Boring Ways I Save Money as a Millionaire

👉🏻 The TL;DR (5 minute read):

Saving money doesn’t have to be complicated—or sexy. Today I’m sharing the boring but effective saving habits I use every day (plus, how you can start tracking your own).

🚨 Get started on your personal finance journey with one of my budgeting tools! Check out the Personal Finance Dashboard and the Basic Budgeting Template! 

MONEY
5 Boring Ways to Save a Little More Money

Here’s the truth: saving money isn’t sexy. </3

As much as influencers try to make budgeting and frugal living look glam and fun, the reality is that most wealth is built through small, boring habits that we practice consistently over time.

I became a millionaire in 2025, but it’s not because I discovered some secret hack all of a sudden and came into a windfall.

It’s because I avoided lifestyle creep, stayed consistent, and stuck to my (boring) financial routines that allowed me to save, invest, and grow steadily all throughout my 20s.

If you’re feeling financially disenchanted with the state of the economy and the job market, I’m here to remind you that a lot of your wealth-building is within your control.

So today, I’m going to share 5 “boring” money habits that I swear by, and how you can adapt them for your own life.

Friendly reminder - EVERY. DOLLAR. COUNTS.

1. I cook 99% of my meals at home 🍳

I used to take a pretty lax approach to eating out and takeout. But I realized that a $15 lunch at work or a $40 dinner here and there not only added up fast, but it wasn’t making me happier (or healthier).

Now, I keep my grocery budget at $300 - $350/month by:

• Planning meals every Sunday

• Shopping my pantry and fridge first

• Following my 3-2-1 meal planning method (3 dinners, 2 lunches, 1 breakfast rotation)

Cooking at home isn’t glamorous, but it gives me so much more control over my money. I share more details on my grocery shopping strategy in this video!

2. I fill my downtime with free (or cheap) hobbies 🧘🏼‍♀️

In my early 20s, “fun” meant bars, shopping trips, or bottomless brunch. By 27, I realized I wasn’t actually having a good time (lol the girls that get it, get it).

Today, I fill my time with hobbies that cost a lot less but bring me joy:

• Going for long walks with a podcast

• Baking sourdough at home

• Cooking new recipes

• Coffee walks with friends instead of dinner out

The goal is to swap high-cost “default” activities with more intentional yet inexpensive ones.

📊 These little swaps freed up thousands in my budget - and I track the impact inside my Personal Finance Dashboard.

3. I stock up strategically 🛒

I used to buy random products just because they were on sale, half of which I never actually finished. Now, I only stock up on items I know I’ll use to the very last drop (my favorite SPF, moisturizer, and haircare).

To keep myself honest, I’m doing a “Project Pan” this year: using up the basket of half-finished products under my sink before I buy anything new. I’m going to be honest - THIS IS HARD!!! But I’m determined!

👉 Before your next drugstore run, take inventory. You might already own what you’re about to buy.

4. I cycle my subscriptions 🎬

Yes, I know this is cliché advice, but it helps me avoid wasting money on subscriptions I’m not actually using: one streaming service, one paid news subscription at a time.

If I want Netflix, Hulu gets paused. If I want Business Insider, I pause WSJ. This tiny shift saves $20 to $50/month, and I don’t feel deprived because I’m actually using what I’m paying for.

Pro tip: most services let you pause and resume without losing your data! Narrow it down and get the most out of what you’re paying for.

5. I max out my credit card rewards 💳

Every dollar I spend has a job. For example, with my Amex Platinum card, I get $240/year in digital entertainment credits, so I put my subscriptions there. I earn points on my rent with my Bilt card. I get cash back on grocery shopping with my Blue Cash Everyday card.

I use Rakuten for online shopping to earn cashback checks every quarter (which BTW Rakuten is offering $50 cash back right now on sign-ups so if you don’t use it… you NEED IT before the holidays!!)

I’ve strategically set up my wallet the maximize my points and cash back earning structure to the fullest - so every dollar I spent is going as far as possible.

The goal is to be fully using the perks you already have.

💡 Not sure where your money is going? Start by tracking your subscriptions and rewards in a tool like the Personal Finance Dashboard!

Remember This:

None of these habits are sexy. But that’s kinda the whole point. Wealth is built on boring, consistent choices: meal planning, pausing subscriptions, using the rewards available to you.

And here’s the kicker: the only reason I’ve been able to stick to these is because I track them. Without visibility, building consistency is a lot harder.

That’s why I created my Personal Finance Dashboard. It’s the exact template I use to:

• Review my spending weekly

• Catch sneaky expenses before they spiral

• Keep my saving + investing on track

If you’ve been meaning to get a handle on your money, this is where to start!!

Because boring = wealthy. And wealthy = freedom.

I want to hear from you - are you already doing any of these boring money-saving habits??

WEEKLY RECOMMENDATION

Financial literacy is dead. I recently discovered that my favorite substack-er Hanna Horvath is actually a full blown journalist??? Makes sense given she is so talented at writing. Anyways she wrote this article about why basic financial understanding isn’t enough, and rather than becoming financially literate, you need to become financially fluent. Give it a read!!

RESOURCES
What’s Happening This Week at Break Your Budget

• This week on Don’t Depend on Daddy: We’re back for my seasonal state of the union! I’m sharing what I am loving, and what’s got to go, for fall 2025. Fall tends to be the most performative time of the year, especially on socials, so we’re talking about how to make the most of it without going overboard. Plus some surprising insights I discovered after my trip to LA!

• Boring Ways I Save Money: In this week’s video, I dive a bit deeper on each of the saving tips I shared in this newsletter!

LOOKING FOR MORE?
Check out ALL of my Money & Career Resources!

• Read by books, Own Your Money and Own Your Career!

• Take your financial power back with The Personal Finance Dashboard, my comprehensive money management tool!

• Up-level your career and get promoted with the Own Your Career Template!

• Just getting started on your financial journey? Check out the Basic Budgeting Template!

• Learn exactly how to put together a plan for your finances with the 4-Week Financial Plan!