I’m embarrassed by the sheer amount of frivolous spending I did in 2024. It’s wild to me how, at one point, I thought it was perfectly acceptable to cough up over $200 on a Margarita mixer that I’ve used maybe twice. (What was I thinking? I don’t even like Margaritas!)  

Every day, all these wholly unnecessary impulse purchases seemed to be glaring at me — judging me for not using them. Whether it was the collection of anime cosplay wigs I never wore, or the $300 antique music box that serves absolutely no purpose — other than cluttering up my space.   

At one point, I even broke out in a stress rash because I was so ashamed of my outrageous spending habits. I knew I needed to make a change, but where was I to begin?

Fortunately, I spent the summer doing a ton of research into financial health. With the help of Mint, I started monitoring my spending and tracking my net worth. This helped me to put together a healthy budget (that doesn’t kill me). And NerdWallet seriously helps me keep on top of — what used to be — my out of control credit cards. 

By September, I felt confident enough in my finances to start exploring micro-investing through Acorns. I love how it allows me to put my spare change to work and integrate investing seamlessly into my banking routine. Every small contribution adds up, proving that all it takes is a clear plan and perseverance.

From now on, I’ll be sticking with these brilliant personal finance tools and practicing a number of unique lifestyle choices that will help save money. 

If you want to keep your wallet stuffed, pursue these 10 cash-saving options in 2025.

Practice Minimalism

Minimalism has been a saving grace in regards to my history of problematic spending habits. While maximalism represents all things colorful, abundant, and flashy, minimalism focuses on quality over quantity. That means no more late-night spendings on wacky butterfly barrettes and Loungefly Baby Yoda mini-backpacks. (As much as I adore Baby Yoda, I do not need a backpack featuring him in order to survive.) 

By practicing a minimalist lifestyle, you’ll focus solely on purchasing items that are truly essential for your daily needs. That way, you won’t waste your time debating it. You should snap up that Victorian Gothic Wall Sconce — just because you’re hyped up from watching the latest Nosferatu movie. You’ll survive without it, promise.     

Curate a Capsule Wardrobe

Adopting a minimalist lifestyle may inspire you to transform your closet into a Capsule Wardrobe. For those who are unfamiliar, Capsule Wardrobes are a great way to declutter by getting rid of all your clothing items that you never wear. Take some time to look through your closet and really ask yourself what you should keep. What pieces do you find yourself consistently wearing? How about that fuzzy purple scarf that you haven’t worn since 2006? 

Capsule Wardrobes prioritize approximately 40 items or less that can be mixed and matched in fun and creative ways. Just make sure the clothes you’re keeping around are high in quality so they’ll last a lifetime. Personally, I stock my wardrobe with sustainable fashion brands that are great for the environment. Killing two birds with one stone — score.

Prioritize Home Cooking Over Dining Out

It’s ridiculous how much money you can save by cooking at home rather than dropping a chunk of change eating at restaurants. I know how awesome it can be to dine out, so I’m not suggesting you give up on this entirely. Instead, try limiting your restaurant-attendance to once or twice a week max, as opposed to making this your go-to choice five nights a week. 

I know this can be tough, especially when you live in a big city since there are so many delectable options on every corner. When I was living in Manhattan, I could barely step outside without being intoxicated by the delicious scents of the Japanese Ramen Noodle Shop just two buildings down. You know I was a familiar face at that Ramen shop. 

When you cook at home, you shrink both your debt and your waistline in the process. Based on personal experience, I’d say it’s well worth it. Plus, you’re bound to become a better cook in the process. You’ll learn about seasonings, cuisines, and recipes that make for meals so scrumptious, you’ll hardly miss restaurant food.    

Delete Subscriptions You Never Use

This is a big one, you guys. You may be thinking, “What’s the big deal if I’m spending 40 bucks a month on Hulu, Peacock, Apple TV, Netflix, and Paramount Plus?” But that money adds up — big time. 

If you’re a big TV fanatic like me I’m not saying you should cancel all your streaming services. But I’d narrow it down to your one or two favorite services and save a ton of money annually. I’ve done this myself, and now I’m proud to say I only have a Netflix subscription.

Want to know the crazy part? Limiting my subscriptions has actually improved my tv-watching experiences tremendously. Why? Because when I used to have every streaming service imaginable, I’d spend hours at a time scrolling through all the platforms trying to pick out what to watch. It was so overwhelming that I’d end up shutting my laptop and watching nothing. All that time searching for something good to watch, only to opt for nothing.

By sticking with just Netflix, I feel a sense of ease, free from the endless options offered by every streaming service under the sun. It’s way easier for me to land on Shameless reruns, instead of wasting my precious time trying to choose. Only having Netflix helps me do other activities that have nothing to do with watching TV/movies. Now I am reading books, so much better for your mental health anyway. (Side note: Did you know that reading hand-held books can reduce your stress levels by a whopping 68%?)  

Limit Alcohol Consumption

The savings you can achieve by cutting out alcohol are staggering. We’ve all been there, at the end of a night out in a trendy bistro, our hearts plummet at the sight of the bill, and we put our portion on a credit card. This tends to happen when there’s drinking involved. It’s no secret that drinking costs a bunch, so save yourself from the overspending — and the hangover — by cutting back.    

