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People are just realizing you can rent cars from Costco, and the cost savings are astounding

"Saved over $200 plus upgraded to a larger SUV."

Image via Wikimedia Images/Canva/milindri

Costco rental cars are super cheap, and people are just finding out.

Costco is the mecca for good deals, but even Costco's most loyal customers were shocked to recently learn that the beloved big box store also offers car rentals.

The well-kept secret about Costco car rentals is leaving its customers shook, but those who have been in the know are opening up about the incredible savings (and perks) they've received by renting cars through the member-only business.

Last month, Alex Petrakieva (@alexonabudget on TikTok) shared with her followers about her experience renting a car through Costco that saved her almost $400 compared to renting the same car for the same amount of time through rental car company Alamo.

@alexonabudget
Costco is at it again #car #rental

After showing her followers the price breakdown, she concluded: "So if you’re traveling, take it from me and just use Costco. Somebody told me the best quote ever: 'Costco is a mindset,' And I just need to adopt that."

Needless to say, viewers were shocked by the story. "Costco has car rentals?!?!" one commented. Another added, "girl... the way I gasped.... and yes thank you for sharing. I had no idea!!!!!" One more stunned viewer also shared, "Girl you just saved me $350 with this tik tok … I’m shook."

So, how does Costco keep their costs so low? "Costco can offer such low rental car rates because of its enormous buying power," Kristen Markel, founder of Warehouse Wanderer, a blog dedicated to Costco shopping strategies, tells Upworthy. "With over 130 million members, they have the leverage to negotiate steep discounts with major rental car companies—savings that individual consumers could never secure on their own. That collective demand is what drives the rates down."

costco, costco warehouse, costco rental car, rental car costco, costco travel Costco offers rental cars to members. Photo by Grant Beirute on Unsplash

Other Costco members offered more tips on how to get the best deal on a car rental at Costco. "Keep checking the prices before your trip. The price may come down, I will make a new reservation and cancel the old one," another viewer wrote.

Available through Costco Travel, the store offers deep discounts on car rentals through a number of car rental companies, including Enterprise, Budget, Avis, and more.

- YouTube www.youtube.com

Costco fans have also taken to Reddit to brag about the incredible savings they've had. "I get corporate rates with Avis and Hertz, like $32+tax a day, but those are only on round trip rentals. Costco Travel was the same $32+tax for an Alamo with unlimited miles on a one-way rental recently for me 🥳. Costco saved me approx $200 in mileage fees," one member shared.

Another Costco member excitedly wrote, "Costco Travel rental car benefits are seriously underrated. Decided last minute to recheck my rates for a trip next weekend after getting emailed a reminder, saved over $200 plus upgraded to a larger SUV."

Besides saving on base rental rates, there are other benefits to renting a car through Costco. "My favorite part of using Costco Travel for car rentals is you can continue monitoring the site since prices fluctuate, and if your booking gets cheaper, you can cancel and rebook with zero hassle. You're never locked in to a higher price," another member shared. This jazzed Costco Travel user wrote, "Also Costco car rentals include an additional driver," while another stated, "In addition to the second driver being included, most other sites tease a pre tax and fee price, Costco is out the door."

costco, costco gif, costco deals, costco car rental, renting car costco Hype Bryce GIF by Granarly Giphy

Another thrilled renter explained, "And they're always unlimited mileage. My corporate rates that we can use for personal travel are awesome, except 25c per mile one-way. Costco allows one way between airports with mileage included." Still another added, "Plus the amount you spend goes to your 2% cash back reward! (For Executive Members)."

Booking your rental car through Costco Travel also allows you to utilize loyalty programs. "Loyalty programs, LPT, if you have any travel 'status' through a credit card ask for a status match," another happy customer wrote. "Booked a car through Costco, put in my Enterprise loyalty card #, free upgrade and 20% bonus points. Then with the Enterprise Platinum, status match to the others."

rental car, renting a car, car rental, renting cars, costco car rental Woman waits for her rental car.Image via Canva/RossHelen

However, other Costco Travel users noted some negative experiences renting cars. "WARNING! Make sure you look at reviews for the location you are renting from though before you book," one commented. "Rented recently from Budget via Costco and yes it was cheaper than the others but that location had a ton of reviews about wait times, I never thought to look because how bad could it be and I was saving money. Ended up waiting an hour with two kids and luggage for our car (which didn't look like it was cleaned very well). I probably would have spent a little more to avoid that."

Another less-than-pleased customer shared, "We've had a lot of normal rentals through Costco Travel, but our absolute worst was also through Costco Travel. My husband is very tall and we reserved a full size car at a Budget. Showed up and gave us an economy car. Also argued that it was 'full size' and would not give us another vehicle or any money back. Costco did nothing."

It's a mixed bag for sure, so bear all this in mind next time you're traveling> Costco Travel seems to be a great option overall, but it never hurts to shop around.

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Couple saves $1,000 on lavish island honeymoon by using Costco. Here's how they did it. ›

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Frugal grocery shoppers share 25 tips for cutting down grocery bills

"It's amazing how much we can save."

Image via Canva/SDI Productions

Frugal people share their best money-saving grocery shopping tips.

