Saving money each month doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, with some simple lifestyle changes, you can easily save $100 or more per month. Here are 10 easy ways to save money each month:

First, cut the cord on cable TV. Cable TV packages are expensive, often $50-100 per month or more. Switch to streaming services like Netflix, Hulu or YouTube TV and save $50-100 per month.

Second, stop buying coffee every day. Buying coffee from Starbucks or another coffee shop 5 days a week costs around $20-30 per month. Brew your own coffee at home and save that money each month.

Third, meal plan and cook more meals at home. Eating out or getting takeout most nights can cost $200-500 per month for a family of four. Plan your meals, cook more at home, and save $100-300 per month.

Fourth, reduce utility bills. Little changes like turning off lights and electronics when not in use, adjusting the thermostat, and using Energy Star certified appliances can save $20-50 per month on utilities.

Fifth, refinance high-interest debt. If you have high-interest debt like credit cards, consider consolidating and refinancing to a lower rate. You could save $30-50 per month in interest charges.

Sixth, cut monthly subscriptions. Look for subscriptions you’re no longer using like streaming services, meal kits, gaming memberships, etc. Cancel any unused subscriptions and save $10-30 per month.

Seventh, buy generic or less expensive brands. Switch from name brands to generic or less expensive brands for things like groceries, household supplies, and toiletries. You’ll save $20-50 per month.

Eighth, ask your insurance providers for a lower rate. Call your auto, homeowner’s, and life insurance companies and ask if they can lower your monthly premiums. They may be able to lower rates by $10-30 per month.

Ninth, sell unwanted items online. Go through your basement, attic, garage, and closets and look for valuable items you no longer want. Sell them on websites like eBay, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace for $50-200 per month.

Tenth, cut out one or two restaurant meals. Reduce how often you eat at restaurants each month. Cut out just one or two meals out and you’ll easily save $20-50 per month.

An emergency fund is one of the most important financial tools you can have. It’s a stash of money set aside specifically for unexpected expenses. Without an emergency fund, unexpected costs can lead to taking on debt or financial hardship. Here are the steps to build your own emergency fund:

Determine your emergency fund target amount. A good rule of thumb is to save enough to cover 3 to 6 months of essential expenses like housing, food, and transportation in case you lose your income. If your monthly expenses are $3,000, aim for $9,000 to $18,000 in your emergency fund.

Create a budget and spending plan. Review your income and expenses to find ways to cut costs so you have money left each month to put into your emergency fund. Look for expenses you can reduce or eliminate, like dining out or entertainment. Every dollar counts.

Automate transfers to your emergency fund. Set up automatic transfers from your checking to your emergency fund savings account. Start with whatever amount you can, even if it’s just $25 or $50 a month. Increase the amount over time as you’re able. Automating the transfers will help make building the fund a habit.

Look for ways to increase your income. Ask for a raise at your job or develop skills that qualify you for a higher-paying position. You might also consider a side gig to generate extra money for your emergency fund like freelancing, driving for a ridesharing service, or an online survey site.

Review account fees and interest rates. Make sure the fees on your emergency fund account are minimal. And shop around at different banks to find the highest interest rate so your money can start earning more money. Even a slightly higher rate can make a big difference over time.

Celebrate milestones to stay motivated. Building an emergency fund takes time and discipline. Celebrate achieving key milestones along the way, like reaching $1,000 or half your target amount. Reward yourself with a nice dinner or experience to keep yourself motivated to continue progressing toward your goal.

Replenish the fund if you have to make a withdrawal. Only use your emergency fund for true financial emergencies. If you do have to make a withdrawal, make paying it back a priority. Develop a plan to replenish the money as quickly as possible so you have funds available for the next emergency.

Continue the habit and build wealth. Keep putting money each month into your emergency fund even after you reach your target balance. Having a well-funded emergency fund means you can weather life’s financial storms without worry. And the extra money can help with other savings goals like vacation, home down payment or retirement.

Budgeting is a crucial life skill that everyone should learn. Creating a budget helps you gain control of your finances so you can manage your money effectively and make progress toward important financial goals. Here are some budgeting basics to get you started:

Tracking your income and expenses is the foundation of budgeting. Gather records of your income sources and regular bills for the last few months. List your income, fixed expenses like rent or mortgage payments, and discretionary expenses. See where your money is going each month. Look for expenses you can reduce or eliminate. Even small changes can add up to big savings over time.

