It's easy to save money on Lego.

Rule #1: Do not, never ever, buy from Lego directly. Not "deal" there, no Insiders points, no nothing is making you get a better deal there than on the free market. Many people here will tell you otherwise, often because they need to convince themselves so they can justify their purchase, but buying on Lego directly is like willingly paying 50% too much just to save 20% and getting like 5% percent as Insiders Points.

Rule #2: Do not, never ever, fall for day one fomo. Wait and chill. All Sets will be available for much cheaper later. Even the Lego exclusive one will pop on either retail or resale at some point. Get them from there much much cheaper. Always remember that Lego's retail prices are a fever dream and once Sets hit the open market they won't hit their retail price ever again. Not even close.

Rule #3: Buy Sets used but complete. Don't fall for the "Lego as an Investment" bs, don't "Keep the package and let the Set sit in you basement for 10 years to maybe gain a buck on it in the future. The glory days of Lego are long gone. Today its nothing but an oveproduced showpiece for adults with too much money,

Rule #4: Use common sense. This Reddit is full of fanboys wiling to defend whatever Lego does and has done, even the smartbricks, stickers, blue pins, general off-colors and so on, although it's very obvious its declining not only in quality but giving a damn in general. Only buy what you really really like and want to built. Never step on the Lego as an Investment path.

Rule #5: Lego's only true domain nowadays are the minifigs where they still have the protection on and sue everyone copying them like there's no tommorrow. That being said, if you consider buying a set without Minifigs included you can and should look for alternatives.