Cut Your Grocery Bill In Half! with Stephanie Nelson, The Coupon Mom

Saving money can be hard but here are 7 easy ways to save money without even realizing that you are doing it!

1. Use Coupons!

• This is so easy and can save you hundreds each year. You can even print coupons right from your computer at home. Couponmom.com does the work for you with matching coupons to the best deals so that you can save time and still maximize your savings.

2. Use Cash Back Apps

• You can get cash back on purchases that you make using apps like Ibotta or Checkout 51. When you cash out on the apps move that money directly into savings to maximize your savings.

3. Buy Discounted Gift Cards 

• You can buy discounted gift cards to the stores you shop at or restaurants you like and get the full face value.  Drugstores frequently have promotions that give you a discount or a store rebate on many different retailers’ gift cards sold in their stores generally worth 20% off, and in December restaurants generally offer a 20% bonus in the form of a gift card for yourself when you buy gift cards–for others or for yourself.

4. Deposit a small amount from your paycheck directly into savings

• Each pay period you can have a small portion of that paycheck deposited directly into savings so that you are not tempted to spend it. If you cannot directly deposit into your savings than move a small amount first thing each month and before you know it, you’ll be saving effortlessly.

5. Keep Your Change

• Every time you get change after a purchase or find coins laying around, drop it into a coin jar. After a while you’ll notice that it adds up and your purse feels lighter without all of that loose change at the bottom.

6. Keep Making Payments after Loans are Paid off

• If you have already gotten into the habit of making payments on a car loan, student loan, or any other type of loan, then don’t break that habit and keep paying that amount each month into your savings account. You are already accustomed to that budget so start saving too.

7. Wait Before You Purchase

• If you are about to make a big purchase, whether it’s clothing, a new toy, etc. then wait at least a week before doing so. If you have found that you can live without the item then don’t get it. Impulsive spending can be tough on a budget.