You can take these 18 budgeting tips straight to the bank

August 08, 2018

The easiest way to save money is to make it part of your regular routine. Follow our social media fans’ tips and watch the savings pile up.

 

If you’ve noticed that you’re perpetually short on funds, it could be time to make some lifestyle changes. We asked our social media followers to share the little ways that help them save money, and these are a few of their suggestions:

 

Grocery shopping

  • Instead of frequent runs to the store, I buy in bulk once a month.
  • I use coupons, grocery store club cards, and rebate apps. All those pennies add up!
  • I budget for my grocery trip and pay with cash. Any leftover change gets deposited right into my savings account. My bank has a branch in the grocery store, so it’s super easy.

 

Online shopping

  • I join every mailing list and promotional club to get coupon codes and offers. I have a separate email address for shopping, which keeps my regular email from getting flooded with newsletters.
  • I add items to my online shopping cart, then walk away. If I forget to come back, then I didn’t need it.
  • My girlfriends and I help each other save: exchanging coupons, promo codes, following sales. Sometimes we’ll go in on a purchase to qualify for free shipping.

 

Clothing

  • My friends and I have a clothing swap every year. We clean out our closets and get new clothes at no cost.
  • I buy children’s clothing at garage sales, online classifieds and second-hand stores. Kids grow too fast to wear them out.
  • We shop for family clothing in the off-season.

 

Lifestyle improvements

  • I quit smoking and started putting the amount I spent on cigarettes into a savings account.
  • I’ve learned to cook healthy meals at home. I’m eating more vegetables, going out less and saving money.
  • I watch how-to videos on home improvement jobs that would cost a fortune, and I do it myself.

 

Spending tricks

  • I pay for everything with $10 bills. All the loose change in my pockets goes into a jar at the end of the day.
  • I never carry more than $20 in my wallet and only use credit cards for emergencies. If I need to buy something that costs more than $20, I plan ahead and take out the cash — no impulse shopping.
  • When I make an impulse buy, I transfer the same amount into my savings account.

 

Saving rituals

  • Pay yourself first! A portion of my paycheck goes into savings before I see it.
  • Whenever I get a raise, I adjust my savings percentage upward.
  • After I pay off a loan, I keep making the monthly payment — into my savings account instead.
     

For more money-saving tips, follow U.S. Bank on Twitter and Facebook, and continue reading to learn more about our savings account options.

Related content

Changes in credit reporting and what it means for homebuyers

What’s the difference between Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac?

Tips for handling rising costs from an Operation HOPE Financial Wellbeing coach

Building a financial legacy for your family and community

Housing market trends and relocation impact

High-cost housing and down payment options in relocation

Crypto + Relo: Mobility industry impacts

For today's relocating home buyers, time and money are everything

Talent acquisition 101: Building a small business dream team

Make your business legit

7 tips to help grow your business after launch

How I did it: Turned my side hustle into a full-time job

Costs to consider when starting a business

How to test new business ideas

How to get started creating your business plan

How to choose the right business savings account

Does your side business need a separate bank account?

Key components of a financial plan

Should rising interest rates change your financial priorities?

5 financial goals for the new year

How to track your spending patterns

How to manage your finances when you're self-employed

Year-end financial checklist

Good money habits: 6 common money mistakes to avoid

How to talk about money with your family

Retirement expectations quiz

How to build wealth at any age

Retirement income planning: 4 steps to take

4 tips to help you save for retirement in your 20s

Preparing for retirement: 8 steps to take

Healthcare costs in retirement: Are you prepared?

The connection between your health and financial well-being

Is a Health Savings Account missing from your retirement plan?

How I did it: Switched career paths by taking an unexpected pivot

Transitioning from the military to the civilian workforce

Achieving their dreams through a pre-apprenticeship construction program

Saving vs. investing: What's the difference?

Do your investments match your financial goals?

