Hi, I’m just a regular person who used to be bad at saving money. I would get my allowance or paycheck and spend it fast. But then I tried some simple habits that actually helped me save money. They were easy enough that even a 7th grader like my little cousin could understand them. I’ll share 10 habits I started, with real examples of how each one saved me money. These tips are personal and honest. I hope they help you too!
- I wrote down everything I spent.
I began keeping track of every dollar I used. Each day, I wrote down what I bought, even small things like a snack or a pencil. This helped me see where my money was going. Experts say the first step to saving money is knowing how much you spend. When I saw it on paper, I found little costs I could cut.
Real-life example: I noticed I was spending $10 a week on candy. I was shocked! I decided to buy less candy and save that money instead. In one month, I saved about $40 just by cutting down on a small daily expense. This happened only because I tracked my spending and saw the pattern. - I saved my loose change in a jar.
I got an old jar and started putting all my spare coins in it. Whenever I found a coin in my pocket or around the house, I dropped it in the jar. It felt like a fun game to fill up the jar. It may sound silly, but saving small coins is actually a great way to save extra money. The truth is small amounts can add up quickly.
Real-life example: After a few months, my jar was full of coins. I counted them and had $25 saved up! I used that money to buy a new book and still had money left. It felt like I got the book for free, just by collecting spare change that I didn’t miss at all day to day. - I brought my own lunch instead of buying it.
I realized that buying lunch at school or work was costing a lot. So I started packing my lunch from home. My sandwiches and leftovers from dinner cost much less than fast food. It became a habit and saved me money every week. In fact, making your own lunch for about $3 can save over $1,700 a year compared to buying a $10 lunch! That’s a lot of money for such a simple change.
Real-life example: Last semester, I used to spend around $5 each day in the cafeteria. That adds up to $25 a week. When I switched to home-packed lunches, maybe costing $2 of ingredients, I saved about $15 a week. Over the whole school semester (about 10 weeks), I saved roughly $150. I was able to put that money aside for other things I needed, and I didn’t go hungry at all. - I waited before buying something I wanted.
I used to see something cool and buy it right away. Now I practice waiting for a few days or even a week before buying non-essential things. This habit stopped me from buying a lot of stuff I didn’t really need. If you wait a few days when tempted by a new item, you might realize it was something you wanted rather than needed. Often, my urge to buy would go away after I waited.
Real-life example: I really wanted a new video game that cost $60. I decided to wait one week before buying it. During that week, I played games I already had. By the end of the week, I didn’t feel the need for the new game as strongly, and I decided not to buy it immediately. A month later, that game went on sale for $40. Because I waited, I saved $20. If I had bought it on impulse, I would have spent more for no reason. - I looked for deals and compared prices.
Before I buy anything now, I check if it’s on sale or if another store has it cheaper. I also compare different brands to find a good price. Comparing prices when shopping can help save money. This habit became like a treasure hunt for me – I try to find the best deal before spending my money. It makes me a smart shopper and keeps me from overspending.
Real-life example: I wanted a new pair of headphones. The first store I visited had them for $30. I decided to look online and at another shop. I found the same headphones for $25 at a different store. I also saw a similar pair from a less famous brand for $20 with good reviews. In the end, I bought the $20 pair and saved $10. By shopping around and not buying the first option, I kept more money in my pocket. - I turned off lights and electronics when not using them.
This habit might sound simple, but it made a difference in our electricity bill. I started switching off my bedroom light, computer, or TV whenever I left the room. I unplugged chargers that weren’t in use. It became a game to see if I could lower the electric bill each month. Saving energy like this is good for the planet and it saves money on the power bill. In one case, a family saved about $64 in one month just by turning things off that they weren’t using!
Real-life example: Last summer, I noticed our electricity bill was high. I began turning off the fan and lights every time I left my room. I also got my little brother to turn off the TV when he was done. The next month, our electric bill went down from about $120 to $100. We saved around $20 in one month just by being mindful about electricity. It felt great because it was like earning $20 for free by doing something so easy. - I fixed things instead of buying new ones.