Groceries are more expensive than ever. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service, food prices increased 23.6% from 2020-2024. And the average monthly costs for groceries in an American household of 4 people ranges from $996-1,603.

So saving money on groceries in more lucrative than ever. And frugal shoppers are full of tips, tricks and hacks to keep food costs low.

Looking to cut down on your grocery bill the next time you make a trip? These are 25 of the best money-saving grocery tips from frugal people.

grocery store, grocery, groceries, grocery shopping, grocery trip supermarket groceries GIF by Justin Timberlake Giphy

"Shop your pantry, fridge and freezer 1st. See what meals you can make from what you have on hand. It's fun to be creative. Meal plan using what you have, make a grocery list with what you need. Avoid recipes that need lots of ingredients you don't have on hand. Stick to your list when shopping. Ordering on line helps me from impulse buying at the store. Use the first in, first out method in pantry/fridge to cut down on food waste. Batch cook, soups, stews, casseroles, so you get more than one meal out of cooking. Avoid buying lots of snacks, individually packed items. These are tried and true methods for saving money on food. Like others have posted, shop fliers, sales. May need to use more than one store. I do Aldi weekly, Walmart on line order ever 6 weeks or so. Like anything else, the more you do it, the better at it you get!" - catjknow

"Check ethnic groceries. The Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Hispanic groceries near me have amazing prices on produce and meat, bulk spices and dried beans, etc. Plus a lot of things that are bougie or health foods are really just a normal food from another culture with a bigger price tag." - kaizenkitten

"Frozen vegetables. If you eat meat, be flexible and shop what’s cheap that week. If something’s reduced because it’s older, you can freeze it the day you buy it if you can’t cook it right away." - BanditSpark

"Get something in your stomach before you go. Never shop hungry. You'll tend to buy things you wouldn't normally get or opt for junk/ready to eat foods rather than affordable ingredients." - sassysaba

groceries, grocery, grocery shopping, grocery gif, grocery bill Shop Til You Drop Shopping GIF Giphy

"I use an app called Flipp to shop the sales ads in my area, then plan meals around what I have on hand + sales items. When things like chicken leg quarters, boneless chicken thighs, and beef/pork roasts are on sale, I buy twice what I need and freeze leftovers for an easy midweek meal, like tacos/quesadillas/casserole/pasta." - TN_Lamb888

"Start a 'Price Book' spreadsheet. Make a tab for every item you regularly purchase. Log the store, brand, price, weight, and price per unit. Start by logging the regular price of those items and then research every week and log what the sales are on those items. Eventually you learn what is an actual good sale, what is not actually a sale, and how often these things go on sale, so that you can buy in bulk at the best price. You also learn what stores consistently have the best price on your item, so you can plan a trip to go to that store when you are already close to it (example: if you don’t have a Costco or Sam’s Club where you live, you plan on going as part of an out of town trip when you are already traveling). The trick is to stick to buying the items that are really the best price and to not overbuy amounts that you won’t be able to use before they expire (though if you did you could always donate to a local shelter or food bank). I admit, it is tedious but it’s also interesting." - Victoriafoxx

"We eat way more plant protein than animal protein now. We aren’t trying to be vegetarian. But beans and lentils are so much cheaper than meat." - FoxUsual745

beans, eating beans, beans gif, bean can, can of beans Kristen Wiig Vegan GIF Giphy

"Also, reframing your mind to envision meat as a condiment instead of the centerpiece of the meal is super helpful for traditional meat & potato people. My guys love a good slab of steak and mashed potatoes, but are also just as satisfied with a baked potato loaded with hearty bean lentil corn chili, with 1/4 of a good steak roughly chopped and sprinkled on top. One steak for a 3person family, plus enough for someone to have it for lunch tomorrow, is much more doable than 3 steaks for a single meal." - Jena_TheFatGirl

"I volunteer for a stop food waste organization. I eat mostly organic whole-foods and haven't bought groceries since 2020 because I get to fill a shopping basket free in exchange for a 2–3 hour shift. That's my best hack. Second best is dumpster diving, which may or may not be legal in your area." - LittleEdithBeale

"Check and see if you have any salvage grocery stores in your area! They’re not super common everywhere but they have a wide range of food, even high quality stuff, at very reduced prices because the items are damaged or past their expiration date." - DS30y

"Buy in season. Look for end-of-day sales at the farmers markets. Make nutrient-dense food." - DaysOfParadise

"Read your grocery store’s circular, clip coupons from their app, and if they have a rewards program use it. With one of the stores near me, I can get a free 12 dozen eggs by redeeming 200 reward points." - muad_dibs

My Big Fat Fabulous Life Breakfast GIF by TLC Giphy

"I use a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) for purchasing vegetables. Not sure if CSAs everywhere are cheaper, but it is for me. There's a website called localharvest.org that has a CSA locator. I cook seasonally based on what my CSA has available. In May and early June it was a lot of salads, right now we're getting a lot of things like bok choy, broccolini, and carrots, so we're eating stir fry dishes or chicken with a side of sauteed or roasted vegetables. I quick pickle as much as I can from our weekly order to make things last (For example, we got a TON of chard at one point, and I pickled the stems with siracha. We've been using the pickles as a relish for tacos and sandwiches.). I also am in a small household, so I don't like buying anything perishable in bulk. We do have a chest freezer, so I buy meat in bulk at Costco. I also get things like cooking oils, vinegar, rice, and seasonings there. I try to keep us stocked up on anything we might need to supplement our veggie order for the week." - OK_Computer_152

