Tips for Saving More and Spending Less!

Times are gettin’ squeaky. (Is that a phrase?) Follow along as Hannah shares eleven creatives ideas to ACTUALLY save money and finally spend LESS. Thank goodness.
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Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:23 Tip #1: Track your spending
1:04 Tip #2: Shop around
2:23 Tip #3: Eliminate impulse purchases
3:17 Tip #4: Plan “no spend” days
4:00 Tip #5: Keep the change
5:10 Tip #6: Use what you have
6:24 Tip #7: Just ask
7:30 Tip #8: Embrace your community
8:43 Tip #9: Tame your food costs
9:44 Tip #10: Start a budget
11:36 Tip #11: Try the “More Money Challenge”
12:30 Outro
12:45 Bloopers
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[@biteykat]

I tracked my spending for the past 3 years and still couldn't get on top of my money. YNAB was what I needed. Making myself assign every dollar a job is keeping me accountable. This is month 2 and I didn't overdraw my bank account and found enough money to buy a new sofa and computer desk (OK, they were cheap, but still!).

[@clurdelune]

Way to go Erica!

[@YNABofficial]

Amaaaaazing!! Not hitting the bottom of the bank account is huge. I have been there many times before-it's a pretty helpless feeling. Congrats on reclaiming control of your money, AND being able to find the space and dollars to get some much-needed items as well!! That's incredible! 🌻 Hannah

[@watchmethriving]

That's awesome!

[@michellebakic4202]

At my local shop I use to say keep the change..15 cent to50 cents..until they would not let me off 5 cents no joke..had to go home get 5 cents..since then I keep all my change

[@1dyrfullymade]

I am embracing my community and resources. That includes letting my pride asside as a single mother and applying for Food stamps until I can get back on my feet. I budget my EBT groceries weekly so I am sure they will last the whole month and try to limit eating out.

[@33goodwitch]

Way to go!!! You are doing amazing and things will eventually get better!

[@YNABofficial]

Yessss! I love this!! They're there for a reason, and taking advantage of them is one of the best things we can do for ourselves!! Sounds like you're doing the very best job thinking to the future and planning for the present. I commend you big-time! Your kids must be so proud!! 🌻 Hannah

[@1dyrfullymade]

@@YNABofficial Thank you! And yes my daughter Loves that she can get Doritos from time to time without mommy being stressed about where the money is going to come from for food! 😊❤️

[@YNABofficial]

Yes!! Livin' the large life with Doritos 😂 I love how the simplest, littlest things can overjoy kids. Doritos would've made my whole week too as a kid. Don't even get me started on the luxury of POPTARTS. 😂 🌻 Hannah

[@1dyrfullymade]

@@YNABofficial Yes is it truly amazing! Thanks for everything Hannah! You guys here at YNAB have changed me and my daughters budgeting lives! Oh…and POPTARTS ROCK! 🔥🤣❤️

[@mamasquid1401]

I've been trying to think of ways to reduce our expenses and one thing I've started asking myself is, "Can this problem be solved without money?" I didn't realize how often my knee-jerk response was to spend money. Trouble organizing my kitchen? Spend money. Recycle bin too small? Spend money. I'm trying to be more creative now. This idea is still in early development.

[@YNABofficial]

YES! Oh my gosh, I resonate with this so much. Feeling inconfident? Buy new make-up. Had a bad day? Buy a latte. Had a *good* day?? Also buy a latte. 😂 It's a way I tend to try to work out my stress, even though in the end I think it likely only aggravates it. I also tend to think I always need things new because I want it to be the best it can be, when really I could save so much money buy adopting others' unused items. I like the idea! Keep developing!! Something good will come of it! 🌻 Hannah

[@ailyn9404189]

If YNAB has a calendar for spend planning, that will be really awesome. We can mark days that we want to implement no spend days with notification on the actual day and budgets are frozen for the target date. Also, it calendar spending view instead of transaction list gives additional insight of spending behaviour. Maybe there are days that you spend more or day that it is easier to implement spending restrictions. YNAB is awesome now but there is still something we can do as additional feature.

[@cristaljoseph290]

That sounds like an amazing feature! I hope they see this! 🤞🏽

[@nosirrahm]

I think YNAB has a place to submit features. Then folks can vote on the feature requests so developers see if it is something worth developing.

