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© 2025 Investimenews, All rights reserved.
Market Insights, International News, Business Trends.
© 2025 Investimenews, All rights reserved.
I know what it’s like to be broke. A few years ago, I had almost no money left at the end of each month. It felt scary and stressful. I worried about every dollar I spent. I wondered how I could ever save anything. Over time, I learned some simple habits that helped me save money even when I had very little. I want to share those smart ways to save money with you. They’re realistic, practical, and anyone can try them.
A simple piggy bank reminds me that even small savings can grow over time.
Being broke doesn’t mean you can’t save at all. I started by changing a few small habits in my life. These habits didn’t make me rich overnight, but they did help me feel more in control. Even if you save just a few coins or dollars, every bit counts. Saving money when you’re broke is tough, but it is possible with the right approach. Here are some friendly tips and habits that worked for me, explained in a way a seventh-grader can understand.
One of the first things I did was cut out small daily expenses that were sneaking away my money. I realized that little things, like buying a snack or a soda every day, were adding up more than I thought. For example, even a $5 treat each day can add up to about $1,825 in a year! That number surprised me. I thought, “Wow, I could really use that money for something important.” So, I looked at my daily habits and made some changes.
Cutting these small expenses wasn’t too painful. I still treat myself once in a while, but not every day. By avoiding little purchases that I didn’t really need, I noticed extra money staying in my pocket. It taught me that small savings can turn into big savings over time.
Another smart habit is using what you already have instead of buying new things. When I was broke, I often felt the urge to buy something because I thought I needed it – like a new bottle of shampoo or a new notebook. Then I learned to pause and check at home first. Many times, I already had a spare shampoo bottle in the cabinet, or I had half a notebook still empty from last semester. Why buy another one if I’ve got one already?
I started doing “shopping at home” before going to the store. This means I look around and use what I have on hand. In the kitchen, for example, I cook meals with ingredients I already have in the pantry or fridge. I might want a pizza, but if I see pasta and sauce in my kitchen, I’ll cook that instead of ordering food. In school, if I need a folder or pen, I check my desk for supplies from last year. Using what you have saves you the money you would have spent on new items.
I even got a bit creative with reusing things. I turned old t-shirts into cleaning rags instead of buying new rags. I reused jars as containers for leftovers. By making the most of what I had, I saved money and also reduced waste. It felt good to find new uses for old things. Before spending money, I remind myself: “Do I already have something that can work?” Often, the answer is yes.
When I had very little money, impulse buys (buying something unplanned, on the spur of the moment) were dangerous. I’d see a cool gadget or a game on sale and want it immediately. But buying things without thinking can leave you regretting it later, especially if you’re broke. So I learned to pause before spending on anything that isn’t essential.
Now, when I want something, I wait. I don’t buy it right away. Sometimes I wait a day; for bigger wants, I might wait a week or even a month. This waiting time is super helpful. It gives me a chance to ask myself, “Do I really need this? Can I afford it? Will I still want this later?” More often than not, I realize I don’t need it that much. The urge to buy often goes away. Some people even follow a 30-day rule – if you want an extra item, wait 30 days before buying to see if you still care about it. This is a great way to avoid impulse purchases.
Pausing my spending helped me avoid many purchases that would have wasted money. For example, I almost bought a new pair of headphones once, but after waiting and thinking, I realized my old ones were still fine. I saved that money. It’s like giving your brain a little time-out to make a smart choice. Patience pays off – literally!
Late fees are like throwing money in the trash – you get nothing in return, and they can really hurt when you’re broke. I learned this the hard way. I used to forget to pay a bill on time (like a phone bill), and then I’d get charged an extra $10 or $15 as a late fee. That’s money I could have saved if I’d just paid on time. So I made it a habit to avoid late fees at all costs.
I started by getting organized with due dates. I marked a calendar with all the bill due dates and set reminders on my phone. Now, a day or two before a bill is due, my phone alerts me so I can pay it on time. Paying on time means no more penalty charges. Some companies even let you set up automatic payments, which means the money is taken out of your account on the due date so you’re never late. This can be helpful if you trust yourself to have enough in your account to cover it.
