Discussions
Top 100 money savers
Posted by timethief • 9/25/08 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: budgeting, money, saving, Thrift, tips
If you like to take part in making this list then please share at least one thing you do to save money below.
User Comments
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(1) Saving electricity - shut off lights, computers and all other electronic equipment that aren't being used
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Oh, you can also save by unplugging everything from the outlets that aren't in use. For instance, if you unplug your light when you're not using it, you'll saving money on electricity. -
We use power strips for things like TV/video and computers, that way, you can just flip the switch without having to mess with all the plugs. -
The power strip is good to switch on and off but if the power strip is still plugged in, I believe you're technically still using an ounce of electricity.
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@whojaybe....I'm glad you said that, that is what I do.
When I am leaving to go out, I unplug everything at home, I also unplug everything
when there is a storm coming, that way I don't get accidentally electrocuted. -
@jeunelle
Yeah. Accidental electrocution can be *really* pricey. -
MidwestMom....Ouch
Truth is a lot of people do get electrocuted at home during a storm
and the fire department and local police will tell you to simply unplug all your appliances
or electrical cords at home during a passing storm.
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(2) Don't leave the water running when not in use, turn off the faucet.
Use only water that you need for the moment. Keep the kettle full at all
times, in case there is a water shortage and you need some emergency water
for backup. -
At the beginning of the summer we got a trailer for my bike. For mid-week grocery shopping, I use it instead of the car.
Also, I am not ordinarily a fan of Wal-mart, but they do price-match. So, when the Sunday paper comes I always check it for staples like milk and bread. I take one trip, just for price-matched items and most weeks I can save $1 to $1.50 per gallon of milk. I have boys, so that adds up.
Finally, since I have broadband, I changed my landline phone to local only for emergency calls and do all my long-distance via skype. It costs around $5 per month instead of $70.
Thanks for the thread, Timethief! Every little bit helps. -
For the phone, I dropped my landline entirely and hubby and I have cell phones (with free long distance). We would have had the cell phones anyway, so why bother having another number to remember when we could just use one each?
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Also, change incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescents where you can. CF bulbs use about 1/10 the electricity.
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3. dont drive while going a short distace. u can use CNG instead of Petrol or similar things. -
Always eat before you go grocery shopping!
If you go grocery shopping while hungry there is a good chance you will buy things you normally wouldn't or buy too much!
The strangest things sound good to you when your hungry-
And bring a list of what you need. You can buy things that you forgot to put on the list, if you see them, but sticking to the list helps to keep you from splurging on treats and junk food that look tasty after an hour of walking around.
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Bring your own reusable or recycled bags to the grocery store. At our local Safeway they credit you back 3 cents for every bag you bring in to reuse. It saves you some money and also saves our environment. -
Drink cheaper beer.-
If you must drink beer, then learn how to make your own beer from scratch (no kits) using hops and malt and ZERO chemicals.
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I have a blog about this topic: cheaptricksntips.blogspot.com/2007/12/22-ways-to-pinch-pennies-and-make-you...
Samples:
10. Think before you buy…learn to calculate the cost per unit so that you can intelligently compare prices…you could get some big surprises! You would think that it would be cheaper to buy whole fruit and cut it yourself rather than buy fruit already sliced, right? Well, if pre-cut strawberries and whole strawberries are the same price, the cut berries are actually a better buy because you aren’t buying any waste. It isn’t until the cut strawberries cost more than the whole berries (with green tops on) that the whole berries are the better buy.
11. The same applies to meat, where there can be a lot of waste. Meat should be purchased on a “cost per serving” basis rather than “cost per pound.” You see, if you buy cheap hamburger, you are buying a lot of fat that will be rendered out during cooking, reducing the amount of actual meat per serving. Look at a piece of meat and try to figure out how much of it is fat, gristle, and bone…you will pay for these bits at the same price you pay for the meat, but you will throw that stuff away. So, if you pay $7 for a pound of meat that is 50% waste, you are actually paying $7 for half a pound of edible meat, or $14 per pound for the meat. Rather than throw away half of your money in the form of bones, fat and gristle, buy a smaller quantity of a higher quality meat…save money and improve the quality of your meals.
That's from only one of several entries with ways to save money.-
@sweetviolet
Thanks for posting that link to your blog as well as sharing the tips. :-) -
BTW I stumbled your latest post. It is excellent.
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Wash and rinse your clothes in cold water. Use biogradeable soap and divert the waste water from the washer so it flows into flowerbeds or landscaped areas.
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Do not cut your hair and beard then keep the money to settle your bill first.
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Steal everything you need. You will notice that your daily costs will drop sharply in a month. As long as you don't get caught that is.