In the past, if my backpack strap tore or if my bike had a problem, I would have asked for a new one. Now I try to repair or reuse things. If my shirt gets a small hole, I ask my mom to help me sew it up. If a toy breaks, I see if I can glue it. Making do with what you have instead of buying new is a smart way to save money. It also means less waste.
Real-life example: My phone case cracked. I was tempted to buy a new fancy case for $15. Instead, I fixed it with some strong tape and stickers. It looked cool and unique after I decorated it. I ended up not needing to spend that $15. Similarly, my bike’s tire got flat; rather than getting a new bike or expensive repair, I watched an online video and learned to patch the tire for just a couple of dollars. These fixes saved me money that I would have otherwise spent on new items. - I set a simple savings goal for myself.
I gave myself a goal: save $100 by the end of the year, or save enough for a new phone. Having a goal made saving feel like a challenge or game that I wanted to win. Working toward a specific goal is one of the most effective ways to save money because it gives you a clear reward to aim for. I even named my savings jar “New Phone Fund” to remind me what I was saving for.
Real-life example: I decided I wanted a new tablet that cost $200. I couldn’t buy it outright, so I set a goal to save for it over six months. That meant I needed to save about $34 each month. I made a plan: save $10 from my allowance each month and $24 from doing extra chores or odd jobs. By the end of six months, I reached my $200 goal and bought the tablet with my saved money. Having that goal kept me on track because I really wanted the reward at the end. - I avoided wasting food and other supplies.
I learned that wasting less can save money. For example, I try not to waste food. I only take as much on my plate as I will eat, and I save leftovers for the next day. The idea is simple: buy only what you need, eat what you buy, and avoid throwing things away. This way, you get your money’s worth out of everything. I also applied this to things like not wasting paper or school supplies — I used every page of my notebook instead of buying a new one too soon.
Real-life example: My family used to throw out food that went bad in the fridge. Now we plan meals better and finish our leftovers. Over a few months, we noticed we spend less on groceries because we weren’t throwing away food. For myself, I stopped buying a new pen or notebook until I truly finished the old one. I realized I had a bunch of half-used notebooks. By using them up completely, I didn’t need to buy school supplies as often, saving me money. - I borrowed or bought used items instead of always buying new.
Before spending on something, I check if I can borrow it or get it second-hand. For example, I borrow books from the library instead of buying new books. If I need a tool or a game, I ask friends or family if they have one I could use. If I really need to own something, I consider buying it used because it’s usually cheaper. Buying secondhand saves you money and also means less waste. This habit taught me that new isn’t always necessary.
Real-life example: I love reading new novels. Each new book costs around $10. I signed up for a library card and started borrowing books for free. In one year, I read 20 books from the library, which could have cost me about $200 if I bought them all. That’s $200 saved! Also, when I needed a calculator for math class, I first asked my cousin. He had an old one he didn’t use anymore, so he gave it to me. I didn’t have to spend $15 on a new calculator. Borrowing and using second-hand items became one of my favorite ways to save money on things I only need for a short time.
These 10 simple habits changed how I handle money. I didn’t become a millionaire or anything, but I did manage to save more and waste less. The key was being mindful and consistent. None of these habits are hard – anyone can try them. I was honestly surprised how much I could save with small changes like a coin jar or bringing my own lunch. It feels good to watch my savings grow. If you want to save money, you can start with one small habit at a time. Remember, saving money is like a slow and steady race. Each coin or dollar you save is a step forward. Over time, those steps add up to something big. Good luck, and happy saving!
The ideas and examples above are inspired by my personal experience and common money-saving tips. Some expert advice that guided me came from Bank of America’s savings guide (expense tracking and waiting to buy), a credit union article on saving spare change (small amounts add up), a personal finance blog about bringing lunch (saved $1,715 a year vs buying lunch), and tips from the U.S. EPA and others on reducing waste (buy only what you need). These sources agree that simple habits can make a big difference in saving money. Remember, it’s not about being perfect with money – it’s about trying little habits that help you spend less and save more, one day at a time.
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