13 Unexpected Ways to Save Some Money
Saving money doesn’t have to be boring and it doesn’t have to feel forced either.
There are many daily ways to save without even thinking about it, and over time a little bit here and there definitely adds up! Obvious ones include setting a budget (fool-proof way below), saving on groceries (who knew just taking a picture of a receipt could save you money?), and making sure your credit score is maintained.
Some aren’t so obvious. Especially when you’ve gotten into a routine and have gotten comfortable. Let’s check out some ways below that’ll both be useful and fun!
1. Get Free Money Back on All Your Shopping Hauls
Check your pockets; check your purse. And keep receipts for your iPhone.
Just grab all your recent receipts from your coffee runs, grocery trips, restaurants, and gas station fill-ups, scan them into Fetch Rewards on iOS, and earn points for free money! Connect your email account, as well, to count DIGITAL receipts from Amazon, Instacart, and more.
Basically, snap a pic of your receipt from anywhere, and that’s it; you’ve got points for money. There’s no minimum spend, no need to select items manually, scan in any receipt from any store or gas station, and it’ll automatically reward you.
It’s free and easy to use and is a must-have iOS app for anyone who buys stuff!
2. The Streaming Service That’ll Actually Save You Money Over Time
Cable tv costs an average $60 a month which resulted in 40 million Americans* cutting the cord last year to save that chunk of money. No wonder streaming services that cost as low as $6.99 a month are so popular!
And for those that have kids or are just kids at heart (like me), renting/buying Disney property movies can add up too. Renting movies can cost up to $5 and buying can cost up to $20 each.
That’s why Disney+, the new streaming platform makes complete sense for Disney, Marvel, National Geographic, Star Wars, The Simpsons, and Disney Channel watchers.
Get access to new original shows, TV series (7,500+ episodes!), and movies (100 freshly released from the theaters and 400+ from the library).
And you can stream on up to 4 screens/devices simultaneously. No need to wrestle for the “remote.” Plus you can download shows to watch offline as much as you want. Check out Disney+ now for only $6.99/month and pull the plug on cable.
3. Stream Award-Winning Entertainment with Major Stars for the Price of a Coffee
Another streaming service may not be on your immediate radar, but you’d be missing out on a not-so-hidden gem.
Apple TV+ is Apple’s foray into the streaming business and they’re well-equipped with heavy hitter stars and directors like Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard, Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, Oprah, Reese Witherspoon, Ewan McGregor, and more. Fans of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia would get a kick out of Rob McElhenney and Charlie Day’s new comedy series Mythic Quest airing exclusively on Apple TV+ too.
All current shows on the platform are Apple Originals and spans from award-winning series, dramas, groundbreaking documentaries, comedies, kids’ entertainment, the list goes on. As you can expect from Apple, quality is everything. Even their children’s programming got nominated for 17 Daytime Emmy Awards!
Watch anywhere online or on your favorite Apple device. Try their free 7-day trial, and when you continue, it’s just $4.99 a month shared with up to 5 family members.
Even more content is coming on the horizon too, including older shows, and new Apple Originals every month!
4. Please Spot Me Up to $2001, So I Don’t Get an Overdraft Fee!
We got you. Or, more specifically, Chime ® has your back; the award-winning mobile financial app and debit card will have you saying goodbye to overdraft fees!
That’s because their SpotMe®️ tool can literally spot you up to $2001 without charging a fee as long as you receive qualifying direct deposits.
You need qualifying direct deposits of at least $200 a month into your Chime Checking Account to qualify, and one of the easiest methods is to route your paycheck there so you don’t have to think about it.
Other perks:
- Get paid up to 2 days early3 with direct deposit
- Get 2.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY)4 with the high-yield Chime Savings Account5
- Access to a new way to build credit history with the Secured Chime® Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card6
- FDIC-insured up to $250,000 through The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC.7 (it’s safe!)
- No minimum balance, no monthly fees, and no foreign transaction/transfer fees
Sign up for Chime and say goodbye to overdraft fees and other benefits!
5. Get Free Cash Back Every Time You Get Groceries, Gas, or Meals
Why not get free money back any chance you can get? That’s why we like Upside, a free cash back app that partners with 100,000+ businesses to bring you great offers you can’t get anywhere else.
On average, frequent users earn an extra $340 a year for just getting things they already buy!
“Easy money back without a catch. I’m getting cash back on stuff I would’ve had to buy anyway. Upside gives you easy savings that you actually see!” – alicejpark90
Wherever you are, just use the app to see where you can get cash back! You can get up to 25¢ per gallon, up to 30% back on groceries, and up to 45% back at restaurants.
Easily cash out via bank transfer, Paypal, or gift card; there’s no limit to how much you can earn. Download Upside for free to earn cash back, and new members can use a welcome code: TSW25 to get an additional 25¢ a gallon on their first gas purchase!
Gas offers are not currently available in NJ, WI, or UT.
6. The All-You-Can-Read-Magazines/News Buffet You Didn’t Know You Needed
When you want to take a break from binge-watching the latest series and just chill with a magazine (or a newspaper), you can do it with Apple News+, the latest from Apple that offers over 300+ publications for your swiping pleasure.
From Wall Street Journal to National Geographic to Variety to TIME, Travel + Leisure, and much more, the entire catalog is browsable on your native Apple News app optimized for iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
There’s a free 30-day trial and then it’s just $10/month where up to six family members can share one subscription. If you want to read three or more publications a month, this is a great way to get your health, lifestyle, news, politics, entertainment, travel, and food fix!
