Money Saving Tips

Here is list of money saving tips that one can implement immediately and use it on a daily basis.

1. Brown bag it, bring home cooked meals to work,you'll be amazed how much money you save especially if you work in a city.

2. Don't ever buy new hardcover books, goto the library or wait until they're printed on paperback. Take advantage of store coupons and promotions. Check out the local yard sales or simply borrow a book from a friend.

3. Don't buy the latest and best sneakers or tennis shoes. You can sometimes get a great deal in places like Sears, Kohls or JC Penney. If you an active runner then I can see you spending money to take good care of your feet, but you're a day to day kind of person then there's no reason to spend that much money.

4. Quit smoking and don't go to bars often. You're better off staying home and inviting friends over. Way cheaper and safer. Not to mention you'll feel better and it will cost you a lot less. How many times have you said, jeez I spent $100.00 last night. Don't feel bad about disappointing friends. In the end you're the one that feels like guilty for going out.

5. Don't drive everywhere and cut down your errands to one trip or two per week, gas is expensive and it will only get more expensive in the near future. Team up with neighbors and do your shopping together. Its fun and you'll save, the following week the other person drives. Get back to the community, get reacquainted with the neighbors.



6. Cut store coupons and buy those items only on sale. I know it's difficult, but every little bit counts. You'll be amazed on how much you'll save especially if you buy the store brand. Also try to buy in bulk and store you food. Look at the expiration dates on your canned goods, rotate your stock, use those older items first. Most canned foods have a date marked on them clearly.

7. Stay home more often and cook at home instead of going out to dinner. It's fun and entertaining plus you won't eat as much. Home cooked meals are less fattening and less expensive. Buy used cook books and experiment. Open a bottle of wine (buy at discount), put on some tunes and you're all set for the evening.

8. Use your credit cards sparingly, especially department stores cards. This is the biggie right here. I'm sure you've noticed that credit card companies have increased their interest on the cards. Don't fall victim, get out of debt asap.

9. Turn off all your lights when nobody is home. Change your lightbulbs to the new energy efficients brand found at Home Depot and Lowes. You'll pay more up front, but in the long run you'll save. Weather proof your home. Contact your local utility company, most of them offer a free energy audit. They will also handout a booklet with details on how to fix these energy leaks. Or simply check them out online. I'm sure they have a pdf file that you can download. Again every little bit counts.

10. Pay bills online instead of putting a stamp on it, you'll save time and money.



11. Stick to your local bank when withdrawing money. Some banks are now charging upto $3.00 for ATM withdrawals, ridiculous. I would also stay away of the big banks such as Chase, Bank of America, Citibank. Give your business to your local community bank. Let's support Main street not Wall Street.

12. Open your windows on cool days and turn off your A/C. Purchase low energy efficient fans. Look for items like this in your local community center. Also check out sites like Yahoo for local groups that provide information on yard sales, etc.

13. Rent movies instead of going to the movies. You can rent movies at the library for $1.00. Or visit your local grocery stores, they now have dvd rental machines such as Big Red Box that rent movies for $.99 cents. They have a huge selection of movies to choose from with recent releases, this is what I do. No more paying for pay for view at $5 bucks a pop.

14. Wash clothes in cold water instead of hot water. Lower the temperature on your water heater. You don't need the water to be scolding hot. Buy the cheaper store brand laundry detergent, its the same thing. Also those high end laundry detergents smell good, but the chemicals in them will harm you. Wash clothes only when you have a full load.

15. Buy the less expensive shampoo and soaps. Visit stores like Costco or BJ's and buy the big mama jamas.



16. Create a garden and a few vegetables and herbs. It's fun and very relaxing, plus they're the freshest you'll ever eat. You can’t get more organic than home grown veggies. Remember keep it simple so you won't get overwhelmed especially if you've never done it before. One or two plants of tomatoes and peppers and a few fresh herbs will suffice for now. Then as you become more familiar expand accordingly. Also use compost from your kitchen. Pick a spot in your yard that you can throw items such as egg shells, coffee beans, banana peels, etc. That's truly organic nutrients that will make your soil incredibly fertile.

17. Buy a used certified car especially if you work and live locally. Don't buy big gas guzzlers, you're only throwing money away. I'm sure you're probably trying to sell yours or a neighbor is trying to get rid of theirs. I just bought a used pickup truck for 3K. It works great and my local mechanic tune it up for me. I bought the car from a neighbor so again keep it simply and in the community. This is going to be huge going forward. Don't give your money to the big corporations.

18. If you going to buy a new car the purchase a hybrid car. Oil is only going to get more expensive. So consider these hybrids, diesel fuel and low cylinder cars such as 4 or 6 cylinders.

19. Eat healthy and stay fit, medical bills are outrageous and expensive, let's include drugs and medication in here too. The current public option that congress is pushing for is only a higher tax bill for all of us. Eat organic and stay away from processed foods.

20. Do things around the house yourself, clean, cook, paint, weed, mowe the lawn instead of paying someonse else to do it. My neighbor took my advice here and saved about 2 grand in one summer and he lost weight too. It was hard work, but it paid off. Neighbors need to stick together. We ended up grilling some shrimp and burgers with a few beers with the money we saved. You can't get it any better than that.



21. Buy things you really need and not because of your emotions, this is a big one, no impulse buying please. Don't get the latest computer or tv. Wait for prices to come down and they will. Also check out yard sales or local community papers for good deals.

22. Don't listen to friends about taking a vacation you can't afford. You'll end up using your credit card. Huge mistake, you know it's true :-).

23. If you really don't need a pet don't get one. I'm sorry. I have friends that tell me that when their pet gets sicks its hundreds of dollars and sometimes thousands. Sorry, I love animals, but I can't afford them. I'm alergic anyway so it benefits me, cat hair just drives me nuts.

24. Drink water instead of soda and juices. It will help keep down your weight and it will flush out your system. Buy water in bulk. Don't buy just one bottle at the deli. The price of one bottle of water in certain deli's will cost as much as a entire case from Costco.

25. In the summer line dry your clothes. The sun will dry them up in 30 minutes or less instead of using your dryer.



We'll add more money saving tips in the future, but for now please try to implement a few of these recommended suggestions. You'll save lots of money. Then you can invest it wisely.

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