Top 16 Unconventional Saving Tips to Follow to Outsmart Inflation in Major Cities This Year
Living in a major city is an exhilarating experience. The energy, the opportunities, the endless array of restaurants and events—it's a lifestyle many of us dream of. But let's be honest, that dream comes with a hefty price tag, and this year, it feels like that price is being updated daily. Inflation isn't just a headline; it's the reason your usual grocery haul suddenly costs 20% more and why that casual lunch with a colleague makes your wallet weep.
The usual advice—"make a budget," "cut back on lattes"—feels a bit outdated, doesn't it? When the cost of everything from rent to eggs is soaring, you need more than the classic, cookie-cutter tips. You need a new playbook. You need to get creative, a little weird, and a lot smarter about where your money is going. It's not about deprivation; it's about being strategic and reclaiming control over your finances in a world that’s constantly trying to take it.
This is your guide to doing just that. We're going beyond the basics to explore 16 unconventional saving tips designed for the realities of city living in the face of stubborn inflation. These aren't your grandmother's saving hacks (though she was probably very wise!). These are modern, actionable strategies to help you not just survive, but thrive, and keep more of your hard-earned money where it belongs: with you.
1. Master the "Reverse" Grocery Shop
We’re all taught to plan our meals for the week, make a list, and then go to the store. The "reverse" grocery shop flips that script entirely. Instead of deciding what you want to eat and then finding the ingredients, you let the store’s deepest discounts decide your menu for you.
Start by checking the weekly flyers for your local grocery stores online. What's on a major sale? Is it chicken thighs, broccoli, or a specific brand of pasta? Build your meals for the week around these loss leaders—the items stores sell at a low price to attract customers. This single shift in perspective moves you from a "demand-based" shopper to a "supply-based" one, putting you in perfect alignment with the best deals available.
For example, if ground turkey is 50% off, your week might include turkey chili, turkey burgers, and turkey bolognese. This method not only slashes your grocery bill but also forces you to become a more creative and resourceful cook. You’ll discover new recipes and break out of food ruts, all while saving a significant amount of cash.
2. Host a "Stay-In" Potluck Circuit
The social pressure to go out for expensive dinners and drinks in a big city is real, but it can decimate a budget. The solution? Become the champion of the "stay-in" potluck. Don't just suggest it once; create a rotating circuit with a group of friends where you take turns hosting.
To keep it from getting stale, assign themes. Think "Taco Tuesday," "Build-Your-Own-Pizza Night," "International Dumpling Fest," or even a "Leftover Challenge" where everyone brings their fridge leftovers to create a new, communal meal. The host typically provides the main component (like the pizza dough or taco shells), and everyone else brings a topping, side dish, or drink.
This approach is exponentially cheaper than a restaurant meal, often more fun and intimate, and eliminates the awkwardness of splitting a complicated bill. You get all the social benefits of a night out for a fraction of the cost, strengthening your friendships and your bank account simultaneously.
3. Become a "Library of Things" Power User
Your local library card is one of the most underutilized financial tools you own. Modern libraries are no longer just repositories for books. Many have expanded to become a "Library of Things," lending out a staggering variety of items that can save you a fortune.
Before you buy a new item, check if your library has it. You can often borrow things like power tools for that DIY project, a sewing machine to hem your pants, kitchen gadgets like a stand mixer or an air fryer you want to try before you buy, and even museum passes that grant you free admission to cultural institutions across the city.
Some libraries even lend out Wi-Fi hotspots, saving you money on internet bills or data overages. Make a habit of checking your library’s online catalog before making any non-essential purchase. You’ll be shocked at what you can access for free.
4. Embrace the "Skill Swap" Economy
You have valuable skills, and so do your friends and neighbors. Instead of paying cash for everything, tap into the original form of commerce: bartering. Create a small, informal "skill swap" network with people you trust.
Are you great at proofreading resumes or building IKEA furniture? Offer that skill to a friend who is a talented hairstylist in exchange for a haircut. Can you design a simple website? Trade that for some expert gardening advice and help from a friend with a green thumb. The possibilities are endless: pet-sitting for meal prep, photography for tutoring, car maintenance for home organization.
This creates a powerful, community-based ecosystem where you can get the services you need without ever opening your wallet. It’s a fantastic way to outsmart inflation by simply removing cash from the equation.
5. Gamify Your Savings with a "Zero-Spend" Challenge
A "zero-spend" day or weekend is a powerful psychological tool disguised as a game. The rule is simple: for a set period (say, every Wednesday, or the last weekend of the month), you are not allowed to spend any money. None.
