Optimize Your Morning Routine for Big Savings
Did you know that if you can avoid spending just three dollars a day, you could bank more than one thousand dollars by next January? That’s nothing to sneeze at! Luckily, there’s one way you could could easily save that money—by tweaking your morning routine.
Most of us get ready for the day on autopilot, not even thinking about the little choices we’re making. But if you can be a little more mindful and follow these tips, you could greatly augment your savings this year.

Start early
Getting up even just five extra minutes earlier in the morning might give you the time you need to implement money-saving routines whose impact will last throughout the day. With the extra time you have, you may feel less stressed and will have the ability to make smarter decisions that could reap big rewards in the months ahead. Think of all the money you might save!
Save in the shower
If you pay your own water bills, use the Omni Shower Cost Calculator to calculate how much your showers cost you. Depending on where you live, the showerhead you use, and how often, long, and hot your showers are, you could be spending more than one hundred dollars a year. And that’s not including what you pay for soap, shampoo, and other products. You can reduce your costs by reducing the frequency of your showers, shortening them, and getting a low-flow showerhead.
Brew your own java
Skipping your daily Starbucks habit and brewing your own coffee at home could possibly save you $1,000 to $2,000 a year. That’s a hefty wad of cash! Plus, if you make your own coffee, you won’t have to trek to your local barista. And if you use a programmable coffee maker that allows your coffee to brew while prep for your day, your morning routine will become quicker and less expensive.

Have breakfast
Nearly 25 percent of Americans skip breakfast, but if you take the time to eat at least something in the morning, you might be less tempted to spend money on a snack or a bigger lunch. Just make sure you grab something at home rather than stopping on your way to work. An added bonus is that you might also have more energy for your day. You may feel full longer if you eat something with a little protein for breakfast, like a bowl of cereal with milk or a rice cake with some peanut butter.
Pack a lunch
You could possibly save at least another $1,000 yearly by packing your own lunch. You might even see more savings if you can pack leftovers from your dinner the night before since you’ll be splitting one meal into two. And, since takeout meals tend to be high in calories and low in nutrition, packing your own lunches might also give you the opportunity to eat healthier.
Set your thermostat
You can avoid paying too much to heat or cool your home while you’re away by raising or lowering the temperature setting on your thermostat every morning. If you have a programmable thermostat, you can also set it so it will automatically change to a fuel-saving setting before you leave the house. For instance, a smart thermostat that meets Energy Star criteria can cut 8 percent off your energy bill, or about $50 yearly. These savings may be even greater if you live in a location where it gets especially cold or hot.
Fuel up frugally
Americans spent about $2,336 per individual on gasoline in 2022, and with the price of gas still being high, that might not change much in 2023. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still cut back your fuel costs. For starters, you could use a gas-price app like GasBuddy to find gas stations with cheaper prices along your morning route. Some gas stations also provide a discount if you pay with cash. And, if you use a cash-back credit card, you might be able to offset some of your gas costs with the rewards you’ll earn as a result.