15 Guaranteed Ways to Save Money in 2025
Last updated on December 10th, 2024 at 07:49 pm
There are a lot of things our family does without to save money. These may look different for everyone, but by sharing the 15 things we are choosing not to buy in 2025, I hope you can find your own ways to save money in 2025.
1. Haircuts
Honestly, I don’t know the last time one of our family members had a professional haircut. Not that we’re opposed to getting them, but they’re expensive. Having three boys and my husband, at home haircuts are a super easy way to save money. If anyone were to get a professional cut, it would likely be us ladies. I have wavy/curly hair, so I use this tutorial to cut my own hair and it works every time! My daughter simply gets a trim as needed.
2. Hair Color
I am not going to judge anyone who likes to get their hair colored, but for my husband and I, we are embracing the gray. If our choice bothers other people, that’s their problem. I don’t mind it and I don’t want to spend money every 6 weeks to try to impress others.
3. Amazon Prime
Prime is super convenient, no doubt. However; we find that every time we have Prime, we end up spending more money. If we have to wait to hit the free shipping threshold, we are more likely to avoid impulse purchases and only get things we need.
4. Big Box Stores
Most people will tell you buying in bulk is one of the top ways to save money. This can be true, however, we have found big box stores with membership fees aren’t the answer. We have had memberships to both Costco and Sam’s Club. While we never pay full price for our memberships, we’ve also found that the cost per ounce is actually cheaper at the regular grocery store. When we come upon a good sale, we will stock up.
5. Makeup
As with hair care, I am not opposed to makeup. I generally only wear it once a week or so. This helps cut the cost for me significantly. Not only do I use less, but I only buy what I use. Even if I spend a little bit more, it lasts me a long time. When I am empty, I simply replace it. I know what I like, what works for me, and what I can afford. I don’t need the extras.
6. Subscriptions
One of my top recommendations for saving money is to rotate subscriptions. There’s no point in cutting cable only to go and buy 10 different subscription services. You can’t watch them all anyways. We buy one at a time. Last year we got Peacock for a year, so we won’t need to buy any others. We will simply utilize other free entertainment services, like Tubi and Youtube.
7. Holiday Decor
Over the last few years, I have often added a few holiday decor pieces. I have found that they don’t tend to last. I specifically went looking for the festive dish towels that were super absorbent. Unfortunately, they weren’t, AT ALL. I ended up donating them before the end of the season. I’m vowing to not spend any money on holiday decor in 2025. We don’t need a new Christmas tree and many of our pieces are timeless, so I don’t feel like it is necessary.
8. One Use Items
While I try not to buy one use items, I still tend to acquire them. Unfortunately, they never really last. They either don’t do what they claim to do or they are low quality and don’t hold their value.
9. Take Out
I can’t say we will never eat out in 2025, but we are certainly cutting back. Like most Americans, we used to eat out about three times a week. When we started getting serious about paying off debt and our finances in 2021, we cut back to once a week. Eventually, we were able to eat out only on special occasions or when we were visiting family. Now with being pregnant and having various life situations, we have found ourselves eating out at least once a month or more. We would like to take this back to special occasions. It is so much better for our health and pocket book!
10. Clothing
I absolutely love my local children’s consignment sale. The fact I can shop on 50% off day from the comfort of my bed and pick up the items is a dream come true for an introvert like me. However; I find myself getting into trouble when it comes to these sales. Sure I get awesome deals, but sometimes, I am overbuying on what we really need. Especially since we are blessed with hand me downs for most of my children. So, I am committing to being super diligent about what we really need during these sales for every family members and using self-control when it comes to buying something just because it’s cute and a good deal!
11. Homeschool Curriculum & Books
Anyone who knows me knows I am notorious for wanting to try all the homeschool curriculum. Even though I always get a good deal on it and try to buy used, I end up with curriculum sitting on my shelf and forgetting I have it. That’s why, in 2025, I have committed to only buying curriculum we actually need. Things like new math, handwriting books, etc. I have plenty of resources for social studies and science and need to use them up.
This is partially related to books as well, as most of the curricula I gravitate towards uses living books to teach lessons, most of which my library does not carry.
>> The Best Free Homeschool Curriculum and Resources for 2024 <<
>> How to Save Money on Homeschool Curriculum in 2025 <<
12. Exercise Subscriptions/Equipment
I am having a baby in 2025. I know myself well enough to know, as soon as I am feeling healed, I will want to immediately start up with some sort of workout routine. I will want to buy a subscription to an exercise plan, buy new athletic clothes, supplements, and more. I am not doing it this time. Don’t get me wrong, it’s important to take care of yourself, but don’t let your fantasy self take over and make you spend more money than necessary. I’m talking to myself here!
13. Souvenirs
We have one trip planned for 2025. It will be a 4 day camping trip to Gulf State Park in Alabama. We have loved shopping for souvenirs at local thrift stores over the past few years. Especially on things like t-shirts. However; like with most things on this list, while we may wear a couple of the items frequently, it has become a thing we feel we MUST do. Most of the shirts we bought in 2024 as souvenirs ended up in the donate bin by the end of the year. That’s why I am taking a break from souvenirs in 2025.
14. Camping Gear
At the end of 2023, we bought a 1994 popup camper. It has been great for our family. We have been able to go on several trips that would not have been possible this year if it wasn’t for having that as our accommodations. The same could be true of our 2025 vacation. However; we have had to invest a lot into things for the camper, or we thought we did. The majority of things we got for the camper are things we could have just brought from home. While it’s nice to keep them housed in the camper, we don’t camp enough to justify keeping an extra set. I even bought throw pillows from Goodwill for the seats. You know, in the camper we rarely sit inside of… I’m just saying. A total waste there. Not buying camping gear is one way I will be saving money in 2025.
15. Dog Toys
My dog hates toys. He’s a-year-old rescue and the dude hates toys. Seriously, why do we keep buying them? We keep hoping we will find a magic toy he will love. If we do find a toy he tolerates, he destroys the thing. You know what he does like though, treats. I’d rather buy him treats he enjoys than toys he will just stare at with confusion.