"If grocery stores near you have an app, use it! On the Safeway app at least there's a lot of good coupons and deals that are only served in-app - I often pre-plan my shopping by plugging everything into the Safeway app and then comparing to other stores and that's how decide where I'm shopping that week." - sadhoursthrowaway409

"I use Instacart to make my shopping lists. I don’t use it to deliver groceries. It shows me what’s in the store and what’s not available. I can put together meals in advance and the BEST PART is that you can stay within your budget because it shows you your total as you add to the cart. It’s been a huge help these last few years for me to stay on budget. The app is also free." - jpp3252

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36 middle class money-saving hacks that frugal folks swear by to keep spending in check

"The savings definitely add up."

Image via Canva/bogdankosanovic

Middle class people share their best money-saving hacks.

People who earn a middle class income understand that paying attention to every penny that comes in and goes out is a smart money strategy. According to Pew Research, the median household income for middle class people in the United States in 2022 ranged from $56,600 to $169,800.

And frugal middle class people are full of money-saving tips and hacks. To boost their savings, middle class people offered their best money-saving habits to those looking to boost their savings accounts.

From grocery shopping, cooking habits, and bills, they shared their best financial wisdom. These are 36 middle-class money saving hacks that can help everyone save more money.

saving money, save money, money, putting money away, money Saving money gif Giphy

"For me, it’s the simple habits passed down from family. Cooking at home instead of eating out, carrying a water bottle instead of buying one, and reusing jars or old cloth as cleaning rags. Even shopping during discount seasons instead of impulse buying has been a huge saver. These little things may not look like much, but over time they add up and keep life grounded." - NoMedicine3572

"Cooking beans and legumes from dry buying in bulk." - LiterallyKath

"I have an old Toyota is pretty messed up now, but it makes me laugh because it looks kind of like shit lol. But I don't have a car payment and I still get 25 miles per gallon or so. I'll drive that thing into the ground. As long as the car has air-conditioning music and drives decent, I don't really care." - renerdrat

"Stop being snobby about your cell phone service and go to cheaper ones that use the same towers. Mint Mobile has blown me away ... had it for 2 years now, can't believe I was paying AT&T $100/month before. Now I pay $25/month and everything works the same." - mordiaken & wezvidz

"I’ll add to this. We don’t need a new phone every year. Still rocking my 13 mini. Not planning to buy a new one anytime soon." - no_car1799

"Take Amazon off your phone- all orders need to be done on a laptop. Pay for groceries in cash- it tends to take down impulsive purchases. Coffee at home. Make your own cold brew. End of each quarter is use up what is in the fridge and pantry- only purchase are for what completes a meal. Talk about a budget each month. Actively look at places to cut." - Door_Number_Four

- YouTube www.youtube.com

"Look at the grocery store flyers and plan your meal prep around what's on sale that week. Base most of your meals on canned goods, frozen veggies, and tofu/inexpensive protein options. Wash/clean whatever you can using baking soda and or vinegar. Don't bother with paper towel use rags. Don't impulse buy research beforehand. Get a library card and use that sucker. Ensure your hobbies aren't too expensive for your lifestyle. Find weekend activities that are basically free. Don't attempt to keep up with other people in order to maintain some weird social status. Keep it simple when it comes to hygiene showers everyday and have your staple products you know work well for your hair skin and teeth and buy them in bulk when they go on sale. Look at your wardrobe and figure out what you actually need to replace before you go clothes shopping (write a specific list before you leave your place). Find frugal friends ;). " - RangerAndromeda

"Buying a sewing kit and learning basic hand sewing can help save pieces of clothing that need minor fixes for almost no additional investment. I can replace buttons, hem slacks, and reattach zippers with the same needles and thread I've had since 2016." - Iceonthewater

"Pack your lunch at home. Don’t eat out. I have a mini fridge under my desk. I’ll bring 2-3 lunches at a time, plus they are healthy." - smack4u & wpbth

"Door Dash [don't do it]. A $20 meal now costs $50 with tip and delivery." - Cucharamama

@miarosemcgrath
part 2 the ‘frugal chic’ #savingmoney #splurgevssave #personalfinance

"Learn how to fix simple shit safely. Leak under the sink? It’s 150+ just to have a plumber come out to look at it. Half the time it’s just a twist or swapping out a standard part that costs $5. And if you can’t fix it yourself you can still call the pro. It’s the same with most shit, I’ve learned with YouTube videos how to fix most of my appliances, change out outlets (TURN OFF THE BREAKER FIRST I KNOW) and repair a lot of things around my home that would cost me $100s of dollars for just a few bucks. Also, if you know handy people just ask them how. I had a sprinkler line split and it would have cost me $1000s for a professional repair. My neighbor works on gas lines for the city and he came over with a bag of spare joinings and told me to go grab some pvc and that blue glue shit they use. Cost me $20 bucks and half a case of modelo (we split it while he stood there watching me dig it up and then directing me how to cut out the compromised piece and fix it)." - JoefromOhio