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Well, you get fed in jail and they pay the utility bills...
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Plus some jails have cable, ppv, in-cell tvs, computer access, free gyms and you get more time to paint, write poetry, go to school and find a girlfriend on the outside.
Oh and free prison tattoos are a must have
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Not spending. -
When you must buy something wherever possible shop second hand.
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Also, join Freecycle (a Yahoo group). They are all over the world and if there isn't one in your area, you can start one. I usually give things away through Freecycle, but I was able to get a working refrigerator and TV for my maid through them. The objective is to keep stuff out of the landfill by giving it to people who want/need it. You can post "wanted" posts as well as "offered."
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My top money saving tips:
1. Drive a small car. This is also better for the environment.
2. Invest in good windows for your home. This pays for itself in actually a fairly short amount of time and is so much better for the environment (and you will also see huge savings in heating your home--particularly if you live in a colder area).
3. Shop at farmer's markets for produce. Grocery stores are higher priced and usually the food is not nearly as good. If you are able to, in the summer, plant your own small garden or even just an herb garden. I have a great herb garden that gives me free(!) herbs that are wonderful to taste as well!
When I need to stay on a budget, which was particularly true when I was going to college, I would only use cash--and I would only take the amount I could spend into a store. I didn't use an ATM or credit card--because it is much easier to spend more money than expected using those. I was far more careful when I saw the actual dollars and cents leaving my pocketbook!
Mostly, we should all concentrate more on wanting what we have than having what we want. With every purchase you make, ask yourself realistically--"do I really need this?" Often, I don't--I think many of us buy things just because that is what we are expected to do when we go into stores. -
Eat your leftovers!
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NOT OVEREAT!!! Grocery bills are too high for gluttony right now!
Stay at home and blog so you never have to drive anywhere...lol-
cut your phone costs
(1) Use toll-free services/calling cards for long-distance
(2) Switch to prepaid cell phones
(3) Eliminate pricey "extras" like caller ID & call waiting and revert to the basic package
(4) Try Internet phone services but before signing up be sure to read some of the company's online reviews first.
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Buy rechargable batteries and a solar battery charger. I save about $100 a month with these. See also:
matthiaschronicles.tanaya.net/Archives/2008/05/06/1210103950.shtml
for some cool looking and rugged solar watches. -
Stop buying books. What is the point of this, to take up space in your house? How many times are you going to read it? Just take books out from the library. Or sit in Barnes & Noble and read books without buying them.
Also, read the news online for free instead of subscribing to a paper.-
Drop the gym membership. You can stay in shape and stimulate all major muscle groups with just the following 4 activities: running, sit-ups, push-ups, pull-ups.
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No way - the books double as insulation. If I line my room with bookshelves and fill them with paperbacks, that's a serious R value, there.
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I do not cook or eat every single day.
I usually only purchase what I am about to cook for that day or few days.
Other days I sip lemon tea, have light salads, soups and fruit.
Canned fruit also saves me some cash as fruit is expensive these days.
Sometimes if I'm lazy I stock up my pantry with canned soups.
These steps saved me a good chunk of cash. -
Know the right kind of lights for your purpose. Don't be taken in by the cost comparisons between the Fluorescent vs Incandescent. When you see the price on the package or display of how much the save you, that is based on the light being on for an extend period of time. If your light is only on for 5 to 15 minutes depending on the wattage you should go with low priced incandescent since the savings of CFL bulbs takes several minutes to kick in.
The same can be said with seldom used lights which have a higher tendency to blow because of age and condensation. A light that is only turned on once a month has an equal chance of blowing after a year no matter if it cost you a quarter or two bucks. -
Extend the life of your razor blades just by wiping them dry after use. Don't buy disposables either- get replaceable blades(heads). -
Volunteer to usher or to work in the ticket sales booth at your local performing arts center so you see the shows for free.
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I volunteer with my local theater association which has some pretty big shows and acts come through. Just the last couple of years I have seen Spamalot (all 4 nights), The Producers, George Carlin, Stomp, Mannheim Steamroller, Chicago, Dirty Rotten Scoundrel, Mama Mia, and quite a few small and local performance.
For any college kid out there reading this volunteering for something like this gets you massive resume credentials on top of being cheap entertainment. -
I've seen a lot of great local productions and concerts too. I'm now at the top of their volunteer list.
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Plug in most items into surge protectors so I can shut everything off with a flick of a switch that's drawing power even while "dormant".
I only use rechargeable batteries and use a cell phone instead of a landline. -
Read the flyers from food stores and drugstores,etc. and watch for specials and coupons. Shop the specials, buy more than one of the items at the special price and use in house coupons to reduce the bill whenever and wherever you can.