[@amandasutherland626]

Yes. In the “?“ in the corner, you can make this suggestion

[@corysnider6851]

@@amandasutherland626 Have thought similar thoughts about some sort of calendar, and how it might enhance the whole web app experience. Hopefully OP puts a feature request in!

[@YNABofficial]

YES! What a fun idea! Love that! Definitely submit your idea to us-I'd love for our team to see it! You can drop feature requests here: youneedabudget.typeform.com/to/Pt6cek?typeform-source=docs.youneedabudget.com 🌻 Hannah

[@TurtleMom23]

I love your videos, Hannah. You make me feel like a normal person when I'm not a Dave Ramsey-level YNABer. Thank you! Much love to you, friend.

[@YNABofficial]

🥰🥰 Love this so much. I feel you. I used to feel a lot of guilt for not budgeting. Then when I started budgeting, I felt guilt for not being an all-or-nothing kinda budgeter. Now I lean into YNAB's grace and belief that life is flexible and our budget should be too. Our priorities change and the budget can absolutely morph and adapt along the way. I can't even believe how much my husband and I have saved since embracing YNAB's "roll with the punches" and "give every dollar a job" mindset. So glad you were able to take that pressure off yourself and just do what you know you need to do for YOUR financial situation! 🌻 Hannah

[@katherinerichardson1767]

"No guilt budgeting" is freedom life for me! Thanks

[@Fashion_Kat]

I find if I ask for the receipts and hold on to them for the month I"m in, and even printing out receipts from purchases I made online really makes me aware of my spending. Can't deny those receipts!

[@JenHasseld]

HIFH videos are the best. I love her humor (and of course, her tips). YNAB has been life changing for us and is helping us live on one police officer’s salary (read: public servant, not much money) so I can homeschool our kids.

[@YNABofficial]

YESSSSSS. Music to my ears! I love that! And way to go for all your hard work teaching, mom!! 🌻 Hannah

[@wannabedal-adx458]

Hannah, always love your videos. I do some of the things you suggests here. I will say I only use food delivery or pickup shopping options sparingly. I use shopping list so I don't spend excess money on the extras. That way I can avoid the extra fees from using like Instacart. Plus keeping my grocery bill higher than normal allows me to buy the higher quality food that I prefer to be healthy and just avoid eating out when I can. I live in a rural area so must stock up when I go to town, then telework the rest of the time.

[@tlplante1]

The no-spend day is something I'm going to give a whirl!

[@melissaignacio4758]

I started using YNAB a year after I bought my first place; I was having a hard time keeping track of all the new bills, obligations, etc. I started my budget journey in December 2020 and just over a year and a half later I've been able to save TWICE the down payment I put down for my home giving me the security of 6 months of expenses, including vacation funds! Thank you for all the tips, I

[@YNABofficial]

Wowwww!! I love that, Melissa! Would you mind if I share your comment as a YNAB Win in a future video?! I'd love to! 🌻 Hannah

[@melissaignacio4758]

@@YNABofficial Yes, of course, Hannah! It'd be an honour to be be mentioned in HIFH! :)

[@YNABofficial]

Woo hoooo!! Well hopefully I can build it into a future video! Thanks so much for sharing, Melissa!! 🌻 Hannah

[@eronweaver5183]

One of your best videos and that’s saying a lot. Packed with great info and delivered in a way that only Hannah can. Thank you for educating AND entertaining at the same time!!!

[@YNABofficial]

Thanks Eron!! SO glad to be giving helpful info, especially in these wonky times!! Appreciate it :) 🌻 Hannah

[@nosirrahm]

I pay annually for subscription streaming services. When they come due, I may not renew some of them. I’m saving now like I’m going to renew them, but I may just pay for a month or two periodically and watch the heck outta them. Love YNAB it has really made budgeting better and simplified my accounting.

[@YNABofficial]

Yes! I love that you can prepare all year long for that annual subscription renewal, and then if you decide *not* to renew, it's like you just got a little bonus of money that you can now put toward something else, OR use to fund a couple months here and there of that subscription! Very smart. I like the way you think. 🌻 Hannah

[@EricaLucasLoves]

Great tips plus a dose of humor. More please!

