60 Proven Ways To Save Money

By /
A pink paper origami pig, showcasing traditional Japanese folding art.

Use these tactics, pick the ones that fit, and act. I’ve linked directly to official resources and high-quality guides.

Colorful assortment of fresh vegetables arranged on supermarket shelves, perfect for healthy eating themes.

Banking, cash flow, and credit

  1. Grab any 401(k) match first – it is an instant, risk-free return. See the current limits here: IRS 401(k) contribution limits for 2025.
  2. Use an HSA if you have an HDHP – contributions, growth, and qualified withdrawals are tax-free. Learn mechanics in IRS Publication 969 and check 2025 HSA limits in Rev. Proc. 2024-25.
  3. Use a health FSA for predictable care – pretax dollars up to the annual cap. See the 2025 cap at IRS: 2025 health FSA limit.
  4. Set paycheck withholding accurately – keep more cash each month without a big refund later. Run the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator.
  5. Use Direct File or Free File – avoid paid prep when you qualify. Start with IRS Direct File and IRS Free File.
  6. Claim the Earned Income Tax Credit if eligible – it is refundable. Check rules and amounts at IRS: Earned Income Tax Credit.
  7. Claim the Saver’s Credit when you contribute to retirement – lowers tax owed. See who qualifies: IRS: Saver’s Credit overview.
  8. Roll old 529 money to a Roth IRA (new Secure 2.0 option) – within tight limits. See the rule note in IRS Pub. 525 (rollovers to Roth IRA).
  9. Get free weekly credit reports – permanently available from all three bureaus. Start at FTC: free weekly credit reports and request via AnnualCreditReport.com.
  10. Freeze your credit for free – block new-account fraud and cut future hassle. How-to: Security freeze basics (links to each bureau inside).
  11. Avoid overdraft fees – turn off overdraft, set alerts, and use low-balance notifications. Read the regulator’s guide: CFPB on overdraft fees.
  12. Scan for lost money – unclaimed refunds, deposits, insurance, and payroll are common. Search via USA.gov: Unclaimed money and the state network at MissingMoney.com.

Taxes and workplace benefits

Screenshot of www.irs.gov
  1. Use pre-tax transit and parking – save income and payroll tax up to the monthly caps. See 2025 limits in IRS Publication 15-B.
  2. Check if VITA/TCE will file your return free – trained IRS-certified volunteers. Start at File your taxes for free.
  3. Use employer legal benefits, EAPs, and counseling – often bundled at no extra cost; ask HR.
  4. Use Dependent Care FSA for child care – pretax savings can beat the credit depending on income. See details in IRS Pub. 15-B.
  5. Optimize student loans with IDR or PSLF if eligible – check official rules and current changes at Income-Driven Repayment and Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Track 2025 SAVE/IDR updates here: IDR court-actions page.
  6. File amendments when you miss credits – EITC, Saver’s Credit, or education benefits can be claimed later. Start with Form 1040-X.

Bills, telecom, and subscriptions

Screenshot of www.energystar.gov
  1. Qualify for discounted phone or internet with Lifeline – monthly federal benefit. Verify eligibility at USAC: Lifeline overview and find providers via Companies Near Me tool.
  2. Use EveryoneOn to find low-cost plans near you – major ISPs and nonprofit offers. Try the EveryoneOn offer locator.
  3. Ask your utility and insurer for autopay or paperless discounts – small cuts add up; check your statements.
  4. Audit subscriptions quarterly – cancel in writing and screenshot confirmations. See FTC: free-trial offers and tips for avoiding “negative-option” traps.
  5. Use your public library’s “Library of Things” – borrow tools, instruments, hotspots, and more. Background: American Libraries: Library of Things.
  6. Reserve free or discounted museum passes with your library card – example: Boston Public Library museum passes and NYPL Culture Pass.

Health and prescriptions

Screenshot of www.fda.gov
  1. Use no-cost preventive care on ACA-compliant plans – annual checkups, screenings, and vaccines. See Healthcare.gov: preventive services.
  2. Ask for generics using the FDA’s Orange Book – confirm therapeutic equivalence. Check the FDA Orange Book.
  3. Price 90-day supplies through your plan’s mail-order pharmacy – fewer copays and fewer trips.
  4. If you get a surprise medical bill, use your rights under the No Surprises Act – dispute out-of-network charges in emergencies. Read CMS: No Surprises Act protections.
  5. Ask hospitals about “financial assistance” policies – many must offer charity-care or discounts. See the tax rule at IRS §501(r) hospital requirements.
  6. Track FSA/HSA deadlines and carryovers – avoid forfeits; confirm your plan’s rules. Reference limits: IRS Pub. 969 and IRS on 2025 FSA cap.

