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75 Painless Money-Saving Tips


75 Painless Money-Saving Tips

Written by DR | Bookmarks: del.icio.us, Reddit this

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Updated: At the bottom of the post, check out the additional money-saving tips sent in by readers and bloggers. And don’t risk missing a tip that could save you money, get your free subscription to The Dough Roller by clicking here.


Take the time to plan for your child's future.

Last week I wrote about ways to develop the habit of spending less than you make. To continue that topic, here are some practical and painless money saving tips to help you save some cash each month. I’d like to get the number of tips to at least 101, so if you have some money-saving suggestions, please leave a comment or send me an e-mail (dr [AT] doughroller [DOT] net). Also, be sure to read to the bottom of this post, as tip #51 is bound to spark some discussion and debate.

  1. Combine your cable, internet and telephone service. Companies now offer combined services that not only cost less, but offer the convenience of a single bill.
  2. Slow down your internet service. I went to the slower internet service option with my cable company and saved $15 per month. And I haven’t noticed a difference when surfing the Net.
  3. Send away for and follow up on rebates. After you buy a product with a rebate, send in the form that day. Then mark your calendar to remind yourself to follow up with the rebate company if the check hasn’t show up.
  4. Buy a refurbished Mac: I’ve written about this before because it is a great way to buy not only computers, but iPods and iPhones as well. You can check out the details on how to buy a refurbished iPhone here.
  5. Convert to a gas water heater. They are more efficient and will save you money in the long run.
  6. Request a reduction in the interest rate for your home equity line of credit. I did and my mortgage company agreed to reduce the rate by more than 0.50%. And if you are looking for a home equity loan, is a great place to check out available options.
  7. Request a reduction in the interest rate on your credit cards. As with home equity loans, credit card companies sometimes are willing to reduce the interest rate. It can’t hurt to ask.
  8. Refinance you mortgage. If you can reduce your interest rate by one percent or more, it is often beneficial to refinance. This is particularly true for those with high rates due to less than stellar credit scores. If your score has improved, you may qualify for a better rate. I would start by asking your current mortgage lender about lower rates. Here’s a refinance calculator to help you determine if refinancing is right for you.
  9. Get rid of Private Mortgage Insurance. If your down payment was less than 20%, you are probably paying PMI. Once you have a 20% cushion through reducing your debt and home appreciation (yes, prices do go up from time to time), contact your mortgage company to start the process of removing the PMI.
  10. Get your books from the library. I love books and read every day. While I buy some of the books I read, most come from the library. Simply put, it’s hard to beat free.
  11. Get DVDs from the library. Many libraries now have movies on DVD that can be checked out. If your library offers this service, it sure beats paying Blockbuster or Netflix.
  12. Get DVDs from Red Box. If your library doesn’t offer DVDs, get your moves from Red Box. It costs just one dollar per night. You find Red Box locations here.
  13. Read magazines at the library or online. Too many magazines can cost a fortune. And how many times have you bought a magazine based on the cover and been disappointed by the lack of substance. At the library you can read magazines for free. And many magazines now offer their content for free online.
  14. Subscribe to magazines that are must reads. If you must have a certain magazine each month, subscribe. Subscriptions offer substantial savings over the cost at the newsstand. Update: Amazon offers some great deals on personal finance magazines.
  15. Buy your car over the internet: Search the internet for information on the car you want and then send e-mail requests to dealers for the best price. Even if the dealer is located in another state, the cost to have the car delivered may still be worth it. I paid $500 to have a Honda Odyssey shipped 500 miles and still saved $1,000 over the best local price available.
  16. Request a discount on trash service. For some reason this is a highly competitive business. If you get a better offer in the mail for trash service, call your current trash company and ask them to beat the offer. My trash service has reduced its rates twice in six months to match competing offers.
  17. Never pay checking account fees. I hate bank fees. With so many free checking account plans available, there’s no reason to pay a fee. And if the bank happens to charge you one, ask them to reverse the fee or take your business to another bank.
  18. Get a rewards card. There are many reward cards that pay out in cash or points that can be redeemed for travel or products. Many of these cards don’t have an annual fee. I recently traveled to my college reunion for free using points earned from a credit card. My favorite rewards card is American Express Gold Card. It does have an annual fee, although follow this link (American Express) to apply and the first year fee is waived. You can also check out my review of several travel reward credit cards.
  19. Don’t pay interest on credit cards. This is obvious, but I soon as you fail to pay off the credit card in full, the high interest payments start to eat away at your monthly budget. If the temptation to spend more than you can pay on a credit card is to great, get rid of the credit card (and ignore the previous tip!).
  20. Take advantage of 0% credit card offers. I’ve saved thousands of dollars using 0% balance transfer credit cards. Again, as long as the cards won’t cause you to spend more, they can offer substantial savings. Make sure, however, that you keep an eye on the balance transfer fee, which can wipe out your savings.
  21. Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent light (CFLs) bulbs. These bulbs use 75% less energy and last 10 times longer. They do take some getting used to, and they won’t work in every light fixture. But use them where it makes sense and save energy and money.
  22. Drive your car longer. The buy new versus used debate often overlooks the most important factor–how long you own your car. Drive it as long as you safely can for substantial savings.
  23. Pay your life insurance annually. Insurance companies charge you more if you pay monthly, quarterly or semi-annually. Pay once a year and you’ll pay less.
