12 Ways To Save Money In The US And Canada That Most People Never Think Of
When it comes to saving money, many of us focus on the obvious methods: cutting out takeout, cancelling unused subscriptions, or switching to a cheaper phone plan. These money saving strategies, whether you’re in the US or Canada, are surprisingly simple to implement, and the results can add up over time. Ready to save more without even thinking about it? Here are 12 clever ways to cut costs that most people overlook.
Automate your Savings with Round-Up Apps
Apps like Chime or Qube in Canada automatically round up your everyday purchases to the nearest dollar and transfer the difference into a savings account. For example, if you buy a coffee for $2.75, the app rounds it up to $3.00 and saves the extra $0.25. While it doesn’t feel like much, these little contributions can add up over time without you even noticing.
Use Cashback Websites and Apps
Cashback websites like Rakuten, formerly Ebates and TopCashBack, offer money back for purchases you were already planning to make. These sites connect you with stores offering rebates and discounts on a variety of products. In both the US and Canada, the cash back ranges from 1% to 10% or more, depending on the store and promotion.
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Take Advantage of Price Matching
Many big box stores, like Walmart in the US and Best Buy in Canada, offer price matching policies. This means that if you find a lower price for the same item at a competitor, they’ll match it or beat it in some cases. Before making a purchase, take a moment to check competitor websites for lower prices and ask the retailer to price match.
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Use Public Libraries for Entertainment and Learning
Instead of buying books, magazines, or paying for streaming services, tap into the free resources at your local library. Libraries in both the US and Canada offer access to e-books, audiobooks, online courses, movies, and more, all free with a membership. It’s a great way to save on entertainment, personal development, and even tech resources without sacrificing your lifestyle.
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Buy in Bulk, with a Plan
Buying in bulk is an obvious way to save money, but not everyone does it efficiently. Instead of buying items like toilet paper, flour, or pasta without a plan, take inventory of what your household consumes regularly and calculate the actual savings from bulk purchases.
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Swap Subscriptions with Friends or Family
Many people forget that certain subscriptions, such as streaming services or software tools, can be shared between family members or friends. Spotify Premium, Netflix, Disney+, and other services allow for multiple users per account. Share subscriptions with trusted family or friends to cut the cost in half without losing access to the content you love.
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Buy Seasonal Produce, and Freeze it
One of the simplest ways to save on groceries is by buying seasonal produce. Fruits and vegetables that are in season are often much cheaper than those that are out of season. You can buy large quantities when they’re at their peak and freeze them for later use. For example, fresh summer berries, tomatoes, and zucchini can be frozen and enjoyed well into winter.
Opt for Generic Medications
When you or a family member needs medication, don’t automatically go for the name brand versions. Both in the US and Canada, generic drugs are often just as effective as their brand name counterparts, but they can cost a fraction of the price. Be sure to ask your pharmacist for the generic option when filling a prescription.
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Make your Own Cleaning Products
Cleaning products can be surprisingly expensive, but you don’t need to buy fancy sprays and wipes to keep your house clean. You can make effective, eco friendly cleaning products at home using basic ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon. Not only do homemade cleaners cost pennies on the dollar, but they also reduce your exposure to harsh chemicals.
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Set up Automatic Bill Payments
Late fees can quickly add up and throw a wrench in your budget. To avoid this, set up automatic bill payments for utilities, rent or mortgage, and credit card bills. Many service providers even offer a discount for using automatic payments, as it ensures on time payments.
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Use Apps to Find Discounted Gift Cards
If you’re planning to shop at a big retailer, check out apps like Raise or Gift Card Granny to purchase discounted gift cards. These apps let you buy gift cards at a reduced price, often saving you 5% to 15% or more off the total purchase. By buying discounted cards for stores like Target, Amazon, or Walmart, you can save money on nearly anything you buy.
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Use your Car Less, and Save on Gas
With gas prices often fluctuating, one of the easiest ways to save money is simply to drive less. Consider carpooling with a neighbor, taking public transportation, or even walking or biking when you can. You can also combine errands to reduce the number of trips you need to make.
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Saving money doesn’t have to involve drastic lifestyle changes or extreme sacrifices. By adopting just a few of these smart, often overlooked strategies, you can easily keep more money in your pocket without feeling like you’re depriving yourself. The key is to identify areas in your life where small changes can have a big impact over time.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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