Redirect the Urge To Shop, Plate Dinner in the Kitchen — Plus 3 More Ways To Save This Week

Sometimes saving money comes down to putting a little friction between yourself and spending. Portion the leftovers before they disappear. Review a subscription before it renews. Give yourself something else to do when you’re tempted to shop.

Here are five practical ways to save money this week.

1. When You Want To Shop, Pay a Bill Instead

Sometimes we shop because we need something. Other times we’re bored, stressed or simply in the mood to spend.

When you feel the urge to wander through a store or browse online without anything specific to buy, try redirecting that urge toward your finances.

Open your banking app and pay a bill instead—even if it’s not due yet. Or transfer the amount you were tempted to spend toward a financial goal.

There’s something satisfying about putting money toward something useful, and it can quickly refocus your attention on what you’d rather accomplish with your money.

The mall, whether physical or online, may provide a little entertainment. Watching a balance disappear can feel pretty good, too.

2. Portion Dinner Before It Reaches the Table

If serving bowls go on the table, it’s easy for everyone to automatically take seconds—even when they might have been satisfied with their first serving.

Try portioning dinner onto plates in the kitchen instead. At the same time, portion any extra servings into containers for future meals.

They can become tomorrow’s work lunches or go into the freezer for a designated leftovers night. If someone is still genuinely hungry after dinner, you can always offer another inexpensive side such as bread or rolls.

This habit can make meal planning easier, too. Instead of wondering whether tonight’s leftovers will still be around tomorrow, you’ve already protected the portions you planned to use.

3. Don’t Let Subscriptions Renew Without a Review

Auto-renewal is convenient for companies—and for us. But it can also make it too easy to keep paying without reconsidering whether a service is still worth the price.

Put every subscription and membership renewal date on your calendar, preferably with a reminder far enough ahead that you have time to act.

Before renewal, ask:

• How often did I actually use this?
• Has the price increased?
• Is there a cheaper tier that meets my needs?
• Would paying annually save money if I know I’ll keep it?
• Are there current promotions worth asking about?

If you’re willing to cancel, you can also begin the cancellation process and see whether you’re offered a retention discount. Some companies offer one, though there’s no guarantee.

The important part is making every renewal an active decision rather than something that quietly happens to your credit card.

4. Wash Clothes With Fabric Wear in Mind

How you wash your clothes can affect how long they stay wearable.

After treating any stains, turn many garments inside out before washing. This can help protect the visible side of the fabric from friction, fading and pilling.

Also think about what you’re washing together. Delicate shirts probably shouldn’t tumble around with heavy jeans, exposed zippers and other rough materials. Separating by fabric type as well as color can reduce unnecessary wear.

Socks can be an exception to the inside-out rule. Washing them right side out can help expose the dirty exterior to the wash water, especially when you’re dealing with grass, soil and other grime.

A little extra sorting takes time, but replacing clothes takes money.

5. Make Your Own Sandwich Meat When the Price Is Right

Before automatically heading to the deli counter, compare the price to larger cuts of meat on sale.

A spiral-sliced ham, turkey breast or London broil can sometimes provide sandwich meat for considerably less per pound.

Cook the meat safely, slice it into sandwich-size portions and freeze what you won’t use within a few days. To keep slices from freezing into one big block, freeze them in a single layer first, then transfer them to airtight freezer bags or containers. Remove as much air as practical to help protect quality and reduce freezer burn.

Then you can pull out only what you need for lunches.

Homemade sandwich meat can also give you more control over ingredients. Some deli and processed meats can be high in sodium or contain added preservatives, though that varies considerably by product. Check labels if that’s important to your household.