Any finance guru will tell you that you need to have at least $1,000 in an emergency fund. This emergency fund means that when the tire blows out, the washing machine stops working, or someone breaks an arm, you are good. No credit card is needed to cover those expenses.

When money is really tight, though, it can be hard to save any amount. Whether you want to put your $1,000 in an emergency fund or save for other things, here are 11 ways you can save $1,000 this year. Some are obvious and that’s okay—sometimes the most obvious things can make the biggest impact. Every little bit counts.

Before we dive into this, we have to remember the difference between needs and wants. If you can put it on a list and wait 30 days to ponder if you really want to buy it, it’s officially a want.

11 Ways to Save $1,000 in 2025

1. Ditch cable or extra streaming services

This can sound scary to some of you, but ditching cable doesn’t mean you won’t ever get to watch TV. There are a lot of different services you can stream online. You could try Amazon Prime which is $139 for a year, Netflix which starts at $6.99 per month, or Hulu Plus which is $7.99 per month. There are also services like Sling FreeStreamTV that allow you to watch tons of things completely free!

Even better, head to your local library. You can get TV show series and movies for FREE (as long as you return them on time).

2. Consider downgrading your phone

I know, I know. How is it possible to get along without a smartphone these days? It is possible and you can still get a non-fancy, less expensive phone. If you are no longer under contract, consider the downgrade. Another great option is to get a model that is a year or two older.

Still under contract? As long as you stay with the same provider, you should be able to downgrade your service. You’ll have to talk to your service provider to discuss the details of this.

3. Open a New Bank Account

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