Ways To Save Without Suffering

We all know we should save more money than we do. Whether we need to pay down debt, build an emergency fund, or save for retirement, we must cut spending and increase our savings. It's the only way to make financial security.

Stop subscription music

You're probably overpaying for music if you pay for a subscription internet radio service like Pandora or Spotify. Streaming music services have cut the bottom out of the physical media market, and you can pick up the savings. Just copy the songs to your computer and transfer them to your player, and you can jam out for less.

Cut back on cable.

Take an honest look at how many movies you watch in a month. If you're paying top dollar for HBO or another premium channel package, you're paying for a lot of content you probably never watch, and the overall selection could be better. For half the price of HBO, you can subscribe to Netflix or another streaming service and get many more viewing options. You could even go with Amazon Prime and get free two-day shipping on all purchases while accessing a fairly hefty video library.

Time your vacations to travel for less

Summer tends to be the most popular travel time for tourist-happy destinations like Miami and New Orleans. If you plan a trip to one of these stops, traveling between February and April can save you money on your hotel reservation. Hotwire, the hotel booking site, sees an average decline of 30% at tourist locations during the offseason.

Swap to an off-brand cell provider.

You can considerably reduce your cellphone bill by switching away from a big-name carrier. If you're on Sprint, AT&T, or Verizon, you can save a considerable chunk by switching to a brand like Cricket, FreedomPop, or Straight Talk. These carriers buy time in bulk from the major companies and resell it at a discount. They don't subsidize phones or maintain well-staffed stores, so their costs are lower. These services sometimes travel poorly, so if you need your phone while far from home, they may not be suitable for you. Still, it can be hard to say no to savings on a phone bill at that price.

Start reading paper books.

Just like the streaming service has cut the core out of the price for physical media, the popularity of e-readers has done the same thing to the dead tree pulp market. This is particularly true in used books, where time-tested classic paperbacks can be had for as little as a penny. More current and popular titles can be had on eBay for under $5, compared to the $10 for an ebook. Cheaper still, head to your local library to get your fill of new releases, old classics, and great books you've never heard of for free.

Check out Amazon, Subscribe, and Save

For commonly used goods, like tea and coffee, Amazon's Subscribe and Save function can reduce the time and money you spend shopping. If you go through a 72-count box of K-Cups every month, you can save $2 per month off your coffee bill by scheduling automatic deliveries of your java through Amazon. A dedicated tea drinker can save $1 monthly on a 160-count box of Yorkshire Gold. With free shipping for orders over $35 (or if you have Amazon Prime) and automatic ordering, this system can be your set-it-and-forget-it path to savings.

Get rebate shopping!

For costs you can't avoid, like groceries, it's best to avoid as much pain as possible. That's where online rebate apps come into play. The newly released iBotta, available for iOS and Android devices, offers a list of participating retailers and a list of rebates, usually between $.25 and $1. One of the most popular is a $.25 rebate on a gallon of milk – something you'll likely buy anyway. After shopping, you take a picture of your receipt with a smartphone or tablet and upload it to iBotta. They confirm your purchase and credit your rebates, along with bonuses for regular redemption, referring friends, and completing other challenges. iBotta can be an easy way to knock $5 to $10 off your grocery bill.