This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
Quit paying the “stupid tax” and keep your money
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If something breaks, fix it or return it. If you’re outside of the return window, ask for an exception and push for the exception. Many businesses are willing to work with you if you stand up for yourself.
If you’re going to apply for a credit card, apply for ones that give you cash back and also give you a cash sign-up bonus. Get paid to apply. And if you’re planning to use a credit card as a loan to yourself, apply for ones with 0% interest, so you don’t lose money.
If you’re taking courses that are valuable to your career and company, ask them to pay for it. Elevate your skills (leading to higher pay), and get your education covered. Many professionals do not invest in professional development. The ones that do often get rewarded with financial support.
Save on electricity or gas by letting some of your clothes hang up to dry. If you don’t need your clothes right away and don’t mind a natural drying process, this is an easy way to save some dollars each month.
Shorten your showers and water usage, which will lead to savings on your utilities. The little things add up quickly!
Only use one (or zero) streaming services. Find places to watch movies and shows for free, or stop using your spare time to watch TV and use it to build your business and side income streams.
Wait 30 days before making a purchase you don’t need. After that 30 days, see if you still want or need it. Why not wait 48–72 hours? The goal is to get as much cash back as possible, which means taking alternative routes and prioritizing postponed purchases.
Sell all your tech gadgets and stuff lying around the house that you don’t or rarely use. Anything you haven’t touched within the last thirty days, put it up for sale. Anything that brings a negative emotion when you look at it or touch it, put it up for sale. Anything you could go without, put it up for sale.
Stop eating out and buying alcohol for 90 days. This one might be very hard for people, but I guarantee it will save you a lot more than you think.
There are endless ways to get cash back.
Get creative.
Look for opportunities to save.
Cut superfluous costs.
Use the additional savings to invest and pay off debt.
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Save. Invest. Build.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.