Why is this so important? Because all those late fees across the country really add up. People in the U.S. spend over $14 billion a year on credit card late fees alone! I don’t want to give any extra dollars to late fees if I can help it. It might feel like “just $10,” but that could buy a meal or go into savings instead. By avoiding late fees, I keep more of my money for myself. It’s like paying yourself instead of paying a fine. Now, I treat due dates seriously, and it’s made a big difference. No more surprise charges eating up my tiny budget.
Food is something we have to spend money on, but there are smart ways to spend less on it. I discovered that cooking at home and making my meals stretch saved me a lot. When I was very low on money, I stopped eating out or ordering take-out as much as possible. Restaurant meals and fast food can cost two or three times more than a simple home-cooked meal. In fact, food is often one of our biggest expenses, but preparing food at home is one way to reduce those costs.
Cooking at home doesn’t have to be fancy. I’m not a chef, and I used basic ingredients. I learned to make simple, filling meals like pasta, soup, sandwiches, and rice with beans. These foods are cheap but can make a lot of servings. For example, a big pot of soup can feed me for two or three days. I also save leftovers; if I cook chicken one night, I might use the leftover chicken in a sandwich or with noodles the next day. This way, nothing goes to waste, and I get more meals for the money I spent on groceries.
Another trick I use is planning meals ahead of time. Before I go grocery shopping, I think of a few meals I can make and list the ingredients I truly need. I check my pantry first (tying back to using what I have) and then make a shopping list. Sticking to a list helps me avoid buying extra snacks or expensive items I don’t need. By cooking at home and making my meals stretch, I often spend far less than I used to when I ate out frequently. Plus, I usually end up with leftovers, which is like getting a free extra meal. It’s a win-win: I eat, I save money, and I even learned a bit of cooking along the way!
When money is very tight, one of the best things you can do is find free alternatives for the things you enjoy. I used to think having fun or getting certain things always cost money, but I was wrong. There are so many free options around us if we look carefully. Here are some free (or extremely cheap) things I started doing to save money while still enjoying life:
These free options made me realize I could still do a lot without spending money. It made being broke a little less painful because I didn’t feel like I was missing out on fun. Every time I chose a free activity, I saved money. Over time, I even started to prefer some of these free options – the library became one of my favorite places, and hanging out at home with friends brought us closer. If you look for the free (or very cheap) things around you, you’ll be surprised how much is available. It’s a great feeling to have fun and save money at the same time.
This habit might sound a bit like homework, but it truly changed how I handled money: I began to track every dollar I spent. I treated it like a personal challenge or game. I got a small notebook (you can also use a notes app on a phone) and wrote down every expense, no matter how small. If I spent $1 on a candy bar, I wrote it down. If I paid $30 for a phone bill, I wrote it down. The goal was to see exactly where my money was going each month.
At first, I thought I knew where my money went – mostly bills and food. But after writing down everything for a few weeks, I was surprised. I saw patterns. I realized I was spending maybe $20 a month on little snacks and $15 on bus rides, etc. It doesn’t sound like much, but when you only have a little money, those dollars matter. By tracking my expenses for about a month, I got a clear picture of where every dollar was going. As one article said, “You need to track your expenses for about a month to get a clear picture of where every dollar is going.” And it’s so true!
Once I had my spending written out, I could identify areas to cut back. It’s like seeing a map of your money. For example, when I saw I spent $10 on late fees that month, I knew I had to avoid that by paying on time (tying back to our late fee tip!). When I saw the snack expenses, I cut them in half by buying snacks in bulk. Tracking every dollar helped me create a simple budget in my head. I started setting small goals, like “Next month I’ll try to spend $5 less on snacks and put that $5 in savings.” It became almost like a game to me to meet that goal.
