I don’t know about you, but something about late-Winter and early-Spring just makes me want to stay in bed and hibernate. Motivation from the new year has faded, and I’m feeling a bit lazy.
But laziness is a budget’s worst nightmare. It’s where spending starts to creep up on mindless splurges, convenience buys, and fast food binging.
Here’s a cool thought thought… What if we could lean into our laziness, and use it to help us save more money instead of spending?
Lazy money hacks are all about incorporating frugal habits into your routine with very little effort. Here are some of our favorites to try out:
1. The Frozen Pizza Hack
There are certain days that I come home from work and think “there’s no way in hell I’m cooking right now.” But a lazy dinner doesn’t need to mean blowing $50+ on takeout via one of the delivery apps!
Instead, I’ve gotten into the habit of keeping quick and easy frozen dinners stocked up in my freezer. Trader Joes and Costco have great frozen meal options! When I feel too lazy to cook and want to order out, I just bake or microwave a meal instead.
Sure, cooking from scratch is cheaper (and healthier). But just heating up a frozen pizza (and adding a couple fresh toppings) is way cheaper than getting takeout.
2. Switch Your Grocery Store
Speaking of food, what if I told you that you could change nothing about your shopping habits and instantly save around 33% on your grocery bill?
Shopping at a budget grocer like Trader Joe’s, Lidl, or Aldi can allow you to buy the same groceries you purchase every week at a cheaper price point.
If you don’t have one of these money-saving superstars near you, don’t worry! Even just switching to buying store-brand products at your grocery store can save you around 40% at the register. No need to clip coupons. Just changing where you shop makes a massive difference.
3. Save Your Coins & Bills
According to Capital One, cash is now only used in about 12% of in store transactions! 🤯
While for some, spending with cash can help your purchase to feel more “real,” lately I’ve heard some of my friends express the opposite sentiment.
“I have cash, so this coffee is free!”
If you’re one of those folks who doesn’t seem to feel the pain of spending cash, consider creating a cash jar. It’s like a piggy bank, but less fun.
Every time you get cash, say for a birthday gift or from splitting a bill with someone, toss it into your cash jar and forget you ever laid eyes on it. At the end of the year, you can use it to bolster up your emergency fund, invest for retirement, or even spend it on something you’ve been saving up for!
4. Downgrade Your Streaming Services
I get it. During the winter months, it can be harder to seek entertainment outside, so I’m not going to tell you to cancel your streaming services in the best season for cozying up and watching movies.
But, if you’re paying for the premium, ad-free versions of these services, consider downgrading to ad-supported to save some cash. You may find that the commercials give you a good opportunity to run and grab some snacks!
5. Shop Second Hand (online)
We all know that thrifting can be a great way to save money on essential purchases, but some folks may not have a reliable thrift store in their area. Plus, you often run the risk of showing up to the store and finding that they don’t have the item you’re looking for! 😩
But that doesn’t mean you should give up and just run back to Daddy Bezos. We live in an age where you can thrift from your couch! Check out sites like Ebay and Facebook Marketplace for secondhand goods, and sites like Poshmark and Depop for stylish clothes at a deep discount.
6. Drink Water
Now I love my daily DC (Diet Coke) as much as the next guy, but I’ll be the first to admit that enjoying a little treat every day can seriously add up. Plus, they proooobbbably aren’t the best for your health either!
So, challenge yourself to drink nothing but water for an entire month (okay maybe some coffee too)! You can shave around $50 off your monthly grocery budget without lifting a finger!
7. Use a “Super Chill” Credit Card Strategy
Some people treat credit card rewards like a full-time job. And good for them!
But for me, juggling 15 different cards just seems exhausting.
I have a theory that I can get 90% of the rewards with zero effort, just by using one or two solid ‘catch-all’ credit cards for all my spending.
A simple 2% cash-back card (or one with a consistent bonus on groceries, gas, and dining) is all you need for most everyday spending. No points tracking, no spreadsheets, no stress. Just swipe and save.
Check out this guide for our recommended Super Chill Credit Card Strategy, using just 3 cards will work wonders for most people!
8. Auto-Increase Your 40k
Most employers offer an auto-increase feature for your 401k. It gradually boosts your savings percentage each year (usually by just 1%) without you having to lift a finger.
And the best part about this lazy money hack is you probably won’t even notice the difference in your paycheck!
A 1% bump – pre-tax, mind you – is small enough to be painless. But it’s big enough to add up and make a serious impact over time.
Here’s an example: Let’s say you’re currently contributing 5% of your salary to your 401k… Setting an auto-increase means that next year it’ll be 6%, then 7% the year after.
Before you know it, you’re maxing out your 401(k) without ever feeling the squeeze.
Check if your 401k plan settings allow auto-increases! Or ask your HR department if you don’t know how!
9. Borrow Instead of Buying
Raise your hand if you’ve ever bought something, used it once, and then watched it collect dust in your shed… (🙋♂️ Me, more than a few times I’m sad to admit)
Well here’s something to try instead: Borrow (or rent) what you need from someone else’s shed!
For tools and home projects, check if your local library has a tool-lending program. Many do – it’s one of their best-kept secrets!
Need a power drill for a quick project? A ladder for one cleaning job? Chances are a neighbor, friend, or kind stranger online has one you can borrow. Apps like Nextdoor and Buy Nothing can connect you with locals who are willing to share.
Pro tip: You can even do this to save money on clothes! Rent instead of buy and you won’t be stuck with the long-term wardrobe clutter or maintenance.
10. Pay Your Insurance Annually
If you can swing it, pay your car or home insurance in one lump sum instead of monthly.
Not only will you likely get a sweet discount by paying upfront (you can save up to 10% in some cases), but you’ll also not have to worry about that bill during the year.
It sounds silly, but most insurance companies charge extra for the convenience of monthly payments. I know, what a ripoff. This means you’re paying more just for the privilege of spreading out the cost.
But when you pay upfront, you cut out those extra fees and save more money on the service.
It might sting to pay that hefty amount all at once, but as the saying goes: Buy once, cry once.
11. Use “No-Spend Days” as a Game
There is no lazier money hack than this: Don’t spend any money, at all.
Just pick a day (or even a week) where you spend absolutely nothing beyond the essentials. No online shopping. No impulse buys. Only buy the stuff you need to live on.
It sounds harder than it is. The first few no-spend days might feel weird, but after a while your mindset starts to shift. It’s like breaking a bad habit. You’ll break free of unnecessary spending and you’ll feel more peaceful about where your dollars are being spent.
Give it a try!
The Bottom Line:
It’s time to work smarter – not harder. By embracing your laziness you can actually find ways to save more money, and build more wealth without even thinking about it. Lazy money hacks let you do less, but still reap the rewards!
There’s a lot of power in simplicity. By automating your savings, pausing your subscriptions, or trying regular “no-spend” days, you can really make a difference in your finances.
It’s OK to slow down, kick back, and be lazy sometimes. 🌴
