Almost everyone uses social media in one way or another. YouTube serves as a visual search engine that covers every topic you can think of, including saving money. In fact, YouTube offers many ways to help you save money. Here are just some topics you may find helpful on YouTube:

1. Don’t pay for repairs, learn how to do it yourself.  Obviously, not every issue you have can be solved with a YouTube video, but there are a lot of videos on how to perform basic repairs and maintenance. Here are just a few examples of topics you can search for on how to perform your own repairs: 

Fixing your car. Scotty Kilmer has a YouTube channel which covers a wide variety of car repairs and maintenance tips, aimed primarily at beginners.  

Basic plumbing problems. The search phrase “fix your own plumbing”  yields a slew of results from various YouTubers. If you find one you like, consider subscribing to their channel to easily find them later. 

Minor electrical issues. Electrical work can be dangerous, so you should only consider performing the simplest repairs or installations. Follow directions closely to avoid injury or blowing the electricity in your whole house! Finally, make sure your YouTuber is a professional electrician or construction expert like the channel Construction Coach.  

Tech troubleshooting. Nothing is more frustrating than when your software or technology stops working properly. From trying to just get something new installed, to updating your tech, to using new software, you can find help on YouTube. Make sure when you search to specify what piece of tech you are using. Both Windows and Apple have their own channels for support. 

2. Learn tips and tricks to saving money while grocery shopping. Perhaps the best-known grocery hacks are extreme couponing and buying in bulk. The best way to double down on your savings is to meal plan with coupons. Buy in bulk those items you know your family will consume and you can store for later. The channel couponwithStar offers tips for new “couponers,” how to shop with store-specific coupons, using weekly ads, and taking advantage of sales and deals. 

3. Save time and money. Watch reviews before you buy high-priced items.  Some people make a career out of reviewing all the newest releases in tech, gadgets, cars, and video consoles. Knowing what you’re getting into before you buy something expensive ensures you will be satisfied with your purchase. Some expensive items have small windows for returns with extremely specific guidelines. Many a customer has gotten stuck with something they don’t like or can’t use because they didn’t read the fine print or missed the return parameters. YouTuber Marques Brownlee covers all kinds of tech across many brands making it highly likely he has covered what you are looking for. 

4. Do-it-Yourself (DIY) instead of buying it. If you’re intimidated about building things yourself, don’t be. There’s probably a YouTube video for that! Use keywords like “easy,” “for beginners,” or “step-by-step” to your search to make sure you get results that work for you. The channel Homedit covers everything from “Easy DIY Furniture Projects” to crafting with items like wood crates and clothespins. 

5. Learn to cook great meals easily instead of buying dinner out multiple times a week. YouTube will save you the expense of restaurant meals, which can go back to being special treats instead of your go-to solution most nights. The beauty of YouTube is that it provides a list of recommended videos in a similar vein that may interest you. 

Be sure to search for your favorite appliances to cook with (crockpot, air fryer, instant pots, etc.), your favorite foods or ingredients, and add “easy,” “quick,” or the number of ingredients you want to use, like “5 ingredient meals.” The video “Cheap and Healthy Meals That Even A College Student Could Make” is a great place to start. 

6. Repair or repurpose your clothes by learning how to sew. Since the death of home economics classes, many younger generations do not know how to sew. If you don’t know how to sew on a button, fix your drooping hem, hem anything that’s too long for you, or let a hem down, you could be getting rid of clothes with an easy fix. Luckily, there are plenty of tutorials on simple sewing tips and tricks. One quick search of “easy sewing repair” will give you loads of results for all kinds of sewing issues. 

7. Shop less, garden more. When the pandemic started early in 2020, there was a rush to buy plants and seeds for spring eating. Many people had no idea what they were doing, having never planted their own food before, and YouTube responded accordingly. No need to have any idea what you are doing, there are videos for prepping your soil, building a raised bed cheaply, keeping pests out of your garden, and more.