If you’re looking for ways to save on your monthly expenses, check out this list of the first ten things you should cut from your budget!
Have you been overspending? Are you trying to save for a big purchase, or trying to pay down those debts quicker? Here is a list of the first ten things I think you should cut from your budget to reduce your monthly expenses.
1. Restaurants
Okay, we’re going to start with the obvious. Don’t go out to eat anymore. I’ts expensive. You don’t need to pay $17.99 for a meal, another $12 for drinks, and a 20% tip. You can save tons by cooking at home. And actually, there are some other benefits to cooking at home – you feel healthier, you feel like you are saving money, it can become a fun hobby.
2. Cleaning products
I use to have a budget line item for cleaning products – you know, Mr. Clean erasers (those things are magical!), all the Lysol wipes you can imagine, swiffer stuff, the huge tub of Formula 409. Honestly, that stuff is expensive and adds up. You don’t need to buy it anymore. First of all, you probably have enough cleaning stuff to last you 1-2 years. Also, you can make cleaning products SO. CHEAP. with some $0.99 vinegar, tap water, and maybe a drop or two of Dawn. Eliminate this from your budget (and don’t try to sneak it into your grocery budget either).
3. Cable
Another obvious one. Just do it. Don’t think about it. It’ll save you so much money. Where I live, it’s not uncommon to pay $130/month for cable. That’s over $1500/year! You can watch the main shows online for free (albeit 1 week after they air), but who cares. And if you are a big sports fan, find a friend with a TV.
4. Car washes
This is a strange one, but near me, people get car washes all the time. They’ll even buy a $60 pass each month that gives them unlimited car washes. Totally unnecessary. You can do it yourself with some water and soap.
5. Hair and nail care
Sorry ladies (and maybe some men…). This stuff is expensive!! No more $60 hair cuts (go to Supercuts for your $12.99 one), no more $100 hair colorings, and say goodbye to pampering yourself with a mani/pedi.
6. New clothes
Let’s be honest. You have a ton of clothing. And you don’t wear 80% of it. Clean out your closet. Pick out some outfits that you love and wear them. Don’t buy anything new. The clothes in your closet should last you a few years.
7. Paper towels (and other paper products)
This won’t save you a ton of money, but hey, every penny counts. There is no need to buy those huge packs of paper towels each month. You have tons of dish towels, rags, fiber clothes that will do the same exact thing.
8. 20% of your grocery bill
Calculate the average amount you’ve spend on groceries for the last few months. Reduce that by 20% (so, if you average per month is $500, your new grocery bill goal is $500*0.8=$400). This will really force you to meal plan, try store brand ingredients, and get you proactive about saving money. This was the first change I made in my budget, and while it was a small change, it made me feel like I was in control of my finances and spending – that was very important.
Related content that will help you save money on food:
- How to Save Money on Groceries: 50 Budget-Friendly Tips
- A Beginner’s Guide to Meal Planning on a Budget (+ Free Printables)
- The 5 Best Budget-Friendly Food Blogs
9. Cancel subscriptions
Whether it’s to a magazine, newspaper, subscription box, it’s not a necessity. Getting rid of the subscription will also get rid of some clutter in your house – so it’s a win-win right?
10. Reduce or eliminate gifts
I don’t want to sound like the Grinch, but cutting the amount you spend on gifts is an easy way to save money each month (and doesn’t it seem like each month you have to buy a gift?). Thoughtful gifts are usually the ones most adored and least expensive.
Revamp your budget today!
If you are ready to revamp your budget and start saving money, download our Monthly Budget template below! You’ll actually get 3 worksheets over the next 3 days (the first day is the Monthly Budget template).
What was the first thing that you cut from your budget? What do you refuse to cut?
L Reedy says
1st thing cut- cable TV. $100 monthly
2. Gym membership (sigh) $35 ”
3. Yoga membership (sigh)$100 monthly
4. Costco membership (buying in bulk for two people wasn’t needed.
5. Grocery/fast food. (Budgeted for less)
6. Starbucks
7. Gifts
Liv says
I actually sighed out loud when I read that you cut your yoga membership! Hopefully you’ve found a good/free workout replacement (there are some awesome yoga YouTube channels out there). great list!
