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5 Ways to Spring Clean Your Finances

May 18, 2025 by Kati Mora

5 Ways to Spring Clean Your Finances

Spring isn’t just for dusting off shelves and organizing closets—it’s the perfect time to tidy up your financial life, too! Just like your home, your budget, spending habits, and savings strategies can accumulate a bit of clutter over time. At Money Saving Duo, we believe that a little intentional effort can go a long way in helping you save more and stress less.

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links that when clicked, may result in us being financially compensated for directing you there.

5 Ways to Spring Clean Your Finances InfoGraphic

Here are five smart ways to spring clean your finances and set yourself up for a successful year ahead:

1. Review and Refresh Your Budget
Think of your budget like a junk drawer—it needs a good clean-out now and then. Start by comparing your current expenses to what you budgeted at the beginning of the year. Are there any subscriptions you no longer use? Has your grocery bill crept up? Adjust your spending categories to reflect your current lifestyle and goals. Consider using a budgeting tool like YNAB or Monarch (which is the one we currently use), or a simple spreadsheet to track things more clearly.

Related: Why We Chose Monarch Money When Our Favorite Money App Decided to Come to An End

2. Unsubscribe and Unfollow
Marketing emails and social media ads can be a real temptation when you’re trying to save. Use this season to hit “unsubscribe” on promotional emails from retailers you don’t shop at regularly and unfollow influencers or brands that prompt impulse purchases. Out of sight, out of cart!

3. Automate Your Savings
Make saving a no-brainer by automating it. If you haven’t already, set up a direct transfer from your checking to your savings account—either with every paycheck or once a month. Even small amounts add up over time. You can also check if your bank offers “round-up” savings features that put your spare change to work.

Want your savings to go even further? Consider a higher yield savings account. We use Wealthfront for ours and currently get a 4% APY. Sign up through our referral link below and you’ll also get a 0.50% APY boost for up to 3 months.

4. Clean Up Your Credit
Take a few minutes to check your credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com, which allows you to get free reports from each of the three major bureaus. Look for any errors or suspicious activity. If your score could use a boost, consider setting reminders to pay bills on time or paying down high-interest debt more aggressively.

5. Reevaluate Your Goals
Just like your home evolves with the seasons, so should your financial goals. Are you saving for a summer vacation, a new car, or building an emergency fund? Update your goals to match your current priorities. Use visual reminders like a savings tracker or goal thermometer to stay motivated!

Spring is all about new beginnings—and your finances deserve a fresh start, too. Tidy up, tune in, and take control of your money this season. Your future self will thank you!

Resources shared in this post:

  • YNAB (https://www.ynab.com)
  • Wealthfront (https://www.wealthfront.com/c/affiliates/invited/AFFB-WZTF-SHQR-O1IU)
  • Annual Credit Report (https://annualcreditreport.com)

Filed Under: Budget Tips, Duo Update Tagged With: budgeting, goal setting, save money

10 Smart Ways to Boost Your Savings in the New Year

January 1, 2024 by Kati Mora

As we step into a new year, you may be considering a money goal reset. Whether you’re saving for a big purchase, building an emergency fund, or planning for the future, implementing effective money-saving strategies is crucial and the new year is a fantastic time to put your money goals back in focus.

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links which means that if you click through them and make a purchase, we may be financially compensated. Thanks for supporting Money Saving Duo!

Create a Realistic Budget

Start by taking a look at your numbers. If you were tracking your income and expenses this last year, you should be able to see how you’ve allocated your funds and what changes you would like to make. If not, make tracking your income your goal for the new year. This will allow you to set a realistic budget that allocates funds for essential needs and allows for savings. Be thorough in tracking your spending habits to identify areas where you can cut back. Not sure how to create a budget? We can help you with that.

Related: Exploring Alternatives to the Mint Budgeting App: Budgeting Apps to Continue Keeping Your Finances in Check

Automate Your Savings

Make saving a habit by automating the process. Set up automatic transfers from your checking account to your savings account each month. This ensures that a portion of your income is consistently saved without requiring manual effort. Automating your expenses can also be a really helpful strategy in never missing a payment.

Cut Unnecessary Expenses

Review your monthly expenses and identify areas where you can cut back. Cancel unused subscriptions, opt for generic brands, and dine out less frequently. Small adjustments can lead to significant savings over time.

Embrace the 24-Hour Rule

Before making non-essential purchases, follow the 24-Hour rule. Wait a day before deciding to buy something. This helps you differentiate between impulsive and necessary purchases, preventing unnecessary spending.

