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What tricks do you use to spend less money?

Posted on 4/25/26 at 10:40 am
Posted by AndyJ
Member since Jul 2008
3575 posts
Posted on 4/25/26 at 10:40 am
I guess folks used to call these “hacks”

I will show mine, but hopefully I get more ideas.

When I subscribe to a monthly service I want temporarily, I cancel immediately after purchase so that I do not forget to cancel when the time comes. I do this with Netflix, so it auto ends in exactly 1 month

I did it with the NYT… paid $50 for year one, then it was supposed to be $300 every year after. But I just canceled after paying my $50, so it auto ends in April 2027

I am sure there are tons of other tricks

Also, if we are on a road trip, and we stop for burgers or sandwiches, we share drinks as a family

Posted by SmackoverHawg
Member since Oct 2011
31585 posts
Posted on 4/25/26 at 10:41 am to
I don't let my wife know how much money we really have.
Posted by AndyJ
Member since Jul 2008
3575 posts
Posted on 4/25/26 at 10:55 am to
Hahahaha that is good

I did have to tell my wife to rein in spending last month, and she has done pretty well. She will certainly regress over time
Posted by Wraytex
San Antonio - Gonzales
Member since Jun 2020
3933 posts
Posted on 4/25/26 at 11:07 am to
Posted by TorchtheFlyingTiger
1st coast
Member since Jan 2008
3108 posts
Posted on 4/25/26 at 11:24 am to
I saved a lot over the years by paying my first car loan off early and telling myself I'd pay cash for next ride. That caused me to slow my roll whenever I started to get car fever. That lump sum was real $ to me rather than a manageable monthly payment I wouldn't really miss. This discipline worked better for me in long run than a bit of interest rate arbitrage. We have begun taking out low interest debt for big purchases now that we are semi retired, exceeded financial goals, and have built decades of spending discipline.
Excessive car purchases are one of the biggest financial mistakes most Americans make keeping them from accumulating wealth and this inadvertently helped me from falling in that trap.
Posted by TorchtheFlyingTiger
1st coast
Member since Jan 2008
3108 posts
Posted on 4/25/26 at 11:30 am to
Pause YOUTUBETV subscription after college baseball season, resume for football. We watch less tv in summer and gets kids out of house more. Good time to add a trial subscription to services we don't normally use.
World Cup might make this unworkable this year.
Posted by Cajun75
Member since Mar 2022
908 posts
Posted on 4/25/26 at 11:39 am to
quote:

burgers or sandwiches, we share drinks as a family


Yes, the wife and I never get drinks at fast food places.....we bring it home and drink water.

Yes, on introductory subscription offers, I'll put a reminder on my phone to cancel before the period ends. Can remember15 years ago getting $1 hamburgers for me and my three boys at McDonalds and total meal cost around $7!

Eat out less!! I see some guys eating out twice a day. I never had a problem brown-bagging it.

Don't have a car note. I've actually never had a new vehiclde and never a car loan.

If you can be very responsible with a credit card, get an Amazon card for your purchases there for a 5% giveback for Prime membersw=, a Walmart card for 5% there with Walmart+ subscription, and a cashback card for everything else. Have had 2% cards for years and just got a 3% card from Robinhood.

This may sound oxymoronic, but if you're a Christian, make sure you are tithing. God won't be outgiven, and if you're doing it with faith and the right motives, He will bless you in ways that you can't imagine. I've personally experienced this for 50+ years.

Posted by RoyalWe
Louisiana
Member since Mar 2018
4852 posts
Posted on 4/25/26 at 11:39 am to
Only use a debit card. No credit cards allowed.
















(I don't do this, but it works.)
Posted by FAT SEXY
California
Member since Jun 2020
2030 posts
Posted on 4/25/26 at 11:49 am to
Catch your shower water and use it in the toilet for flushing.

You'll be a millionaire in no time
Posted by castorinho
13623 posts
Member since Nov 2010
87388 posts
Posted on 4/25/26 at 11:49 am to
My wife buys more so she can save more



Posted by makersmark1
earth
Member since Oct 2011
21147 posts
Posted on 4/25/26 at 12:09 pm to
I’m congenitally cheap.

Posted by UltimaParadox
North Carolina
Member since Nov 2008
52478 posts
Posted on 4/25/26 at 12:14 pm to
Buy majority of high margin items at Costco. Things like clothes and medication are money makers at other stores
Posted by CharlesUFarley
Daphne, AL
Member since Jan 2022
1069 posts
Posted on 4/25/26 at 12:58 pm to
When I need to save money, I just cut my drinking back to five nights a week. Helps with weight loss too.
Posted by CPA Yung Boi
Member since Apr 2026
2 posts
Posted on 4/25/26 at 1:04 pm to
quote:

Buy majority of high margin items at Costco.


This and load up on items that are on sale. Flank steak was 25% off at Sam’s a couple of weeks ago so I bought 4.

It’s hard to save money these days other than doing or buying less.

I’ve also been selling and buying on marketplace a lot more than I used to. Sold an old table for $150 that I would have just donated a few years ago. And scooped a lawn mower that just needed a new wheel for $80 instead if paying $350 or $400 for a new one.
Posted by Jax-Tiger
Vero Beach, FL
Member since Jan 2005
27707 posts
Posted on 4/25/26 at 1:29 pm to
Buy used cars.

Cook at home.

Fill up the freezer when meat items you use often are on sale.

Give up your brand loyalty if you cant tell the difference.

Buy used books. Shop at garage sales and used book stores. Trade in old books for credit.
Posted by Decisions
Member since Mar 2015
1634 posts
Posted on 4/25/26 at 1:31 pm to
Simply staying in on the weekend to catch up around the house/on projects saves a ton of money. Reducing eating out is huge. Youtube is my tv so I save on subscriptions. Workout at home with minimal equipment. As a man it’s not hard to plan a wardrobe you can mix/match and get lots of looks with minimal clothing spend.

Personally I think many of these things are just short-term fixes, though. The real solution is to use as much of your time as possible to maximize earning, build momentum, and then grow into being able to afford the lifestyle you want. You need to make a career/investment growth plan and pursue it relentlessly.
Posted by Wraytex
San Antonio - Gonzales
Member since Jun 2020
3933 posts
Posted on 4/25/26 at 1:31 pm to
I buy stocks under 5$

walmart plus - free shipping, paramount network and 10 cents off gas

amazon prime - free ship and prime video/music

cut your own hair

cook instead of dining out.



Posted by DarthRebel
Tier Five is Alive
Member since Feb 2013
25730 posts
Posted on 4/25/26 at 2:05 pm to
quote:

Only use a debit card. No credit cards allowed.



That is horrible advice
Posted by Thebuzz
Member since Sep 2021
141 posts
Posted on 4/25/26 at 2:13 pm to
Live in a residence that fits your means. Limit your dining out. Drive reliable and reasonable vehicles.

Houses, restaurants and fancy new cars will suck you dry.
Posted by RoyalWe
Louisiana
Member since Mar 2018
4852 posts
Posted on 4/25/26 at 2:30 pm to
quote:

That is horrible advice
It's standard Dave Ramsey advice. It stops you from spending money that you don't have. For most people, it's not information that is the problem. It's discipline. This is a discipline play.

For those of us who have discipline, by all means, use a credit card. The OP was looking for a "hack". There ya go. Don't like it, email Dave Ramsey.
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