Saving money is one of those things everyone wants to do, but it can feel like a lot of sacrifice. Cut this. Cancel that. Stop doing the things you enjoy.
But here’s the thing: The best way to save money isn’t just about spending less. It’s also about earning more from the time you’re already spending online. According to Pew Research, about 1 in 6 Americans have earned money through online gig and rewards platforms—and that number has only continued to grow.
This guide covers both sides of the equation. You’ll find practical ways to lower your monthly bills and smart ways to earn a little extra money online in your free time.
Remember: Every dollar you earn is a dollar you don’t have to cut from somewhere else!
Key Takeaways
- The best way to save money combines cutting expenses and earning more.
- Small, consistent habits—like automating savings—build big results over time.
- Canceling unused subscriptions can free up hundreds of dollars a year.
- Rewards platforms like KashKick let you earn cash doing things you already enjoy.
- Setting a clear savings goal makes it easier to stay motivated and on track.
The Best Ways to Spend Less
Spending less doesn’t have to mean depriving yourself. It starts with knowing where your money actually goes—then making a few smart swaps.
Build a Budget That Actually Fits Your Life
A budget only works if you’ll actually follow it. The key is to build one around how you really spend—not how you wish you spent.
A simple starting point is the 50/30/20 rule: 50% of your take-home pay goes to essentials, 30% to lifestyle and 20% toward savings and debt. It’s flexible enough to adjust as your life changes, or if you have an irregular income.
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s awareness. When you know where your money goes, you can decide where you want it to go instead.
Track Your Spending for 30 Days
Most people are surprised when they actually track their spending. That daily coffee run, the delivery fee, the app you forgot you subscribed to—it adds up fast.
Try tracking every purchase for just 30 days. You don’t need fancy software. The Notes app or a simple spreadsheet works fine. At the end of the month, look for patterns. You’ll quickly spot where your money is quietly disappearing.
Cancel Subscriptions You’re Not Using
The average subscriber is subscribed to 4.5 digital subscriptions, spending $84 a month—or $1,008 annually, according to a study from LendingTree’s Digital Accounts site. That could include streaming services, fitness apps, meal kits, premium tiers you never use.
Go through your bank and credit card statements and flag every recurring charge. Cancel anything you haven’t used in the last 30 days. Even cutting two or three services can free up $30–$60 a month. That’s $360–$720 a year.
Meal Plan Before You Grocery Shop
Going to the grocery store without a plan is a guaranteed way to overspend. You end up buying things you don’t need and forgetting things you do.
One of the best ways to save on groceries is to spend 10 minutes each week planning your meals and writing a list before you shop. Stick to the list. Shop store brands when possible—they’re typically 15% to 25% cheaper than name-brand options, according to Consumer Reports. Over a year, this one habit can save hundreds.
Use Coupons and Cashback Offers
You don’t have to clip paper coupons anymore. There are apps and browser extensions that automatically find and apply deals for you.
Before any online purchase, check for promo codes and cashback offers. Finding free coupons can also help you stack savings at checkout. Getting into this habit takes five minutes and can save you a meaningful amount every month—especially on groceries, clothing and household essentials.
Lower Your Big Monthly Bills
The biggest opportunities to save aren’t always in the small stuff. Your car insurance, phone plan and even utility bills are often negotiable—or at least worth shopping around.
To save on car insurance specifically, comparison tools like Insurify make it easy to see if you’re overpaying. As a bonus, KashKick members can earn a $2 KashKick reward just for using Insurify to compare rates . Offer amounts are subject to change and may vary.
Check out more ways to lower your monthly bills—it could be one of the highest-impact moves you make this year.
Save on Gas and Groceries With Cashback Apps
Every time you fill up your tank or grab groceries, you could be earning money back. Cashback apps make it effortless.
Upside is a popular option for gas and groceries—and KashKick members can earn up to $15.25 in KashKick rewards just for signing up and getting started. (Offer amounts are subject to change and may vary.)
Explore more cashback apps to find the right fit. Small percentages back on everyday purchases add up more than you’d expect over a full year.
Look Into Free Food Apps
Food is one of the biggest household expenses—and one of the easiest places to find savings. From loyalty programs to cashback offers, there are dozens of ways to cut your grocery and restaurant bills.
Our guide to apps to get free food breaks down the best options. Some apps offer free items just for signing up, while others reward you every time you shop. Either way, it’s free money for things you were already buying.
Open a High-Yield Savings Account
If your savings are sitting in a traditional bank account, they’re probably earning next to nothing. High-yield savings accounts (HYSAs) can offer significantly better returns with zero risk.
Look for a HYSA with no monthly fees and no minimum balance requirements. CIT Bank is one option worth exploring—and KashKick members can earn a $25 KashKick reward when they get approved for CIT Bank’s Savings Connect and deposit $100 or more. (Offer amounts are subject to change and may vary.)
For more places to stash your money, check out the best places to save money.
