Spending money to save money might sound like a contradiction, but when done strategically, it can actually work in your favor. Whether you’re trying to lower your bills, save time on daily tasks or cut back on wasteful spending, a small upfront investment can deliver quick returns.
Read Next: 8 Frugal Habits Americans Are Ridiculed for — and Why You Shouldn’t Care
Check Out: 4 Low-Risk Ways To Build Your Savings in 2025
So if you have $75 (or even a little less) to put to good use, here are some of the smartest ways to spend it. Each one could likely pay for itself in about a month (sometimes even less), making it a savvy move for your wallet.
Also see seven purchases that may change your life, according to Rachel Cruze.
Trending Now: Suze Orman’s Secret to a Wealthy Retirement–Have You Made This Money Move?
Get a Costco or Sam’s Club Membership
Buying in bulk at warehouse clubs like Costco or Sam’s Club can significantly reduce the cost of essentials from toilet paper and laundry detergent to pantry staples and meat. On top of groceries, you can also score deals on prescription medications, travel packages, car rentals and even insurance.
According to CNET, a Costco membership can save $1,000 a year in groceries. Add in discounted gas, and your membership could pay off quickly.
Costco’s Gold Star Membership costs $65 a year, while Sam’s Club’s base-level membership costs just $50 a year.
Explore More: 9 Downsizing Tips for the Middle Class To Save on Monthly Expenses
Subscribe to a Meal Kit Trial With a New Customer Discount
Meal kits like HelloFresh, EveryPlate, Blue Apron and Dinnerly offer heavily discounted intro rates for new users, often up to 50% off your first few boxes. Subscribers receive pre-portioned ingredients and recipes that make weeknight dinners easier, reduce food waste and limit the need for expensive last-minute takeout.
If your family has been ordering takeout for two to three nights per week, you can likely save money on your food costs by considering one of these meal kit dinners services. Plus, you can save time planning meals and shopping.
Most of these plans allow you to skip weeks or make adjustments to your order anytime, so you can also manage how much you spend overall.
According to Bon Appétit, HelloFresh costs an average of $9.99 per serving, plus shipping fees, while Dinnerly comes in slightly lower at an average of $7.99.
Buy a High-Quality Reusable Product
Investing in durable, reusable household items can save money in the long run. Think water filter pitchers (like Brita or ZeroWater), silicone food bags, beeswax wraps or a quality reusable coffee cup. These products replace single-use items you’d otherwise need to buy every month.
If you stop buying bottled water and use a filter instead, you could save on buying pricey plastic water bottles. Replacing plastic bags and foil for lunches or leftovers? That’s more savings.
Good Housekeeping ranked the Brita water filter pitcher as the best overall. It costs $55 on Amazon.
Buy a Meal Prep Set or Small Kitchen Appliance
Cooking at home can save hundreds per month, but the key is convenience. A good set of meal prep containers, a slow cooker or even an air fryer can help you plan ahead, reduce food waste and avoid costly takeout when you’re busy.
Slow cookers are great for batch-cooking soups, stews and proteins, and they work while you’re busy living life.
Even replacing just two takeout meals per week with home-cooked options can save $40 to $80 month — or more. That’s not even counting the leftover meals you can freeze or refrigerate.
Kohl’s is selling a Gourmia air fryer on sale right now for just $75.99. Or if you want to go the slow cooker route, Target has a 6-quart Crock-Pot for $74.99.
Buy a Basic Tool Kit To Handle Minor Repairs
A simple tool kit with a hammer, pliers, a screwdriver set, measuring tape and a level can empower you to handle basic repairs and upgrades yourself. You can watch free tutorials on YouTube or TikTok to learn simple DIY techniques for home maintenance.
Hiring a handyperson for a one-hour fix can cost an average of $50 to $150, per Angi. If you tackle even one small job yourself, whether it’s hanging curtains, fixing cabinet doors or patching holes in drywall, you’ll already have saved more than what you likely spent on the tools.
A Husky homeowners tool set at Home Depot costs just $74.97, which would likely pay for itself after just one repair.
Saving money doesn’t always mean cutting things out. Sometimes, it means spending smart. Choose one or two of these ideas to try, and watch how fast that small investment pays off.
Editor’s note: Pricing and availability may vary depending on location.
More From GOBankingRates
-
6 Costco Products That Have the Most Customer Complaints
-
Mark Cuban: Trump’s Tariffs Will Affect This Class of People the Most
-
How Middle-Class Earners Are Quietly Becoming Millionaires — and How You Can, Too
-
4 Low-Risk Ways To Build Your Savings in 2025
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: The Best $75 (or Less) You Can Spend That Will Pay for Itself in a Month