Negotiate Bills and Services

Regularly review your utility bills, insurance premiums, and subscription services. Negotiate with providers to secure better rates or consider switching to more cost-effective alternatives. Loyalty often pays off, so don’t hesitate to ask for discounts.

Build an Emergency Fund

Establishing an emergency fund is a financial safety net. Aim to save three to six months’ worth of essential living expenses in case of unexpected events. This fund provides peace of mind and prevents the need to dip into long-term savings for unforeseen circumstances.

Related: Want to Save Money Fast and Jumpstart Your Emergency Fund? Here’s How to Save $1,000 in 30 Days

Explore Cashback and Rewards Programs

Take advantage of cashback and rewards programs offered by credit cards, retailers and shopping apps. Use credit cards responsibly, pay off balances in full each month, and enjoy the benefits of earning cash back or accumulating points that can be redeemed for discounts or gift cards.

Related: Our Ultimate Money Saving Grocery Shopping App List

Shop Mindfully

Adopt mindful shopping habits by looking for sales, using coupons, and comparing prices before making purchases. Consider buying in bulk for frequently used items, and resist the urge to make impulse buys.

Invest Wisely

Explore investment options to grow your wealth over time. Consult with a financial advisor to develop a diversified investment strategy aligned with your financial goals. A well-thought-out investment plan can help your money work for you.

Educate Yourself About Personal Finance

Knowledge is a powerful tool in managing your finances effectively. Stay informed about personal finance topics, read books, attend workshops, and follow reputable financial experts to enhance your understanding of money management.

Check out some of these highly rated books on personal finance:

The Total Money Makeover Book Cover
Get Good with Money Book Cover
Rich Dad Poor Dad Book Cover
Buy on Amazon
Buy on Amazon
Buy on Amazon

As you start your journey towards saving more money in the new year, remember that small changes can lead to significant results. By implementing these 10 practical strategies, you can build a strong foundation for financial stability and achieve your savings goals. Start the new year with a commitment to smart financial choices and watch your savings grow. Cheers to a financially prosperous year ahead!

Filed Under: Budget Tips, Duo Update, Save Money Tagged With: money saving tips, new year goals, new year resolution, save money

Going to the Movies? Keep It Affordable With These Great Tips

February 7, 2019 by Kati Mora

Who doesn’t love going to the theater? Watching a movie on the big screen is a whole lot of fun, but lets be real… it can be down right costly! Luckily, we’ve discovered a few ways to save big at the movies.

Scout out ticket prices before you go. We’ve recently discovered a few smaller theaters in our area that charge less than the larger theaters do. If you live in Mid-Michigan, you should bookmark these theater options:

Ideal Theater in Clare, MI – Tickets are $5 for each adult, $4 for each child 12 and under.

Crystal Box Office Theater in Crystal, MI – Tickets for the 7pm show are $5 each and only $3 for the 3:30 pm show. Concessions are also inexpensive – you can get a small soda and a small popcorn for only $3.25!

Check for special offers and discounts. Even the larger theaters typically have discount nights or special events where you can see movies at a lower price or in some cases, even for free.

Celebration Cinema, for example, offers a discounted movie every Sunday night and recently launched T.A.C.O Tuesdays (Tickets Are Cheap on Tuesdays). Both specials feature $6 ticket pricing. Celebration Cinema also features the FLICK Family Film Festival at select times throughout the year were kids 12 and under can go and see a movie for free.

NCG Cinemas, with a location in Midland, Alma and Lansing, also features discounted ticket pricing on Tuesdays. Reel Deal Tuesdays allow you to get discounted tickets and concessions. We’re told ticket prices are only $5 on Tuesday; however, couldn’t confirm this on their website.

Sign up for a reward program if its offered. Since Celebration Cinema is the theater in our town, we made sure to sign up for their rewards program. It didn’t cost us anything to sign up, but when we go to see movies we often receive special discounts on tickets or concessions. Sometimes we even get free concession items if we’ve garnered enough points. 

A couple of weeks ago, my youngest and I went to the movies and we received $4 off our tickets. Worth the free sign up if you ask me. NCG Cinemas also offer a customer rewards program.

Eat before you go to the show. We know how hard it can be to resist that buttery popcorn you smell as soon as you open the theater door, but if you’re looking for ways to keep movies affordable, eating at home before you go can be a great way to save a few extra dollars.

What are your favorite ways to save money at the movies? Share your top tips in the comments.

Filed Under: Budget Tips, Duo Update, Save Money Tagged With: entertainment, family activities, movie theater, movie theatre, save money

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Disclaimer: We are not financial or investment advisors – just regular everyday people sharing tips we’ve learned through our own lived experiences. This information is provided for general educational and entertainment purposes and may not apply to your specific circumstances.

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