as happy as any other newlyweds. It is hard to believe they only had to pay $3000. After all, isn't the most important part of a wedding to celebrate your love with your partner? If you want to save money on a wedding, keep it simple.
Free furniture
Every once in a while, you come across old furniture on the street. Some of your neighbors put out chairs or an old sofa they don't want anymore. Many people come across them and only see other people's garbage. But just as the saying goes, it could be someone else's treasure.
Rather than buying new furniture, you can save a lot of money restoring old or broken pieces you find on the street. If you're crafty and handy, all you need is some paint and time and effort; you can refurbish those street finds into functional and stylish home additions.
A cheap date
Dating can be challenging. And you have to date around a lot until you find your perfect match. You can blow through your paycheck going out to fancy restaurants, movies, or dancing. Besides, dating shouldn't be about spending money. There are inexpensive ways to show you like someone.
If you plan on going on many dates but don't want to spend a lot of money, look for cheap alternatives. Spending a night painting at home while watching Bob Ross can be more thoughtful and romantic than eating at an expensive restaurant; try it for your next date night.
DIY furniture
As we know, furniture is one of the most expensive things you can save money on. If you are clever about it, you will save a lot. In this case, if you love cooking, you need somewhere to store all your spices.
If you look at the picture and wonder how to save money on a spice rack, the answer is right here. The shelves in the image are made out of bed slats. We bet you can find some around your house, or you know someone that has. If not, check under the bed. This simple DIY will save you money and a trip to the hardware store.
Reusable dust pads
Pets can make our lives better in so many ways. If you have pets, you know how much hair they lose throughout the day. You must always keep a dusting pad handy to clean your house, especially if you own a shaggy dog with long hair.
One way to save is not buying disposable pads but making your own. If you know how to knit, you can create one yourself and wash it between uses. You can also cut an old t-shirt or pants into a cleaning rag. Remember that reusing is good for your wallet and the environment.
Hunt and gather your fruit
The most expensive fruit at the market is berries. We buy them anyway because they're so tasty, we can't live without them. So what if I told you, you could get lots of berries for free without going to the farmer's market?
Believe it or not, the solution is as old as time. Just think, how did early humans get their food? They would hunt and would gather it. If you live in the suburbs, you will find many berry bushes around the neighborhood. Next time you go for a walk and see fruitful trees, try picking some berries off the bushes.
A new toy for your dog
There is nothing better than watching how happy your dog gets when they get a new toy. On the other hand, there is nothing sadder than throwing it away after they destroyed it. How could they destroy something they loved so much?
Consider this the next time you are about to throw away a chewed-up toy. You could save it and other broken ones and create a new toy out of all the pieces—a Frankenstein monster of dog toys. Your pet will be happy to play with all their lost friends.
Reusable makeup wipes
If you wear a lot of makeup, you know how hard it is to take off. You can buy wipes for removal, but it adds up every time you buy more. Did you know there's an alternative to save money on makeup remover?
Creating your own wipes will save you from spending unnecessarily. You can recycle old hand towels and rags and transform them! Cut them, stitch them up, and voilá! You can carry them inside your purse for makeup remover emergencies. You will never spend money on wipes again. And think how good it is for the environment.
Cut your own fruit
We all know how time-consuming cutting fruits and vegetables can be. That is why pre-cut packages exist at the supermarket. But if you compare prices, you will notice a big difference between buying it packaged than cutting it yourself.
It can be tedious and take time, but it is worth it. Next time you have to cut a lot of fruit, put on a TV show and start cutting; it will take you no more than a couple of episodes to have all your food cubed and prepped.
Free table
Do you need a new table? Do you want to spend a lot of money on an expensive one? Why is it that some furniture costs so much? How hard can it be to build one on your own? It isn't that hard at all. All you need is some shipping panels and a few tools.
Visit any shipping center, and see how many panels they have lying around. They often throw out the old ones, so next time you are there, ask if they can spare one and take it home. You can build a new table for free with some patience and hard work for free!
Seal up your veggies
Vegetables should be included in everyone's diet. Stocking up on them is essential to a healthy lifestyle. However, if you buy veggies in bulk, you know how quickly they spoil. No matter what you do, it would seem that you always waste money by throwing away all those fruits and vegetables that have gone bad.
One way to avoid wasting is to Ziploc everything you buy at the market. You will see how much longer your vegetables and fruits will last. By sealing them in air-tight bags, they will stay fresher longer. Label the bags with the date you bought them, so you know how long they'll last, and remember to put a paper towel inside to absorb moisture and humidity.
Onion garden
Onion is a great vegetable to add flavor to your meals; the green ones are the best. They can add so much richness when you are cooking. But unfortunately, they can be a little more expensive than regular onions.
There is a way to save money on them without having to compromise your meals. Next time you cut your chives out, don't throw away the root. Save it and put it in water. You will now have a garden full of growing green onion chives.
Economic wrapping
This hack saves you both time and money. When you buy a big gift, you have a big box to wrap and decorate. It could be a challenging, expensive, and time-consuming task.
Consider doing what the person in the photo did and using a tarp and bungees to wrap the gift. It's a good way to reuse materials around your house. They can be considered part of the gift too!
Recycling broken items
It would be best if you recycle every chance you get. Besides helping the environment, you will save so much money. Even if you accidentally break something, you must get crafty and find a way to give it a new life. If you revive them, you won't have to spend anything on new items.
Like this rake, for example. It may look like a regular rake, but it is part of a broken hockey stick. Sometimes, it's hard to realize how an item can be recycled. Give something old or broken a new purpose by getting creative with it.
Craiglist's supplies
If we are talking about recycling to save money, look at this picture. It may look like an ordinary chicken coop, but the owner built it entirely for free. How did he do this? He found free materials on Craiglist and used them for the structure.
You may not have chickens to build a house for, but this is an example of how to save money. If you are crafty and willing to spend time making something on your own, you can build a wooden structure. Just be cautious when buying from websites like Craigslist.
Your own farm
The last money-saving hack we have is the best one: grow your own vegetables! Most of the vegetables and fruits you buy come with their seeds inside. Instead of throwing them away, build a garden and plant them. It isn't so hard, and you will save a lot of money buying groceries.
There is no better feeling than seeing your plants grow and having fresh ingredients each season. You will also feel a sense of fulfillment. It is a practice we encourage everyone to try; taking care of a garden and sharing the products with your neighbors is a satisfying hobby.