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Drive a tiny car, stop smoking. Done, you are rich. -
Electricity isn't that expensive on my country. Fuel is. That's why I always use public transportation whenever I can because the fare paid is much much less than gasoline price. -
Don't buy new clothes every time the season changes. Get by with what you have and wait until the end of the season clearance sales to purchase new things.
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If you just drive the speed limit and don't speed, you'll get much better mileage with your car.
Share meals with your significant other when you go out to eat. Most restaurant serve a ton anyway.
Buy in bulk when you can, especially drinks (you can get a large box of water bottles at Costco for less than $5. If you grab a single bottle at a gas station or market, that's already a dollar)
And lastly, I'm a college student and recently decided to start packing a lunch instead of eating out. Yikes. You can save a grip like that. And I ended up eating more fruits and less fast food. Kill two birds with one stone baby.-
Water bottles :O Buy a few empties and keep them in the fridge. Refill them with tap water. When it's cold, unless you have really, really bad water, it tastes the same and is practically free. You could also invest in a water filter, if you need one. You're not creating a bag of empties to worry about, either way.
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Here's five tips that can really save you some serious money:
1/ Don't throw away those old drinking straws instead cut them into appropriate lengths and use them as smart new waistcoats for worms.
2/ Why throw away those old rubber gloves? There's ten free condoms there!
3/ Is that carton of fresh orange juice getting just too expensive? No problem buy a bottle of cheap orange food dye and every morning pour a drop into a cool glass of water and enjoy a cheaper but still orangey morning.
4/ Get up extra early and "forage" round your neighbourhood for your breakfast needs, I did it this morning and got 2 loaves, 3 bottles of milk and 4 gas bills. I also learned Mrs Johnson at number 49 is being sterilised on Monday morning.
5/ Instead of using cleaning products try not cleaning anything. They don't call it dirt cheap for nothing!-
Hilarious! &hearts you
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Buy a cookbook and learn how to cook from scratch. -
Cut your own hair--not hard to do with a little practice.
Use plastic grocery bags instead of buying plastic garbage bags. Better yet are biodegradable garbage bags.
Use a water filter instead of buying bottled water.
Try using baking soda in place of cleansers.-
Cut your own hair--not hard to do with a little practice.--it looks better if you have it professionally cut, but you can save money by sticking with a simple hair style and having it trimmed every 3-4 months instead of every 6 weeks.
Use plastic grocery bags instead of buying plastic garbage bags. Better yet are biodegradable garbage bags.--Buy cloth shopping bags and re-use them. Plastic trash cans will not need liners as you can wash them out each time you empty them.
Use a water filter instead of buying bottled water-- Water filters have to be replaced...check the price of a water filter vs. buying bottled water in large containers. I buy my water in 5 litre jugs and decant into smaller bottles for daily use. We calculated the cost of replacement filters vs the cost of water in 5 litre jugs and found the filters twice as costly! But that's only where I live...your situation may be different.
Try using baking soda in place of cleansers.--you are soooo right! See this blog entry for 25 things you can do with baking soda cheaptricksntips.blogspot.com/2007/12/saving-more-money-25-cheap-tricks-wit...
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1) hand wash clothes instead of machine washing saves electricity
2) use downy fabric conditioner (isang banlaw) 1 rinse only (after soaping clothes u can just soak clothes on this wonderful invention leave for couple mins (5 mins best) then take clothes off and they no longer soapy.
SAVES TIME washing, ELECTRICITY and WATER!
3) Use recyclable shopping bags they come in cute designs too
4) Do a carpool
5) When heating water for coffee, heat only once and then use a thermos fill that thermos up so you have hot water all the time that heat water everytime you need it. -
sell out every appliances! that would save mother earth from global warming and pollution.
go primordial and think of it as an adventure! XD -
1) eat at home. the banter while preparing, the pride of getting better at it is the value-added.
2) don't buy on impulse.
3) don't spend, invest.
4) walk
5) public transportation
6) shop better
7) the money you would have spent on a starbuck's put in a jar. when the jar is full go to the bank.
8) buy quality over quantity. it cost less in the long run.
9) buy in quantity when things are on sale.
10) do it yourself. -
Depends on where you live, but getting rid of my car was a major savings. No more overpriced insurance and repair bills. (This was back when gas was a lot cheaper.)
Buy fewer prepared foods and more things in their natural states. You can do wonders with rice and whatever veggies are in season.
Hang dry clothes. Less electricity and they wear out less quickly.