  24. Pay car insurance semi-annually. At least with my car insurance, they offer quarterly and semi-annual payment options. It costs more to pay quarterly, and twice a year is more convenient anyway.
  25. Increase insurance deductibles. Most of us don’t need to be insured for all losses over $100 on our car, for example. Although we wouldn’t want to pay a $250 or even $500 deductible, we could. If that’s you, find out how much you’d save from raising your deductible. I’ve raised my deductibles on my auto insurance and home owner’s insurance and saved a considerable amount.
  26. Think before submitting an insurance claim. My rule of thumb is that I won’t submit a claim on a loss that is less than twice my deductible. So for a $250 deductible on an auto loss, I’ll pay out of pocket any loss up to $500. Why? The $250 I’d receive from my insurance company is not worth the increased premiums I’m likely to pay. You may want to call your insurance agent to find out how a claim will impact your premiums before filing the claim.
  27. Get rid of your home telephone. This is a great way to save money. Many don’t do it because of the 911 service, and that’s understandable. But if you’re comfortable relying on a cell phone, there’s no reason to keep a land line. If you do, consider reducing your service to the minimum and only use the phone in an emergency.
  28. Consider VOiP telephone service. We use Internet phone service and have saved substantial money over Verizon service. The phone service has been very reliable, and you’d never even know the signal was being carried over the Internet. Lingo is a great option for VOip telephone service, which costs just $21.95 a month for unlimited local and long distance calling in the U.S. and over 20 countries, and even gives you the first month of service for free (check out my Lingo Review).
  29. Shut vents in unused rooms. This isn’t advisable if you have forced air heating, but shutting vents in unused rooms can save on your heating and cooling bill.
  30. Eliminate some cable service. Note that I’m not recommending getting rid of cable completely, although that’s certainly a way to save money. If you must have cable, take a look at all the charges on your cable bill and consider getting rid of some of the service. Try it for a month and see if you really miss those last 500 channels.
  31. Agree to limit gift giving. At Christmas our extended family and we go overboard when it comes to gift giving. Agree in advance to limit the gifts and save everybody some money.
  32. Get healthy. Your health will directly impact the cost of life insurance and, in some cases, can reduce the cost of your health insurance.
  33. Cancel the health club membership. Seems to contradict the previous tip, but evaluate how much you really use your health club. Less expensive options may include a gym at your work or a gym at your local parks and recreation center. Some offer pay as you go options rather than monthly fees, which can be great for those of us who aren’t as consistent in our routines as we’d like to be.
  34. Pass on extended warranties. A $129 two year extension on a $300 product is just not worth it. Warranties are insurance, and we rarely need to insure such a small amount.
  35. Take your lunch to work one more day a week than you do now. Eating out at lunch is fun, so I wouldn’t eliminate it completely. But taking lunch just one more day a week will keep money in your pocket.
  36. Buy low cost mutual funds. This is easy to miss because the money doesn’t come out of your pocket each month. But keep an eye on the cost of the mutual funds in your 401(k) and other investments. My rule of thumb is that no fund should cost more than 1% and the combined cost for all your funds should be less than 0.50%. If you don’t believe that even a half percent can make a big difference, read this.
  37. Take advantage of employer 401(k) matches. If your employer matches 401(k) contributions, do everything you can to take full advantage of that match.
  38. Use flexible spending accounts. FSAs allow you to pay certain medical, dental and child care expenses using pre-tax dollars. If your not taking advantage of these accounts, you’re wasting money. Enrollment at many companies is occurring now, so check with your HR department if you have any questions about FSAs.
  39. Get tires from Costco or other wholesale clubs. Simply put, they cost a lot less than buying them at the dealer or even a chain tire store.
  40. Keep tires properly inflated. It keeps you safe and costs less on gas.
  41. Stop smoking. Need I say more?
  42. Drink less alcohol. It costs money and ads calories.
  43. Buy term life insurance. Any other life insurance product is just not worth the extra cost.
  44. Buy generic over-the-counter medicines. They are exactly the same as their branded counterparts and cost less.
  45. Get organized and avoid missed payments. I’ve missed a payment or two because the bill got buried beneath a stack of papers. Get organized and avoid those late payment penalties. If you do miss a payment, call your creditor and ask to have the penalty removed. They’ll usually accommodate the request, at least the first time.
  46. Buy online when it saves you money. I’ve used Amazon to buy more than just books. It sells just about anything and sometimes at substantial savings.
  47. Consider MythTV PVR in replace of TiVo type services. I just ran across MythTV and am still investigating it. I pay $15 a month to my cable company for a DVR box and would love to save the money. If you’ve used MythTV, let us know how well it works. You can get more information about MythTV here.
  48. Use Open Source software when possible. I use GIMP instead of Photoshop. GIMP is free; Photoshop ain’t.
  49. Check the insulation in your home. Extra insulation can easily pay for itself in one or two years, and it helps save the environment, too.
  50. Buy energy efficient appliances. Look for the Energy Star on appliances and consider the annual energy cost before buying. More efficient appliances cost more, but you make up the extra cost and then some over the life of the product.
  51. Stay married. Yes, I did say 51 “painless” money-saving tips. Yes, I know that some marriages end because of abuse and other extreme circumstances. “Isn’t marriage about love”, you ask. Sometimes. “You don’t know my situation”, you say. True. But I lived through the emotional and financial pain of two divorces as a child, and I’ve been married to the same women for more than 19 years, so I know plenty. Am I telling you not to get a divorce? Of course not. I am telling you that divorce will wreck your finances and your spouse’s finances.

