Ways to stretch those hard earned dollars and cut your expenses

1. If you still have a landline, consider purchasing an Obihai Obi200 and connecting it to your Google Voice account.  This model is discontinued, but you can find used units on eBay, etc. It works directly with your internet. After the initial price of the unit, the service is free. We haven't paid for a landline since 2018.
2. Shop your car/home insurance every 2 years. We currently use treysinerinsurance.com.  This company is Dave Ramsey approved.  If you need a referral in your area, Dave's approved ELPs are the way to go.
3. Read money saving blogs like:  moneysavingmom.com, hip2save.com, totallytarget.com, threethriftyguys.com, rather-be-shopping.com.
4. Buy used, save the difference.  Consider buying things on Facebook Marketplace, thrift stores, garage sales.  Sell your older bigger items on Facebook like appliances, bikes, golf clubs, etc.
5. Trade-in used books, CDs, DVDs, electronics on sites like Decluttr.  
6. Never buy a new car.  Cars are a depreciating asset and lose considerable value the minute you drive it off the lot.  Consider buying a slightly used model.  Bonus:  In most cases, if there were any recalls or issues, the first buyer already dealt with them.
7. Pay off your credit card every month.  If you are finding you are spending more than you make, cut up those cards and only use a debit card.
8. Make sure to review your property tax bill every year and compare to your neighbor's homes on the county website.  If your bill is out of line and seems too high, submit a dispute.
9. Drop your collision insurance on any vehicle older than 7 years.  This is because the value of your car probably is not worth very much and if you get in a wreck, you can pay the expenses to get fixed or just get a new (used) car.  You will still have to carry liability insurance no matter what.
10. Switch cell phone service to a discount provider like Tello or Mint Mobile.  
11. Cut the cord altogether, use Netflix.com, a digital antenna such as the Mohu Leaf, and services like Hulu.com, Amazon Prime, YouTube TV, etc.  
12. Change the oil on your vehicles yourself.  I buy my oil at Walmart and filters on Amazon.
13. Refinance your mortgage if you can drop your rate by 1% or more and if you can make up the closing costs within 2 years or so.  I urge you to really consider a 15yr mortgage or pay your current 30yr mortgage like a 15yr by simply paying a little extra each month.  I use this handy spreadsheet to work out my plan.
14. Eat at home and only rarely out.  I pack my lunch for work almost every day.  It's healthier and much, much cheaper.
15. Shop at Aldi's.  For those that want to purchase organic, Aldi's now has a very good selection of many items.
16. When shopping for items on Amazon for things you do not need immediately, utilize camelcamelcamel.com or Keepa for them to notify you when your wish list item has reach a certain price point or to see how the item's price has fluctuated on Amazon for the last year.
17. Whenever you buy something online, start your purchase through websites like Mr. Rebates or Top Cashback to get extra money back.  I actually have accounts with all 3 because their rebates are slightly different, but if you only want to pick one, I would pick Top Cashback.  I have received over $500 back over the last few years but I buy a lot of things online because I hate shopping in stores.  
18. Raise the deductible on your home and car insurance.  Essentially self-insuring a bigger portion.  
19. Switch to an HSA style health insurance plan especially if you are healthy.  The premiums are much cheaper and if you never use the money or much of it, you will have a nice nest egg for your retirement years when your health insurance costs will be higher.  I pay any current daily healthcare costs out of pocket out of my emergency fund if they are like $300 or less.
20. Do your home's lawn care yourself.
21. Use an internet bank like Ally Bank.  They refund you all your ATM fees, you get free checks, you can deposit checks with their app on your smartphone and their savings rates are usually higher than your local bank.  Currently they are at 1%.
22. Brew your own coffee instead of picking up something at Starbucks.  I setup my coffee maker each night before going to bed and set the timer.  
23. Purchase giftcards at discounted prices from Giftcardgranny.com.  Use these for the places you shop the most.  I usually buy some cards for Home Depot or Lowe's to have on hand as I am always running to those stores for something.  Use this idea in conjunction with #19 to save even more.
24. Automate your savings.  Many people do not save much every month not because they can't afford to, but because they forget.  They don't have a budget and before they know it, they've spent their paycheck on frivolous items they don't need.  Don't be that person.  It's simple to automate your savings every month through your bank.  This way, a percentage of your income will automatically be put in your savings account.  Out of sight, out of mind.   
25. My library's website gives me free online access to my favorite magazines through their Zinio link.  The issues are current.  They will even email you when a new edition is out.  Check out your library today.