Water filters for tap water are cheaper than bottled water and better for the environment. (I have to filter here in DC, because too much chlorine otherwise.)
Use the public library.
Use open source software. -
contrary to everybody's belief ... DO carry cash and do NOT use your debit card. Deposit money you need to pay your bills online, plus transfer a good percentage (20-30%? of gross to savings or RRSP) and carry the rest of your spending money in your pocket. Leave your credit cards at home!
You will be surprised to see how much LESS you spend when you pull out your cash and your wallet, and see the rest of the month's spending money in your hand.-
We have a thing here called e-bucks that is associated with your credit card use. You get credits to your e-bucks account as a percentage of what you spend on the credit card. You can cash in your e-bucks for items on the website catalog OR...and this is what we do...get gift cards for certain participating retailers. One of the retailers is our version of CostCo...the other is an upscale department store that has a premium supermarket inside.
We cash in our ebucks about once a year...and get between R2000 and R2500 worth of gift cards. One year we got them for the CostCo-like store and I did all my Christmas shopping with them. This year we got them for the upmarket retailer and I buy grocery items there that my regular supermarket doesn't carry and my produce (much higher quality). It's like getting 10 to 12 bags of premium-quality groceries for free!
Of course, to make this work in financial terms, we have to pay off our credit card in full at the end of each month so we don't incur any interest charges. And we do. -
To go along with SweetViolet's comment if you have a paypal account get the debit card and trans cash to it on a regular basis. I actually suggest getting one that isn't associated with your ebay account though. Using the card as a credit card rather than a debit card pays you 1% cash back on everything you purchase with it. While 1% isn't a lot it does add up if you use it for everything you can a credit card for. For a while I paid my mortgage, 2 car payments, gas and insurance for them, all my utilities, groceries, and other incidentals with it. One percent of two grand a month over a year adds up to a nice bit of extra christmas money.
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Brad, I think 1% is the figure e-Bucks gives back and we get back a significant chunk of money at the end of the year. We got R2000 worth of gift cards the last time, which I have just about used up buying groceries (rack of lamb tonight!).
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SweetViolet - The one thing I truly dislike about living in the US or at least the midwest is finding good lamb that is affordable is next to impossible...
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Brad...I'm from California where we rarely see lamb and NEVER see mutton. In South Africa, though, it is as common as chicken. I'd never had mutton until I came here-EWWW! Nasty stuff!
But I am learning about lamb and the last couple of lamb roasts I produced were pronounced "delish" by my husband. I got a lovely rack of lamb this morning from the market for R60...about $7.50 I figure. With some mint jelly, steamed asparagus and homemade mashed potatoes, I think dinner is going to be lovely tonight!
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Make a grocery list and buy only the things that you need.
Walk or ride a bicycle if possible instead of car.
Stop the car when you turn on or off the aircon or heater of your car.
Know your budget a month and don't use more than that. Save at least 20% of your salary and put them in the bank. -
What we do, most are not only money savers but Green too
walk when we can
make a budget and stick to it
use cloth bags for shopping
use coupons, cent-back reciepts and canadian tire money as often as possible
buy at fruit/flea markets
trade plant/flower/garden clippings with neighbours
cut the males in the house hair ourselves (not the girls )
buy in bulk and send smaller portions for lunches in re-usable tupperware and sippy cups
hang dry clothes
turn off all the lights behind us and even use candles on occasion
install a programmable thermostat
do NOT go on equal billing
do NOT use credit cards for anything but reference, like if you need one to rent a car or moving van etc
shop at thrift stores, garage sales and flea markets for household goods and clothes -
Hi SweetViolet---I should've been a little more specific on this one...I have very short hair. Borne out of impatience and frustration (never got the cut I envisioned), I started snipping away on my own. It's not for everyone, but when you're ready to try it, you'll know it! Hubby gets cut too (also very short) and he's not picky!
On the plastic bags, we need to dump everything into a large county-supplied container (once a week) which you can't fill until right before pickup or animals get into it. I really need something to contain the yucky stuff until then, hence I depend on the plastic bags. For green reasons I hate using them but have yet to come up with a better solution, except for the biodegradables, and they're costly..aaarrrh!
Sorry, I kinda got off-subject here as I was thinking green rather than saving money. We use the filters to use less plastic so it probably is more expensive, but I do stretch the filter to 4 months or more so they last longer than they should.
Thanks for the baking soda tips and any idea for something to contain my yucky trash? I have plenty of cloth bags waiting to go to work!-
Do you have a garage or garden shed or anything like that? We keep our wheelie bin in the garage and don't put it outside until the morning the bin collectors are due. Then the bin is washed out with the garden hose before returning to the garage. If your trash is stinky, a sprinkle of baking soda over each layer will help reduce the smell. Put some in the bottom before you add the first trash. Also, use baking soda when you wash out the bin to refresh it.