Dan says
I cut the cable bill and the family struggled for a bit, however its been 8 yrs now withour cable. Now, the eating out thing…thats a tough one!
Liv says
Eating out is definitely a tough habit to get rid of. Try scouring the web for some copy-cat recipes from your favorite restaurants…that may help get you make the transition to eating more at home.
Annalisa says
Meat. We decided we could eat a half a pound of beef every week; so I make a giant pot of chili (for example) and that’s where I put that half pound of beef. It’s enough for flavor and some protein, but we’re not breaking the bank. In fact, we’re so used to not eating it by now that sometimes we don’t even bother. I joke that we’re circumstantial vegetarians.
Liv says
I think cutting meat is such a good idea – for your wallet and health! I think I could do it (gradually), but I’m not sure I’d be able to convince my husband! I love that it’s worked for you…hmm…I’m going to go search for some good vegetarian recipes right now 🙂
Hanna says
Just be careful about your b12 intake. I became a circumstantial vegetarian, and my b12 level got really low and caused some problems. You get b11 from animal products, so eat lots of eggs and yogurt or buy a supplement. (Mine is $15 for two months of pills.)
Dee says
We don’t eat out much unless we are away at Soccer with our boys I want to cut cable we don’t watch tv much I need to try to cut my food bill as much as I can
Liv says
You should definitely cut your cable, especially if you don’t watch much TV. And any TV craving you have, you can probably find on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or on the Network’s website.
Meal planning has the biggest impact on my grocery bill. Do you meal plan? Honestly, I was so amazed at how much money it saved me that I wrote a blog post on it: http://www.fundingcloudnine.com/meal-planning-free-printables/
🙂
Debbie says
We cut the cable and only have internet. We can stream tons of stuff online, we also bought a fire stick and haven’t missed the cable.
Trish Nelson says
Love the ideas, don’t cut meat, use and enjoy the satisfaction, cut the sugar and carbs that only make you hungry; and eating out, well that is tough, but we eat out once a week and make healthy copy meals at home. Bacon and eggs tonight, cheap and fun.
Liv says
Love the breakfast-for-dinner idea! It’s definitely one of the cheapest meals to make.
Brenda Bucy says
I live on a budget. I use coupons. And rebates. If I don’t use I trash them we eat at home alot. My famy don’t care for fast foods. We’ve cut sugar,soft drinks and snacks out.that saves a lot. Don’t have friends over as much to feed. They can eat at home. I shop a Dollar tree a lot. I look for good thing but lower prices. I shop at one place. Gas isto high to run around everywhere for thing. .bee careful and make sure things are t outdated. I’m still cutting back. We can find entertainment at home. Have movie night. Popcorn drinsk at home. We have a picnic in the den.fix food put clothes on floor spread out and enjoy. Maybe watch a movie or swim in pool.lots of ways to impervise and have more family time.
Liv says
These are great ideas! Thanks for sharing 🙂 I wish I could cut out sugar, soft drinks, and snacks – that would save me so much money (and make me healthier)!
Jennifer Holdcroft says
I’m in that grey area before disability, I have to do home health and hospice privately. My wages have dropped to 360 a week! But I’m going to make this work!
Meal planning has made the biggest difference in just a week!
Thank you so much! It’s so very overwhelming!
Liv says
I love the positive attitude! And yes I totally agree – it’s amazing what just 10 minutes of meal planning can do to your budget.
Emily says
What a great article! I love the idea of cutting my grocery bill by 20% – this is one budget category that always seems to get away from me! I’ll be giving it a try!
