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How to Save $5,000 in a Year

Farnoosh Torabi  |  December 2, 2019

Combine these seven strategies for cutting back just a bit on a bunch of spending and you could see your bank account grow significantly.

Ready to have more money sitting in your bank account?

The little things add up, but does that really mean we have to give up our lattes? We’re tired of the same old coffee-hating advice so if giving up your gourmet cold brew is non-negotiable (or not applicable), there’s still hope. Here are seven strategies that, combined, can help you save up to $5,000 in one year.

Stick With Your Bank’s ATM

Banks rake in billions of dollars in account fees every year. A serious chunk of that comes from our own lazy tendency to use out-of-network ATMs. (I’m totally guilty of doing this.) The average ATM withdrawal fee hit $4.69 in 2017, according to Bankrate.com. This includes the fee your bank charges you for using an out-of-network ATM and the ATM’s own fee.

Avoid these fees altogether by using your bank’s mobile app to find the closest in-network ATM (most major banks offer this free tool). And take the longer walk if need be. Consider it good exercise.

Potential savings: $244 (weekly ATM trips)

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Ditch Bottled Water

Like lattes, bottled water is a small expense that, over the long haul, can compromise your savings account. Water is free, after all, and by investing just $20 on a nice, BPA-free water bottle you can simultaneously fill up that piggy bank and help the environment. Win-win.

I did the math: The savings from skipping that $1.50 bottle of H20 from the gym or lunch spot, five days a week, is compelling.

Potential savings: $400

Opt for Generic Drugs at Big Chains

Discount chains like Walmart and Target, and even some major grocery stores like Winn-Dixie and Kroger, offer low-cost prescription drug programs that provide generic versions of hundreds of common drugs for just $4 for a 30-month supply or $10 for a three-month supply — a fraction of the pharmacy price. Anyone can join these programs.

What’s the savings? It’s case-by-case. But let’s say you take Benazepril, which is the generic form of Lotensin and treats high blood pressure. It can cost as much as $36 (without insurance) at the pharmacy, versus just $4 through one of these discount programs.

Potential savings: $380

Enjoy Boxed Vino

If taste, price and quality were all equal, which would you rather have: one bottle of wine or four bottles in an entire box? Before you turn your nose up at boxed wine, know that it’s come a long way since the days of sneaking Franzia into your dorm room.

Before you turn your nose up at boxed wine, know that it’s come a long way since the days of sneaking Franzia into your dorm room.

Boxed wine is actually a major trend in fancy parts of Europe, and many brands are being recognized for their outstanding quality and taste. Some award-winning boxed varietals include Black Box, Yellow + Blue, and La Petite Frog.e

Potential savings: $500

Get Free Pampering

A routine facial could run you $100. Instead, make a mask at home. Apply this popular pore-shrinking recipe: 2 raw egg whites plus 2 tablespoons plain yogurt. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes, and then remove with a wet towel. (I’m also a fan of placing Bioré strips all over my face instead of just my nose!) Or get a free 20-minute mini facial at a nearby Origins.

The occasional massage costs about $60 per hour (the national average). Instead, check out your local massage school. Most require students to give hundreds of hours of massages before being certified — at a discount or for free.

Another trick: Take advantage of your salon’s free bangs trims if you need a quick refresh. Didn’t know they offer them? Chances are they do; this is a common but lesser-known freebie.

Potential savings: $1,000

Convert to a Family Phone Plan

For a family of four, this could be a giant savings over the course of a year. According to the research team at WhistleOut.com, a site that lets you compare cell phone plans from all major carriers, four separate plans might be $70 a month each (conservatively speaking), or $280 combined. But you can combine them for a total bill of around $140 from all carriers.

Potential savings: $1,700

Splurge — With a Discounted Gift Card

Last but not least, here’s how to enjoy that daily latte — or whatever your heart desires — while pocketing a few extra hundred dollars a year. Stock up on discounted gift cards from your favorite restaurants, clothing stores, movie theaters, etc. from sites like GiftCardGranny.com and Raise.com.

If that daily latte costs you $4 a day, that’s a little over $1,400 over the course of a year. Shave off 15 percent by using a discounted card. (Raise.com actually estimates purchasers save an average of 16 percent.)

Potential savings: $200-$500

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Editor’s note: We maintain a strict editorial policy and a judgment-free zone for our community, and we also strive to remain transparent in everything we do. This post contains references and links to products from our partners. Learn more about how we make money.
Editor’s note: We maintain a strict editorial policy and a judgment-free zone for our community, and we also strive to remain transparent in everything we do. Posts may contain references and links to products from our partners. Learn more about how we make money.

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