[@jacey261]

The library is such a fantastic resource. If you're into audiobooks, try your library. Mine has tens of thousands of audiobooks that I can download to my phone instantly for free, and ebooks too. I don't need to buy from Kindle or pay monthly for Audible. At the physical locations, my library not only has books, magazines, movies, and CDs, they also have board games, video games, and even Chromebooks you can check out. As for activities, mine has book clubs and free classes for adults, and TONS of free activities and events for children. Definitely check out your local library and take advantage of all the FREE things that are right there for your enjoyment!

[@YNABofficial]

Yes! Paying for Audible kind of blows my mind! I use the app Hooplah which connects with the database at my local library, and I can borrow up to four audio books a month (which is fantastic because... I can't sit still long enough to read 😂)! It was a great way for me to FINALLY "read through" all the Harry Potter books at the ripe old age of 27 😂🙃 🌻 Hannah

[@emiliaunfiltered]

Boy oh boy do I need to get back on track with my budget and saving... Was on a great roll through spring and saved up a lot, getting my finance in order. Then summer vacation came (5 weeks here in Scandinavia) and at the same time my laptop crashed and had to be taken to the shop to get fixed. Being without a laptop and on vacation I just ignored updating my budget. Now that I got my laptop back? A total disaster. Thank goodness for the Start fresh -feature. It's painful to see the reality spelled out for me in my budget, however I've seen the magic of budgeting before and I know it won't take too long to get back on track with it. And I guess I've done the hard part today: I opened the budget and saw the damage I've done. Now I know what to do going forward, because I've done this before.

[@YNABofficial]

I mean, hey-that's an amazing testimonial to the power of tracking your spending and how much spending awareness can totally change the game. Whenever I'm not tracking I always think "Well, this is just onnnne more purchase. It won't hurt the budget that much." But then I do that literally like twelve times in one week, and turns out-yeah, it hurts the budget 😂 Love that you've had a tangible experience of what a difference budgeting makes!! Wishing you the best as you "hop back on"! 🌻 Hannah

[@alexandrinacastillo5364]

Love your humor & money tips 😂❤😅

[@dlshumate7726]

My grocery store offers fuel points. 1 point for every $1 you spend. 100 points =$.10 off a gallon of fuel. Every once in a while they offer 4x fuel point Fridays… $1= 4 points. The most points I’ve racked up in a month was 1200, or $1.20 off a gallon of gas. Two things to say here. A) all points must be used by the end of the following month AND the most amount of points used at 1 fill up is 1000 points or $1 off at the pump. I monitor my points and split them out according. My vehicle is an F350 diesel. Every little bit helps…

[@YNABofficial]

Holy cow!! That's incredible!! You could seriously save some real money on gas!! I've known people to build up all their points, take BOTH cars to the gas station, and fill up two cars in one pumping session just to make the most use out of the discounted price 🤫 🌻 Hannah

[@duckfarmer8630]

I made my own fancy fruit cups for the kids and packed popcorn..and..wrapped..hot hot dogs in foil.....I can't afford local fair prices. They kids LOVED the rainbow fruit cups exc. I packed it all in disposable so I could throw it all away. (normally I am about reuse exc but we were out for 8 hr with no real base.)

[@YNABofficial]

👏🏽 hack 👏🏽 that 👏🏽 system! LOVE it 😂 🌻 Hannah

[@candy2325]

I just signed up for Walmart grocery delivery because the prices you pay are the same in store versus Instacart. I work from home and get busy and I don’t have time to shop at the store so this decision works for me and I cook my meals at home.

[@duckfarmer8630]

Ordering online Walmart and Target drive up has helped me alot too.

[@OscartheChunk]

Our library loans baking pans & molds. They also loan puzzles and games

[@TonyaDenmark]

I take those small dollar amounts left on "credit card" style gift cards, and use it to reload an amazon gift card. I know there's always something on amazon that I will end up buying, but this way, it takes it off the overall purchase. So many stores only allow one credit card, so those credit card gift cards become useless. This way, I am still using them.

[@YNABofficial]

Huge! That's a smart lil hack right there! Love that idea! 🌻 Hannah

[@duckfarmer8630]

Some churches (like mine) have a clothing closet...free clothes all neatly hung like a real store but free! I got all my boys' clothes from there. I got shorts for me. My Mom and MIL like to get my kids clothes so I try not to buy clothes for them if a holiday is coming up!