Sometimes plastic bags is the ONLY solution, however...I buy them in bulk at a store like CostCo. But I try not to use them often.
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Grow your own herbs. This may seem like a small thing so let's put it in perspective. Any self-respecting cook will use a lot of herbs and if you're happy with fresh herbs during the growing season and dried herbs during the winter months then grow your own. Even if you only have a deck or a sunny windowsill or two it is quite easy. You can plant seeds at regular intervals, to set up a nice little production line throughout the spring and summer months. If you dry those herbs you will have them to use all winter long and save money that you would have otherwise spent at the supermarket.
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You are so right! We have an herb garden at home, and for the price of *one* packet of herbs, you can grow 3-4 of the same plant and have enough for the entire season.
Now that Autumn is in the air, dig up outdoor plants and move them to a sheltered spot for cold nights, or leave them in place and build a cold frame around them (a small box with a clear plastic roof). The plants can survive well into January that way, or possible even overwinter. (Not sure about that in Canada, though, Timethief!)
Great suggestion! -
@midwestmom
I've been growing herbs and salad greens in pots on my deck and on my window sills from spring to late fall for years now. They taste great fresh and also taste great after they have been dried too.
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> Cancel your cable/satellite TV. With HD, you get many channels over-the-air and free.
> For occasional cellphone users, switch to a prepaid annual plan. Mine costs $100 a year, and I've never run out of minutes.
> If you eat at work, bring your meals from home.
> In winter, lower your heat and wear a sweater. In summer, turn up your AC and use a fan to circulate the air.
> If you use a landline, drop your long distance service. Use a pre-paid calling card instead. You can get them for about 2 or 2.5 cents per minute at warehouse stores.
> Loose the junk in your trunk - don't keep extra stuff in your car. Lugging extra weight decreases fuel efficiency.
> Don't buy diet soda. Save calories and cash - drink water.
> Don't buy bottled water. Get a reusable cup/bottle. Fill it from the sink or water fountain.
> Eat less meat. Try several meatless days if you don't want to give it up completely.
> If you use a credit card, pay the entire balance each month. If you must carry a balance, pay the minimum amount due as soon as the bill arrives to avoid late fees. Make a second payment closer to the due date for the remainder of what you can afford. -
I walk whenever I can. Save money and resources. In fact, I recently posted a blog on that - www.thinknearn.com/blogs/2008/09/24/do-you-wish-to-save-and-spend-wisely/ -
Comparison shop before buying. Most retailers have products that draw you into the store with some incredible offers hoping that once you get into the store you will buy other non-sale items. -
My home is run soley on Electricity, so you can imagine my monthly bill.
Ways I learned to cut down is to simply unplug everything when not in use.
I also use only Energy/Saving appliances.
I have a brand called Energy/Star and this uses the lest amount of energy possible
to help me save money on my electric bill.
I also use only very low watt bulbs. I usually only use 40watt bulbs, sometimes a little lower
in the house. A high watt bulb is a sure way to get your electric bill sky high.
I also called up my Electric company and got a lower rate on my Energy Supplier.
I got to choose from a list of energy suppliers and signed a contract with the lowest rate
that they offered me.
Most instances your Electric company will assign a Energy supplier to you
and that energy supplier is not necessarily the lowest energy rating supplier.
You actually have to call up your Electric company and ask them to supply you with a List
of Energy Suppliers in your area and work out your own agreement with them for a low rate.
This one step will save you hundreds a year off your electric bill. -
Two things that pull mega kilowatts and run up your electric bill is the Refrigerator and the Telephone.
I called up my phone company before I decided to disconnect my phone
and they told me that my kilowatts on my phone was extremely high and that it was very usually high.
I found that to be very strange when I am usually not home so I pulled the plug on that phone
and now only use a cell for emergency. -
There are plenty of little tips and tricks on how to save money. Some will be applicable, some wont. What you need is a one off concrete guideline to all the problem of saving money, something that can be applied generally to everything that cost money. A system and technique.
This may work for the people who can be strict and active in their saving endeavor. Note down everything that you spend your money on a regular basis. Once you have done this separate them into two columns, NEEDS and WANTS. Needs being the items or services that you have no choice and have to spend your money on to survive (food, rent and so on). Wants speaks for itselfs. Everything in your wants section can be sacrificed. Start sacrificing or finding free alternatives. Easier said than done? Thats right but there is no simple answer to avng money, you now have the correct method for protecting your money and starting to save.
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