Living in expensive cities coupled with an ever increasing cost of living can make it difficult for couples to save money. If you don't know where to start, here are 21 ways couples living in expensive cites can save money.

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21 ways couples can save money in expensive cities

Most couples struggle to save money because they think it's too hard. Saving money can be easy once it becomes a daily habit. There are so many ways you can save money without sacrificing your happiness.

Saving money doesn't have to be such a pain. If you want to enjoy life AND save money, here are 21 creative ideas for you to get started!

#1 Make home cooking enjoyable and fun

Anybody living in expensive cities understands how hard it is to save up.

When it comes to dining out, the expenses quickly add up. Nobody dislikes the idea of dining out, but most people dismiss home cooking as tiring, boring and time consuming.

Home cooking can become enjoyable and fun. All you need is some creativity and the willingness to try new things. For example, on Saturdays, my husband and I talk through the coming week's meal plan. Usually, I'll “pitch” the meals according to his favourite protein, seafood. Occasionally, I'll throw in a “homemade pizza” night or “Vietnamese roll” night.

To spice things up even more, home cooking night sometimes turns into a date night. Instead of driving out to nearby restaurants, we can snuggle up after a “candle lit dinner” in the comfort of our own homes.

Don't have time to think about what to cook? Just get the $5 meal plan! Problem solved!

#2 Meal planning to reduce take outs

When I first moved to Sydney as a student, I had a small allowance of only $100/ week for food. Needless to say, I cooked A LOT and packed my own lunch to university.

The other thing I did religiously until now meal planning. I can't tell you how much money meal planning has helped me to save. That's why I've started using the $5 meal plan to save even more, now that I'm working at home full-time.

#3 Get used furniture and household items

One of the best things about living in my area is the amount of electronics, furnitures and household items that the residents around me throw out. Sometimes, I even see perfectly fine washing machines thrown on the footpath near my house.

As I live in a pretty affluent area, most people tend to dump stuff they don't use along the streets. Some thrifty residents will drive around the neighbourhood just to collect these thrown out but valuable items.

If you're not into doing that, you can always shop at your nearest thrift store too! I once bought a luggage I needed for work for only $15! My in-laws also purchased a massive, top condition refrigerator for only $200( valued at $2000 when it was brand new).

#4 Negotiate for a better mobile phone plan

Another great way to save some money is to change your mobile phone plan to a cheaper, better one. After I've finished my 24-months mobile phone contract , I wanted a more affordable SIM-only plan. My husband and I use the same phone company, but his plan was more expensive.

After negotiating a cheaper plan for me on the phone, my husband realised he could also save some money by switching to a plan with less data. Since we're already paying for our wireless internet, there's no need for a 12 gigs data phone plan at $60/month! He finally changed to a $40/month plan with even more data compared to what he had before!

If you do the calculation, $20 of savings per month adds up to at least $240 per year. That's money that my husband and I could use to pay for rent.

#5 Let go of stuff you don't use

One of the hardest things for young women living in expensive cities is to resist shopping.

I travel a lot to the city centre for groceries and household items. Surrounded by shops and luxury items, it can become a dangerous habit to shop for material wants not included in one's weekly budget.

As a couple, it's very important to be wary of each partner's spending habits. The best thing to do for your wage to stretch further is to stop collecting stuff you don't use. 

Why not sell them online?

You can easily list your items on eBay, get some extra cash AND save yourself money by limiting unnecessary shopping. Another great way to sell your stuff effectively is through Facebook Marketplace. It's easy to use and accessible to everyone. Why not give it a try?

#6 Save money while dining out

Every couple needs at least one date night per week. In order to keep the relationship healthy and thriving, dates are important. That being said, dates don't always have to be expensive and break bank!

There are lots of affordable and delicious restaurants you can go to and still have fun.