Set financial goals and priorities. Do you want to pay off debt, save for a down payment on a house, or plan a vacation? Define specific and measurable goals so you know how much money to allocate in your budget each month. Review your progress regularly and make adjustments as needed.

Create a realistic budget. Add up your income and expenses to make sure you’re not spending more than you earn. If needed, look for ways to increase your income or cut additional expenses. Budget enough for essentials, allocate money toward your financial goals, and include a little for discretionary spending. An ideal budget should challenge you but still be sustainable.

Automate as much as possible. Set up automatic payments for fixed expenses like rent, utilities, insurance, and loan payments. Automate transfers to savings and investment accounts as well. The more you automate, the less chance of missing a payment or overspending. Review automated transactions regularly to ensure there are no errors.

Check your progress frequently. Review how you’re doing at least once a month or if your income or expenses change significantly. Make sure your actual income and spending match your budgeted amounts. Look at what’s working and not working. Revise your budget as needed to keep yourself on track. Consistently monitoring your progress is key to budgeting success.

Budgeting does take work, but the payoff of reduced financial stress and achieving your financial goals makes it worth the effort. Start with the basics, learn from your mistakes, and make continuous improvements. Developing the discipline of effective money management is a lifelong skill that can lead to financial freedom and stability.

The key to successful investing is starting early and keeping it simple. Compound interest is an investor’s best friend, and the sooner you start saving and investing, the more wealth you can accumulate over time. Even saving and investing small amounts regularly can go a long way.

One of the simplest ways for beginners to start investing is through employer-sponsored retirement plans, like 401(k)s. Contribute at least enough to get any matching funds from your employer. That’s free money that can supercharge your returns over time. Increase your contributions by at least 1% each year as your income rises.

For hands-free investing, consider index funds and ETFs. These track the overall stock market so you get broad diversification in a single fund. Look for low-cost, broad-market index funds and ETFs that match your financial goals. Over long time periods, the stock market has returned an average of 7% annually after inflation.

If you want to invest in individual stocks, do your research and start with blue-chip companies in stable industries. Look for companies with solid earnings and revenue growth, reasonable valuations, and competitive advantages. Buy and hold for the long run to allow your investments to compound.

Consider diversifying globally as well. International indexes and emerging market funds provide exposure to the world’s fastest-growing economies. While more volatile, they also provide opportunity for higher returns. A basic portfolio might include U.S., international and emerging market stock funds.

For income, look to dividend stocks, bonds, CDs and annuities. Dividend stocks provide income through regular payouts. Bonds also provide steady income through interest payments. CDs and annuities are very low risk. Ladder them with different maturities to balance safety and income.

Review and rebalance your portfolio at least once a year. Make sure your money is allocated properly between stocks, bonds and cash for your financial goals. Rebalance as needed to maintain the target allocations. This helps ensure you don’t take on too much or too little risk.

The key is to start now, keep it simple, and be consistent. Develop good habits like automatic contributions and you’ll be well on your way to building wealth through investing, regardless of your income level or experience. Compounding returns and time are on your side.

Your credit score is one of the most important numbers in your financial life. It impacts your ability to get approved for credit cards, loans, insurance, apartments, and even some jobs. The good news is you can take steps to improve your score over time. Here are some tips to boost your credit score by up to 100 points or more in 6 months:

Check your credit report and dispute any errors. Your credit report contains the information used to calculate your score. Review reports from all three bureaus and dispute any incorrect information like accounts that aren’t yours or balances that have been paid off. Getting errors corrected can increase your score.

Pay down revolving balances. Keep balances on credit cards and other revolving credit accounts low relative to your limits. High utilization ratios hurt your score the most. Pay off debt or increase credit limits to get balances below 30% of your limits.

Do not apply for a lot of new credit quickly. New credit inquiries can lower your score a few points. Only apply for new credit when needed. If you need to apply for multiple cards, do so within a focused period, such as 30 days.

Become an authorized user. Ask someone with good credit to add you as an authorized user on one of their credit cards. Their responsible credit use will be reported on your credit reports and can help boost your score. Of course, make sure you trust this person to use the card properly.

Check for credit-building opportunities. Look for opportunities to build your credit history. For example, you may qualify for a secured card that reports to the credit bureaus. Make small charges each month and pay on time to establish a good payment pattern. Your credit limit and score can improve over time.

