21 Ways to Save in 2021

Is saving more money a goal of yours? With a new year coming up, now's the perfect time to start thinking about ways to achieve that goal. And the best part? Some of the tricks you can use to get there are super easy to incorporate into your lifestyle. Here are 21 ways you can make 2021 your best year of savings yet.

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.

With an automatic transfer, you arrange to have a portion of each paycheck you get land in your savings account off the bat. That helps eliminate the temptation to spend and ensures that your savings don't suffer due to you simply forgetting to transfer funds over regularly.

Knowing where your money goes each month and how much you can afford to spend makes saving more feasible. Set up a budget for 2021 that outlines your various monthly expenses, then pledge to follow it strictly. Of course, that budget will need to allow for room for savings, and you may need to cut down on certain expenses to make that happen, but having your bills mapped out for you will help you stay on track.

Getting a raise in 2021? Since that extra money in your paychecks is cash you're not used to living on, why not pledge to stick all of it into savings? That should get you closer to your goals.

Many people waste money by throwing away food or buying groceries that expire before they can consume them. A better bet for the coming year is to get into the habit of meal planning. Decide what you'll be cooking and eating each week, make a grocery list, and stick to it rather than hitting the stores and wandering the aisles without a game plan.

Restaurants charge a huge markup for the meals they serve, which extends to takeout and delivery. Cooking more of your own meals could help you save a bundle, and as an added perk, it's generally healthier, too.

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.

If you can't remember the last time you went to the gym or streamed music from a service you pay for, it's time to cancel those accounts. Go through your bank and credit card statements to identify the things you're currently paying for that you can easily do without. There's no sense in throwing away money on them.

Splitting a rental with a roommate is generally cheaper than living alone. If you're tired of living solo, especially in light of the pandemic, see if there's a friend (or friend of a friend) you can bunk with for a year. You'll get built-in company plus an opportunity to save on housing.

If you own a home, refinancing to a lower mortgage rate could shrink your monthly payments significantly. This especially holds true if you have a great credit score, because if so, you may qualify for the best rates that are available today. And to be clear, today's mortgage rates are sitting at record lows, so it's a good time to refinance.

Owe money on different loans or credit cards? Transferring everything over to a single credit card with a lower interest rate could save you money on those payments. Similarly, if you're carrying credit card debt, you may want to apply for a personal loan, which is likely to charge you less interest. You can use that loan to pay off your various debts, and then repay that single loan at a more competitive interest rate.

Many people are spending more time at home due to the pandemic, and while that may result in less money spent commuting, it can also mean increased utility bills. A few simple habits on your part, though -- turning off lights when you leave the room and unplugging appliances you're not using -- could lower those bills and leave you with more money to put into savings.

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.

If you don't watch a ton of TV, you may find that a streaming service or two are a far cheaper option than paying for cable. It pays to consider cutting the cord, especially if you don't watch most of the channels your package includes.

If you're not commuting to work and don't intend to in the near term, it pays to contact your auto insurer and see if you're eligible for a lower premium. Many insurance companies have been partially refunding customers during the pandemic, so make the call if yours hasn't reached out about it.

Impulse buys can thwart your savings efforts, so avoiding them could be your ticket to banking more money next year. You can do so by instituting the 24-hour rule. Whenever you're tempted to buy something out of the blue, force yourself to wait 24 hours before completing the purchase. Much of the time, you'll likely come to your senses and realize the item in question is something you don't really want, don't need, or can't comfortably afford.

Being stuck at home means online shopping has become a popular means of entertainment. But it can also be a costly one. Rather than shop for fun, find other hobbies to explore. Try joining an online book club, taking up new craft, or even spending more time exploring new recipes in your kitchen.

Chances are, you don't need the same robust data plan you once did now that you're spending more time at home. Take a look at your cellphone bill and see if there's a lower-tier plan that's less costly.

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.

Whether you need new furniture, electronics, or tools in the coming year, buying used can save you serious money. You can search for secondhand items online (think sites like eBay) or via local marketplaces on social media.

With a no-spend weekend, you pledge to not buy anything other than essentials one Saturday and Sunday per month. The logic is that if you replace your usual restaurant dinner and movie theater outing with a home-cooked meal and video you can stream for free, you'll save a bundle without depriving yourself all the time. Of course, during the pandemic, a lot of people are doing no-spend weekends anyway, but it's a good trick for saving money during normal times as well.

Getting ahead of health issues could make them less expensive to treat. Be sure to see your doctor for an annual physical (most health insurance companies offer this benefit at no cost to enrollees) and follow up on any conditions you have.

A well-maintained vehicle is unlikely to break down out of nowhere. Be sure to take your car in for regular oil changes and tune-ups to avoid more expensive problems down the line.

Though home repairs can creep up on you at any time, proper maintenance can help you avoid major ones. Carve out a few hours each week for upkeep so you don't fall behind. In fact, a good idea is to schedule specific tasks on your calendar so you don’t neglect them.

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.

You may be surprised at how much free entertainment is out there, from concerts at local parks to nature walks to no-cost museum admissions on certain days. Of course, some of this entertainment may be limited during the pandemic, but on the flip side, it's now easier than ever to sign up for things like free online classes that can keep you busy for hours.

Whether your goal next year is to save a bundle of money or simply do better than you've done in the past, these tips will help you meet it. And that, in turn, will give you something to be proud of, not to mention buy you more financial security on a whole.