94 Creative Ways to Save Money Today

Let's face it: Stressing out over money can be seriously stressful. But taking control of spending and saving even just a pocket-full of George Washington's can help alleviate some of the worry. Whether you want to be a millionaire (so frickin' bad) or simply want to stop spending your paycheck before you get it, there are some surprisingly easy ways to tuck away a little cash. From shopping smart to taking care of your clothes, we've got 94 easy ways to save more money, fast. Banking and Budgeting 1. Pick a bank that gives back. Look for a bank that makes the most sense for you. Seek out perks like no ATM fees, high interest on savings accounts, and no overdraft fees. Smaller banksoften offer better interest rates and perks. If your bank doesn't offer these perks, call them and ask if they will. 2. Divide your paycheck. Ask your company's human resources department to divideeach of your paychecks between your savings and checking accounts. Set a specific percentage to automatically deposit into your savings so you're less inclined to touch it while out at the bar. Another bonus: Interest rates are generally higher for savings accounts than they are for checking. 3. Set goals with a budget-tracking app. Set a goal—“Pay off credit card debt”—and then come up with an actionable, realistic plan for achieving it (and then stick to the plan). Try out finance-tracking apps like BUDGT, Learnvest, or Mint, which offer a visual barometers of specific goals. Pin it Share 4. Check on your account. Make like the Sherlock Holmes of your bank account and regularly scour for funny-looking charges. Staying on top of your current balance and past purchases allows you to spot errors as well as areas of spending that can be cut back. (Do youreallyneed take-out three nights a week?) 5. Use ATMs sparingly. Be smart about ATM trips. Try withdrawing a set amount each week and sticking to it, that way you won't be forced to hit up a non-affiliated bank (and get whacked by ATM fees). To stay organized, you can divide cash into envelopes—not just an app—with categories like “food”, “rent”, and “fun”. When an envelope goes empty, it's time to stop spending in that section (or swap funds from another one). Paying with cash will also feel more “real” than using a plastic card. 6. Plan withdrawals. If you find yourself needing to use ATMs more frequently, plan each ATM visit carefully to avoid fees. When it's time to take out cash, make sure you have time to get to your bank (unless it doesn't charge ATM fees) or go to a supermarket or convenience store that offers cash backwith debit purchases. Personal Care 7. Troll exclusive deals sites. For deals on everything from haircuts to brow waxing, head to sites like Groupon, Yipit, and Living Social. If some deals seem too good to be true, check out Yelp reviews of specific restaurants or salons before purchasing in order to prevent the meal or haircut from hell. 8. Get your hair done for free. Search online for local beauty schools. An appointment with a student in training may mean a majorly discounted (or even free) haircut. 9. Take care of yourself. Get enough sleep, wash those hands, and do whatever it takes to prevent the sniffles. A little TLC, healthy food, and regular exercisecan help prevent expensive medical bills down the road. Pin it Share 10. Take short showers. Bear the occasional cold shower! Turning down the heat saves money on both water and the energy it takes to replenish your hot water tank. If cold showers are your worst nightmare, try adjusting your hot water heater's thermostat to 120 degrees or less. You'll still save energy (without the goose bumps). 11. Cut co-pays. For prescription meds taken regularly, ask your doc for a three-month supply. Oftentimes doing so is cheaper than purchasing month by month. 12. Make your own shaving cream. Shave pennies off each shave with a DIY cream/lotion like this one, which uses moisturizing coconut oil, shea butter, and olive oil. Or just use other (cheaper) items from around the house—conditioner, baby oil, or... wait for it... peanut butter! 13. Indulge in a DIY spa day. Face masks, body scrubs, and hair masks aren't limited to pricey spas. Make your own spa-like goodieswith easy-to-make ingredients lists including bananas and coffee. 14. Give up expensive habits. Ditch the cigarettes, illicit drugs, and excessive 30-racks of beer. This stuff is not only a detriment to human health, but it's a huge money waster. Need convincing? The average smoker spends more than $2,000on cigarettes every year. 15. Hit up corporate discounts. See if your company offers corporate perks and discountssuch as gym memberships, ball games, cell-phone data plans, hotel fares, and concerts. 16. Take advantage of free fitness classes. Many gyms and fitness studios offer at least one free class or gym session, while others offer cheap, introductory rates. Don't be afraid to try new places and new fitness trends! 17. Stream fitness classes online. Stream fitness classes for free or for a small fee. Some monthly subscriptions to fitness video sites are cheaper than one in-person class. We like YogaToday, Daily Burn, and GaiamTV. Get friends involved to stay accountable. 18. Treat yourself. This one takes some self-restraint, but we actually endorse a form of frivolous spending! Every once in a while, go ahead and buy something you don't really need (ahem, another bottle of nail polish). Regularly treating yourselfwill help you feel less restricted so you don't go on a spending binge down the road. Home and Electronics 19. Turn off the water while scrubbing dishes. Spray a little water on all the dishes in the sink, then turn it off while scrubbing. Turn the water back on when it's time to rinse. Hand washing dishes (versus a dishwasher) just once daily—and not leaving the water running while scrubbing—can save 200 to 500 gallonsof hot water per month. That's not just good for the environment; it's good for your wallet. 20. Stay warm without the heat. During harsh winter months, layer up with extra blankets, drink a hot cuppa tea, and get your snuggle on to stay warminstead of jacking up the heat. Something as simple as a hot water bottle in bed can mean forgoing high thermostat temps. 21. Customize your air freshener. Fancy, fragrant wall flowers, aromatic sprays, and a slew of over-priced candles can do some serious damage on your wallet. Deodorize a stinky mudroom with a simple mixof baking soda and an essential oil of your preference. We also like these DIY reed diffusers. 22. Concoct a cleaning solution. Whip up your very own signature cleaning solution. DIY cleaners can be natural, safe, and—most of the time—less expensive. With basic ingredients such as baking soda, vinegar, olive oil, and fresh herbs, DIY cleanerscan get the job done without harsh chemicals and for a fraction of the price of commercial cleaners. 23. Choose energy-efficient appliances. The math is easy on this one. Less energy used equals less money spent. If your fridge works perfectly fine, it may not be in your best interest to chuck it; but when you do decide to buy new appliances, it's worth the extra moolah to purchase an Energy Starmodel. 24. Stay cool without the AC. The most obvious way to cut air conditioning costs is to not use air conditioning at all. Luckily, it's still possible to keep cool on a stiflingly hot night. Check out these AC-free tips, from icing down pulse points to using cotton sheets. http://greatist.com/happiness/ways-save-money