{"id":38872,"date":"2022-05-21T03:19:38","date_gmt":"2022-05-21T10:19:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bucketlistjourney.net\/?p=38872"},"modified":"2025-07-01T21:45:25","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T04:45:25","slug":"how-to-save-money","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bucketlistjourney.net\/how-to-save-money\/","title":{"rendered":"75+ Simple Ways to Save Money for Your Bucket List"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There are hundreds, if not thousands of financial books on the market giving advice on simple ways to save money. But, some of the techniques can seem like you are making too much of a sacrifice from your normal day-to-day living, which makes it difficult to adhere to. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learning how to save money doesn\u2019t have to be a complete downer; it can also be empowering and actually fun.<\/span> Yes, fun<\/span><\/i>. Start by picking a financial dream goal (like <\/span>financial freedom<\/span><\/i>) or specific bucket list experience<\/a> that you want your money to be spent on, because it may be more motivating to be putting dollars towards something like <\/span>Trekking the Inca Trail<\/span><\/a> than just saving for <\/span>future travel<\/span><\/i>. Next, follow these tips to start putting your wanderlust into action.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

The Best Tips & Simple Ways to Save Money for Your Bucket List Adventures<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

1. LEARN SOME DIY SKILLS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Make a list of all the services that you spend money on and see if there’s something you can learn to do yourself, like an oil change or fixing a running toilet. Websites like Youtube make DIYing a whole lot easier!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

2. Sell Your Extra Stuff<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Save money on your new clothes, housewares, and electronics you purchase by selling your old ones. Check your closet for clothes you haven\u2019t worn in months and for old electronics. There are many places to sell unwanted items online, including eBay, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace. You can also hold a traditional yard sale if you want to sell in bulk.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

3. GET A TRAVEL REWARDS CREDIT CARD<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Apply for credit cards that earn airline miles and\/or hotel stays, and start using them for everything, even if it\u2019s just a pack of gum. But, make a commitment to pay them off at the end of every month! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To earn even faster, you can also check your household bills to see if companies accept payments by credit card with no extra fees. Research the best program for your needs and hunt for the best signup deals; this is when they may offer thousands of miles\/points for just getting accepted and charging a small amount in the first three months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My two most-used cards at the moment are the United MileagePlus Explorer<\/a> and Hilton HHonors<\/a>, but there are many others (the Chase Sapphire Preferred is known as one of the best). The Points Guy<\/a> has an entire credit card section, breaking down the advantages and disadvantages of many of the top rewards cards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

4. SIGN UP FOR TRAVEL LOYALTY PROGRAMS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In addition to getting a rewards credit card, also sign up for airline, parking, and hotel loyalty programs so you can earn free flights and stays. Typically these programs are free to join, so enroll in them all. With that said, you will get more bang for your buck if you stay loyal to one company, as you will be able to build points quicker by doing so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though I try to stick with the United and Hilton programs whenever possible since they are used in combination with my credit cards, I still belong to several others like American Airlines JetBlue and IHG.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

5. REEVALUATE CABLE<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although it can be difficult to cut the cord on cable, it\u2019s absolutely for the most part a money sucking payment to make each month. With the streaming services like Netflix, Hulu and Disney+, you could most certainly be spending your TV watching time better than if you had cable \u2013 and for a cheaper price tag even with multiple subscriptions! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Go line by line to see what is needed and what is not. Call your cable company and ask for any current specials that you might be able to take advantage of. Cancel channels you don’t watch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

6. USE WHAT YOU HAVE (INSTEAD OF BUYING NEW)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Food in your cabinet, clothing, products, etc. By making sure that you\u2019ve first finished all the products and food items that you own before purchasing new ones, you\u2019re lowering the cost of replacing them as you aren\u2019t doing it as often.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

7. CANCEL UNNECESSARY SUBSCRIPTIONS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Do you absolutely need to have both Spotify and Pandora? And do you also read all of the magazines you\u2019re subscribed to? Are you using the apps you subscribed to? By cutting out on some of your subscriptions, you can quickly save up a few extra dollars for your bucket list travels.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Cancel<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

8. Open A High-Interest Savings Account<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The returns for putting your money into a high-interest savings account can be more than 10 times the amount you\u2019d get from a low-interest savings account that you typically get through your bank. <\/span>I chose to put my money in a Discover account<\/a> that gives great returns!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

9. MAKE YOUR OWN GIFTS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The beauty of making your own gifts is they can be inexpensive and is also a way to add a more personal touch to them. Plus, you get to work on your creative side as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are plenty of cheap DIY gift ideas online<\/a> that look great and are easy to make, so consider making one when you need to give someone a gift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

10. TRACK SPENDING<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Calculate your monthly expenses by creating a spreadsheet with two columns: NEEDs and WANTs. Track every penny you spend in one month\u2014it must ALL be on this sheet. The needs category should include things like rent, insurance, utilities, and other necessities. In the wants category, put all the things that are discretionary spending, the stuff you spend your extra money on. This would include dining out, clothes shopping, hobbies, manicures, and the things that you don\u2019t necessarily need. Tally both columns up putting the total at the bottom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take a close look at your Wants category to see where you can cut back, even if it\u2019s not deleting the item altogether. Do you really need your triple-shot, non-fat, soy milk latte every morning? Can you commit to making coffee at home at least a couple times a week? If you skipped just three days in the week, you could be saving roughly fifty dollars per month. In just thirty days, you would have enough for a few mugs of beer at Oktoberfest in Germany or a week\u2019s worth of cappuccinos and pastries in Italy. Go through each expense in this column and commit to making one small change for each line item.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

11. FILL YOUR ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR WITH FREE EVENTS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some of the best things in life are free, and that includes joining events and having fun. You can start by checking your community for anything that might interest you like book club events or festivals. You can also check out websites like Eventbrite<\/a> for any free events near you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

12. GET A CROCK POT (AKA: SLOW COOKER)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A crockpot is a fantastic cooker for busy people and for those who want to save a bit more in the long run. You can leave the food cooking for hours while you work or sleep without worrying about electricity costs since it uses the same energy as light bulbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the food you can cook on a crockpot is limited, the convenience, energy efficiency, and savings you can get more than makes up for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t have a slow cooker? Here are a couple of the best ones:<\/p>\n\n\n\n