Tracking your spending might feel tedious, but it gets easier with practice. And you don’t have to be perfect at it. The idea is just to be aware. Knowing is half the battle. When you know where your money goes, you can control it better. This habit made me feel more responsible and less anxious, because there were no “mysteries” about my money at the end of the month. I knew exactly what happened, and I could make smarter choices going forward.
Saving money when you’re broke isn’t easy, but it is possible with the right habits. The key for me was to start small and stay consistent. I didn’t save hundreds of dollars overnight. I saved a few dollars here and there by cutting a coffee, avoiding a fee, or using what I had. Over time, those dollars added up. More importantly, these habits made me feel hopeful and in control of my situation, instead of feeling helpless.
If you’re in a tough spot with money, try some of these tips. Pick one habit at a time and see how it goes. Maybe start by tracking your spending or making dinner at home tonight. Celebrate small wins – like saving $5 – because every bit you save is a step forward. I remember feeling proud the first week I managed not to overspend my tiny budget. It felt like I gave myself a gift of security, even if it was just an extra $20 in the bank.
Most of all, be kind to yourself. It’s hard to save when you have very little, and sometimes you might slip (I still buy the occasional treat or forget something – it’s okay!). The important thing is to keep trying and build good habits little by little. I’m not broke like before, but I still use these smart ways to save money every day. They’ve become part of my life, and they can help you too. Remember, you’re not alone, and with some patience and smart choices, you can turn things around. Stay encouraged and keep saving, one dollar at a time! Good luck – you got this.
Check this out:
How to Launch a Cleaning Business and Earn £500,000 Annually
Starting a Vending Machine Side Hustle: Steps to Achieve $900 Monthly Income
A Guide to Profitable Reselling Businesses: From Zero to $20,000 a Month
I know what it’s like to be broke. A few years ago, I had almost no money left at the end of each month. It felt scary and stressful. I worried about every dollar I spent. I wondered how I could ever save anything. Over time, I learned some simple habits that helped me save money even when I had very little. I want to share those smart ways to save money with you. They’re realistic, practical, and anyone can try them.
A simple piggy bank reminds me that even small savings can grow over time.
Being broke doesn’t mean you can’t save at all. I started by changing a few small habits in my life. These habits didn’t make me rich overnight, but they did help me feel more in control. Even if you save just a few coins or dollars, every bit counts. Saving money when you’re broke is tough, but it is possible with the right approach. Here are some friendly tips and habits that worked for me, explained in a way a seventh-grader can understand.
One of the first things I did was cut out small daily expenses that were sneaking away my money. I realized that little things, like buying a snack or a soda every day, were adding up more than I thought. For example, even a $5 treat each day can add up to about $1,825 in a year! That number surprised me. I thought, “Wow, I could really use that money for something important.” So, I looked at my daily habits and made some changes.
Cutting these small expenses wasn’t too painful. I still treat myself once in a while, but not every day. By avoiding little purchases that I didn’t really need, I noticed extra money staying in my pocket. It taught me that small savings can turn into big savings over time.
Another smart habit is using what you already have instead of buying new things. When I was broke, I often felt the urge to buy something because I thought I needed it – like a new bottle of shampoo or a new notebook. Then I learned to pause and check at home first. Many times, I already had a spare shampoo bottle in the cabinet, or I had half a notebook still empty from last semester. Why buy another one if I’ve got one already?
I started doing “shopping at home” before going to the store. This means I look around and use what I have on hand. In the kitchen, for example, I cook meals with ingredients I already have in the pantry or fridge. I might want a pizza, but if I see pasta and sauce in my kitchen, I’ll cook that instead of ordering food. In school, if I need a folder or pen, I check my desk for supplies from last year. Using what you have saves you the money you would have spent on new items.
I even got a bit creative with reusing things. I turned old t-shirts into cleaning rags instead of buying new rags. I reused jars as containers for leftovers. By making the most of what I had, I saved money and also reduced waste. It felt good to find new uses for old things. Before spending money, I remind myself: “Do I already have something that can work?” Often, the answer is yes.