Investment strategies by age

How to Adult: 5 ways to track your spending

3 steps to prepare for a medical emergency

Family planning for the LGBTQ+ community

11 essential things to do before baby comes

Webinar: Uncover the cost: Starting a family

Preparing for adoption and IVF

Checklist: 10 questions to ask your home inspector

Closing on a house checklist for buyers

How to prepare for a natural disaster

Checklist: financial recovery after a natural disaster

College budgeting: When to save and splurge

Webinar: Uncover the cost: College diploma

How to save money in college: easy ways to spend less

How to gain financial independence from your parents

The A to Z’s of college loan terms

Co-signing 101: Applying for a loan with co-borrower

Practical money skills and financial tips for college students

How to build credit as a student

5 things to know before accepting a first job offer

How I did it: Paid off student loans

Webinar: Bank Notes: College cost comparison

Recognize. React. Report. Caregivers can help protect against financial exploitation

Is online banking safe?

Is raising backyard chickens a good idea financially?

3 financial tools to help automate your finances

3 ways to keep costs down at the grocery store (and make meal planning fun)

5 tips for creating (and sticking to) a holiday budget

Should you buy now, pay later?

Financial checklist: Preparing for military deployment

Friction: How it can help achieve money goals

5 things to consider when deciding to take an unplanned trip

Stay committed to your goals by creating positive habits

6 pandemic money habits to keep for the long term

Webinar: Smart habits and behaviors to achieve financial wellness

How I kicked my online shopping habit and got my spending under control

Growing your savings by going on a ‘money hunt’

Working with an accountability partner can help you reach your goals

The mobile app to download before summer vacation

How to decide when to shop local and when to shop online

A who’s who at your local bank

Webinar: 5 myths about emergency funds

How I did it: Learned to budget as a single mom

Your 4-step guide to financial planning

5 myths about emergency funds

Webinar: Common budget mistakes (and how to avoid them)

Does your savings plan match your lifestyle?

Webinar: Uncover the cost: Wedding

Webinar: Uncover the cost: International trip

What military service taught me about money management

Are savings bonds still a thing?

Tips to overcome three common savings hurdles

Adulting 101: How to make a budget plan

How having savings gives you peace of mind

Helpful tips for safe and smart charitable giving

Personal loans first-timer's guide: 7 questions to ask

Allowance basics for parents and kids

Webinar: Mindset Matters: How to practice mindful spending

How to save money while helping the environment

How can I help my student manage money?

How to manage money in the military: A veteran weighs in

You can take these 18 budgeting tips straight to the bank

3 tips for saving money easily

Save time and money with automatic bill pay

How to best handle unexpected expenses

Stay on budget — and on the go — with a mobile banking app

Which is better: Combining bank accounts before marriage — or after?

Do you and your fiancé have compatible financial goals?

U.S. Bank asks: Transitioning out of college life? What’s next?

U.S. Bank asks: Do you know your finances?

U.S. Bank asks: Do you know what an overdraft is?

Personal finance for teens can empower your child

Multiple accounts can make it easier to follow a monthly budget

Is it time to get a shared bank account with your partner?

It's possible: 7 tips for breaking the spending cycle

How to save for a wedding

Here’s how to create a budget for yourself

Don’t underestimate the importance of balancing your checking account

9 simple ways to save

7 steps: How couples and single parents can prepare for child care costs

Tips for working in the gig economy

How compound interest works

Dear Money Mentor: How do I set and track financial goals?

5 tips for parents opening a bank account for kids

5 reasons why couples may have separate bank accounts

Checking and savings smarts: Make your accounts work harder for you

Lost job finance tips: What to do when you lose your job

Tips to raise financially healthy kids at every age

Money management guide to financial independence

First-timer’s guide to savings account alternatives

Money Moments: 8 dos and don’ts for saving money in your 30s

7 financial questions to consider when changing jobs

Myths vs. facts about savings account interest rates

30-day adulting challenge: Financial wellness tasks to complete in a month

Travel for less: Smart (not cheap) ways to spend less on your next trip

What’s in your emergency fund?

Certificates of deposit: How they work to grow your money

What you need to know about renting

Dear Money Mentor: How do I pick a savings or checking account?