"Buying popcorn in bulk and popping it on the stovetop, instead of prepackaged popcorn." - CBased64Olds

"Evaluation of my bills regularly- and tracking that the expected amounts are deducted. Example: my Comcast bill is normally $70/mo. $77 came out. The following month the invoice said $95 would be deducted. These companies creep up the bill and if you aren’t watching it will climb. In my experience, Comcast has been the worst offender of this. I called them and was refunded and my bill is back to $70. Also price shopping. I pay $15/mo for my phone service (Visible by Verizon- my service is better than when I was paying $179/mo T-Mobile or $250/mo att!) and $2.17 for Disney + Hulu. I use alternate suppliers for my electric. My bill was almost $300/mo, now it’s down to $110-$120/mo. Your bill is still generated through the regular electric company. You are just buying the electric from a cheaper supplier. I check/switch providers for any and every service every 3-6mo for the best savings. I was with AT&T for 20 years. Then I asked myself why am I loyal to them? Or any company? Bc it’s just easier. But now I view comparing prices for these things as a side hustle. Some of my bills are so low (like my cell bill or my streaming) that I don’t price shop them anymore. It’s a small time investment for thousands saved. I like to keep my money!" - Thor_StrngstAvenger

"Automation. You gotta find your number and then give yourself a little cushion and then the rest of your money needs to be automated out. Basically you learn to live on the money in your checking account. People who don't do this usually never realize that they can easily live on less." - scottie2haute

- YouTube www.youtube.com

"When I see something I like my first thought is 'but what am I gonna do with it?' If the answer is primarily 'Idk, I just think it’s neat', then I don’t buy it." - DeepDot7458

"Sounds silly, but we got my husband a nice cooler for Christmas, and I’ve taken to packing it when I go on outings/errands with the kids. “Mom’s random bag of shelf-stable snacks” doesn’t have as much appeal as that Chick-Fil-A sign, and I found myself easily convinced to order nuggets for myself, a medium fry or Mac and cheese for each of the kids, etc. $30 later, we’re satiated, but I’m kicking myself. Turns out turkey subs, chips, and snackle boxes with fruit, cubed cheese, crackers, mini pepperoni, etc ARE more appetizing than CFA, especially when they help pack the cooler." - Snoo-669

"IMO, it's not the habits around the small spends. It's the habits around the big spends. I focus on keeping my housing, transportation, food, and utility costs down -- in that order. Making my own coffee at home is trivial in comparison. But I do that too. And shop at Aldi. I keep a mental list of the good price on all the things I buy and try to always hit those prices and stock up when they do." - Cannelli10

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Single woman who makes $24,000 a year shares 12 smart ways she saves money

"These are some of my best tips to save a lot of $$ in the long run."

Image via Canva/baseimage

Single woman shares 12 ways she saves money on low income $25,000 salary.

Saving money is possible, even on a low income. While every penny matters, saving money on a small salary can be achieved with smart budgeting and being mindful about spending.

To help others save money, a single woman who makes $24,000 offered her best money-saving tips. From smart strategies for saving money on groceries to creative ways she leverages her community, she shared 12 of her best money-saving habits.

Plus, her advice inspired others to share the financial tips that helped them save money when funds were tight. Start saving more money with these tested ways to save money with a low income.

budget, budgeting, save money, saving money, how to save money Budget Saving Money GIF Giphy

12 ways to save money on a $24,000 salary

- Make DIY dawn power wash with 2 tbsp of rubbing alcohol mixed with 4 tbsp of dawn dish soap.

- Use a bidet before using toilet paper. The bidet does all the hard work the toilet paper is mostly just to dry off - depending on how much money you need/want to save you can use old cut up t-shirts to dry off instead of tp then throw them in the wash once every few days.

- Use period panties diva cup and reusable pads instead of disposable period products.

- Don't be afraid to buy used furniture - just be sure there are no bed bugs.

save money, money saving tips, money saving advice, financial advice, low income Money Invest GIF by Sara Dietschy Giphy

- Used electronics are just as good as new.

- Thrift store are amazing places for pretty much any home goods item.

- Home made cold brew is amazing...one part coffee to 4 parts water.

cold brew, cold brew coffee, homemade cold brew, cold brew gif iced coffee art GIF Giphy

- Simple syrup is also pretty good...there's tons of recipes all over the internet

- Shop your cupboards for food to eat before going shopping for more food.

- Use beans or tofu instead of meat, but if you find meat on sale BUY IT!

- The cook books Good and Cheap and Food Substitutions Bible are amazing cook books.

- FRIENDS ARE AMAZING!!!! I needed a new tv a month ago because the sound box on mine went out. So I messaged some friends asked if anyone had a old tv they needed to get rid of and a friend showed up with a nice lg flat screen that's nearly double the size of my previous tv & I only paid $40 for it.

