20 Simple Ways to Save Money & Live Better in 2023!

We all want to save money and live better in the future.

But how do you do that without sacrificing too much?

The good news is that there are simple changes you can make to your lifestyle to help you save money and live better in 2023!

In this blog article, we'll be exploring 20 simple ways to save money and live better in 2023.

From creating a budget and cutting back on unnecessary expenses to investing in a programmable thermostat and starting a side hustle, there are plenty of ways to save money and live better in the years to come.

So, let's dive in and explore these 20 simple ways to save money and live better in 2023!

1. Create a Budget

Creating a budget is the first step to saving money and living better in 2023.

By creating a budget, you'll be able to track your spending and make sure that you're spending your money in the right areas.

This will help you understand where your money is going and identify areas where you can cut back.

When creating your budget, make sure to track all your monthly expenses, no matter how small.

This includes both necessary expenses like rent and food, as well as discretionary expenses like entertainment and hobbies.

Once you have all your expenses tracked, you can then determine if you have enough money and then you can look for ways to cut back and save money.

Additionally, you can create a separate savings account and set aside a certain amount of money each month.

This will help you build an emergency fund and save up for larger purchases.

2. Cut Back on Unnecessary Expenses

The next step is to cut back on unnecessary expenses.

Take a look at your budget and identify areas where you can cut back.

This could include eating out less often, canceling subscription services, or switching to a cheaper cell phone plan or internet provider.

You should also consider canceling any memberships or subscriptions that you no longer use or need.

This could include a gym membership, streaming services, or magazine subscriptions.

This can help you save a lot of money each month.

3. Shop Around for the Best Prices

Another way to save money is to shop around for the best prices.

This means taking the time to compare prices and find the best deals.

You can do this online or in-store, depending on what you're shopping for.

When shopping online, make sure to take advantage of coupon codes and discounts.

This can help you save even more money on your purchases.

A good tip here is to sign up for email lists to get notifications about sales and discounts.

4. Cancel Subscription Services

Make it a goal of yours in 2023 to consider canceling any subscription services you're no longer using or need.

This includes streaming services, magazine subscriptions, and any other services you're paying for each month.

By canceling these services, you'll be able to save a lot of money each month.

And guess what? you'll have more time to focus on the things that matter!

5. Switch to a Cheaper Cell Phone Plan or Internet Provider

This is another great way that can help you save a lot of money each month.

When looking for a cheaper plan, make sure to compare prices and read reviews.

There are many ways to save on cell phone expenses which is why we wrote a whole other blog article discussing 15 ways to save on a cell phone bill.

Check out WhistelOut's cellular plan comparison to help you find a good deal that caters to all of your minutes and data needs.

If you are the type of person who does not use a lot of data each month then you should consider switching to a pre-paid plan.

6. Use Energy-Efficient Appliances and Turn Off Lights and Electronics When Not in Use

If you looking to spend less money on electricity and utilities then one of the simplest ways is to use energy-efficient appliances and turn off lights and electronics when not in use.

This will help you save money on your electricity bill each month.

You can also look into installing solar panels to generate your electricity.

This can help you save even more money each month.

Turning down your thermostat by a few degrees reduces your energy consumption for further savings.

Check out our post for 20 more proven ways to lower your utility bills.

7. Grow Your Own Fruits and Vegetables or Shop at Farmer's Markets

Growing your own fruits and vegetables or shopping at farmer's markets can help you save tons of money.

Not only will you be able to save money on your grocery bill, but you'll also be able to eat healthier and fresher produce.

When growing your own produce, you'll need to invest in pots, seeds, and soil.

Investing in this will cost money, but you'll be able to save money in the long run.

This is a classic way of where you have to spend money to save money.

If growing your own fruits and vegetables sounds like a nightmare to you then you can also look for local farmer's markets to find very good deals.

Looking for more ways to save on your monthly groceries?

Then check out the post we wrote - 5 Brilliant Ways to Save Money on Groceries.

8. Consider Carpooling or Using Public Transportation

This can help you save a lot of money each month on fuel costs, car insurance, and car maintenance.

Carpooling is a great option if you have a few friends or family members who are willing to share a ride.

Having fewer cars on the roads with carpooling will ensure that rush hour traffic is reduced.

An alternative to carpooling to save more money is to look into public transportation, such as buses and trains, to get around.

9. Make Your Own Cleaning and Personal Care Products

Not only will you be able to save money on these products, but you'll also be able to avoid harsh chemicals and additives.

There are plenty of DIY recipes you can find online for making your own cleaning and personal care products.

These recipes usually require only a few ingredients and can be made in large batches.

Additionally, you can look for natural alternatives to store-bought products.