[@codygray8111]

We use a food delivery service (hungry root) and decrease food waste and unnecessary spending at the grocery store. Same price every week making it very budget friendly

[@YNABofficial]

Niiiice! I've looked at Hungry Root a number of times, mostly just for the sake of only being delivered good-for-me foods and not being tempted to by sugary or less-than-helpful foods at the store. I liked that the cost would've been the same every month too-just like a "food bill"! 🌻 Hannah

[@dimitriosg]

Hey, Hannah! The tip #5 is super good! However, it may be not very practical. Meaning: Month 12: 518.25 Month 11: 473.25 Month 10: 428.25 Month 9: 383.25 Month 8: 338.25 Month 7: 293.25 Month 6: 248.25 Month 5: 203.25 Month 4: 158.25 Month 3: 113.25 Month 2: 68.25 Month 1: 23.25 In the beginning it will be easy. After 5 or 6 months, things start getting harder. The abovementioned are the amounts deposited per month in order to reach the amount you said.

[@ciannacoleman5125]

Yeah I've never really understood that specific saving system for the average person. Makes more sense of you "restart" at the beginning of each month

[@simonmurphy1598]

Its a variation of the 1p savings challenge in the UK. Some banks actually allow you to automatically save this way. Some people do it in reverse as otherwise your largest save is in December which isnt sensible for many. I did it for six months, but to be honest it isnt particularly compatable with zero based budgeting.

[@YNABofficial]

Valid point! The main takeaway of that point for me is that every penny counts, and we often feel they don't. Just scraping up those change and small dollar amounts every day can make a huuuuge difference over time! 🌻 Hannah

[@dimitriosg]

@@YNABofficial In that sense, yes. Completely agree! What I do, since I mostly use my card to make purchases, I have set up the app to save the spare change "to the nearlest 50c" and save the difference.

[@tamarakane8902]

I just recently got rid of FB and IG apps on my phone because I need a break from all the targeted ads that had me constantly tempted to buy things.

[@duckfarmer8630]

you will get SOO much time back. I quit fb Jan 6, 2021 and my stress went down and I got more time all the sudden...enter ducks lol

[@jenniferjohnson8539]

Me too. And noted such relief!

[@dawnkoplitz1825]

My money saving tip is to only use half the recommended amount of detergent for any cleaning product. I also use white vinegar instead of fabric softener in my washing machine. Clothes smell clean and it eliminates the slimy mess inside the fabric softener dispenser in the washing machine.

[@dawnkoplitz1825]

Also, the store brand vinegar is 1/3 the cost of fabric softener.

[@thomasp2516]

Grand, now you save 3 dollars a month.

[@tholm4307]

I do this too!! You don’t need most cleaners/detergents full strength. Same for shampoo and hand soap. I dilute most everything and everything goes a lot further. I don’t waste a drop. Love the vinegar idea!! Thanks! 👍🏻

[@sherrylynnbishop8007]

Hannah, May I ask the name and location of the library with the recording studio? That sounds AMAZING!

[@hellsbellsuk]

I had slacked with YNAB for about six months; got back in the saddle the other day, watched this video and I've already found FIVE subscriptions I could cancel totally without pain.

[@YNABofficial]

WOWWWW. Oh my gosh, the things we just don't catch when we're not looking. YNAB'll help you snatch those sneaky subscriptions right up!! 🌻 Hannah

[@duckfarmer8630]

YNAB is helping me a TON...I keep trying to think do I really need this? Can I make it? Example I give my kids quarters for doing their chores. I use a mason jar....I thought maybe I should buy a bank shaped with the letter of their first name- inter YNAB- really can't afford it for all of them...what about cute lids with a slot in them $1 each!....still spending...I thought I need to be creative...I used bright color paper cut a slot and screwed the ring on. Beautiful...you know what the younger ones busted the paper trying to get money out with their fingers instead of unscrewing the lid.....glad I didn't pay for slot lids!

[@YNABofficial]

HA! Oh dear!! I wonder if you could pick up some fun fabric scraps from a friend or a garage sale? You could still have fun colors and patterns for each jar, but they might be a little more durable 😂 🌻 Hannah

[@shelby7599]

After having a vehicle totaled and the loan being paid off, I was able to pocket some money, put a down payment on a new car, used some for maintenance for the new car and then paid off our phones so our phone bill went down $100 a month! Now I just need to look for new car insurance!

