Low-cost living doesn’t have to be time-consuming. Simple changes like cutting unused subscriptions, reassessing your home insurance, installing a smart thermostat, and even fixing leaking faucets can add up to real savings. Try one or all of these practical money-saving tips to reduce your household expenses.
Easy savings: 8 money-saving tips that actually cut costs
Most homeowners are looking for smart ways to save. Roughly 84% of Americans surveyed have set financial resolutions, naming building an emergency fund and opening a high-yield savings account (similar to Cornerstone’s MMDA) as their top goals.
You can make it possible to reach your savings goals by using these at-home strategies. Note that savings are based on estimates:
1. Revisit your homeowners insurance
You might be overpaying for home insurance without even knowing it. Rates vary widely between providers, and many homeowners stick with the same policy for years without shopping around. Something as simple as increasing your deductible, if you can afford to, could cut costs by up to 25%.
Action step: Get quotes from different providers, look into bundling policies, and consider raising your deductible. Also, ask about loyalty rewards and home security system discounts.
Estimated savings: About $26-$44 per month or $317-$528 per year
2. Cut the subscription creep
When’s the last time you watched that streaming service? Premium apps, monthly memberships, and streaming services add up fast, often without you realizing it. The average household spends $70 a month on streaming, up from a year before.
Action step: Audit your bank statements for recurring charges. Keep one or two services you actually use and cut the rest. Consider rotating subscriptions seasonally instead of keeping them year-round.
Estimated savings: Around $20 per month or $240 per year
Did you know Cornerstone’s personal banking rates pay out at 30x the national average?* See how our Interest Checking account can help grow your savings faster.
3. Wash your jeans less often
You can save energy, time, and money when you re-wear your jeans before washing them. Don’t forget to wash them in cold water, let them air dry, and skip the ironing. The American Cleaning Institute suggests washing most items less often, if you can handle it.
Action step: Think about scaling back to washing jeans after three wears, PJs after four wears, towels after five uses, and bedsheets every two weeks.
Estimated savings: About $12 per month or $144 per year
4. Install a smart thermostat
Heating and cooling account for a significant chunk of your home’s energy but relying on technology to control your temps can help offset this cost. You might save as much as 10% each year on heating/cooling just by using a smart thermostat.
Action step: Install a programmable thermostat and set it to lower temps when you’re asleep or away. Check to see if your utility company offers a rebate to cover part of the cost.
Estimated savings: $15-20 per month or $180-$240 per year
5. Buy misfit produce
Budgeting can help you get a handle on your grocery bill, and so can buying from the bargain bin. Like so many things, this can be done online. Sites like Misfits Market sell fresh, organic produce that also happens to look a little funny. But you’ll get as much as 40% off the store price.
Action step: Look into purchasing misfit produce, buy in-store fruits and veggies only in season, and check for sales and digital coupons. Also, visit the farmer’s market later in the day when vendors may be more motivated to sell what’s left at a discounted price.
Estimated savings: Up to $250 per month or $3,000 per year
6. Do a monthly pantry challenge
A “pantry challenge” is a 2-to-4-week period where you eat what’s in your pantry, freezer, and fridge before buying more groceries. The result? Lower grocery bills, less food waste, and discovering what your family really likes to eat.
Action step: Pick a month and commit to using what you have. Only buy fresh items like milk, eggs, and produce. Get creative with recipes using your existing ingredients.
Estimated savings: $200–$400 during the challenge month, supporting smarter grocery habits throughout the year
7. Unplug energy vampires
Even when turned off, electronics consume power if they’re still plugged in. This phenomenon, called “phantom energy” or “vampire power,” occurs when devices like TVs, gaming consoles, chargers, and coffee makers continue to draw electricity in standby mode. Phantom energy might be draining your budget by a few hundred dollars a year.
Action step: Plug devices into power strips and switch them off when not in use. Unplug chargers when you’re done charging. Consider smart plugs that automatically cut power on a schedule.
Estimated savings: $20 per month or $240 per year
8. Fix that leaky faucet
A leaky faucet or running toilet can waste thousands of gallons of water per year and hike up utility bills. In fact, 10% of homes have leaks wasting 90 gallons or more a day. Simple fixes like replacing worn washers, flappers, and installing low-flow fixtures can save hundreds.
Action step: Check faucets, shower heads, and toilets for leaks. Replace worn washers or flappers (cheap fixes at any hardware store). Install low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators to cut water use.
Estimated savings: $18 per month or $210 per year
Are you overpaying on your mortgage?
If you’re serious about saving, connect with your loan officer. From lowering your monthly payment to paying down high-interest debt with home equity, we’re here to help you find ways to save. A quick check-in is all it takes.
Sources deemed reliable but not guaranteed. For educational purposes only. *Rates quoted as of February 15, 2026, and are subject to change. National average rate as of February 15, 2026, per FDIC.gov. Minimum balance to obtain Annual Percentage Yield on Interest Checking account is $0.01 (daily balance is the amount of the principal in the account each day).