In a world where the cost of living continues to rise, saving money has become an essential skill for many people. Everyone naturally wants to be good with money…right? While traditional methods such as budgeting and cutting expenses are effective, there are many creative ways to save money that you might not have considered. In this blog post, we will explore 10 creative ways to save money in 2023. Remember, these are just suggestions!

1. Try a “no-spend” month challenge yourself to a month of not spending any money on non-essential items such as clothes, gadgets, and entertainment. This will help you identify and break your spending habits, while also helping you save money. This is really easy to accomplish if you have a work trip, family trip, or something coming up that will displace you from your normal day to day life.
2. Meal prep and plan your meals one of the biggest expenses in any household is food. Planning your meals and prepping your food in advance can help you save a lot of money. You can also use apps that offer discounts on groceries and restaurant meals. Some other tips would be visiting your local groccery store deli sections near closing time. You can find great deals on food that will be thrown away.
3. Go green By reducing your carbon footprint and going green, you can save money on your energy bills. Simple changes like turning off lights and unplugging electronics when not in use can make a big difference. If its cold, throw a blanket on instead turning the heat on. Actively unplug your devices/appliances when they aren’t in use. I see a lot of people with TVs on all through the night while they’re sleeping. Try using a sleep timer.
4. DIY and upcycle Instead of buying new items, try DIY projects or upcycling old items to give them a new life. This can be a fun and creative way to save money, while also reducing waste. Additionally, you can look into couch flipping which I have another blog on.
5. Borrow instead of buying Consider borrowing instead of buying things you only need occasionally, such as tools, sports equipment, and party supplies. You can borrow from friends, family, or even online lending libraries. When we look at the cost of renting things a lot of people decide how much easier it would be to just own the “thing” and avoid having the return it. Well in reality you may use that item once or twice and then never gain. More times than not you’ll be better off getting your short term use out of something and then returning it to its owner!
6. Cancel subscriptions With the rise of subscription services, it’s easy to forget how much money we’re spending each month. Evaluate your subscriptions and cancel those you don’t use or need. You can also try sharing subscriptions with family or friends. There are a bunch of new apps surfacing that help everyday people identify and delete their unrealized apps that are literally draining their bank accounts each month.
7. Buy generic brands Instead of buying expensive branded products, opt for generic or store brands. In most cases, they offer similar quality but at a much lower price. I’m a big fan of Walmart. When it comes to off-brand, used, and other cheaper articles of clothing I’m all about it. Buying such clothing not only helps you save money but also builds your confidence by knowing you can wear the cheaper clothes and still look good doing it!
8. Use cashback apps Cashback apps allow you to earn money back on your purchases. You can earn cashback by scanning receipts or shopping through the app. This is an easy way to save money while shopping. Check with your credit card company on ways to maximize your cash back rewards.
9. Make use of free resources There are many free resources available that you can take advantage of. Libraries offer free access to books, movies, and music. Local parks and community centers offer free activities for families and kids.
10. Negotiate bills and expenses It’s always worth negotiating bills and expenses, such as rent, utilities, and insurance. You can call your service providers and ask for discounts, promotions, or lower rates. In most cases, they’ll be happy to help you save money.

In conclusion, saving money doesn’t have to be boring or difficult. By getting creative and trying out these 10 tips, you can save money while also having fun and making a positive impact on the environment. Try incorporating one or more of these ideas into your life in 2023 and see how much you can save.