Spending less and saving more has never been more important. Our consumer culture promotes excess and instant gratification, but buying less can help you achieve financial freedom and peace of mind. Here are nine tips to help you spend minimally and save maximally.

Focus on what really matters to you. Make a list of your top priorities and values. Then evaluate how your spending aligns with what you care about most. Look for expenses that don’t add value and cut them. Redirect that money to what really matters, like paying off debt or saving for a dream vacation.

Create a budget and track your spending. Knowing exactly how much money is coming in and going out each month is essential. Look for expenses that seem too high and make a plan to reduce them. Some bills can often be lowered by calling service providers to negotiate or by changing plans.

Pay with cash instead of cards. When you shop, leave the credit cards at home and pay with cash or a debit card. Cash payments make your spending feel more real, which can help reduce impulse buys. Paying with cash is also a surefire way to avoid interest charges and debt.

Unsubscribe from store marketing emails and sales alerts. Retailers use email marketing and social media to lure you into their sales. Unsubscribe from store marketing emails and sales alerts from your favorite clothing and home decor brands. Out of sight, out of mind. You’ll be less tempted by promotions and find yourself shopping less.

Meal plan and cook more at home. Dining out is expensive. Make cooking at home a priority by planning your meals each week, creating a grocery list from your meal plan, and batch cooking on the weekends. Home-cooked meals are healthier and more budget-friendly.

Review recurring bills and look for savings. Go through all your monthly bills line by line. Look for expenses that seem high like cable, insurance, and utilities. Call service providers to inquire about lower-cost plans or available discounts. Making a few phone calls could yield big monthly savings.

Sell unwanted items online or have a yard sale. Go room by room and look for valuable items you no longer need like designer clothes, collectibles, electronics, and exercise equipment. Selling just a few high-ticket items can generate extra money for your savings fund. Have a yard sale or sell the items on websites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and eBay.

Pay off high-interest debt aggressively. If you have credit cards with high-interest rates, focus on paying off the balances as quickly as possible. Make paying the debt a top priority each month, paying as much as you can above the minimum. High-interest debt costs money each day it remains unpaid. Eliminate it!

Automate as much as possible. Set up automatic transfers to move money from your checking to your savings account each month. Automate bill payments too. Automatic saving and bill pay help ensure your money moves even when you’re busy. Set it and forget it. Let automation work for you so you can spend less time managing your money.