Home, utilities, and energy

Screenshot of www.energy.gov
  1. Apply for LIHEAP if you struggle with heating or cooling bills – federal aid via states. Start at HHS: LIHEAP.
  2. Get a free or low-cost weatherization audit and upgrades via DOE WAP – insulation, air-sealing, and more. See DOE: Weatherization Assistance Program.
  3. Claim federal home energy tax credits – insulation, heat pumps, windows, and more. See Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C) and Residential Clean Energy Credit (25D).
  4. Check your state’s IRA rebates as they roll out – large point-of-sale discounts for electrification and efficiency. Track status at DOE: Home Energy Rebates.
  5. Use the ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder before you buy appliances – stack utility and retailer offers.
  6. Use the EPA WaterSense Rebate Finder for toilets, showerheads, and faucets – water savings cut energy bills too.
  7. Get a low-cost Home Energy Score – a quick DOE assessment with prioritized fixes. Learn what it is: DOE: Home Energy Score overview.
  8. Follow official energy-saver steps – air-seal, right-size water-heater temperature, smart thermostats. Start with DOE: Energy Saver.
  9. Ask your utility about time-of-use or budget billing – shift usage and smooth costs where offered.
  10. Recycle an old, working fridge or freezer through utility bounty programs – often pays cash; check the ENERGY STAR finder.
  11. Rent or borrow tools from local “tool libraries” for DIY – avoid one-time purchases. See the Tool Library Alliance.
  12. Replace five most-used bulbs with ENERGY STAR LEDs – use the ENERGY STAR Product Finder to pick right models.
Close-up of a hand resting on a desk near a stack of investigative documents and newspaper clippings.

Food and groceries

  1. Double SNAP fruits and veggies in many states – match your spend at participating stores and markets. Find your state at Double Up Food Bucks.
  2. Use SNAP at farmers’ markets and look for match tokens – how it works here: USDA FNS: attracting SNAP customers.
  3. Cut food waste with correct storage times – use the USDA FoodKeeper App.
  4. Plan around unit pricing and store brands – cheaper per ounce on staples; verify on shelf labels.
  5. Batch cook and freeze in portions – fewer impulse buys; safer with FoodKeeper storage guidance.
  6. Join a CSA with SNAP discounts where available – ask farms; some states support it via Double Up.
  7. Use library cookbooks and classes to expand low-cost recipes – free and practical.
  8. Check community fridges and food co-ops – local options can bridge short months.

Transport and insurance

  1. Drive efficiently – gentle acceleration, steady speeds, combine trips. Fuel-saving math: FuelEconomy.gov: driving efficiently.
  2. Keep tires properly inflated – low pressure burns fuel. Quick guide at FuelEconomy.gov: maintenance.
  3. Use pre-tax transit or parking benefits if commuting – limits explained in IRS Pub. 15-B.
  4. Shop auto insurance yearly and ask about telematics discounts – neutral overview at Insurance Information Institute: saving on auto insurance.
  5. If eligible, use state low-cost auto programs – e.g., California Low Cost Auto and New Jersey’s SAIP Dollar-a-Day policy.
  6. Maintain your car on-time – oil, air filter, alignment – to avoid expensive repairs and worse MPG.

Windfalls, protections, and misc.

  1. Search for local appliance, thermostat, and water rebates before you buy – hit ENERGY STAR rebates and WaterSense rebates.
  2. Reserve free cultural passes, tools, and hotspots from your library – see what many U.S. libraries lend plus your local system’s site.
  3. Keep an emergency buffer in a high-yield savings account – FDIC-insured up to limits; confirm your bank’s status.
  4. Document everything when cancelling services – timestamps, confirmations, and bank messages reduce dispute time. See FTC advice on subscriptions.
  5. Revisit this list twice a year – limits and programs update annually; key pages above stay current.

Reference hub

Laws, limits, and programs change. Always confirm on the linked official pages before acting.

Related Posts

Scroll to Top