16 Ways to Save and Earn More In 2024

Like many others, we’re looking forward to leaving this year behind and having a fresh start in 2024. And there is no better time than the New Year to start making changes in your life and create new financial habits.

If you want to change your financial picture, you need to begin by setting realistic financial goals. Whether you’re hoping to increase your retirement savings, set enough money aside for a down payment on a house, or grow your annual income, there’s no better time to start than in a new year.

Regardless of your goals, the first step to a healthier financial future is to plan to help make your resolutions stick. Keep on reading to learn how you can make lasting changes and take control of your finances in the New Year and beyond.

How to Save More in 2024

If saving more money is one of your goals for 2024, one of the most important skills you’ll have to master is patience—that and budgeting. It will take time to grow your accounts as you work towards specific savings goals.

Remember that there is no secret trick to saving money fast. It all comes down to making small changes that have a big impact on your overall savings. Put these six savings tips to work so you can get on the path to financial stability:

1. Track Your Spending and Budget for Your Savings

One of the best ways to grow your savings is to track your spending carefully. By actively monitoring all of your income and expenditures, you’ll be able to see where your money is going and avoid any impulse purchases.

A budget will also offer a valuable perspective on where you spend your money and how you could put it to better use. It will help you spot areas where you’re spending more than you realize and can also be set up to allow for the occasional indulgence, unforeseen emergencies, and special occasions. You can draft your budget from scratch using an online monthly budget calculator to quickly understand and evaluate your spending habits.

If your budget shows that there should be money left over, but you’re spending it before you can save it, there’s a method that can improve your habits. Budget your savings, and work that into your automatic transfers. You can also work backward by reviewing your salary and subtract all your expenses from it. If there’s anything left, the difference should go directly into your savings account.

2. Scale Back Your Expenses

To carve out more savings quickly, consider giving up or cutting back on one monthly expense and put that money in the bank. This could be a small ticket item that adds up quickly—think your daily $6 coffee or that $10 subscription you don’t use. It could also be a more expensive luxury such as a weekly massage or ordering $45 worth of takeout instead of cooking at home.

Then, park that extra money directly into your savings account to increase your savings rate. If you cut back or remove the expense altogether, you’ll find the savings do add up. Plus, chances are, you won’t even miss spending that money, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how much of a difference it can make to your savings long-term.

Overall, it would be best if you strived to stop buying things thoughtlessly, as all your spending should be bringing you closer to your goals. If it’s not necessary (such as food, shelter, and transportation), cut it from your budget. Do your best to be a mindful consumer—not a mindless one.

3. Set-Up Automatic Transfers

One of the best (and most convenient) paths toward wealth accumulation is to set up automatic savings. This will have you saving money without even thinking about it—assuming you have a budget in place and know both your expenses and savings goals. Plus, when money is moving from checking to savings account automatically each payday, there’ll be less temptation to spend it. All you’ll have to do is sit back and watch your savings balance grow over time.

When setting up automatic transfers to your savings account, be sure to review your budget and choose an amount you can commit to regularly. Then, put your savings on autopilot. We recommend selecting a savings account that offers a combination of the best interest rates and the fewest fees so you can maximize your savings growth.

4. Spend Money Intentionally

Before making any over $50 that isn’t a necessity, try imposing a 24-hour grace period. Instead of buying an item on impulse, go home, and sleep on it. If you still want that item a day later and make sense in your budget, go ahead and purchase it.

Most of the time, you’ll find that you don’t want the item as much as you thought you did, and you’ve just avoided experiencing buyer’s remorse. Another straightforward way to decide on a purchase is to determine how many hours of work will take you to afford it.

For example, if you earn $18 an hour, and you want to buy a $108 pair of pants, you should think about whether those pants are worth six hours of your time.

Thinking about the time that you exchange for your money can keep your spending in perspective.

5. Say Goodbye to Your Credit Card and Go Cash Only

If you’re finding that you’re constantly tempted to overspend using credit, you should consider temporarily switching to a cash-only budget. While not always very convenient, this method is a great way to prevent yourself from overspending.

You’ll learn how to consciously consider your purchasing choices and stay on track with your savings goals. It’s crucial to know how much you’re actually spending—as opposed to tapping a card and forgetting about the purchase almost immediately.

A simple way to implement this is to use the envelope system. At the beginning of each month (you could do this bi-weekly, too), stash your budgeted amount of cash into envelopes individually labeled for each spending category. When you’ve run out of cash for a specific envelope, you’ve spent your budgeted amount in that category for the remainder of the time you’ve allotted.

Again, the goal is simple: to become a mindful consumer instead of a mindless one.

6. Build Up an Emergency Fund

One of the most significant savings goals you should consider is building up an emergency fund. It’s nearly impossible to predict what life has in store for you. Whether it’s an unforeseen illness, job loss, unexpected home or auto repairs, a financial emergency can occur suddenly and significantly impact your financial health and stability. If you start an emergency fund, you won’t have to worry if you’re prepared to handle them.

