23 Easy Ways to Save $5 a Day

Saving money doesn’t have to require becoming a miser or even erasing all the fun from your life. In fact, there are so many ways you can choose to not spend just $5 every day — and instead hide that money away in a safe place. It’s about sidestepping sneaky little expenses that can add up faster than loads of dirty dishes after a big Thanksgiving feast if we’re not paying attention!

BREW YOUR OWN COFFEE
Your kitchen is a coffee shop waiting to happen. Put that machine on your countertop to good use so you can skip the daily $5 latte. There’s a reason it’s called a coffeemaker. See how that works?

PACK YESTERDAY’S DINNER FOR LUNCH
Fancy name: leftovers. Better name: free lunch. Bonus: You don’t have to fake a smile when your coworker asks to “try a bite.”

BRING YOUR OWN SNACKS
That vending machine is just a shiny box of bad financial decisions. Toss some cheese and crackers or a banana in your bag and call it good.

TAP WATER IS A THING
We’re blessed to live in a country where water comes straight out of the faucet. Fill up a reusable bottle and pretend it’s artisanal.

AVOID THE CONVENIENCE AISLE
Those prechopped fruits and veggies are just regular produce sporting a huge tax. Check it! Anything you buy that comes grated, chopped, sliced or otherwise prepared is going to cost twice the price. Opt for the unprepared version, then do it yourself. It counts as exercise.

STAY HOME FOR MOVIE NIGHT
Your couch doesn’t charge admission, and the popcorn is 1/10th the price. Plus, you get to wear pajamas.
USE THE LIBRARY
The library is like Amazon but free. And quieter. And there’s no guilt when your “to be read” pile gets out of hand.
STICK TO FREE APPS
That app upgrade promising “endless possibilities” is code for “endless charges.” Stick to the free version and call it good enough. Want to find lots more $5 bills? Make sure you read “This 5 Minute Self-Checkup to Find iPhone Subscriptions Saved Me a Lot of Money” at EverydayCheapskate.com/subscriptions. I was shocked and I’ll bet you will be too when you discover how much you’re paying for stuff you’ve totally forgotten.
CARPOOL OR COMBINE ERRANDS
A gallon of gas is basically a liquid $5 bill these days. Plan ahead, buddy up and cut those extra trips.

DITCH THE TOLL ROADS
Unless that toll road takes you straight to a tropical vacation, skip it. Save yourself the fee and enjoy the scenic route.

PAUSE BEFORE YOU PURCHASE
Impulse buys are like stray cats — they seem harmless, but they’ll take over your house if you’re not careful. Walk away, then walk away again.

FIX INSTEAD OF REPLACE
A little duct tape and creativity can save you from replacing that torn shirt or wobbly chair. Think of it as channeling your inner MacGyver.

CANCEL UNUSED MEMBERSHIPS
If you’re still paying for the yoga studio you quit six months ago, that’s a problem. Cancel it and do a downward dog in your living room instead.

STICK WITH FREE SERVICES
You don’t need the premium version of every app. Most of the time, the free one does the job just fine without draining your bank account.

TURN OFF THE LIGHTS
If you’re not in the room, the light doesn’t need to be on. Your parents were right about this one.

ADJUST THE THERMOSTAT
It costs nothing to haul out a sweater from the closet. Cranking up the heat costs $5. You do the math.

DIY MANICURES
Your nails can look good without shelling out $30. Just don’t try anything fancy unless you’re OK with “abstract” art. Better yet, learn my simple secrets for the perfect home manicure at EverydayCheapskate.com/manicure. (It’s free!)

MAKE YOUR OWN CLEANERS
Vinegar, baking soda and elbow grease can clean almost anything. Plus, they’re cheaper than those miracle sprays that smell like regret.

HOST A POTLUCK
Your friends are tired of restaurant bills too. Have everyone bring a dish and marvel at how much cheaper fun can be.

SAY NO TO SCRATCH-OFFS
The lottery isn’t a retirement plan. Save that $5 instead. Call it money not spent.

AVOID ATM FEES
Plan ahead so you’re not forking over $3 to withdraw $20. That’s paying to get your own money.

PAY BILLS ON TIME
Late fees are just money you could’ve spent on snacks. Set a reminder and keep that cash in your pocket.

STOP BROWSING ONLINE STORES
Window shopping online is like inviting temptation to move in. Close the tab, log out and call it a win.
Saving $5 a day isn’t about deprivation — it’s about outsmarting the sneaky little expenses that chip away at your bank account. Actually taking that money and putting it into a safe place is the way to save. Now go forth and keep all those unspent $5 bills where they belong: hidden away for you!