{"id":277228,"date":"2026-02-06T12:55:32","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T12:55:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/277228\/"},"modified":"2026-02-06T12:55:32","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T12:55:32","slug":"9-small-changes-you-can-make-to-save-more-money-according-to-experts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/277228\/","title":{"rendered":"9 Small Changes You Can Make To Save More Money, According To Experts"},"content":{"rendered":"

While cutting daily lattes may help save a few thousand dollars every year, if it\u2019s something that brings you joy, there\u2019s no reason not to indulge. Everyone\u2019s relationship with mone<\/a>y is different, which is why Lyanne Alfaro<\/a>, an award-winning journalist and founder of the money newsletter and podcast Moneda Moves<\/a>, recommends starting your savings journey in your 20s by better understanding your own financial priorities.<\/p>\n

It doesn\u2019t matter if you\u2019re living paycheck-to-paycheck, saving up for a big expense, or hoping to whittle down your student debt<\/a>; you shouldn\u2019t feel guilty for spending money on little luxuries. It\u2019s perfectly OK to indulge once in a while \u2014 and with the right budget, you can maintain things like morning coffee runs without it feeling like it\u2019s a frivolous expense.<\/p>\n

Below, Alfaro and Her First 100K<\/a> founder Tori Dunlap<\/a> share their expert opinions on the best ways to save that go beyond shopping secondhand or switching grocery stores.<\/p>\n

1. Open A High-Yield Savings Account<\/p>\n

According to Dunlap, the biggest money wins people in their early 20s see are from making small changes that compound over time, like switching their standard savings account to one that offers a higher interest rate. \u201cHigh-yield accounts typically earn significantly more interest than traditional savings or money sitting in checking, which means your cash grows faster,\u201d Dunlap explains. She emphasizes the importance of finding a high-yield savings account that\u2019s FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) insured and marketed as a true HYSA, which usually don\u2019t charge monthly maintenance fees or have minimum deposit or balance requirements.<\/p>\n

primeimages\/E+\/Getty Images2. Don\u2019t Pay For Convenience<\/p>\n

According to Alfaro, companies are cashing in on the loneliness epidemic, which leads to increased spending on convenience items like food or grocery deliveries. Combat delivery fees (and loneliness) by picking up your food. Not only will you skip unnecessary spending, but you\u2019ll get a good bike ride or walk, and you\u2019ll be supporting a local business.<\/p>\n

3. Align Values With Spending<\/p>\n

\u201cMoney is emotional,\u201d Alfaro says. We spend on impulse because of our feelings rather than logic; at the same time, we can feel guilty when we splurge on a daily coffee or a monthly manicure. In order to avoid either of these scenarios, Alfaro recommends doing a deep dive into your personal values and seeing how your money habits align or misalign. \u201cMoney is a reflection of priorities. When values and actions are out of sync, spending tends to feel reactive instead of intentional.\u201d Setting annual goals and buckets for spending can also help you spend money more thoughtfully.<\/p>\n

4. Reassess Subscriptions Quarterly<\/p>\n

Alfaro suggests doing a quarterly subscription check-in. \u201cAsk yourself what subscriptions are no longer aligned with your lifestyle or that you\u2019re not necessarily using.\u201d A 2022 survey<\/a> found that Americans spend $1,600 more than estimated on subscriptions yearly. \u201cNot everything needs to be canceled, but most subscriptions deserve to be revisited.\u201d<\/p>\n

South_agency\/E+\/Getty Images5. Set A Money Date<\/p>\n

Both Alfaro and Dunlap recommend setting aside dedicated time to go over your finances. While Alfaro does her money date monthly, Dunlap opts for a weekly five-minute check-in. \u201cThis is not about tracking every dollar. It is about awareness. Looking at what came in, what went out, and what\u2019s coming up reduces anxiety and helps you spot issues early, especially when you\u2019re navigating irregular income or your first job,\u201d Dunlap says.<\/p>\n

6. Plan Ahead<\/p>\n

Time is money, and, according to Alfaro, planning could help you save both. \u201cChoosing public transportation or planning errands can reduce reliance on expensive rideshares or delivery fees,\u201d she says. This also applies to big purchases like flights, travel, or even home appliances. Doing research into the best time to buy these things will help you avoid surge pricing.<\/p>\n

7. Negotiate, Negotiate, Negotiate<\/p>\n

Both Alfaro and Dunlap agree that there\u2019s always room to negotiate, and it can set you up for future success. \u201cNegotiating salary, rent, or job offers can have a massive long-term impact,\u201d Dunlap says. \u201cA small increase now can mean tens of thousands of dollars over your career. Saving money is not just about spending less. It\u2019s about valuing your time, your labor, and your future earning power.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alfaro notes that health care bills can also be negotiated with your insurance and the hospital if you are financially burdened. Speaking with their finance department is the best way to help mitigate the cost of medical bills by requesting payment plans, hardship reductions, or itemized reviews.<\/p>\n

Milan_Jovic\/E+\/Getty Images8. Watch For Dynamic Pricing<\/p>\n

Grocery delivery services, rideshare apps, and even airlines may use dynamic pricing as a flexible strategy to adjust prices based on real-time market demand, Alfaro says. Being aware that companies use these tactics helps you avoid paying more simply because of timing.<\/p>\n

9. Lean Into Communal Economics<\/p>\n

According to Alfaro, a simple way to save money is to participate in shared systems like mutual aid, tool-sharing groups, local clubs, and library programs, which can help reduce costs while also strengthening your community. \u201cSomething that my friends and I have started to do is leftover dinners. We\u2019ll bring our own leftovers and get together to have a little potluck. We don\u2019t have to go somewhere fancy and drop $50 on dinner to have a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n

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