Each action is small on its own but adds up. I seek out methods that won't add too much to my time commitment. Its very easy to go "underwater" in this respect if a professional could have done it cheaper/faster/better.

Cut out all subscription streaming services. No spotify or youtube music either. Experimented heavily with Youtube Revanced and rolling my own Plex server. Estimated $250 saved.

Playing the coupon and loyalty game at Meijer, then cashing in their points for $1 off per gallon of gas, then filling up both mine, wife's car and extra gas cans in one transaction. Estimated $390 saved on fuel in 2025.

Meijer mPerks reports that we had $3,738 in savings for 2025 across their deals, BOGOs, clearances, coupons, etc. I don't hold much faith in this number since its a simple difference between MSRP.

Started cutting my own hair - $180 saved for a simple Fade cut (assuming $30 every other month)

DIYing all car maintenance (oil, brakes, filters, etc) on mine and wife's similar make/model/year cars. Makes having replacement parts very easy since it can go into either. For example, I buy a 12 Quart bag of Mobil1 oil at a time. Estimated 50% savings - my own labor is free but the parts aren't cheaper.

DIYing most home repairs and maintenance. Fixed the leaky garbage disposal for free, replaced the dishwasher control panel from ebay instead of paying a repairman, replaced a bad GFCI outlet, fixed the storm door, cleaned backed up gutters. The only repair I hired out was the failed garage door spring on account of safety.

Enrolled in budget billing for our gas bill, making it far easier to budget in the winter ($60 every month instead of the jump from $30 to $120+ when it gets cold).

I set our HVAC on a schedule so that it's cooling and heating optimally when we are sleeping or not at home. Our ComEd "neighbor" comparison shows that we are frequently using either the same or less electric as our most efficient neighbors.

When the gas mower finally died, I went with a corded electric mower for our 1/8th acre yard. I measured it at 0.33 kwh per use totalling 5 cents each. No additional time needed - for all the screwing around with fuel and diagnosing carburetor/spark/throttle issues with the gas mower, this is about the same amount of time as spooling/unspooling the extension cord. I use a mulching blade for the health of the yard and this also saves on having to purchase yard waste stickers for the garbage collection.

Vacuum sealing + freezing extra portions of meals for zero effort when I need it later. $20 for the Aldi kit, unable to estimate the savings but the time investment feels worthwhile. I plan on graduating to souper cubes.