Little Ways You Can Save Money Without Even Realizing You're Doing It

"Thank you so much!" —your wallet after you read this post, probably

1. Use your freezer to save food.

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Don't lie: You probably buy food and think, I'm totally going to use this in recipes. Then, of course, you don't use it and it goes bad. An easy way around this is to put that stuff in the freezer to keep it edible. Chill as heck!

2. Organize a clothing swap with friends.

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If you're looking for a wardrobe refresh, you can get what you want without breaking the bank. Get all your friends together, dump your clothes in a pile, then have everyone pick and choose what they like!

3. Not into the idea of a clothing swap? You can sell your clothes!

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We're all guilty of looking inside our closets full of clothes and thinking, "I have nothing to wear!" Why not make some quick cash and see if a consignment shop will take them?

4. Create a weekly or monthly cash-based budget for yourself.

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And stick to the plan! Take a certain amount of cash out each month for things like restaurants, movies, and concerts. And then for the entire month, tell yourself you're only allowed to use that pre-determined amount of cash.

5. Steer clear of the mall.

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Visiting the mall can be fun, but it's very easy to be tempted to shop and purchase more than you actually need to. If you're hitting up the mall for a fun activity, try another activity like talking a walk, streaming a movie you've always wanted to watch, or working on some crafts!

6. Seriously: Turn off those lights!

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Yes, it may sound obvious. But don't just be "good at turning off the lights," be "really good at turning off the lights." Write reminder notes and stick 'em to the wall! Turn off those lights the minute you stop using them!

7. Buy used when you can!

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Yard sales! Consignment shops! Look for social media posts in your area from people giving away used items! Video game fan? You can even buy used video games.

8. Cancel those little subscriptions you have piling up.

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In this age, it seems like there's always something new to subscribe to: apps, streaming services, magazine subscriptions. It's easy to let them pile up and wear down your wallet. Make a list of all the subscription services you're paying for and try to get rid of the ones you can live without.

9. Get a library card!

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Okay, you might have an e-reader. But each book costs money! But guess what's free? That's right: a library card! And guess what? Most libraries carry e-books now that download directly to your e-reader.

10. Skip out on that fancy coffee shop.

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Before you head to work, skip the fancy coffee shop. You can save money by getting some seriously delicious coffee at the convenience store. You can even go in and grab a cup while you fill your tank with gas. Talk about a timesaver!

With Speedway's premium roasted coffee, it's easy to save money while still having your caffeine fix your way.

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