When I had very little money, impulse buys (buying something unplanned, on the spur of the moment) were dangerous. I’d see a cool gadget or a game on sale and want it immediately. But buying things without thinking can leave you regretting it later, especially if you’re broke. So I learned to pause before spending on anything that isn’t essential.
Now, when I want something, I wait. I don’t buy it right away. Sometimes I wait a day; for bigger wants, I might wait a week or even a month. This waiting time is super helpful. It gives me a chance to ask myself, “Do I really need this? Can I afford it? Will I still want this later?” More often than not, I realize I don’t need it that much. The urge to buy often goes away. Some people even follow a 30-day rule – if you want an extra item, wait 30 days before buying to see if you still care about it. This is a great way to avoid impulse purchases.
Pausing my spending helped me avoid many purchases that would have wasted money. For example, I almost bought a new pair of headphones once, but after waiting and thinking, I realized my old ones were still fine. I saved that money. It’s like giving your brain a little time-out to make a smart choice. Patience pays off – literally!
Late fees are like throwing money in the trash – you get nothing in return, and they can really hurt when you’re broke. I learned this the hard way. I used to forget to pay a bill on time (like a phone bill), and then I’d get charged an extra $10 or $15 as a late fee. That’s money I could have saved if I’d just paid on time. So I made it a habit to avoid late fees at all costs.
I started by getting organized with due dates. I marked a calendar with all the bill due dates and set reminders on my phone. Now, a day or two before a bill is due, my phone alerts me so I can pay it on time. Paying on time means no more penalty charges. Some companies even let you set up automatic payments, which means the money is taken out of your account on the due date so you’re never late. This can be helpful if you trust yourself to have enough in your account to cover it.
Why is this so important? Because all those late fees across the country really add up. People in the U.S. spend over $14 billion a year on credit card late fees alone! I don’t want to give any extra dollars to late fees if I can help it. It might feel like “just $10,” but that could buy a meal or go into savings instead. By avoiding late fees, I keep more of my money for myself. It’s like paying yourself instead of paying a fine. Now, I treat due dates seriously, and it’s made a big difference. No more surprise charges eating up my tiny budget.
Food is something we have to spend money on, but there are smart ways to spend less on it. I discovered that cooking at home and making my meals stretch saved me a lot. When I was very low on money, I stopped eating out or ordering take-out as much as possible. Restaurant meals and fast food can cost two or three times more than a simple home-cooked meal. In fact, food is often one of our biggest expenses, but preparing food at home is one way to reduce those costs.
Cooking at home doesn’t have to be fancy. I’m not a chef, and I used basic ingredients. I learned to make simple, filling meals like pasta, soup, sandwiches, and rice with beans. These foods are cheap but can make a lot of servings. For example, a big pot of soup can feed me for two or three days. I also save leftovers; if I cook chicken one night, I might use the leftover chicken in a sandwich or with noodles the next day. This way, nothing goes to waste, and I get more meals for the money I spent on groceries.
Another trick I use is planning meals ahead of time. Before I go grocery shopping, I think of a few meals I can make and list the ingredients I truly need. I check my pantry first (tying back to using what I have) and then make a shopping list. Sticking to a list helps me avoid buying extra snacks or expensive items I don’t need. By cooking at home and making my meals stretch, I often spend far less than I used to when I ate out frequently. Plus, I usually end up with leftovers, which is like getting a free extra meal. It’s a win-win: I eat, I save money, and I even learned a bit of cooking along the way!
When money is very tight, one of the best things you can do is find free alternatives for the things you enjoy. I used to think having fun or getting certain things always cost money, but I was wrong. There are so many free options around us if we look carefully. Here are some free (or extremely cheap) things I started doing to save money while still enjoying life:
These free options made me realize I could still do a lot without spending money. It made being broke a little less painful because I didn’t feel like I was missing out on fun. Every time I chose a free activity, I saved money. Over time, I even started to prefer some of these free options – the library became one of my favorite places, and hanging out at home with friends brought us closer. If you look for the free (or very cheap) things around you, you’ll be surprised how much is available. It’s a great feeling to have fun and save money at the same time.