- YouTube www.youtube.com

More money-saving tips for low incomes

"Go to the library and look for https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Tightwad-Gazette-P...https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Tightwad-Gazette-Promoting-Alternative/dp/0375752250 books. It was written in the 1990’s so some of the information is outdated but much of it is relevant today. I started following The Tightwad Gazette back when it was just a newsletter. I am a single female, raised 2 kids myself, retired at 60, 100% debt free and I credit my success to those books!!" - BENKACY

"Use the library for Internet access, printing off paper copies of legal docs, study material, etc. If you live in a large apartment complex they often have a community board in the main office or in the main hall- you can post ISO notes or advertise side hustle work you offer." - Adorable-Flight5256

"When buying used furniture always ask the person if they have anything else they’re selling if you’re looking for other items. I had posted a recliner for sale & a very young, sweet, newlywed couple came to pick it up. In conversation it came out that they had just been married two weeks before, and they were furnishing their first apartment. On a whim I asked if they needed anything else. They left my house with a recliner $25 less than the initially agreed upon price, a like brand new coffee table that I had been thinking about selling (heavily discounted) & a free complete set of dishes and some other nice kitchen items that I had. I joked that it was my wedding gift to them, as I remember what it was like when my husband & I were first starting out." - RBAloysius

- YouTube www.youtube.com

"I thought that I had a terrible selection for thrift stores. Then I needed a costume that looked well worn. Checked the thrift store that I knew about and found nothing. Googled 'thrift stores near me' got like 10 results. All within about 10 miles. So yeah, even if you think you know all the free / cheap local options check Google periodically." - No_Gear_1093

"Reusable anything has been a game changer. Making the switch to cloth paper towels means no added expense every month and we have a handful to use in rotation when the rest are in the hamper waiting to be washed. We also use our local Buy Nothing group on Facebook. We’ve scored an air conditioning unit, an Ikea Poang Rocking chair, a queen sized bed frame with storage, and a few other helpful items. I’ve also borrowed items there, as well as saved money going to the florist for my Ikebana class by asking people in the BN group if they have flowers or other materials I can use for my assignments." - radioflower525

"If you're in the US, please look into WIC and SNAP. WIC covers basic groceries, formula, and I'm sure you'd qualify if your county has it - the income requirements aren't as difficult because it's a more limited plan on other ways (what it covers, who can qualify)." - sunnysidemegg

"I work as a window tinter I make about 22k a year, I am 23 with no kids and I live alone with no roommates, I am fortunate to have worked out a cheap rent situation with my landlord by taking care of our properties he is my next door neighbor and lets me run an ethernet from his place for free and we share a common water system that he pays for. So I am only responsible for my electricity which is about 60 a month in winter and 160 in summer. I drive a paid for 20 year old car with 180k on it. It has no heat, AC, or power locks. I do all of my own work on it so that saves a lot of money. As for clothing I buy Walmart clothes, which works out since my job has me ruining a lot of clothes, and I prepare my meals from base ingredients. I eat out maybe once a week and that's somewhere cheap like Whataburger. As for a sit down meal at a nice restaurant that is once a moth at the most. I can save about 500 a month comfortably without having to restrict my way of living. I don't spend alot of money to begin with. No traveling. No fancy shoes, (I own two pairs of shoes my boots I wear at work and flip flops for the beach. Lol.). I also don't drink. When I spend money its mostly on dates and video games. Currently saving up for welding school, once I get certified I should be able to double my income with the first welding job I get." - User Unknown

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35 free public library services frugal people swear saves them tons of money

"My library saves me hundreds if not thousands of dollars a year."

Image via Canva/Sergey Nivens

Frugal people utilize free services from the public library.

Popping into your local library can save you big bucks. Not only is the library itself the perfect example of affordable entertainment and access to free books, libraries are also excellent resources for other free and discounted perks.

Few people know this better than those who live a frugal lifestyle. Having a public library card can help you unlock innumerable ways to save money. As one person in the subreddit r/Frugal noted, "My library saves me hundreds if not thousands of dollars a year. Between the museum visits, library books, and audiobooks I take out. It's worth my $50 a year tax to my county."

From free access to technology, subscriptions, and more, these are 35 ways frugal people take full advantage of their public library access to save money.

- YouTube www.youtube.com

"Especially true if your library does inter-library loan. I live in San Francisco and the librarian found a copy of a book about the Maoist movement in India that I was looking for. There was one copy in the entire country - at the University of Indiana. She called them and even though they weren't part of inter-library loan system, they graciously agreed to ship it to SFPL for me to check out." - TheMegFiles

"The library I frequent also has puzzles to check out! Saves at least $10-$15 every time!" - debress

"Ours got cake pans because of the popularity of The Great British Bake-Off." - eczblack

"My library has embroidery machines. Whenever I get tired of my closet I just add some flowers or whatever instead of buying more clothes." - RiceStickers

- YouTube www.youtube.com

"Our library has that and, and then some! Tools (too many to list, many power tools), Bicycles, Electronics (games, controllers, speakers, etc), Games (board and card), Health and Wellness (air quality monitor, blood pressure), Home (baking, sewing, cookware), Instruments, Jigsaw Puzzles, Memory Kits, Outdoor Activities (giant games, bird watch kits, +more), Science (STEM kits, microscope, telescope), Sensory Kits and Fidget toys. I just remembered they had two 3d printers! (They charge $0.10/g which is a great deal I'm told)." - jradio

