Do you ever look at your bank account at the end of the month and wonder, “Where did it all go?” You’re not alone. Between groceries, streaming subscriptions, and those sneaky coffee runs, money slips away faster than we realize.
The good news? Saving doesn’t have to mean cutting out everything you enjoy. With a few small tweaks, you can easily pocket an extra $100 (or more) this month — without feeling deprived.
Here are 10 painless, practical ways to get started.
1. Use a Cashback App for Everyday Shopping
If you’re buying groceries, clothes, or even booking a hotel online, you might as well get a little money back. Apps like Fetch and Ibotta give you cashback just for shopping where you already shop.
For example, I grabbed $25 back on things I was buying anyway. It literally takes two seconds to scan your receipt or click a link.
👉 New Fetch users even get a welcome bonus sign up here.
2. Cut Food Delivery in Half
I love takeout as much as the next person, but those delivery fees add up quickly. Cutting back by just two delivery meals a week could save you $40–$50 a month.
Instead, try meal prepping a couple of simple dinners. Having food ready in the fridge makes it way easier to skip UberEats.
Pro tip: Meal prep containers make the process painless and help your food stay fresh longer.1
3. Cancel or Negotiate Subscriptions
How many subscriptions are you paying for but not really using? Gym memberships, streaming platforms, random apps… they sneak onto your statement.
I realized I was paying $9.99 a month for an app I hadn’t opened in six months. That’s $120 a year!
Tools like Rocket Money track your subscriptions and even help cancel the ones you don’t need. Some people save $30–$50 a month just by doing this one step.
4. Buy Generic for Household Basics
Sometimes the only difference between brand-name paper towels and the store brand is the logo. Swapping out just a few basics like cleaning supplies, snacks, or medicine can shave $20–$30 off your bill each month.
Give it a try — you’ll barely notice the difference, except in your wallet.
5. Declutter & Sell Unused Items
You probably have cash sitting in your closet right now. Old clothes, electronics, kitchen gadgets — if you’re not using them, someone else will pay for them.
I recently sold a pair of sneakers I hadn’t worn in months and made $40 in a weekend. Try listing things on eBay, Poshmark, or even Facebook Marketplace.
Not only will you make money, but you’ll also free up space in your home.
6. Switch to LED Bulbs
It sounds small, but switching your old bulbs to LEDs can cut your electricity bill by $10–$15 a month. Plus, they last way longer, so you’ll save on replacements too.
You can grab a pack of LED bulbs for cheap online and make your money back in the first month.LED bulbs use up to 80–90% less energy than traditional bulbs and last far longer—so you’re not just lowering your monthly electric bill, you’re also replacing bulbs less often. Replacing just a few frequently used lights could save you $5–$10 this month without breaking a sweat. Even better, your utility company may offer to install them for free. For instance, here in my area, PSE&G offers a Whole Home Energy Assessment2—a quick, no-cost visit during which they’ll install energy-saving upgrades like LED light bulbs, smart thermostats, and more.
7. Brew Coffee at Home
Let’s do some quick math. A $5 latte every workday = $100 a month. Making coffee at home costs about 50 cents a cup.
You don’t have to give it up completely — keep your weekend coffee runs. But even cutting back a few days a week saves you $40–$60 a month.
A simple French press or drip coffee maker pays for itself almost instantly.
8. ⛽ Check Gas Apps (GasBuddy, Upside, GetUpside, etc.)
Gas prices can swing by $0.10–$0.25 per gallon depending on where you fill up—even within the same town. Using an app like GasBuddy shows you the cheapest stations nearby in real-time, and Upside/GetUpside gives you cashback per gallon on top of that.
- If you drive 40 gallons a month, saving $0.15/gal = $6 saved.
- Add in cashback apps, and you could easily hit $10–$12/month without even noticing.
It’s a small habit shift that adds up—especially if you commute regularly.
Plus, if you’re interested in signing up with GasBuddy, you can even get a $5 bonus to start. Click here for more information.
9. Shop With a List (and Stick to It)
Ever walked into Target for “just one thing” and left $80 later? 🙋♀️ Been there.
Impulse buying is one of the biggest money leaks. A simple list keeps you on track, you can even do it on your phone and stick to it—no extras, no “just in case” snacks. It’s an easy way to save $50+ a month without even noticing. Studies show people who shop with a list save on groceries.3 That’s easily $25–$50 a month in your pocket.
10. Swap Expensive Entertainment for Free Fun
You don’t need a $60 night out to enjoy yourself. Check your community for free concerts, outdoor movies, or food festivals.
Last month I went to a free food truck event instead of dinner out and had just as much fun — while saving $50.
Final Thoughts
The best part about these tips? You don’t need to overhaul your life. Try just 3 or 4 of them and you’ll see the savings add up quickly.
Saving $100 this month isn’t about restriction — it’s about being smarter with what you already have.
💡 Want to make it even easier? Grab my Free Monthly Budget Tracker download here. It’s the exact tool I use to keep my spending in check, and it’ll help you spot savings without the stress.
And if you’re ready to take the next step, check out my post: Beginner’s Guide to Budget
- As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. ↩︎
- Whole Home Energy Assessment | PSE&G Energy Efficiency Programs ↩︎
- Why You Should Write a Shopping List | Psychology Today United Kingdom ↩︎
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