I’m a sucker for a good life hack.
Especially when it’s something that’s been hiding in plain sight my whole life, unnoticed until now.
Even better: hacks that are ridiculously easy and help you keep cash in your wallet.
Each of the smart rubber band tricks below fits that description.
There’s something about rubber bands that delights me. Maybe it’s that there’s probably one within arm’s reach wherever you happen to be. Maybe it’s because I’ve worn one around my wrist since I was a teenager.
Maybe it’s because a single band can usually fix whatever small annoyance arises — from stray hair in your face to losing your place in a book.
Whatever the reason, I’m more thrilled than is reasonable to pass these along, and I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how useful they are.
Below are 13 clever ways to save money by using a rubber band instead of buying another pricey gadget:
1. Make Cheap Hangers Non-Slip
Save at least $25 onvelvet no-slip hangers.
I adore boat-neck tops.
I’m not sure what fashion era that makes me channel, but I do know they love to slip off hangers.
Add some grip to keep them in place.
You don’t need to trade out your inexpensive plastic hangers for costly velvet ones. Just twist a rubber band around each end of the hanger to hold straps and wide necklines steady and enjoy a neater closet.
2. Open Stubborn Jars
Save $4.75 on rubberjar gripping pads.
Growing up, my mom always had a rubber jar opener in the kitchen.
Even though it saw regular action, we didn’t need a single-use tool for the job.
When you can repurpose household items, you’re being frugal. Skip the dedicated jar opener—use rubber bands from the junk drawer instead.
Wrap one band around the lid and another around the jar’s body to improve traction. Bite down and twist.
And of course, double-check that the helpful kid who handed you the jar actually tried to loosen it first.
3. Stop Your Cutting Board from Sliding
Save $10 on thisthree-board setwith non-slip corners.
Rather than buying a new non-slip cutting board, stabilize the one you have with rubber bands.
Loop a band around each end of a slick plastic or wooden board to keep it from moving while you chop.
4. DIY French Manicure Guides
Save $1.25 onnail tip guide stickers.
Skip both an expensive salon visit and a specialized home kit. Use a rubber band as a steady guide for painting crisp French tips.
Use a clean band (or a fresh section of the same band) for each nail to keep the lines tidy, suggests Krazy Coupon Lady.
5. Extract Stripped Screws
Save $12.98 on adamaged screw extractorkit.
This trick is a keeper. When you face a stripped screw, reach for a rubber band.
Place the band between the screwdriver and the screw head to boost traction. Then turn the screwdriver firmly to back the screw out.
6. Identify Glasses at a Gathering
Save $8.23 onsilicone wine glass markers.
Skip pricey party favors. Let guests mark their drinks with rubber bands to tell which glass is theirs.
For a small party, give each person a different colored band. For larger groups, have them write their name on a band or combine colors for a unique identifier.
7. Keep Spoons From Falling In
Save $29.99 on a set ofutensils with rubber grips.
Avoid watching your spoon slide into simmering liquid.
Wrap a rubber band around the handle where it meets the rim of the pot to keep it propped up and within reach.
8. Create a Phone or GPS Mount
Save $14.95 on awindow and dash mountfor phones and GPS devices.
I like using a car mount for hands-free navigation and music, but mine was a gift.
If you’d rather not buy one, rig a mount with rubber bands.
Make a knot in the center of two single bands, and repeat with two more. Slip one loop of each set around either side of your device and the other loops around the rearview mirror so your phone or GPS sits at eye level.
9. Take Group Shots Without a Selfie Stick
Save $5.99 on asmartphone tripod.
For family photos, skip the selfie stick, asking a stranger, or leaving someone out. Try this easy method instead: a rubber-band tripod.
- Tie two rubber bands in a girth hitch to the ends of another band.
- Stretch the paired bands over a mason jar, and tuck your smartphone into the third band.
- Set the camera timer, join the group and smile!
10. Hold Up Pregnant Pants Without Maternity Wear
Save $34.98 onmaternity jeans.
I’ve watched relatives go through pregnancies and none of them relied on a single pair of maternity trousers.
You know the ones — they look normal but have that stretchy panel over the bump?
Instead, they kept wearing their regular pants,fastened with a rubber bandlooped through the buttonhole and around the button. Stretch those favorite jeans as far as they’ll comfortably go.
11. Craft Homemade Rubber Stamps
Save $17.37 onwood-block rubber stamps.
We have some crafty Savinly Readers in the office who adore handmade holiday cards decorated with fun stamps.
They’ll want to try this: make your own stamps using rubber bands.
Draw a simple design or letters on cardboard. Cut old bands into strips and glue them to the cardboard to outline the image. Once dry, dip the stamp in paint and stamp away!
12. Keep Sliced Apples Fresh
If you pack apple slices for a child’s lunch, secure the slices with a rubber band.
This avoids using a plastic bag or container and helps keep the fruit from browning before lunchtime.
13. Curb Excessive Soap Dispensing
Kids aren’t known for being frugal.
They don’t always appreciate how quickly stuff can disappear around the house.
If little hands are over-pumping liquid soap, twist a rubber band beneath the nozzle. That will reduce the amount dispensed per pump so their exuberance won’t drain the bottle so fast.
Your Turn: What creative rubber band tricks have you discovered at home?
Disclosure: A nod to the affiliate links in this post — here’s to a few extra dollars in our pockets.
Alex Hart (@alexhart) is a staff writer at Savinly. He’s contributed to various outlets and tries to sprinkle humor into his work whenever the occasion allows.