Review new scores and reports. As you work to build your credit, check your scores and reports regularly to monitor your progress. It can take time for new information to be reported to the bureaus and reflected in your scores. Keep at it and your scores will improve! With diligence, you can increase your credit score significantly in 6 months. Stay focused on paying on time and keeping low balances and your score will go up over time.

A side hustle is a way to earn extra money outside of your regular job. Having a side gig can help you pay off debt, save more money, or simply provide some additional financial security. Here are 15 side hustle ideas to consider.

Drive for Uber or Lyft in your spare time. If you have a reliable car, you can earn money by driving people around in your city. You make your own schedule so you can drive whenever you have the time. Rent out a spare room in your home on Airbnb. If you have an extra room, consider renting it out to travelers in your area. You can set nightly, weekly, and monthly rates to optimize your earnings.

Do market research studies. Companies often hire people to test new products and provide feedback. Studies typically pay between $30 to $500. Check sites like Respondent, User Interviews, and Dedicated Research to find opportunities.

Walk dogs or do pet sitting. If you love animals, consider walking dogs or providing pet sitting services. You can advertise your services on neighborhood Facebook groups, with local vets, and on sites like Rover.com. Pet sitters typically earn $10 to $20 per walk or $25 to $50 per night of sitting.

Do online surveys. Complete surveys in your spare time to earn some cash. Sites like Survey Junkie, Swagbucks, and InboxDollars allow you to earn gift cards and cash for sharing your opinions. You typically earn between $1 to $5 per survey, with opportunities to earn more for focus groups.

Sell unwanted items online. Go through your attic, basement or garage and look for valuable items you no longer need. You can sell used books, clothes, toys, furniture, and more on sites like eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace. Price items competitively based on their condition.

Become a tutor. If you have expertise in a particular subject area, consider becoming a tutor. You can tutor students in math, music, languages, sports, and more. Advertise your tutoring services on neighborhood Facebook groups, with local schools, and on Care.com or Wyzant. Tutors typically charge between $25 to $100 per hour depending on the subject and level.

Do freelance work like writing, programming or graphic design. If you have a skill like writing, programming, graphic design, or video editing, you can find freelance work to do in your spare time. Check sites such as Upwork, Fiverr, and 99Designs for opportunities. Build up your reputation and you can earn $25 per hour or more.

Getting out of debt is a challenging but rewarding journey. The first step is creating a realistic budget that accounts for your income and expenses. Look for expenses you can reduce or eliminate, like eating out or streaming services. Pay off high-interest debts first, like credit cards, to avoid paying more in interest charges. Make a plan to pay off other debts, and track your progress to stay motivated.

Paying off debt often requires making lifestyle changes. Look for ways to earn additional income, such as taking a part-time job or freelancing in your spare time. Have a yard sale or sell unwanted items online to generate cash. Limit expenses by cooking meals at home, using public transit, or taking affordable vacations. Find free or low-cost hobbies and entertainment. Making more money and spending less are the keys to getting out of debt.

Once you have a budget and debt payoff plan in place, automate as much as possible. Set up automatic bill payments and have money transferred to your savings and debt accounts. Automation helps avoid missed or late payments and ensures your money is working for you. Review your budget and debt balances regularly to make sure you’re staying on track. Celebrate milestones to stay motivated, such as paying off one debt or saving a certain amount.

Getting professional help can help you succeed. A financial counselor can review your situation, identify problem areas, and create a customized plan. They can also provide guidance and accountability. Some credit counseling agencies offer free or low-cost services. If needed, a debt consolidation loan may allow you to pay off high-interest debts over time at a lower interest rate. However, only consider this option if you’ve addressed the underlying issues that led to debt in the first place.

With time and dedication, you can pay off your debt and achieve financial freedom. Stay committed to your budget, increase your income, decrease your spending, and automate as much as possible. Celebrate wins, learn from setbacks, and keep working toward your goal. You have the power to take control of your finances and build the life you want. Stay positive and keep putting one foot in front of the other. Debt-free living is absolutely possible if you make a plan and stick to it.

Shopping for everyday essentials like groceries, toiletries, and cleaning supplies quickly adds up and can take a big bite out of your budget if you’re not careful. Here are some tips to save money on routine purchases:

Buy generic or store brand items. Name brands are often more expensive because part of the price goes toward marketing and advertising. Store brands or generics typically offer the same quality at a lower price.