"YouTube. I haven't paid for entertainment in 10 years. Anything in interested in hearing/seeing/learning is all on YouTube." - diy_surgeon

"Just found out mine has discounted passes to over 440 locations, including a local archery range that I never knew was there." - dunyuhhh

library, public library, library card, library card gif, free library Dog Glasses GIF by County of Los Angeles Giphy

"A lot of libraries include digital access to the Wall Street Journal, you have to renew it online every 3 days, but it's totally free for the users. The library does pay an annual fee to provide this service. If your library is already paying, you might as well take advantage." - AshleySchaeffer-BMW

"I use my library’s Libby for audiobooks. I’ve read over 1500 books in the last 5 years. No way I would have bought all of those." - Purple-Prince-9896

"My library has access to multiple language learning software, all Udemy courses, like 2 or 3 different streaming services and a BUNCH of other stuff. Not saying they all do that but ppl seriously sleep on the library." - boomer1204

"Some even have tickets for museums and such, also seeds for gardening!" - HomemakingHeidi

@ameliaagcarpenter
and who was going to tell me you can rent more than just books??? 📚 @JohnsonCityPublicLibrary #libraryhaul #freethingstodo #thingstodoforfree #freeresources #locallibrary #booktok #augustcurriculum

"And libraries are the perfect place to stop in when traveling - I always look up the local library on road trips or when I'm in a new city. Free place to use the bathroom, get water, look at books or magazines, stretch my legs, take a journaling break, etc. Highly recommend." - Available-Chart-2505

"Our library has a card to local swimming place. You can loan it 2 times a year and go 2 times." - alputik

"My old city library had a full makerspace (3d printers, laser engravers, quilting and sewing machines) and a small-ish (3-5 people depending on if you wanted to bring in instruments and such) recording studio." - DariusJenai

"Mine rents out snowshoes!" - 800-lumens

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"Mine has free Ancestry access, which I can also log into from home via the library's website, which is super convenient!" - majin_chichi

"Mine has a toy library, a music instrument library, and themed backpack kits to borrow. The backpacks I've used so far were bird watching with books and binoculars, early reading with learning aids and games, and wildlife/hiking with compass, books, binoculars. And survival guide." - w4ntsm0r3

"Mine also lets you borrow video games!" - afterglobe

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20 frugal people share their most underrated and unexpected money-saving habits

These overlooked tips can save you lots of money.

Image via Canva/David-Predo

Frugal people share their best unexpected money-saving tips.

Frugal people are experts at saving money. From being mindful about how much and how often they make purchases to adopting no-buy lifestyles, they know all the practical ways to save money

But they also have some creative and overlooked ways to save even more. In the subreddit thread r/Frugal, members opened up about some of the most underrated and self-proclaimed 'weird' ways they've been able to put more money away.

These are some of the most unexpected and underrated ways to save money, according to 20 frugal people.

- YouTube www.youtube.com

"Multiply supposedly low monthly costs by 12. The yearly cost is often a wake up that I don’t need something." - SCNewsFan

"Buying or making snacks, meals and drinks ahead of time for road trips." - ReadingConstantly

"To ease the transition to eating out less, try to recreate similar meals at home as a treat. If you try to go cold turkey from eating out frequently to nothing but beans at home, it’ll be hard to sustain long term. Store bought frozen chicken tenders (for example) are more expensive than homemade lentil soup, but they’re also a lot cheaper than chicken tenders at a restaurant." - PollardPie

"Being content and not going in an inner complaint spiral." - kehrw0che

@alisontalksmoney
More unhinged hacks for saving money #personalfinance #moneytips #budgetingforbeginners

"I started saving veggie scraps in the freezer to make broth, and it’s cut down on food waste and my grocery bill." - radik266

"Use the app toogoodtogo as well for cheap takeout. If you’re flexible, you basically sign up for a cheap meal of whatever excess a restaurant has. I’ve done this with Indian joints and it’s great. Usually $7-10 for multiple servings of food." - treedoct-her

"The public library. Many now offer free streaming services, audio books, and ebooks for free." - ObjectiveUpset1703

"I think mine would be hauling my own trash to the landfill. I used to have trash service that cost $33 a month with recycling picked up twice a month. So the cost came out to $7.50 per week for household trash and $1.50 biweekly for recycling. I haul my own trash 2-3 a month and spend less than $5 total." - Ok-Box6892

"Borrow this book from the library: Make The Bread , Buy The Butter. The woman has gone to great lengths to figure out the cost of making tons of different things (including gas for the stove). She's straight up if something is worth the cost and or hassle to make it from scratch or purchase it. Her everyday bread recipe is super easy, makes two loaves in under 15 minutes (plus only 2 hours to rise, then an hour to bake) I make it once a week and use one, freeze one. It's delicious toasted and I've started adding in extras like chopped walnuts for a taste change." - k8ecat

