10 Two-Minute Habits to Save You Thousands Each Year

My wife and I have always been passionate about living intentionally, and for us, that includes being smart with our money. We’ve done extreme no-spend months and tested out plenty of unconventional ways to save. Frugality isn’t just about pinching pennies—it’s one of our tools for creating a purposeful life without getting caught up in managing more stuff or trying to keep pace with others.

But here’s what I’ve learned after all our experimenting—the little things matter most. Big, dramatic changes can be great, but it’s the small, consistent habits that quietly make the biggest impact over time. The 10 habits in this post are perfect examples. They’re quick, simple, and if you stick with them, they could easily save you thousands of dollars a year. The key is consistency—and the best way to stay consistent is to make these habits automatic.

Check your subscriptions monthly

Many people sign up for subscriptions with the best intentions—whether it’s a gym membership, streaming service, or meal delivery kit. But life changes, and sometimes these services go unused. Spend two minutes reviewing your bank or credit card statement each month. Look for recurring charges you may have forgotten about and cancel anything you’re not actively using. This habit could easily save you $50–$100 per month, adding up to over $1,000 a year.

Unsubscribe from marketing emails

Retailers are experts at tempting us to spend money we don’t need to. Marketing emails offering “flash sales” or “limited-time deals” often lead to impulse purchases that can quickly add up. Instead, spend two minutes hitting the “unsubscribe” button on emails from stores you don’t shop at regularly. If you really need something, you can seek out deals when the time is right—on your own terms.

Automate savings transfers

Saving money doesn’t have to be hard. Most banks allow you to set up automatic transfers to your savings account. Spend two minutes logging in and scheduling a transfer, even if it’s just $20 per week. That’s $80 a month or $1,040 a year. Because it’s automatic, you won’t be tempted to skip it—and before you know it, you’ll have built up a solid savings cushion.

Round up your purchases

Many banking apps and financial tools allow you to round up your purchases to the nearest dollar and deposit the spare change into savings. For example, if you spend $3.50, the app rounds it up to $4.00 and transfers the extra $0.50 into savings. Spend two minutes enabling this feature, and you’ll save effortlessly every time you make a purchase. Over time, those small amounts can add up to hundreds of dollars without you even noticing.

Check for coupon codes before buying

Before you click “checkout” on any online purchase, take two minutes to search for promo codes. Websites like Honey or RetailMeNot often provide discounts ranging from 10–20%, which can make a big difference—especially for larger purchases. Even for smaller items, stacking coupons with free shipping codes can help you pocket extra cash.

Plan your meals for the week

Meal planning doesn’t have to involve complex recipes or spreadsheets. Spend two minutes jotting down a simple meal schedule for the week ahead. Not only does this help you avoid pricey takeout, but it also reduces food waste since you’ll only buy what you need. A little planning can easily save you $50–$100 per week—a potential $2,000–$5,000 in yearly savings.

Set bill payment reminders

Late fees and missed payments are completely avoidable with a little organization. Take two minutes to set reminders—either on your phone, calendar, or bank app—to alert you when bills are due. Better yet, set up automatic payments for recurring bills like utilities and insurance. This ensures you’ll never pay unnecessary late fees or damage your credit score.

Compare prices on big purchases

Impulse buying is one of the fastest ways to waste money. Before making a big purchase, such as a TV, laptop, or furniture, take two minutes to compare prices across multiple stores or websites. Many retailers offer price-match guarantees, which means you can often get the lowest price available just by asking. Spending a couple of minutes researching prices could save you hundreds on a single purchase.

Negotiate rates with service providers

Your internet, phone, and insurance bills may be costing you more than they should. Spend two minutes calling these providers and asking for a lower rate. Mentioning that you’re considering switching to a competitor often gives you leverage to negotiate discounts or upgraded services. Even a $20 reduction in your monthly bill translates to $240 saved per year—without sacrificing anything.

Log every expense

One of the easiest ways to overspend is by losing track of where your money is going. Spend two minutes at the end of each day logging every purchase into a budgeting app or spreadsheet. Seeing your spending in black and white can be eye-opening and helps you spot patterns where you can cut back. Over time, this habit creates greater awareness, allowing you to make more intentional choices with your money.