Historically, it’s recommended to have an emergency fund covering three to six months of living expenses. However, at the end of the day, the only opinion that matters is yours. Ask yourself how much you’d need to have tucked away to feel secure, and then work towards saving that amount.

How to Earn More in 2024

Whether you’re trying to pay off your debt, save more for retirement, or increase your monthly income, there are various side hustles, such as being a Usana member, and opportunities that you can earn more money aside from your primary revenue.

Here are ten ways you can make some extra money in 2024:

1. Drive for Uber or Lyft

Consider joining either Uber or Lyft (or both) to earn more money by driving passengers around. Just be sure that you don’t forget to factor in both gas and maintenance costs. You’ll also need an eligible car that’s in good condition and agree to a background check and a review of your driving history.

2. Make Deliveries for Various Services

Now more than ever before, folks are having everything delivered directly to their home. Take advantage of the growing delivery trend and sign up for a service such as InstaCart, Uber Eats, Postmates, DoorDash—you get the drift.

In most cases, you get paid per delivery and even have the opportunity to earn tips. Plus, a car isn’t always required. Some of these services will allow you to use a bike, scooter, or even your own two feet to make deliveries. However, a background check is almost always part of the deal.

3. Pick Up Freelance Work Online

Have a skill that you’d like to flex?

Whether it’s programming, writing, marketing, design, data entry, or even being a virtual assistant, there are plenty of opportunities to earn extra income through freelancing. Websites such as Elevate, Patreon, Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer are a great place to get started.

No matter what kind of freelance work you do, remember to know your worth and keep track of the going rate for the service you provide. This way, you’ll know if you’re charging too much or too little.

4. Generate Profit With Affiliate Marketing

If you have the right traffic source for what you’re selling, affiliate marketing is a great way to make money online.

Affiliate marketing is when you (the affiliate) recommend a product or service to your followers through your website, blog, or email list. If your followers decide to purchase that product or service using your affiliate link, you will get paid a commission for the sale.

Essentially, affiliate marketing is classic advertising, just in a less intrusive form.

5. Sell Your Merch Online

Have a hobby you’d like to turn into extra income? From woodworking to jewelry-making, embroidery to pottery, there are opportunities to make money selling your unique items.

The best route for this venture is to sell your goods on Etsy, the go-to site for artisans selling home goods, arts, crafts, vintage items, and everything in between. Etsy boasts almost 48 million users and grossed $5 billion in merchandise sales in 2019. And this was before the push to support local vendors instead of big-box stores.

Keep in mind that there are other factors to consider before you dive in. Do your research and make sure your goods will actually sell and for what cost.

Don’t forget to research the competition as well and factor in Etsy’s fees.

6. Put that Extra Space in Your Home to Use

If you have an extra space in your home, including, but not limited to, closets, basements, spare bathrooms, living rooms, garages, and parking spaces, you can rent it out with Stache.

All you have to do with their service is to list your space for free, set your price and details, and coordinate a booking. Then, you can sit back, relax, and earn that extra income.

7. Sign Up to Be a Mystery Shopper

It’s common practice as a business to know how you’re performing from a customer’s perspective. Why not sign up to be their eyes and ears?

Apply online through various sites such as IntelliShop, Market Force, BestMark, and Sinclair Customer Metrics. Always remember to be aware of scams and do your research accordingly before moving forward.

8. Become a Private Tutor

Turn your skills in math, science, a foreign language, or any other form of expertise into a lucrative side gig by becoming a private tutor (either online or in-person).

To get started, see what types of tutors are needed on Craigslist. Alternatively, you can create a profile on sites such as Tutor or Care. What you charge will depend on various factors, such as your experience, expertise, and what’s in demand.

9. Complete Tasks for Other People

If you don’t mind putting together Ikea furniture, picking up dry cleaning, or getting prescriptions filled, TaskRabbit is a great way to earn some extra cash. This website can connect you with people in your area who need help with various tasks, such as moving, cleaning, handyman services, and more. Please note that some tasks have been temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

To be eligible, you must be 18 or older, have a checking account and credit card, a smartphone, and pass all background and ID checks. You’ll have to provide basic information about yourself, upload a profile photo, set up direct deposit, and state your level of experience for specific tasks.

Note: If TaskRabbit approves your application, you’ll then be charged a non-refundable $25 registration fee and attend an orientation before you can begin.

10. Test Websites and Apps

Through sites such as UserTesting, you have the opportunity to get paid for your thoughts on how well—or not so well—an individual website or app worked.

You’ll need to be 18 or older and pass a short test to be accepted. You’ll also need to have a computer, internet connection, and a microphone. Additionally, any mobile app testers will need an Android or IOS device.

Once you’ve passed the requirements, you’ll then be paid $10 for each 20-minute test—which involves a recording and answering four follow-up questions. You could also earn up to $120 if you choose to participate in a video conversation after your test.

Start 2024 on the Right Foot

Regardless of your financial resolutions for 2024, it’s always a smart idea to create a financial plan. By having clear, concise financial goals for the year, you’ll be able to measure your progress and achieve financial success.