How to stop living paycheck to paycheck post-pay increase

Practical money tips we've learned from our dads

6 ways to spring clean your finances and save money year-round

What I learned from my mom about money

How to cut mindless spending: real tips from real people

How to increase your savings

Bank from home with these digital features

Financial gifts can be a valuable – and fun – choice for the holidays

What financial advice would you give your younger self?

How grandparents can contribute to college funds instead of buying gifts

Using 529 plans for K-12 tuition

Your financial aid guide: What are your options?

Is a home equity loan for college the right choice for your student

Parent checklist: Preparing for college

How to apply for federal student aid through the FAFSA

Be careful when taking out student loans

Consolidating debts: Pros and cons to keep in mind

How to talk to your lender about debt

How to use debt to build wealth

Know your debt-to-income ratio

How to use your unexpected windfall to reach financial goals

Overcoming high interest rates: Getting your homeownership goals back on track

Is it cheaper to build or buy a house

For today's homebuyers, time and money are everything

Crypto + Homebuying: Impacts on the real estate market

Should you buy a house that’s still under construction?

How I did it: Bought my dream home using equity

Buying a home Q&A: What made three homeowners fall in love with their new home

House Hacks: How buying an investment property worked as my first home

Managing the impacts of appraisal gaps in a hot housing market

Preparing for homeownership: A guide for LGBTQ+ homebuyers

How I did it: Built living spaces to support my family

Spring cleaning checklist for your home: 5 budget-boosting tasks

Saving for a down payment: Where should I keep my money?

Your guide to breaking the rental cycle

Checklist: 6 to-dos for after a move

What are conforming loan limits and why are they increasing

Military homeownership: Your guide to resources, financing and more

Webinar: Uncover the cost: Building a home

How I did it: Bought a home without a 20 percent down payment

The lowdown on 6 myths about buying a home

Home buying myths: Realities of owning a home

4 ways to free up your budget (and your life) with a smaller home

Get more home for your money with these tips

Money Moments: Tips for selling your home

Money Moments: How to finance a home addition

How I did it: My house remodel

Are professional movers worth the cost?

Dear Money Mentor: When should I refinance a mortgage?

Beyond the mortgage: Other costs for homeowners

Quiz: How prepared are you to buy a home?

What is a home equity line of credit (HELOC) and what can it be used for?

Building a dream home that fits your life

10 ways to increase your home’s curb appeal

10 questions to ask when hiring a contractor

5 things to avoid that can devalue your home

What is an escrow account? Do I have one?

Is it the right time to refinance your mortgage?

What to know when buying a home with your significant other

What is refinancing a mortgage?

These small home improvement projects offer big returns on investment

Should you get a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit?

Webinar: Mortgage basics: What is refinancing, and is it right for you?

Webinar: Mortgage basics: Prequalification or pre-approval – What do I need?

Webinar: Mortgage basics: How much house can you afford?

Webinar: Mortgage basics: How does your credit score impact the homebuying experience?

Webinar: Mortgage basics: Finding the right home loan for you

Webinar: Mortgage basics: Buying or renting – What’s right for you?

Webinar: Mortgage basics: 3 Key steps in the homebuying process

Is a home equity line of credit (HELOC) right for you?

How to use your home equity to finance home improvements

How do I prequalify for a mortgage?

Home equity: Small ways to improve the value of your home

Can you take advantage of the dead equity in your home?

8 steps to take before you buy a home

6 questions to ask before buying a new home

10 uses for a home equity loan

Webinar: Uncover the cost: Home renovation

Improving your credit score: Truth and myths revealed

Credit: Do you understand it?

U.S. Bank asks: What do you know about credit?

I own two electric vehicles. Here’s what I’ve learned about buying and driving EVs.

How I did it: Deciding whether to buy an RV

Start of disclosure content

Loan approval is subject to credit approval and program guidelines. Not all loan programs are available in all states for all loan amounts. Interest rate and program terms are subject to change without notice. Mortgage, home equity and credit products are offered by U.S. Bank National Association. Deposit products are offered by U.S. Bank National Association. Member FDIC.