Stock up on sales. Look for promotions on non-perishables and stock up. Things like toilet paper, paper towels, laundry detergent, and other staples you know you’ll use. Buy enough to last until the next good sale.

Use coupons or your app for discounts. Check sites like Coupons.com for digital coupons you can load to your store loyalty card or app. Some stores also double or triple coupon values, so you can save even more.

Avoid impulse purchases. Make a list before you shop and stick to it. Only buy what’s on your list to avoid making impulse buys you may regret later.

Buy in bulk when possible. For non-perishable items you use a lot of, like rice, beans, nuts, granola bars, etc., consider shopping at stores like Costco or Sam’s Club. You can get larger sizes at lower unit prices. Just make sure you have enough storage space and the items won’t expire before you can use them.

Meal plan before shopping. Plan your meals for the week based on what’s on sale and in season. Make a list for just those ingredients to avoid overbuying or making extra trips to the store. Buy only what you need for your meal plan.

Shop less frequently. Try shopping for groceries every 1 to 2 weeks instead of weekly. This can help you avoid impulse buys and ensure you’re using everything you purchase before it expires. You’ll also save time by not shopping as often.

Retirement planning is crucial, but it can seem complicated. The good news is, it’s simpler than you might think if you start saving early. Here are 10 basic steps to get started:

Start saving as early as possible. The sooner you start saving, the less you need to put away each month thanks to the power of compound interest. Even saving a small amount, like 3 to 5 percent of your income, can make a big difference over time.

Focus on tax-advantaged accounts. Take advantage of accounts like 401(k)s, IRAs, and HSAs that allow your money to grow tax-free. At a minimum, contribute enough to get any matching from your employer.

Decide on your retirement lifestyle. Do you want to travel the world or stay close to home? Different lifestyles will require different amounts of savings. Determine how much income you’ll need each month to live comfortably in retirement.

Estimate your retirement expenses. Make a list of your expected monthly expenses in retirement like housing, food, and healthcare costs. Account for inflation and estimate how much each expense will be during your retirement years.

Choose an investment strategy. Decide how you want to invest your retirement funds between stocks, bonds, and cash. Stocks provide the highest potential returns but also the most risk. Bonds and cash are safer but provide lower returns.

Review and rebalance your accounts. Review your retirement accounts at least once a year to make sure your money is allocated properly between stocks, bonds, and cash based on your investment strategy. Rebalance as needed.

Consider annuitizing a portion of your savings. Annuities provide guaranteed lifetime income. You can allocate a portion of your retirement savings to an annuity to ensure you have income for life, no matter how the markets perform.

Plan for required minimum distributions. Know the rules for required minimum distributions (RMDs) from retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs. You must start withdrawing a minimum amount each year after age 72 to avoid penalties.

Filing taxes for the first time can seem complicated and confusing. However, by following some basic steps, you can complete your taxes accurately and on time. The first thing you need to do is gather your tax documents, like W-2, 1099 and 1098 forms. These show your income and any deductions you’re eligible to claim. Double check that the information on these forms is correct.

Next, choose whether to file online or mail in paper tax returns. Filing online using tax software like TurboTax or H&R Block is generally faster and easier. These services can import your tax documents and automatically fill in parts of the return. They also check for errors and do the math for you. Paper returns require manually entering all your information, but some people still prefer them.

You’ll need to report all your taxable income, including income from jobs, investments, retirement plans, and other sources. Make sure you understand what counts as taxable income and what is tax-exempt. Some common deductions and credits you may be able to claim include mortgage interest, charitable donations, dependents, and education credits. But check the eligibility criteria for different deductions and credits to ensure you qualify.

When it’s time to file, you’ll need to choose between taking the standard deduction or itemizing your deductions. Itemizing means listing each deduction separately, while the standard deduction is a flat amount. Compare your itemized deductions to the standard deduction for your filing status to determine which is greater.

Carefully review your return for any errors before submitting. Double check that names, Social Security numbers, and math calculations are correct. Filing an accurate return is important to avoid potential audits or penalties. Keep copies of your return, worksheets and any other records used to prepare your taxes.

Once your return is ready, you can file for an automatic 6-month extension if needed, or submit your return. Filing electronically and setting up direct deposit for any refund is the quickest option. The IRS typically issues refunds within 21 days of accepting an e-filed return. But allow up to 6 weeks for mailed paper returns.