- YouTube www.youtube.com

"As a gardener, I got tired of wasting money on annuals, especially the modern kind of seed that doesn't reseed itself. Flower companies hate selling plants that reseed themselves. I started buying old-fashioned, heirloom annual and perennial seeds that reseed themselves yearly. Google heirloom or reseeding seeds to find places that sell the older kind of flowers - I go with Seed Savers in Iowa. Additionally, I buy annuals that can be taken indoors during the winter (geraniums and begonias mainly). After the summer, take them inside and prune them back by 1/3 to keep them healthy. Many gardeners will also share starts or extra bulbs with other people - get to know your neighbors for this, or go on a neighborhood website and ask if anyone has perennials they need to divide or extra bulbs. Using seeds does mean a slower growing time, so you have to learn to be patient and live like our great grandparents did, with the rhythm of nature instead of forcing it to move ahead of schedule with pre-grown nursery plants." - StartledDungbeetle

"I don't buy any drinks or snacks at the grocery store. I buy meal food only, and tea bags. I make fresh fridge tea every day, a small thing of caffeinated and a small pitcher of SleepyTime or some other decaf for the evenings. It's delicious, no sugar, and VERY cheap. My grocery bills are about half of what they once were." - Soft-Craft-3285

"I spend money on just 1 day per week." DutchBelgian

"Buying things second hand from Facebook marketplace or while it's on liquidation. Also getting free stuff from the free local Facebook groups. I got so many helpful things over the years! Buying Christmas and birthday gifts for people throughout the year when I find the gifts on sale. Not being addicted to alcohol and soft drinks is a big money saver too :) Also knowing how to do own aesthetic services (I do my own eyebrows, I shave my own legs, I don't get my nails done, I straighten my own hair instead of getting salon blowouts, etc). Freezing leftovers!" - psykolojist

"Same answer I always give; switching away from cartridge razors and going to double-edge (DE). It's a bit more upfront (anywhere from $50-$100 trying to find the best razor/blade/soap combination that works for you) but the long term savings more than make up for it." - neekogo

- YouTube www.youtube.com

"Get at least a basic tool kit. That along with YouTube and Amazon and you can learn how to fix basic things instead of calling someone or throwing it away and buying another. Just fixed the wheel on my suitcase instead of spending on a new one." - rich22201

"See if there any 'discount grocers' in your area. We're lucky to have several. They buy food in lots from supermarkets that are near or past expiration, discontinued items, damaged packages, etc. We've rarely gotten any food that was stale and the savings can be pretty big. They'll also have restaurant-sized items like huge cans of baked beans for a couple of bucks, which we'll divide out and freeze." - p38-lightning

"Ordering groceries online. I’m guilty of impulse buys and simply ordering groceries for pickup saves me $20+ dollars each time." - RightToBearGlitter

"When I go grocery shopping, I only buy sensible things. Except I allow myself one candy/cake/treats every time. It feels like splurging and a bit of cheating. It makes it much easier for me to stay on track with the strict buying habits." - Sagaincolours

"When I get a rotisserie chicken from Sam's Club, I save the skin, bones, etc. to use to make chicken stock. They're already roasted and seasoned so they make great stock." - gt0163c

"Double check your insurance policies annually. Do you still drive x amount of miles a year? Some people who now work from home drive much less, but are still paying commuter rates. Consider removing collision insurance from very old vehicles, unless you absolutely need it. If you are paying separately for an emergency roadside assistance program, see if your auto insurance offers similar coverage for less." - BestReplyEver

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People who eat cheap and healthy share their favorite $5 meals that taste 'expensive'

"Quick, inexpensive and oh-so-tasty."

Image via Canva/golubovy

People share cheap and healthy meals under $5 that they love to eat.

If you're trying to save money on food and groceries, you should know that eating healthy doesn't have to be expensive. Making delicious meals under $5 is possible with the right ingredients and savvy grocery shopping.

People are opening up about the cheap and healthy meals they whip up for $5 or less that taste 'expensive.' Home chefs shared their favorite budget meals that boast loads of nutrition and class.

Looking to save money on food but not skimp on taste or health benefits? Try cooking one of these 20 cheap and healthy meals for $5 or less.

- YouTube www.youtube.com

"Peanut sauce noodles with frozen edamame, green onion, and chili oil!" - cmccagg

"Haluski - buttery egg noodles, cabbage, and onions. Add kielbasa if you get it on sale." - Troubled_Red

"Korean tuna pancakes. Some flour, one egg, a can of tuna, some soy sauce, salt and pepper, and a little of whatever else you want to put in there. Green onion, kimchi, shredded cabbage, whatever. Oil a pan and fry til crispy, dipping sauce is pretty much soy sauce and rice wine vinegar. Doesn't taste like tuna or egg. Leftover sushi rice with a little sesame oil, lots of green onion, topped with fried egg. A little gochugaru or chili crisp. Quesadilla. Whatever protein you have chopped up, and put in a tortilla with some cheese and cooked til brown. Salsa, pico, or hot sauce." - SubstantialPressure3

"Seasoned black bean, cheese, corn, tomatoes, jalapeño enchiladas." - Dijon2017

"Use lentils to bulk up ground beef. You can make meatballs (bonus that it's a good source of protein and fiber) roast some tomatoes and bell peppers then blend them into a sauce, serve with pasta." - reddituser975246

