Everything is getting more expensive by the day. Groceries. Gas. Entertainment. "One errand" has a way of turning into five and emptying your wallet in a hurry. It's frustrating!

I decided to ask locals to share their best money-saving tips with the rest of us, and I actually got a massive response. Some of their tips are tried-and-true budgeting advice; others are borderline nutty, but don't worry. I left out any tips that could get you arrested.

Thrifty Lubbock Life Hacks According To Locals

a woman holding a jar with savings written on it

Shop Smarter, Not Harder

• Use the Walmart app while shopping at other stores so that you can scan name-brand items and compare the prices for a better deal.
• Shop Goodwill, Plato's Closet, estate sales, and other thrift stores whenever possible, instead of buying new.
• Check locally owned thrift stores first; big chains may be picked over by vintage resellers who steal the good stuff before you get a chance to look.
• Buy sports gear for you and your kids at Play It Again Sports.

Let The Grocery Store Work For You

• Order groceries online for pickup. That way, you can plan meals, avoid making any impulse purchases, and stick to your original budget. You can also use digital coupons while shopping online.
• Stack manufacturer coupons with store coupons. Dollar General, CVS, and Target are all amazing places to do this.
• Couponing takes practice, but it pays off in a big way. Check out couponing websites and learn from the pros.
• Always price check with store apps to save you from overpaying.

Buy It On Sale, Freeze It For Later

• Market Street has discounts on meat later in the evening.
• Buy your proteins when they are on sale and freeze them for later use.
• Buy in bulk when you can afford to.
• Cook larger meals, freeze half for future dinners

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Meal Prepping Saves Money

• Plan your meals ahead of time! This will help you reduce waste and keep you from grabbing fast food.
• Crockpots make inexpensive meals that freeze really well.
• Eat out at places with large portion sizes and turn your takeout into several meals.

Avoid Impulsive Spending

• If you don't need it, don't buy it!
• Eat before you shop, or you'll end up with way more than you need.
• Stick to your grocery list!

Budget Really Works

• Stick to a strict budget, and try to save a little each month. It adds up faster than you think.
• Cash envelopes might help you learn to budget money if you're a beginner. It's worth looking into online!

Little Savings Add Up Big

• Pack your lunch, skip expensive coffee shop trips, split restaurant meals, and order water instead of soda.
• Make your iced coffee at home!
• Check local restaurants for specials before you decide where to eat.

Learn Anything New?

One thing that became pretty clear while reading through all of your tips: nobody has the magic trick. Everyone out there saving money is simply stacking a bunch of great habits together, and you can do it too.

Maybe the real Lubbock life hack isn't about being cheap. Maybe it's about resourcefulness. And, if you have a money tip that wasn't mentioned here, I'd love to hear about it! Send it to me at Chrissy.Covington@townsquaremedia.com.