It is hard to save money. And that’s especially true if you are living paycheck to paycheck in a time where the prices of many things have increased.
While saving may seem out of reach, don’t despair–you can still reach your goals, but you may be forced to get a little creative. We have some ideas that just may help, but before we share those, let’s just remind you that none of this is really possible without some budgeting and basic money management. If this is where you are, check out one of our past resources here.

Now, let’s get creative:

Saving on food
Meal plan–making a meal plan is the first step to saving on groceries you don’t need each month. There are several methods of meal planning, including listing each and every meal, coming up with a rotating list, or even following a basic idea such as “taco Tuesday” or “meatless Monday.” The method we recommend? Whatever works for you!
Shop with a list–one of the biggest ways to rack up an unusually high grocery bill is impulse buying. Making a list (that matches your meal plan) and avoiding those eye-catching items, will help you save money at the checkout.
Shop generic–we all have brands we love, but one of the best ways to save is to embrace the generic brands that every grocery store has. Sure, there may be some items you just have to have a certain brand of, but maybe be choosy about what those are for you.
Buy in bulk–there are certain things most households use a lot of. These we recommend buying in bulk either at a warehouse store or even just when they happen to go on sale at the grocery store of your choice.
Eat (and drink) at home–Skipping on eating out is key to saving. Pack your lunch, skip the fancy coffee, and stay in for dinner. Remember you don’t have to do these things forever, but when you have a goal in mind this will help you reach it.

Saving on transportation
Carpool–One simple way to save money is to drive less. And one simple way to do this is to carpool to common places. Maybe you take turns driving with your favorite co-worker? (Plus, you’re packing a lunch anyway, so that will help you avoid the temptation to hit the drive thru). Win-win!
Walk/Bike–it’s not always possible to ditch your car completely, but there might be some situations where you could walk or bike. Columbus has many new trails. Maybe you could occasionally replace an errand you would normally drive to with an alternate mode of getting around.

Saving on electricity
Use LED lights–LED lightbulbs are more energy efficient and therefore, will help you save on your power bills.
Unplug–You can save about 5% on power by unplugging certain items when you are not using them. This includes things like electronics, computers, cable boxes, chargers, printers, and smart home appliances.
Time your chores–Georgia Power lists its peak hours as 2 to 7 p.m. It’s recommended you attempt to time the use of your major appliances before or after those times for greater efficiency.
Adjust thermostat–According to the Department of Energy, you can save up to 10% on your electric bill each year by turning your thermostat up by 7-10 degrees for 8 hours during the day. If you work outside of the home, this is a perfect time to do that.
Make use of ceiling fans–In warmer months, ceiling fans can keep you cooler, reducing the need for you to run your AC as much. Likewise, in cooler months, ceiling fans can circulate warm air, taking a load off your heating system.

Other ways to save
Ditch disposables–while convenient, the fees of paper plates, utensils, and napkins can add up.
Check on subscriptions–sometimes we sign up for things and forget about them. Other times, we just sign up for too many things. Either way, are there any monthly subscription services that are no longer serving you or you could do away with in the name of reaching a goal?
Review bills–every once in a while, it’s a good idea to review some of your common bills. These include things like your insurance or phone plans. Make sure you review these every couple of years as the competition just might offer a better rate for you.

Make extra money
Side hustle–sometimes, the best way to save is to just find new ways to add to your income. Side hustles are a great way. There are literally hundreds of ways to create a side hustle, and that all depends on what your individual talents are: tutoring, freelance services, handyman jobs, lawn care, house sitting, pet sitting. These possibilities are endless.
Sell items–Do you have any items in storage or that you just aren’t using anymore? Hosting a yard sale if you have enough of them or selling them on places like Facebook Marketplace are great ways to add extra income. Extra clothes that are still in good shape could be sold in consignment stores or even online consignment like Poshmark.

While we’ve compiled a lot of ideas here, this is by no means exhaustive. We hope this gives you at least one idea to implement as you work to reach your goals. You’ve got this!