As I'm located in Sydney, I try to save money by using the Entertainment Guide app on my phone. With more than 50 restaurants, bistros and cafes listed with the Entertainment guide, my husband and I have saved more than $200 per year dining out.

#7 Challenge Each Other To No-Spend Days

It's not impossible to spend $0 on a week day, apart from the necessary cost of daily commuting to and from work.

My husband and I sometimes achieve two no-spend week days on a good week.

Sometimes, I find myself not fumbling for my wallet at all before my regular work shifts. As I work in the evenings, I usually eat in, pack my own snacks and drinks.

At the end of the day, not spending a single dime feels pretty good. Start a challenge with your husband. You can even start a competition with each other. Have 3 days streak challenges and chart each other's progress. There are so many ways you can achieve a no-spend day!

#8 Refinance your student loans

With increasing inflation rate, the biggest challenge most millennials face is paying off their student loans.

I'm lucky enough to have started my working career without the stress of paying off ANY student loans.

However, my husband is still paying off his student loans until this day. By paying it off slowly, my husband is actually costing us more money because of rising inflation and low interest rates.

It's always important to refinance your student loans, pay them off quickly and save money in the process.

#9 Catch public transport together whenever you can

It's not a secret expensive cities have the worst parking rates possible.

That's why catching public transport as a couple saves a lot of money in the long run.

During public holidays, there are so many people swarming to the city centre for events and celebrations. Instead of wasting time and money driving around to find parking, why not catch public transport together? You get to enjoy some casual walking with your husband AND save money on travelling!

#10 Review your insurance policies and rates

When it comes to your private health and other forms of insurances, it's always a good idea to make sure you've got the best deals.

As life changes, your needs also changes.

If you and your husband find yourself overspending in your budgets, looking at your insurance policies is a great way to save some money. Shop around for a better deal, do some homework and save yourself from unnecessary expenses every month!

#11 Borrow DVDs and books from your local library

Instead of resorting to watching Netflix every night, couples can save a lot of money on entertainment by borrowing DVDs and books from libraries.

Of course this doesn't mean you can no longer go to the cinemas.

The local libraries are a great resource to get you some entertainment and knowledge. Why not use it to your advantage and save some money?

#12 Mend your clothes

I'm forever grateful that my mum invested the time to teach me how to mend my clothes. Simple things like sewing a button back on to my blouse proved to be very valuable!

Mending your clothes can save you and your partner money.

Instead of outsourcing this to a service, learn how to sew up the hems of your jeans and fix loose buttons. Every bit of DIY saves you and your partner money in the long run.

#13 Buy groceries in bulk & Plan ahead

If you want to save money when shopping for groceries, it's important to buy in bulk.

Living in expensive cities like Sydney, New York and Tokyo means grocery shopping needs to be planned ahead!

Buying in bulk also prevents the occasional late night shopping at local independent stores which charge extra for staples like milk and bread.

It's a great way to save you the stress of running out of something like toilet paper AND save money.

#14 Cut down on sugar

How can cutting down on sugar save couples money?

Drinking sodas and soft drinks can actually add up to a lot of money. My husband used to buy whole cartons of canned cokes because he was addicted to sugar. This dietary habit will not only cost you your health, but it can also add up really quickly.

Just like a smoking or coffee drinking habit, maintaining it becomes a daily expense.

Think about it. A $4 coffee a day adds up to at least $30 per week. This non-essential item can cost you an additional $120 per month, which is $1440 you could have used to pay for your rent or mortgage.

Cutting down on sugar not only helps you save money by reducing your soda purchases, it also reduces your craving for other habits like getting a mid-day snack and drinking a coffee just to stay awake.

#15 take a photo of your pantry

I can't tell you how many times I've bought extra food or household items because I don't remember what I already have!

Taking a photo of your pantry before grocery shopping reminds you of what you already have, therefore saving you money by preventing overspending. This simple hack also gives you a clear idea of the important items you need to buy when you're at the supermarket.