Delete or Deactivate Social Media

I know, I know. This one might seem strange, but believe me when it comes to improving your spending habits, this is paramount. Ditching apps like TikTok and Instagram has saved me more money than anything else on this list. 

You might be wondering how getting off the socials has saved me a ton of money. Let me explain. Back when I was a social media addict, I’d buy an obscene amount of clothes for the sole purpose of wearing these outfits in my Instagram posts. I purchased so many clothes that I knew in my heart of hearts that I’d never wear in real life all so I could sport them in my latest pic. Although this sometimes made for decent Insta content, it was weird having piles of unworn clothes cluttering up my closet. 

By deleting apps like Instagram and TikTok, I stopped buying outfits solely to chase likes on a post. I no longer seek that short-lived dopamine hit of external validation, because I have no apps to hold me back. 

Even if you’re not an active poster on social media and mostly use it to keep up with friends, don’t assume you’re immune to its influence. Instagram and Tiktok are flooded with advertisements that are specifically catered to your interests. If you see a clothing item or fun jewelry that metaphorically has your name on it, you’ll have a hard time not dropping these items in your shopping cart. Yet if you want to avoid that whole “to buy or not to buy” song and dance altogether, consider getting rid of your social media accounts. 

I know this is a drastic one, since we are living in the age of social media. So if you’re too gunshy to delete your accounts entirely, that’s fine! Consider either deleting the apps from your phone or deactivating your accounts, and see if it benefits you. Aim for at least one month at first without social media, then decide where you want to go from there. Sure, you might experience some withdrawal at first, but limiting your access can be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make.

Ditch Those Buy Now, Pay Later Programs 

If you’re constantly using Buy Now, Pay Later programs, you might not even realize how much this can impact your wallet. These programs — think Klarna, Afterpay, Cherry, Sezzle — may initially seem to help since you can pay off your purchases over a longer period of time.  

Ultimately, these programs spell trouble for your wallet, since they tend to make you more secure in your frivolous spending. For instance, using Klarna might make a $500 splurge on unnecessary decor feel less significant because the cost is spread over a period of 4-6 months in smaller increments. But at the end of the day, you’re still spending $500 bucks… just in a less intimidating way. 

I’m certainly guilty of using Klarna and Afterpay to make a bunch of purchases that serve absolutely no purpose. To avoid buying things you don’t need, consider ditching these services entirely.

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I’m embarrassed by the sheer amount of frivolous spending I did in 2024. It’s wild to me how, at one point, I thought it was perfectly acceptable to cough up over $200 on a Margarita mixer that I’ve used maybe twice. (What was I thinking? I don’t even like Margaritas!)  



Every day, all these wholly unnecessary impulse purchases seemed to be glaring at me — judging me for not using them. Whether it was the collection of anime cosplay wigs I never wore, or the $300 antique music box that serves absolutely no purpose — other than cluttering up my space.   



At one point, I even broke out in a stress rash because I was so ashamed of my outrageous spending habits. I knew I needed to make a change, but where was I to begin?



Fortunately, I spent the summer doing a ton of research into financial health. With the help of Mint, I started monitoring my spending and tracking my net worth. This helped me to put together a healthy budget (that doesn’t kill me). And NerdWallet seriously helps me keep on top of — what used to be — my out of control credit cards. 



By September, I felt confident enough in my finances to start exploring micro-investing through Acorns. I love how it allows me to put my spare change to work and integrate investing seamlessly into my banking routine. Every small contribution adds up, proving that all it takes is a clear plan and perseverance.



From now on, I’ll be sticking with these brilliant personal finance tools and practicing a number of unique lifestyle choices that will help save money. 



If you want to keep your wallet stuffed, pursue these 10 cash-saving options in 2025.



Practice Minimalism











Minimalism has been a saving grace in regards to my history of problematic spending habits. While maximalism represents all things colorful, abundant, and flashy, minimalism focuses on quality over quantity. That means no more late-night spendings on wacky butterfly barrettes and Loungefly Baby Yoda mini-backpacks. (As much as I adore Baby Yoda, I do not need a backpack featuring him in order to survive.) 



By practicing a minimalist lifestyle, you’ll focus solely on purchasing items that are truly essential for your daily needs. That way, you won’t waste your time debating it. You should snap up that Victorian Gothic Wall Sconce — just because you’re hyped up from watching the latest Nosferatu movie. You’ll survive without it, promise.     



Curate a Capsule Wardrobe



Adopting a minimalist lifestyle may inspire you to transform your closet into a Capsule Wardrobe. For those who are unfamiliar, Capsule Wardrobes are a great way to declutter by getting rid of all your clothing items that you never wear. Take some time to look through your closet and really ask yourself what you should keep. What pieces do you find yourself consistently wearing? How about that fuzzy purple scarf that you haven’t worn since 2006? 



