15 Money-Saving Tips Anyone Can Fall in Love With

There's something about saving money that can make us feel really good about ourselves -- not to mention better our financial circumstances. If you're eager to boost your savings, here are some easy tips to employ.

Our credit card expert uses this card, and it could earn you $1,148 (seriously)
As long as you pay them off each month, credit cards are a no-brainer for savvy Americans. They protect against fraud far better than debit cards, help raise your credit score, and can put hundreds (or thousands!) of dollars in rewards back in your pocket each year.

But with so many cards out there, you need to choose wisely. This top-rated card offers the ability to pay 0% interest on purchases until late 2021, has some of the most generous cash back rewards we’ve ever seen (up to 5%!), and somehow still sports a $0 annual fee.

That’s why our expert – who has reviewed hundreds of cards – signed up for this one personally. Click here to get free access to our expert’s top pick.

Knowing what your various bills actually look like will make it easier for you to manage your money. To this end, set up a household budget and stick to it. You may have an easier time cutting back on expenses once you have everything mapped out for you.

Putting your savings on autopilot will help you stick to your goal. You can arrange for a portion of each paycheck you receive to land directly into your savings account, or you can sign up for your employer's retirement plan and have contributions deducted from your earnings automatically.

You may come into extra money this year -- a tax refund, a generous birthday gift, or perhaps a stimulus check. If you pledge to stick that money directly into the bank, you'll get closer to your goals.

Restaurants charge an enormous markup on the food they serve. If you pledge to do most or all of your cooking at home, you may find that you spend only about a quarter as much as you would on dining out, delivery, or takeout.

Many people overspend at the supermarket because they're disorganized or aren't sure what to buy and err on the side of purchasing extra. If you make an effort to plan out your meals in advance, you could slash your grocery bills and bank the difference.

Our credit card expert uses this card, and it could earn you $1,148 (seriously)
As long as you pay them off each month, credit cards are a no-brainer for savvy Americans. They protect against fraud far better than debit cards, help raise your credit score, and can put hundreds (or thousands!) of dollars in rewards back in your pocket each year.

But with so many cards out there, you need to choose wisely. This top-rated card offers the ability to pay 0% interest on purchases until late 2021, has some of the most generous cash back rewards we’ve ever seen (up to 5%!), and somehow still sports a $0 annual fee.

That’s why our expert – who has reviewed hundreds of cards – signed up for this one personally. Click here to get free access to our expert’s top pick.

Maybe you don't need your current cell phone plan that comes with tons of data, or the cable plan with 272 channels, the bulk of which you don't even watch. Take a look at the services you pay for and see if there are cheaper alternatives.

That gym membership that never gets used? Why continue spending on it? Go through your budget and identify expenses you can unload completely. That's apt to help you save more.

The less money you throw away on interest, the more you stand to save. If you're carrying debt, see if you can consolidate it in a manner that makes it easier to manage and less costly to pay off. A balance transfer is one option to look at, especially if you find a credit card offer with a 0% introductory APR.

Today's mortgage refinance rates are sitting near record lows, so it's a good time to get a new home loan. Doing so could help you reduce your monthly payment, thereby allowing for more savings.

Getting your homeowners and auto insurance from the same company could result in a discount. If you're using two difference companies right now, see what consolidating to a single provider will do for you.

Our credit card expert uses this card, and it could earn you $1,148 (seriously)
As long as you pay them off each month, credit cards are a no-brainer for savvy Americans. They protect against fraud far better than debit cards, help raise your credit score, and can put hundreds (or thousands!) of dollars in rewards back in your pocket each year.

But with so many cards out there, you need to choose wisely. This top-rated card offers the ability to pay 0% interest on purchases until late 2021, has some of the most generous cash back rewards we’ve ever seen (up to 5%!), and somehow still sports a $0 annual fee.

That’s why our expert – who has reviewed hundreds of cards – signed up for this one personally. Click here to get free access to our expert’s top pick.

Avoiding unplanned purchases could work wonders for your savings. You can avoid impulse buys by forcing yourself to wait 24 hours before completing unplanned purchases (during which time you’re likely to come to your senses and not go through with some), and also, by not storing your credit card details on your phone, tablet, or laptop.

Proper auto and home maintenance could help you avoid costly repairs. Be sure to take your car in for regular oil changes, and do what you need to do around the house to stay on top of looming issues.

During a no-spend month, you limit your spending to essentials only, like rent, food, and medication. It's not an easy thing to pull off, but from a savings perspective, it's highly effective. If the idea of a no-spend month sounds too daunting, start with a no-spend week and see how that goes.

The less money you spend to keep busy, the more you'll save. It pays to explore free entertainment, like hiking, library books, and the board games you already own.

Many credit cards offer cash back for the items you regularly purchase. If you're not getting solid rewards right now, apply for a new card with a more generous program.

Our credit card expert uses this card, and it could earn you $1,148 (seriously)
As long as you pay them off each month, credit cards are a no-brainer for savvy Americans. They protect against fraud far better than debit cards, help raise your credit score, and can put hundreds (or thousands!) of dollars in rewards back in your pocket each year.

But with so many cards out there, you need to choose wisely. This top-rated card offers the ability to pay 0% interest on purchases until late 2021, has some of the most generous cash back rewards we’ve ever seen (up to 5%!), and somehow still sports a $0 annual fee.

That’s why our expert – who has reviewed hundreds of cards – signed up for this one personally. Click here to get free access to our expert’s top pick.

The more money you save, the more peace of mind you'll buy yourself, and the more likely you'll be to achieve your goals. These tips are all extremely effective in their own right, so the more you adopt, the more successful a saver you're apt to be.