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We often think about money in a “this is the way I have always done it” because it is easier than changing.
Our childhood and development play a HUGE part in the way that we interact with money. Maybe you grew up hearing money being talked about a certain way or seeing money being used a certain way.
But that doesn’t mean we are stuck in that path forever. We can make small changes over time.
I love a No Spend Month as a challenge, but I also recognize that it is the small daily habits that are created inside a No Spend Month that make the biggest difference. We often want to do these BIG gestures to change our life. Instead, what often sticks is the small, sustainable habits that we can do almost daily.
Here are the “little things” that save me BIG money
1) Tracking my No Spend Days
I have used this tracker for YEARS now to track my spending. Green is no money spent. Purple is essentials. Pink is “extras.” None of them are better or worse, but it gives me data to evaluate my patterns and habits.
This tracker takes me 15 seconds a day to just color in the spending from the day before, but gives me a mini daily check in to see how my budget is doing. Once a week, I sit down and track the actual numbers of my spending, but coloring in the habits is an easy check in moment.
It also challenges me to do better when I am spending money often. If I see that I have had 3-4 days of spending in a row, I will challenge myself to not spend money that day if I can!
You can download this freebie tracker right here.
2) Finding ways to save in the kitchen
Food is one of the first places to cut if you haven’t been paying attention to your spending in this category, but it is also usually the easiest place to go over because we need it to live.
When I first reviewed my spending, I realized how much money I was spending on convenience food. Take out or delivery because I didn’t want to cook or I didn’t have a plan. I started intentionally using my Crockpot and air fryer on busy nights and it made it so much better. (Check out my list of a few of my favorite kitchen things)
Now, I specifically plan our meals around the chaos because having a meal already ready for us when we get home means that there is no need for the impulse spending. There is no “well I don’t want to cook.” And it has saved me SOOO much money on takeout because I can make the decision earlier in the day to be prepared so it isn’t a last minute, 5 PM decision.
The second part of the kitchen that saves me a ton of money is focusing on #ZeroFoodWaste. I am not perfect about it by any means, but when I shifted to trying to prevent food waste in my kitchen I saved SO much money. Throwing away groceries is throwing away money that you already spent. I do a lot of things like repurposing leftovers and freezing things to be used for later!
3) Keeping an “I Didn’t Buy List”
My I didn’t buy list is as a note that I keep on my phone of things that I want, but didn’t immediately buy. This list is a reminder that just because I want something doesn’t mean I need it RIGHT NOW. I can want something and put it in the budget and plan for it.
It is also a great way to build confidence when you are breaking an impulse spend habit because you can see all of the times that you didn’t buy something and remind yourself that you are capable.
This list is just in my notes app, and pretty much anytime I think about buying something, I add it to this list. If I am continually coming back to one thing- I know it is no longer an impulse, but something that would genuinely serve a purpose and get use in my life. Then I will add it to my budget.
4) Having community to support me
This could and probably should be number one, because if I didn’t have a community of people backing me up to chat about my money, I would have given up on these goals a long time ago. Having people who you can share your goal with, have cheer you on, and then check in on your progress is priceless.
I started The Savvy Sagittarius instagram when I was 22 because I was broke and felt alone. I was trying to pay off $34,000 in debt at 22- but felt like no one else I knew was on the same journey. So I went searching for people who got it. I am absolutely so blessed with the people I found + this turning into my full time business.
Having people by your side to cheer on your goals is just a small part of the picture, but it is a BIG thing when it comes to feeling supported and sticking with your goals.
Now, I started The Savvy Savers community because I want people to have the same community + training and money resources, without having to publicly share their money on the internet.
5) Finding free or cheap things that bring me joy
Having a hobby or thing you enjoy that doesn’t cost money is a huge part of this journey. I always go back to things like game nights, reading, going for walks/ nature, even coloring have been huge for finding joy even while on a budget. (Check out my favorite game night games here!)
I believe that this part has to be really intentional and you have to commit to being present for it. Being on a budget can feel really hard when you are constantly saying no to things, but finding free things you can regularly say yes to means that you aren’t always saying no.
Even if it is not FREE, finding cheap things can be just as valuable. One of our things is going to get ice cream. We don’t do it always, but it is an easy yes where the whole family is excited for under $15!
(The Savvy Savers has a “Free Fun” category to share things that we are doing!)
6) Setting really specific goals and tracking them
Saying “I want to be better with my money” isn’t really something to work towards unless you do a full analysis of where you are right now. But setting a goal like “I want to be debt free” or “I want to save up 3 months expenses in an emergency fund” those are goals you can track your progress and work towards.
The entire time I have been on this journey, my goals have been incredibly specific. My “why” has been super clear- and I have been finding ways to track my goals like my debt free letter board and my debt trackers!
I set a 7 Day Money goal every single week because it is a bite sized goal that helps me focus on ONE thing at a time. It is one thing to achieve this week.
7) Money Saving Apps
I have a handful of apps on my phone that make saving little bits of money easier, and while it feels like pennies, I believe it is the reminder that even pennies add up to dollars. These little chunks of change help me save money on things I am buying anyway and help me keep that mindset that every dollar counts.
A few of my favorite apps are Upside (for cashback on gas), Snaplii (for cashback on gift cards), Field Agent (Where sometimes I get some free things to try), Ibotta and Fetch (cashback on groceries). Here is an entire blog post with all my favorite apps!
Saving money doesn’t have to be HARD.
One thing that I would shout from the roof tops over and over again is that saving money doesn’t have to be a complete overhaul of your life. It doesn’t have to mean giving up everything you love or turning your life upside down. It’s about simple, sustainable habits you can repeat over and over—habits that add up to a major difference in the long run.
These are the exact shifts that helped me pay off debt, stop living paycheck to paycheck, and actually feel in control of my money. And the best part? You don’t have to do it alone.
Inside Savvy Savers, you’ll find:
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A supportive community that gets what you’re working toward
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Practical money-saving ideas you can start using right away
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Accountability so you don’t give up halfway through
- Weekly goal setting and sharing money wins
👉 Join us here, and start building the little habits that make a big difference in your finances.