Automate Your Savings
One of the easiest ways to save money each month is to make it automatic. When money moves to savings before you can spend it, you won’t miss it.
Set up an automatic transfer to your savings account on payday or once a month—even $25 or $50 adds up. Apps like Acorns take this even further by rounding up your purchases and investing the spare change automatically. (Plus, you can squirrel away a $15 bonus when you get started through KashKick.)
The Best Ways to Earn More (And Put It Straight into Savings)
Here’s what most savings guides skip entirely: You can save more money by earning more in your free time. Not a second job. Not a side hustle that takes hours to set up. Just your phone and a little spare time.
Every dollar you earn from the methods below is a dollar you don’t have to cut from your budget.
Earn Rewards With KashKick
KashKick is a rewards platform that pays you to do things you’re probably already doing—playing games, sharing your opinions, and trying new apps and services. Reach $10 and you can cash out directly through PayPal or Venmo in just one to three days.
There’s no confusing points system. With KashKick, $1 kash = $1 USD—so you always know exactly what you’ve earned. And with a low payout threshold and fast payment process, there’s no waiting around.
Here’s how KashKick can help you save:
- Earn cash playing mobile games, taking surveys, claiming deals and completing other microtasks.
- Use KashKick rewards to explore tools that help your money grow—like Chime (earn up to $305 in KashKick rewards for opening a free checking account) or Acorns (a great place to stash spare change).
- Refer friends and earn 25% of their game and deals earnings—for life.
One KashKick member, Eric, earned more than $500 in under a year—just by playing games and taking surveys in his spare time. Another member, stay-at-home mom Christina, earned around $75 in “fun money” before a family trip. It’s not a fortune. But it’s real money that goes straight toward whatever you’re saving for.
Offer amounts are subject to change and may vary.
👉 Sign up for KashKick for free and start earning today.
Get Cashback Every Time You Shop
If you’re not using a cashback browser extension, you’re leaving money on the table. Every time you shop online—Amazon, Target, Walmart—these tools automatically apply cashback offers at checkout.
KashKick’s KashBack feature makes this seamless for online purchases. Meanwhile, apps like Fetch and Ibotta work for in-store grocery trips. Combine a few of these and you’re earning back a consistent percentage on purchases you were going to make anyway.
Try Apps That Match Your Interests
Beyond KashKick, there are other ways to earn a little extra that might fit your lifestyle. For example, survey sites will pay for your opinions. There are even ways to make money playing video games. Plus, there are tons more options for those who prefer to stay home.
None of these will replace a paycheck. But if you’re watching TV or waiting in a carpool line anyway, you might as well earn a few dollars.
How to Put It All Together
The best way to save money isn’t one magic tip. It’s the combination of small, consistent moves on both sides of the equation.
Here’s a simple framework to get started:
- Week 1: Build your budget and track your spending.
- Week 2: Cancel unused subscriptions and lower at least one bill.
- Week 3: Set up automated savings—even a small amount.
- Week 4: Download KashKick and start earning in your free time.
It doesn’t have to be complicated. Small moves compound over time. Check out our financial goals guide for help turning these ideas into a real plan.
The Bottom Line: Best Ways to Save Money
You don’t have to choose between living your life and saving money. Those who do best are the ones who cut expenses and find small ways to earn more—at the same time.
Cut where it’s easy. Earn where it’s fun. And put the difference somewhere safe—whether that’s a high-yield savings account or a savings app. Over time, those small moves become real money.
Ready to start? Sign up for KashKick for free. It takes two minutes—and your first dollar could be closer than you think.
👉 Sign up for KashKick today and give your free time a raise.
FAQs: Best Way to Save Money
What is the single best way to save money fast?
The fastest way to save money is to combine two strategies at once: Cut a recurring expense (like an unused subscription) and add an income stream (like earning rewards on KashKick). Doing both in the same week creates immediate results on both sides of your budget.
How much should I realistically save each month?
A common target is 20% of your take-home pay, but any amount is a good start. Even $50 a month adds up to $600 a year. If cutting expenses feels tight, earning extra through a rewards platform like KashKick is a practical way to hit your savings goals without giving up what you enjoy.
Is KashKick actually worth it for saving money?
KashKick is a legitimate way to earn extra money in your free time—money that can go straight into savings. Members can earn cash by playing games, taking surveys,and claiming deals, then cash out through PayPal or Venmo once they reach $10. It won’t replace a salary, but it’s a real and easy way to add to your savings without changing your lifestyle.
What are the easiest expenses to cut first?
Start with subscriptions you’re not using, delivery and convenience fees, and unused gym memberships. These are recurring charges that often go unnoticed and are easy to cancel. Even cutting $50–$100 a month in subscriptions frees up $600–$1,200 a year.
How do cashback apps help you save money?
Cashback apps give you a percentage back on purchases you were already going to make. Over time—especially on groceries, gas and everyday essentials—those small percentages add up.