"Get a rotisserie chicken and potatoes. Make the potatoes however you like em. Make a gravy using 2tbsp butter + 2tbsp flour in a sauce pan to make a roux (watch Jacques Pepin if you want to learn how to make a roux white sauce. It's super simple and will change your cooking forever). You can then add a bouillon cube of whatever and either 1 cup water or milk or a combination. Bring to a boil until it thickens and now you have meat, potatoes, and Gravy for less than $1.50 per serving (assuming it takes you about 4 meals to eat through the rotisserie chicken thar you bought for about $5)." - greatexpectations23

- YouTube www.youtube.com

"What my kids call 'dad noodles,' which is a diced onion sautéed in butter in a large saucepan until softened, then add 1-2 crushed up chicken bouillon cubes, pinch of dried parsley and a big squeeze of lemon juice, whatever pasta you have on hand, barely cover with water and bring to a boil, cook pasta to al dente stirring frequently to continually emulsify the sauce in the butter/onion/bouillon mixture and to ensure you evenly cook pasta. By the time the pasta is cooked the water will have reduced and emulsified to a thin, glossy sauce that thickens when you plate it. Takes 15 min depending on the strength of your burner and cook time of your pasta, but super delicious and cheap. Add protein if you’ve got it, pretty much anything will work." - ODBCP

"Shakshouka, but just using whatever veggies and protein you have on hand. The tomato sauce, the peppers, and the spices are a must though." - heyitsvonage

"Baked potatoes with whatever you want! I’m partial to frying up onion, bell pepper, garlic, with spices. If you do the potatoes at 425, put some broccoli in the oven when there’s about 15 minutes left. Bacon cheese can be expensive, but sour cream is fairly cheap and you can add a bit of ground meat into the veggie satay." - Alarocky1991

- YouTube www.youtube.com

"These black bean quesadillas have been a staple in our household for years. The recipe makes 10 servings, and they're pretty filling." - taniamorse85

"Yakisoba noodles or beans/rice with a bag of frozen veggies and add whatever meat/fish/tofu." - Slight_Second1963

"White clam sauce served over pasta you have on hand. 6oz can of chopped clams, 1/4 cup olive oil, 5-6-7 generous shakes of garlic powder. You can fancify it up with wine, etc., but no need, IMHO. It is quick, inexpensive and oh so tasty." - sokosis

"Homemade pasta, gnocchi, and spaetzle. There's a learning curve and you do pay with your time, but they are delicious at a cheap price." - wharleeprof

- YouTube www.youtube.com

"Frozen fish or fish on sale can be a real MVP at the grocery store for adding variety to your diet and eating healthy. Keeping in mind that you’re buying once and spreading it over 4 meals, tilapia with a tomato and bell pepper relish. 1 lb frozen tilapia fillets (tends to cost ~$5 where I am and will have about 5 fillets in the bag), 1 lb frozen bell pepper strips ($3.5), 2 lb diced tomatoes (fresh is best, romas tend to be a good balance between cost and taste, ~$2/lb). 4 fillets pan-fried with salt and pepper. The tomatoes and bell peppers diced, seasoned with salt, pepper, oregano and garlic, and baked at 425’ for 20 minutes (stir once during). Serve over rice. Total cost per serving is at most $4." - Inky_Madness

"Spaghetti Squash Lasagna - again, buy once but eat a lot. 2 spaghetti squash, cut open and roasted with some salt. Scrape insides, toss with some butter and Italian seasoning. Layer half in casserole dish with half a jar of spaghetti sauce and half a bag of shredded Italian cheese blend (you only need one bag, 8 oz total for this recipe), then layer rest of spaghetti squash and top with rest of sauce and cheese. Bake for 1 hour or until bubbly. This reliably gets me 8 generous servings and it’s $2.50 or less per serving." - Inky_Madness

"Rumbledethumps. Basically layers of mashed potatoes, grated cheddar cheese, and cabbage. Sort of a Scottish lasagna. Cook each layer separately and season each how you like then layer it all together and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or so. We figured it out at $2.50 per serving. Tip: grate your own cheese, it melts much better." - Tazz2212

- YouTube www.youtube.com

"I can get a 4 pack of small boneless pork cutlets for $2.50 at my local grocery store. I take those, dry brine them overnight, then coat them in honey, a little olive oil, paprika, pepper, and garlic powder. I air fry them at 425 for 12 ish minutes and pair them with whatever vegetables are reasonably priced that day. Usually green beans or asparagus. You could also just get a mixed bag of frozen vegetables and pop them in the air fryer or oven and season with salt and pepper." - iNeedScissorsSixty7

"Japanese cream stew. " cat_at_the_keyboard

"Toasted sourdough, goat cheese, a poached egg, and everything bagel seasoning. The runny yolk is like a sauce with the creamy goat cheese." findingcoldsassy

"One of my favorites (that we make weekly) is air fried or baked tofu with a sauce, rice, and cucumbers. Serve with soy sauce and if you have it, avocados and crispy onion or sesame seeds. It takes like a poke bowl!" Curlygirl_bookworm

"Pinto beans cooked with a ham hock, corn bread with butter and honey. I don’t know if it tastes expensive, but it’s yummy." - EdithKeeler1986

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