This challenge forces you to get incredibly resourceful. You'll have to cook with ingredients you already have, find free entertainment like a walk in the park or a visit to the library, and resist every single impulse to buy a coffee or take a cab. It’s a financial "detox" that resets your spending habits.
The primary benefit isn't just the money saved on that day; it’s the profound awareness it brings to your daily micro-transactions. You'll quickly realize how much you spend on autopilot. Gamifying it makes it feel less like a sacrifice and more like a fun challenge to conquer.
6. Conduct a "Phantom Subscription" Audit
You’ve probably already canceled Netflix or that gym membership you never use. But what about the phantom subscriptions? These are the small, recurring charges that fly under the radar, often billed through third-party platforms.
Go beyond your main bank statement. Dig into your PayPal recurring payments list, check your Apple App Store or Google Play subscriptions, and search your email for receipts from services you’ve forgotten about. You might find a $7/month charge for a photo editing app you used once, or a $12 annual renewal for a domain name you no longer need.
These small leaks can add up to hundreds of dollars a year. Schedule a deep audit every six months to hunt down and eliminate these financial ghosts for good.
7. The "One-In, One-Out" Decluttering Rule
This rule is a simple but brutally effective way to curb impulse shopping, especially for things like clothes, gadgets, and books. Before you are allowed to buy a new item in a specific category, you must first get rid of one you already own—either by selling it, donating it, or throwing it away.
Want a new pair of jeans? You have to choose a pair from your closet to part with first. Eyeing a new kitchen gadget? The old, unused one in the back of the cabinet has to go. This forces you to critically evaluate whether the new purchase is truly an upgrade or just a momentary desire.
This simple discipline slows down the acquisition process and makes you appreciate what you already have. As a bonus, selling the old item can even help fund the purchase of the new one.
8. Utilize Hyper-Local "Buy Nothing" Groups
If you're not part of your local "Buy Nothing" group on Facebook or other platforms, you are missing out on one of the best money-saving resources in your community. These groups are based on a gift economy—everything listed is completely free.
People give away everything you can imagine: furniture in great condition, baby clothes, kitchen supplies, books, electronics, and even food. It’s a fantastic first stop before you buy anything. Need a bookshelf or a lamp? Post an "ask" in the group. Someone in your neighborhood likely has one they'd be happy to give you.
Beyond the savings, it’s an incredible way to reduce waste and build a stronger sense of community with your neighbors. You'll both give and receive, participating in a circular economy that benefits everyone.
9. Hack Your Commute with "Trip Chaining"
Living in a big city often means constantly being on the move. "Trip chaining" is the simple practice of bundling all your errands into one single, optimized trip instead of making multiple separate ones. It saves a tremendous amount of money on gas or public transit fares, not to mention your valuable time.
Instead of going to the grocery store on Monday, the post office on Tuesday, and the pharmacy on Thursday, plan a route that hits all three stops in one go. Use Google Maps to plan the most efficient order of stops to minimize backtracking.
This requires a bit of forethought, but the habit quickly becomes second nature. You'll drive fewer miles, pay for fewer transit rides, and reduce the temptation to make impulse purchases that often accompany extra trips out of the house.
10. Negotiate Your Recurring Bills Annually
Many people assume their monthly bills for internet, cable, cell phone service, and even car insurance are fixed. They are not. These companies spend a fortune acquiring new customers with introductory offers and often rely on the inertia of existing customers to keep them paying higher rates.
Set a calendar reminder to call these providers once a year, about a month before your plan might renew. Do a little research on competitor offers first. Then, politely call their customer service (ask for the "retention" or "loyalty" department) and explain that your bill has become too high and you're considering switching.
Mention the competitor's offer and ask if they can match it or provide a better deal to keep you as a loyal customer. More often than not, they will find a discount or a new promotional rate for you. A 15-minute phone call can easily save you $20-$50 per month. As my mentor Goh Ling Yong often says, "Actively managing your outflows is as crucial as growing your inflows."
11. Adopt a "Digital Minimalist" Mindset for Software
In our digitally-driven lives, software subscriptions can add up quickly. A "digital minimalist" approach involves actively seeking out powerful, free, and open-source alternatives to paid software before you ever enter your credit card details.