It might seem like a trivial little tip, but it does wonders. Taking a photo of what you already have keeps you mindful of your spending habits.

#16 Eat more vegetables

Surprisingly, eating more vegetables can actually help couples save money!

That's because eating a protein-heavy diet made up of high quality meats like beef and seafood can get costly. I have found that dishes I make that are more plant-based tend to be under $10.

A simple vegetable and chicken roast will cost significantly less than a steak dish would.

In the long run, eating a plant based diet also ensures you and your partner stay healthy. Instead of having to spend money on regular visits to the doctor's office, you can have more money left over in the bank for things like future holidays and big purchases!

#17 Go on a few cheaper holidays to save up on a future expensive holiday

Couples often spend the most in expensive cities on accommodation, holidays and entertainment such as eating out and watching shows.

My husband and I both work hard during the year. Instead of going all out on a holiday, we save up throughout the year for a cheap but enjoyable holiday. If we want to go to a very expensive destination, we set aside a fund call a sinking fund.

What is a sinking fund? It's essentially the splurge fund, for things such as expensive holidays and new car purchase etc. Saving up this way gives us a very clear idea of how we're doing with our financial goals. It also gives us motivation through out the year to work hard, stay focused and look forward to better things in life.

#18 Save your spare change AND invest!

Did you know that you can actually trick yourself into investing your spare change?

I first stumbled upon the Raiz app( previously Acorns) while looking for ways to invest.

As a frequent cafe goer, I use my debit card to pay for my lattes. After linking my bank account with the Raiz app, I can choose to invest my spare change into shares, mutual funds and bonds.

As a beginner when it comes to investing, this simple habit has helped me save lots of money AND start investing. Since using the Raiz app in April, I've saved around $20 each week by investing my spare change!

Are you ready for a $5 boost just for signing up with Raiz? Don't wait! Another day you put off investing is another day your money is losing against the battle of staying above the inflation rate.

#19 Create a realistic budget and stick to it

When it comes to saving money, having a budget is a no-brainer. For couples, it's very important to be clear and effective when it comes to communicating about money. Make time to sit down once a week to look at your expenses as a couple.

Are there any tweaks to your weekly budget you can make as a couple? There's always room for improvement when it comes to saving and managing your money.

I've recently learnt about the zero-based budget from Financial Superhero's David Cahill. David was really frustrated that there's literally no formal education to teach people how to manage their money. That's why he created the Financial Foundation course, in which he shows you exactly how to do a zero-based budget!

David Cahill's story is indeed incredible. He paid off $18,000 student loan debts in ONLY 54 days. I was so inspired by his story that I became a student of his Financial Foundation course within minutes.

#20 avoid using credit cards to spend money you don't have

In order to get ahead while living in expensive cities, it's important to be mindful of your spending habits. As a couple, it would be wise to keep a tab on credit card usage. Instead of delegating all big purchases using credit cards, spend only the cash that you have.

If you don't have the cash to buy something, you can't afford it!

I'm not saying that credit cards are evil, but avoid using credit cards ALL THE TIME. Purchasing items on credit cards carelessly will only increase your debt AND your stress levels.

#21 Get Cash Back and save while shopping online

Do you love shopping online? Why not get cash back from your online shopping?

When I first learnt about Ebates, I was hesitant to use it. But after joining Ebates, I received $10 cash back from my $25 online purchase. That's a great way to save money AND get cash back.

So how does Ebates work? Well, basically Ebates is affiliates with major retailers like Booking.com, The Body Shop, Dyson and Forever 21. When you shop online with their retail partners, Ebates gets a commission from their partner retailers. You will THEN get cash back from Ebates to reward you for shopping through their services.

Win, win! So, what are you waiting for? Just click on the banner below to get started!

As you can see, saving money can be really simple, practical and rewarding!

Do you have any other money saving tips that you and your partner already do on a daily basis? Comment below to start a conversation!