TMTM

kate_sept2004/istockphoto

Cheapism is editorially independent. We may earn a commission if you buy through links on our site.
Nopphon Pattanasri/istockphoto

New Year, New Budget

After inflation battered budgets and the stock market had its worst year since 2008, economist are predicting yet another difficult year in 2023. For the average person, that might mean battening down the hatches until we've weathered the seemingly never-ending storm of inflation, supply chain issues, and skyrocketing rents. Here are eight money-saving tips for the new year, according to Reddit's thriftiest users.


Sponsored: Find a Qualified Financial Advisor


Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn't have to be hard. SmartAsset's free tool matches you with up to three fiduciary financial advisors in your area in five minutes.


Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. If you're ready to be matched with local advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

xavierarnau/istockphoto

Use Less

It seems so simple, maybe even banal, but the most-upvoted advice for saving money in 2023 was to "use less." "Marketers want to tell you frugality is about spending less and getting more," the commenter writes. "Use less. Drive less. Go to stores less. Limit and remove marketing in your life. Increase meaningful connections with people and nature and frugality follows."


Related: The Definitive List of Things You Never Need to Buy

oatawa/istockphoto

Wait Before Making Big Purchases

Wait at least 24 hours before making an unplanned purchase, another Redditor suggests. This practical, concrete, and easy-to-following guidance will prevent you from impulse buying. "Teaching yourself to be mindful and patient with your money is the best advice," one Redditor adds.


Related: These Trending Budget Challenges Could Make Saving Money Fun in 2023

andresr/istockphoto

Unsubscribe From Tempting Emails

Limit your exposure to enticing advertisements and sales by unsubscribing from promotional emails. And if you reallywant to stop yourself from impulse buying online, another Redditor suggests deleting saved credit card data. Every time you want to buy something, you'll have time to rethink your purchase while you look for your card.


Related: 16 Insider Tips and Secrets for Frugal Online Shopping

Wachiwit/istockphoto

Join Your Local Buy Nothing Group

In the face of record-high prices, the Buy Nothing movement has surged in popularity, growing to 6.5 million members in 2023. The project's core goals are simple: to provide communities with a place to give away or lend things for free. These hyper-local groups — many of which are organized on Facebook — let nearby members share everything from furniture to clothing and food. "The amount of things I’ve been gifted/received from mine has been incredible, and the cost savings has been significant," a Redditor says of their local group.


For more great money-saving tips and advice, please sign up for our free newsletters.

Tatiana Zayats/istockphoto
mbtphotos/istockphoto
Jodi Jacobson/istockphoto

Buy a Deep Freezer

Instead of throwing food out, freeze it before it goes bad. And if you find yourself consistently running out of space, invest in a separate deep freezer. Just be sure to label and rotate your food, a Redditor writes.

bong hyunjung/istockphoto

Shop at Restaurant Supply Stores

Sure, Costco is great ... but have you ever shopped at a restaurant supply store? According to Redditors, they're often cheaper than wholesale retailers and sell pantry staples in massive quantities. But be sure to call ahead before waltzing into a restaurant supply store, as many of them aren't open to the general public.