1. Go Outside More
You’d be surprised how much you don’t spend when you’re not staring at screens, ads, or online stores.
Being outside doesn’t just improve your mood — it literally cuts off your exposure to consumer temptations.
One Redditor put it best:
“If I go outside and play all day, I don’t have consumerist urges to buy stupid stuff.”
Nature is free. The mall isn’t.
American Pockets tip: Make “free fun” your weekend go-to — local hikes, community events, flea markets, or library book walks. The less you look for something to buy, the richer you feel.
2. Run Your Dishwasher at Night
Electricity costs less when fewer people are using it — usually after 9 or 10 p.m. That’s called off-peak hours, and if your utility company offers time-of-day rates, it’s basically a hidden discount.
You can schedule your dishwasher (or washing machine) to run while you sleep and wake up with clean dishes and a lower bill.
Smart move: Check your power company’s app or website for “peak vs off-peak” times — they literally tell you when electricity is cheapest.
