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. 

This guide covers both sides of the equation. You’ll find practical ways to lower your monthly bills and smart ways to earn extra money online in your free time, like with the rewards platform KashKick.

Remember: Every dollar you earn is a dollar you don’t have to cut from somewhere else!

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.

Set a Clear Savings Goal

Saving is easier when you know what you’re saving for. Pick a short-term goal (an emergency fund or a trip) and a long-term one (a home or retirement), then estimate the amount and a timeline. A clear target makes it easier to stay motivated and track progress.

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.

One easy habit to pair with tracking is the 30-day rule. Before any nonessential purchase, wait 30 days. If you still want it after that, buy it. Often the urge passes and the money stays in your pocket.

Try a Savings Challenge

Savings challenges turn saving into a game. Try the 52-week challenge, where you save a little more each week ($1 in week one, $2 in week two and so on). Or run a no-spend week, where you cut all nonessential spending and move what you didn’t spend into savings. Small, fun goals keep you motivated.

Cancel Subscriptions You’re Not Using

The average U.S. adult spends $1,080 each year on subscriptions and nearly $200 on unused subscriptions, according to CNET. That could include streaming services, fitness apps, meal kits or 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 past 30 days. Even cutting two or three services can free up $30 to $60 a month!

Meal Plan Before You Grocery Shop

Going to the grocery store without a plan is almost a guaranteed way to overspend and end up buying things you don’t need.

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, and shop store brands when possible. They’re typically 15% to 25% cheaper than name-brand options, according to Consumer Reports. Throughout the year, this one habit could save you 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 cash back apps. Finding free coupons can also help you stack savings at checkout. Getting into this habit takes 5 minutes and can save you a meaningful amount every month.

Lower Your Big Monthly Bills

The biggest opportunities to save aren’t always  the small things. Your car insurance, phone plan and even utility bills are often negotiable—or at least worth shopping around. Check out ways to lower your monthly bills. This could be one of the highest-impact moves you make this year.

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 1-3 days.

There’s no confusing points system. With KashKick, $1 earned = $1 USD—so you always know exactly what you’ve earned. And with a low payout threshold and fast payout process, there’s no waiting around.

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.

Sign up for KashKick for free.

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.

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.

For more places to stash your money, check out the best places to save money.

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.

Here’s a simple framework to get started:

1. Week 1: Build your budget and track your spending.
2. Week 2: Cancel unused subscriptions and lower at least one bill.
3. Week 3: Set up automated savings—even a small amount.
4. Week 4: Download KashKick and start earning in your free time.

It doesn’t have to be complicated. Small moves compound over time.

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 2 minutes.