Liv says
Thank you 🙂 That’s great – I hope it helps you save some money each month 🙂
Sarah says
I have to disagree with the “go to Supercuts” (or any other budget “salon”). Every last budget cut I’ve EVER had looks like my 5yo sliced and diced my hair himself. Uneven, to the point of HORROR. Bangs that were 1/4” long in some spots and in others no shorter than my hair….BAD. I only get my haircut 1-2 times a YEAR (sometimes even less), and I don’t want to feel like a toddler took scissors to my scalp.
Liv says
Sarah, I don’t think there is anything wrong with going to a nice salon (especially if you only go 1-2 times a year)! Your hair is something you wear every day, and it’s important that it makes you feel good and confident. If you can get that at a nice salon, go for it! There is nothing wrong with it as long as you can afford it and budget for it. You have hit on what I love about personal finance – it’s personal! – What is important to one person may not be important to another person. Something that I cheap out on, you may splurge on. However, I bet there are things that I splurge on that you may not find important.
Charlotte Holtry says
Women : This is how I cut my hair
Wet hair. Gather into a pony tail on the area just above your forehead. Secure with an elastic. Comb the pony tail and then cut it straight across
Works for me every time. If you have bangs pull them out before you cut or they will be too short. Just cut a little the 1st time and comb it out to see what you think. If not shot enough repeat the process
Yuliya says
I cut cable many years ago. I found that MEASURING and weighing food portions at home has helped us get back in touch with real portions — it was great for the budget and health. I order food through apps that deliver CornerShop (in latin america) or Walmart pick up in the US. I prefer to pay 2 dollars for delivery than spend hours in the store and EXTRA money on impulse purchases.
I am still working on freezing the leftovers.
Some more ideas: collaborate with neighbors and family. We split NETFLIX among 5 family members. Same with PRIME and Spotify – more management but great savings! I am thinking about doing the same with bulk purchases from Sams and COSTCO, and we already split membership costs with family and friends.
I refuse to go without nails done and well done hair. I consider it an investment in my happiness. 🙂 However, sometimes we will have Spa party with the ladies at home. Get each others manis done.
Liv says
Yuliya, thanks for sharing these great ideas! I love that you are finding a great balance between saving money and staying happy!
Kim says
We kept the Sam’s membership and Amazon Prime. Had cut cable/satellite for a little over a year, but now living in the country where antenna tv is iffy and internet is limited satellite data plan. The cost of adding Fish back into the budget is less that the data overages were costing us.
Adding a garden back in this summer. So that will cut the grocery bill down again. Also learned to can a few years ago. That helped with both the grocery bill and the gift budget. If we do gifts at all, they are usually hand made and mostly food related.
Shop at second hand stores and tag sales before paying full retail on expensive items like cast iron, jars, some clothing. (You get the idea😊)
Just some of what we do here.
Liv says
Thanks for sharing Kim! These are great ideas.
Carol Perkins says
I tried doing exercises at home. Did not work. I need the motivation. Planet Fitness is $10.00. If you can’t afford $10.00 well…….
I broke a bone in my back due to osteoporosis. Thank God for yoga and zumba. I actually improved my Dexa Scan. I was in such horrific pain. Now, I can do almost anything. And by cutting back my meat drastically my health has improved ……drastically.
Liv says
I’m glad you found an affordable alternative that fits your budget. I wish you a speedy recovery.
Anna Sydney says
#1 if eating out is Pizza, sure give it a miss if it’s weekly, but a treat every few weeks makes people feel better, especially when they arr saving
If eating out somewhere nice, $18 will only cover a starter.
#8 I shop at farmers markets and my monthly bill comes to $500. The food is seasonal and locally grown. You cannot compromise on quality and if you say shop at the store. You are putting $200 into the bin monthly as the store purchased food is already rotten when you get it
CC says
I’m maxed out. I don’t buy new clothes or anything. We don’t have cable. We don’t eat out (because of pandemic). I wash my own car. I do my own hair (Razor – I just go bald) and nails. My subscriptions are free (Spotify & Netflix) because my sister abroad has extra slots on her family bundles. I already cut everything mentioned here and the budget still won’t do. I guess living in a 3rd world south east Asian country is really a struggle due to low pay.