This habit might sound a bit like homework, but it truly changed how I handled money: I began to track every dollar I spent. I treated it like a personal challenge or game. I got a small notebook (you can also use a notes app on a phone) and wrote down every expense, no matter how small. If I spent $1 on a candy bar, I wrote it down. If I paid $30 for a phone bill, I wrote it down. The goal was to see exactly where my money was going each month.
At first, I thought I knew where my money went – mostly bills and food. But after writing down everything for a few weeks, I was surprised. I saw patterns. I realized I was spending maybe $20 a month on little snacks and $15 on bus rides, etc. It doesn’t sound like much, but when you only have a little money, those dollars matter. By tracking my expenses for about a month, I got a clear picture of where every dollar was going. As one article said, “You need to track your expenses for about a month to get a clear picture of where every dollar is going.” And it’s so true!
Once I had my spending written out, I could identify areas to cut back. It’s like seeing a map of your money. For example, when I saw I spent $10 on late fees that month, I knew I had to avoid that by paying on time (tying back to our late fee tip!). When I saw the snack expenses, I cut them in half by buying snacks in bulk. Tracking every dollar helped me create a simple budget in my head. I started setting small goals, like “Next month I’ll try to spend $5 less on snacks and put that $5 in savings.” It became almost like a game to me to meet that goal.
Tracking your spending might feel tedious, but it gets easier with practice. And you don’t have to be perfect at it. The idea is just to be aware. Knowing is half the battle. When you know where your money goes, you can control it better. This habit made me feel more responsible and less anxious, because there were no “mysteries” about my money at the end of the month. I knew exactly what happened, and I could make smarter choices going forward.
Saving money when you’re broke isn’t easy, but it is possible with the right habits. The key for me was to start small and stay consistent. I didn’t save hundreds of dollars overnight. I saved a few dollars here and there by cutting a coffee, avoiding a fee, or using what I had. Over time, those dollars added up. More importantly, these habits made me feel hopeful and in control of my situation, instead of feeling helpless.
If you’re in a tough spot with money, try some of these tips. Pick one habit at a time and see how it goes. Maybe start by tracking your spending or making dinner at home tonight. Celebrate small wins – like saving $5 – because every bit you save is a step forward. I remember feeling proud the first week I managed not to overspend my tiny budget. It felt like I gave myself a gift of security, even if it was just an extra $20 in the bank.
Most of all, be kind to yourself. It’s hard to save when you have very little, and sometimes you might slip (I still buy the occasional treat or forget something – it’s okay!). The important thing is to keep trying and build good habits little by little. I’m not broke like before, but I still use these smart ways to save money every day. They’ve become part of my life, and they can help you too. Remember, you’re not alone, and with some patience and smart choices, you can turn things around. Stay encouraged and keep saving, one dollar at a time! Good luck – you got this.
Check this out:
How to Launch a Cleaning Business and Earn £500,000 Annually
Starting a Vending Machine Side Hustle: Steps to Achieve $900 Monthly Income
A Guide to Profitable Reselling Businesses: From Zero to $20,000 a Month
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout. The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters, as opposed to using ‘Content here, content here’, making it look like readable English. Many desktop publishing packages and web page editors now use Lorem Ipsum as their default model text, and a search for ‘lorem ipsum’ will uncover many web sites still in their infancy.
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout. The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters, as opposed to using ‘Content here, content here’, making it look like readable English. Many desktop publishing packages and web page editors now use Lorem Ipsum as their default model text, and a search for ‘lorem ipsum’ will uncover many web sites still in their infancy.
The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters, as opposed to using ‘Content here, content here’, making
The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters, as opposed to using ‘Content here, content here’, making it look like readable English. Many desktop publishing packages and web page editors now use Lorem Ipsum as their default model text, and a search for ‘lorem ipsum’ will uncover many web sites still in their infancy.
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