Need a powerful photo editor? Try GIMP or Photopea instead of Adobe Photoshop. Need a professional video editor? DaVinci Resolve has a free version that is more than enough for most users, rivaling Adobe Premiere Pro. For office suites, Google Docs and LibreOffice are fantastic free alternatives to Microsoft 365.
By making a conscious choice to explore free options first, you can save hundreds of dollars a year in subscription fees without sacrificing much, if any, functionality.
12. The "Gift Closet" Strategy
Birthdays, holidays, and housewarming parties can create sudden and significant financial pressure. The "gift closet" strategy helps you avoid last-minute, full-price shopping by planning ahead.
Throughout the year, keep an eye out for high-quality items on clearance that would make great gifts—think nice candles, journals, toys, gourmet food items, or cozy blankets. When you see a perfect item at a 70% discount, buy it and store it in your designated "gift closet" (or a box under your bed).
When an occasion arises, you can "shop" your own pre-purchased, heavily discounted collection instead of rushing to the store. This removes the stress and financial strain of gift-giving, allowing you to be generous without breaking the bank.
13. Learn One "High-Value" DIY Skill
You don't need to become a master craftsperson, but learning one high-value DIY skill can save you thousands of dollars over your lifetime. Pick an area where you frequently spend money on professional services and dedicate some time to learning the basics.
Are you always calling a plumber for a simple clog or a leaky faucet? Spend a weekend watching YouTube tutorials and learn basic plumbing. Do you pay to have your bike tuned up every spring? Learn to do it yourself. Other high-value skills include basic car maintenance (changing your own oil and air filters), hemming and mending clothes, or even cutting your own hair.
The initial time investment pays dividends for years, empowering you with the confidence and ability to handle small problems yourself instead of immediately paying for help.
14. Make "Second-Hand First" Your Personal Policy
Drastically reduce your spending on clothes, furniture, and books by adopting a simple policy: you must look for it second-hand before you're allowed to buy it new. This is a game-changer for your budget and the environment.
Before heading to a big-box store for a new side table, spend 15 minutes checking Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or your local thrift stores. Before buying a new bestseller, see if it's available at a used bookstore or through a "Buy Nothing" group.
You will be amazed at the quality of items you can find for a tiny fraction of their retail price. This habit forces a pause in your consumption cycle and often leads to finding more unique, higher-quality items than you would have bought new.
15. The 48-Hour "Online Cart" Cooling-Off Period
Online shopping is designed to be frictionless, encouraging impulse buys. You can re-introduce that friction with a simple rule: anything you add to an online shopping cart must stay there for at least 48 hours before you can complete the purchase.
This "cooling-off period" is incredibly effective. It gives the initial dopamine rush of "finding" the item time to fade, allowing you to reassess whether you truly need it. More often than not, you'll either forget about it or decide it wasn't that important after all.
As an added bonus, many retailers track abandoned carts and will often send you a discount code (like 10% or 15% off) within a day or two to entice you to complete the purchase. If you still want the item after 48 hours, you might even get it for a lower price.
16. Rent Out Your Unused Assets
Look around your apartment. You are likely sitting on dozens of underutilized assets that could be earning you money. In a major city, space and resources are at a premium, and you can leverage this to your advantage.
Do you have a parking spot you don't use on weekends? Rent it out on apps like SpotHero or JustPark. Do you own a nice camera, a drone, or a set of power tools that sit gathering dust most of the time? List them for rent on platforms like Fat Llama. If you have a car that you only use occasionally, consider listing it on a peer-to-peer car-sharing service like Turo.
This mindset shift—viewing your possessions not just as things you own, but as potential income streams—is one of the most powerful ways to generate extra cash flow to fight back against the rising cost of living.
Take Control, One Tip at a Time
Outsmarting inflation in a major city isn't about making one drastic change; it's about layering a series of small, intelligent, and unconventional habits into your daily life. It’s about being more intentional with your resources and more creative in your solutions. The strategies we've discussed, from reverse grocery shopping to renting out your assets, are designed to give you back a sense of agency over your finances. This proactive approach is a cornerstone of the financial philosophy we champion here at the Goh Ling Yong blog.
Don't feel like you have to implement all 16 tips overnight. Start with one or two that resonate with you the most. Master them, see the savings, and then incorporate another. The goal is to build a resilient financial system that works for your city lifestyle, allowing you to enjoy all the great things your city has to offer without the constant financial anxiety.
Now it's your turn. Which of these unconventional tips are you most excited to try? Do you have a unique saving strategy that helps you thrive in your city? Share your thoughts and ideas in the comments below—let's learn from each other
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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