30 “Must-Have Items” That Save Money, According To The Internet

Rechargable AA/AAA batteries

Cash-back credit cards (with no annual fee.) It’s FREE MONEY!

I have several of these cards, and I use them in every store or bill that accepts it; including the monthly bills like electric/gas, insurance, phone, etc. Different cards have rewards for various types of purchases, so choose carefully.

The secret is that you MUST pay off the entire balance every month, or the interest charges will cancel out any benefit. So the other secret is that I pretend I am spending cash whenever I buy anything. That is, I don’t charge anything that I won’t be able to pay for at the end of the month. If it’s a big purchase, I’ll save up until I have enough for it, then put it on the card and pay it off a few weeks later. Instant discount! I have been doing this since cash-back cards were introduced, and these days I get around $5000 back per year. Over the years, I have probably made an extra year’s salary this way.

Before anyone comments, I realize this won’t work for everyone. The old adage “Know Thyself” applies here. Some people have no choice but to use credit to survive. Others know they can’t resist spending money they don’t have. If either of these describes you, just scroll on and forget you read this. (I say this with love!)

Also, I have noticed lately that some businesses have started adding a surcharge for using credit. (Mostly they’re small, local businesses.) There’s usually a sign near the register, or on the check in a restaurant. So another secret is to pay attention to those signs. There are still times when cash is king.

Oh yeah… it’s also sent my credit rating to the top level 😃

I hope this advice will help at least a few people. Love to you all!❣️

So many! Cloth napkins, rags, reusable menstrual products, safety razor, bidet, knit dishcloths, clothes drying rack, and dark curtains in the summertime to name a few.

My thermos when I travel. I have lounge access at airports and I can make myself a pot of tea to take for the flight, or make myself a huge cocktail :)

Cold brewer.
I make my own ice coffee, every day, year round.

I use different ground coffees, different creamers, always mix it up. Haven't stopped for coffee in well over 2 years.
Likely saved $1000s!!!

In our house, instapot. We rely heavily on beans (usually black, pinto, or garbanzo) as a protein source, and being able to buy them dry and cook up batches easily and quickly saves us a ton of money. Canned beans might seem cheap, but the dried ones are sooo much cheaper.

This little octopus thingy I got at IKEA made to hang laundry to dry. It has a bunch of clothespins and can hold all kinds of socks/undies/shorts/etc. Got two of them. Generally, I don’t use my clothes dryer and hang dry 95%. Towels/bedding have to be machine dried. And things that I don’t want any wrinkles, gets put into the machine for just long enough to pull the wrinkles out, then they get put on a hanger to finish. A bonus of avoiding the dryer is your clothes last a bit longer. 

Mattress warmer - not to be confused with electric blanket. Using the mattress warmer lets us lower the thermostat in winter. Downside/upside: pet magnet

Learn how to make Kimchee.

Overpriced to the extreme in the stores, it's just bit of salt, sugar, some red pepper flakes, vegetables, and fermentation.

The cheapest vegetables make the best kimchee as well.

Maangchi has recipes on youtube. I recommend the combination radish and cabbage kimchee, as you can have flexibility in one jar. Ramen? Add some cabbage kimchee. Eating chicken? Get the radish. You can slice the radish into cubes and slices, the slices are perfect in grilled cheese sandwiches.

Lose weight, save hundreds. Kimchee!

For me, it was a vacuum sealer. Safeway often has incredible deals on meat (4 for $19.99), so I'll buy a variety-chicken, stew meat, pork chops, burgers, etc. and go home and repackage it all with the sealer. It lasts a lot longer, and no freezer burn like I have had with ziploc bags. Game changer.