[@YNABofficial]

WOW. Oh my gosh, isn't paying off a debt and getting that monthly payment money back just one of the best feelings?! It's like free money all of a sudden! A mini raise! I LOVE it. Congrats on all the huge progress you've made! That sounds amazing!! 🌻 Hannah

[@lowwastehighmelanin]

In california you can go into the store and get cash for the value if it's less than $25. It's the law. :D Edit: most of California's libraries have Libraries of things

[@francescodesantis1997]

Hey Johnny, do you know you have to put 542,50 dollars in the jar during the last month? Jokes apart, I've been saving one Euro every time I can for two years or so, and now my jar weights a kilogram and is only a third full 🐷 That's actually a pretty funny and satisfying habit

[@tamarasnook]

"That's a big jar" :D

[@YNABofficial]

#coinsfordays 🌻 Hannah

[@timcareer6704]

I owe $2000 a month on debt and bills, and make $21,800 a year. I can't get a job interview for a better paying job. I am starting to get nervous because I keep pulling from my savings.

[@alejandrasolorio8588]

I recently switched from AT&T to Cricket - I would pay $94 /mo (after paying off my device). I just prepaid for a whole year at $340. I may upgrade my plan, but still miles cheaper.

[@YNABofficial]

Wowwwww! Amazing! That's HUGE savings. I might consider myself... 😏 🌻 Hannah

[@michellebakic4202]

I get heaps of months no spend days I don't eat out..😢or take out

[@daftoptimist]

Every so often, when you leave something in an online shopping cart, the merchant may send you a promo code to try and close the sale. Another benefit to sleeping on it.

[@YNABofficial]

YES. I've definitely learned to start doing that. As a result, I now get a ton of "did you mean to leave your cart behind?" and "we're only gonna hold your cart for 24 more hours!" emails 😂 🌻 Hannah

[@brielambley3466]

Paused the video half way through and went online and cancelled Disney plus. Still have 2 streaming services but they have shows Im currently watching:)

[@YNABofficial]

Niiiice!! Way to put these tips into practice right away!! Bye bye $7.99/mo! 🌻 Hannah

[@itsjustgarion]

Hi, there again! Fellow Kansan from another video. Wait, your budget has a category for Disc Golf AND ya'll from Kansas?! Did we just become best friends?

[@YNABofficial]

WHY YES WE DID. #discislife 🌻 Hannah

[@brianpendleton2674]

Hulu would be the first to go tbh.

[@tastexink7]

Dang johnny

[@mscandyclash]

I threatened to cancel my NYT subscription and they gave me a 50% discount for the next year... and after they raised it after a year I threated to cancel again and .. they lowered it! they really do not want to lose subscribers

[@YNABofficial]

Yes! It's a real tactic, yo. Just a couple weeks ago I forgot to cancel a 7-day free trial... was charged $80... wrote in just saying "Whoops, I meant to cancel. Can I get a refund?" They didn't even hesitate! Got that $80 right back into my account! Never hurts to ask. 🌻 Hannah

[@petrina1026]

I wanna buy that pink 🐖 bank..but im not spending

[@33goodwitch]

Every time any finance person says 1 or 5 dollars isn't much I cringe since that is still a lot of money to me, I get what there saying but I am super broke and I'm working 2 jobs and spend as little as I can(I only have 1 non necessary expense the rest is bills I cant reduce) and am still drowning 🙃

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

Sadly, that is a thing, and it's too common to simply blame people's incompetence or laziness for. What I will say, is that if you can set aside even $5 a month towards the next month's expenses, you would eventually get to the point where you're a month ahead. And yes, I do realize that it's not even remotely easy if you're that tight on money. But, the alternative is never getting out of debt and having a decent life. It's sad how few people can afford $400 in unexpected bills.

[@33goodwitch]

@@SmallSpoonBrigade that is true, and thank you for the reminder that even when you can do something the way it is presented there is always an option to move forward 😊

[@dawnkoplitz1825]

I hear ya. I work a lot, but YNAB has really helped me plan my spending. I’m thankful for the savings tips people gave here.