10. Repair or Refurbish Items Rather than Buying New Ones

Repairing or refurbishing items rather than buying new ones is another great way to save money.

This includes furniture, appliances, and electronics.

If you have an item that needs to be repaired, you can look for a local repair shop or hire a professional.

This can help you save a lot of money on buying a new item.

To help you save even more money consider second-hand items to refurbish.

11. Sell Items You No Longer Use or Need

One of the simplest ways to save money and make money is to sell items you no longer use or need.

This includes clothing, furniture, electronics, and anything else you don't need.

You can sell these items online or at local consignment stores.

This can help you make some extra money and free up some space in your home.

Alternatively, you can donate these items to a worthy cause.

12. Use Coupons and Take Advantage of Sales and Discounts

We all know about coupons but this is still a very good way to save money.

You can find coupons and discounts in a variety of places, including online, in newspapers, and in magazines.

When using coupons, make sure to read the fine print and understand the terms and conditions.

You should also take advantage of any sales or discounts offered by stores and retailers.

Are you looking for ways to save money on clothes shopping?

Check out our blog post where we go through 15 Easy Money-Saving Tips for Clothes Shopping on a Budget.

13. Refinance Your Mortgage or Consolidate Your Debts

Refinancing your mortgage can help you save a lot of money on interest while consolidating your debts can help you pay off your debts faster.

Before you refinance or consolidate your debts, you will want to research as much as you can on the various rates and reviews.

We recommend speaking to a financial advisor to ensure that this is the right decision for your circumstances.

14. Donate Your Time or Skills to a Worthy Cause

This could include volunteering at a local food bank, a local library, or a soup kitchen or donating your time or skills to a charitable organization.

Not only will you be helping others, but you'll also be able to save money on taxes.

Many of these organizations also provide free activities and usually give out free stuff that people can enjoy.

An even better benefit is that you'll be able to meet new people, make new friends and make a difference in your community.

15. Use a Rewards Credit Card

Rewards credit cards offer a variety of benefits, including cash back, points, and discounts.

When looking for a rewards credit card, check out various vendor rates and go on review websites to check these vendor reviews.

Making sure to pay off your balance in full each month is a great way to avoid interest charges.

We recommend checking out Bankrate Credit Cards - it will assist you in making a more informed decision based on your needs and circumstances.

16. Invest in a Programmable Thermostat

Programmable thermostats are designed to automatically adjust the temperature in your home based on the time of day and season.

This can help you save money on your electricity bill each month.

When looking for a programmable thermostat, you will want to research prices and read the various thermostat reviews to make a more informed decision.

One very important tip here is that you should look for one that is compatible with your home's heating and cooling system.

So before going out and buying one ensure that it will be compatible otherwise you will waste money.

17. Consider Switching to a Cheaper Health Insurance Plan

Switching to a cheaper health plan can help you save a lot of money each month on premiums if you're on a tight budget.

When looking for a cheaper plan, ensure that you read and familiarise yourself with all the changes that will occur in changing your plan.

We recommend that you speak to a health insurance expert to make sure you're making the right decision.

18. Use a Budgeting App or Software

These apps and software can help you track your expenses and identify areas where you can cut back.

When looking for a budgeting app or software, read the features to ensure you are obtaining an app that is suited to your needs.

19. Negotiate with Your Employer for a Raise or Better Benefits Package

In 2023, you should consider negotiating with your employer for a raise or better benefits package.

This can help you save a lot of money each month on taxes and health care costs.

When negotiating with your employer, make sure to research the market rate for your position and come prepared with evidence of your achievements.

Staying professional and polite throughout the process will increase your chances of success in this regard.

20. Start a Side Hustle or Freelance Business

Starting a side hustle or freelance business is another great way to earn money and live better.

Your side hustle can help you make some extra money each month and give you more control over your time and finances.

This will also allow you to save more and ultimately live a better life.

When starting a side hustle or freelance business, make sure to research the market and create a business plan.

This will help you understand the potential risks and rewards of starting your own business.

As you will know there are only two things for certain in life - death and taxes.

So, when you are running your own business it's important to keep on the right side of the law by paying your taxes.

Final Thoughts

From the above, we can see that there are so many different ways to save money to reach your savings goal.

What's important is to choose a method that works for you and your family.

To further enhance your savings, try out a no spend challenge.

We hope these 20 simple ways to save money and live better in 2023 have helped you understand that there are many different ways to save money for the future.

Now it's time to apply some of this knowledge in your everyday life.

Start with one simple step at a time, then work your way up to more complex and challenging savings goals.

For more money-saving tips and hacks check out our Spend Less and Save Money page.