Capsule Wardrobes prioritize approximately 40 items or less that can be mixed and matched in fun and creative ways. Just make sure the clothes you’re keeping around are high in quality so they’ll last a lifetime. Personally, I stock my wardrobe with sustainable fashion brands that are great for the environment. Killing two birds with one stone — score.



Prioritize Home Cooking Over Dining Out











It’s ridiculous how much money you can save by cooking at home rather than dropping a chunk of change eating at restaurants. I know how awesome it can be to dine out, so I’m not suggesting you give up on this entirely. Instead, try limiting your restaurant-attendance to once or twice a week max, as opposed to making this your go-to choice five nights a week. 



I know this can be tough, especially when you live in a big city since there are so many delectable options on every corner. When I was living in Manhattan, I could barely step outside without being intoxicated by the delicious scents of the Japanese Ramen Noodle Shop just two buildings down. You know I was a familiar face at that Ramen shop. 



When you cook at home, you shrink both your debt and your waistline in the process. Based on personal experience, I’d say it’s well worth it. Plus, you’re bound to become a better cook in the process. You’ll learn about seasonings, cuisines, and recipes that make for meals so scrumptious, you’ll hardly miss restaurant food.    



Delete Subscriptions You Never Use











This is a big one, you guys. You may be thinking, “What’s the big deal if I’m spending 40 bucks a month on Hulu, Peacock, Apple TV, Netflix, and Paramount Plus?” But that money adds up — big time. 



If you’re a big TV fanatic like me I’m not saying you should cancel all your streaming services. But I’d narrow it down to your one or two favorite services and save a ton of money annually. I’ve done this myself, and now I’m proud to say I only have a Netflix subscription.



Want to know the crazy part? Limiting my subscriptions has actually improved my tv-watching experiences tremendously. Why? Because when I used to have every streaming service imaginable, I’d spend hours at a time scrolling through all the platforms trying to pick out what to watch. It was so overwhelming that I’d end up shutting my laptop and watching nothing. All that time searching for something good to watch, only to opt for nothing.



By sticking with just Netflix, I feel a sense of ease, free from the endless options offered by every streaming service under the sun. It’s way easier for me to land on Shameless reruns, instead of wasting my precious time trying to choose. Only having Netflix helps me do other activities that have nothing to do with watching TV/movies. Now I am reading books, so much better for your mental health anyway. (Side note: Did you know that reading hand-held books can reduce your stress levels by a whopping 68%?)  



Limit Alcohol Consumption











The savings you can achieve by cutting out alcohol are staggering. We’ve all been there, at the end of a night out in a trendy bistro, our hearts plummet at the sight of the bill, and we put our portion on a credit card. This tends to happen when there’s drinking involved. It’s no secret that drinking costs a bunch, so save yourself from the overspending — and the hangover — by cutting back.    



Delete or Deactivate Social Media











I know, I know. This one might seem strange, but believe me when it comes to improving your spending habits, this is paramount. Ditching apps like TikTok and Instagram has saved me more money than anything else on this list. 



You might be wondering how getting off the socials has saved me a ton of money. Let me explain. Back when I was a social media addict, I’d buy an obscene amount of clothes for the sole purpose of wearing these outfits in my Instagram posts. I purchased so many clothes that I knew in my heart of hearts that I’d never wear in real life all so I could sport them in my latest pic. Although this sometimes made for decent Insta content, it was weird having piles of unworn clothes cluttering up my closet. 



By deleting apps like Instagram and TikTok, I stopped buying outfits solely to chase likes on a post. I no longer seek that short-lived dopamine hit of external validation, because I have no apps to hold me back. 



Even if you’re not an active poster on social media and mostly use it to keep up with friends, don’t assume you’re immune to its influence. Instagram and Tiktok are flooded with advertisements that are specifically catered to your interests. If you see a clothing item or fun jewelry that metaphorically has your name on it, you’ll have a hard time not dropping these items in your shopping cart. Yet if you want to avoid that whole “to buy or not to buy” song and dance altogether, consider getting rid of your social media accounts. 







I know this is a drastic one, since we are living in the age of social media. So if you’re too gunshy to delete your accounts entirely, that’s fine! Consider either deleting the apps from your phone or deactivating your accounts, and see if it benefits you. Aim for at least one month at first without social media, then decide where you want to go from there. Sure, you might experience some withdrawal at first, but limiting your access can be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make.



Ditch Those Buy Now, Pay Later Programs 











If you’re constantly using Buy Now, Pay Later programs, you might not even realize how much this can impact your wallet. These programs — think Klarna, Afterpay, Cherry, Sezzle — may initially seem to help since you can pay off your purchases over a longer period of time.  



Ultimately, these programs spell trouble for your wallet, since they tend to make you more secure in your frivolous spending. For instance, using Klarna might make a $500 splurge on unnecessary decor feel less significant because the cost is spread over a period of 4-6 months in smaller increments. But at the end of the day, you’re still spending $500 bucks… just in a less intimidating way. 



I’m certainly guilty of using Klarna and Afterpay to make a bunch of purchases that serve absolutely no purpose. To avoid buying things you don’t need, consider ditching these services entirely.
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