    52. Check out the other great money saving tips in the comments below. And do you know some painless money-saving tips not listed here? Our goal is at least 101 painless money-saving tips, so please leave a comment or send an e-mail with your ideas.

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    160 Comments, Comment or Ping

    1. Pinyo

      Excellent list. In fact, I am going to write about my actual experience doing #1. It saved me a lot of money and I got better services out of the deal too.

      Nov 6th, 2007

    2. Luke

      What about:

      -Make a budget and try to stick to it

      -Walk or ride a bike when possible

      Good article!

      Nov 6th, 2007

    3. zh

      Great tips! Here’s mine: Don’t go to the grocery store more than once a week. You always spend more than you need there. When you do go, make a list and *stick to it*. True, this is not always painless. But the extra money in your account is worth it.

      Nov 6th, 2007

    4. David

      Watch out for #1 - I did the math here in my city and it was almost twice as much as getting service from different companies!

      Nov 6th, 2007

    5. B

      When you have a baby (we have two):

      Breastfeed - Breastmilk is always the right temperature (when given directly from the source), doesn’t have to be boiled or mixed, no bottles to wash, you’re taking it with you anyway.

      If you can’t, use Kirkland Signature (Costco brand) formula, it’s many times cheaper than name brands with basically the same ingredients.

      Nov 6th, 2007

    6. Frank

      Awesome list!

      I want to try Redbox, but unfortunately they are only in the bad parts of my town so far. :(

      Nov 6th, 2007

    7. Matthew

      I have a contention with the life insurance comment.

      While Whole of Life and Endowment policies are next to useless, Trauma (Critical Illness) and Income Protection (Temporary Salary Continuance) insurance is invaluable to have.

      Trauma insurance pays out in the event that you suffer a defined medical condition. The most common claims are cancer, stroke and heart conditions.

      Income protection pays out if you are unable to work due to medical reasons, and provides 75% of your income.

      Given the high cost of medical care, if you have a heart attack you might find yourself in a Simpsons-esque situation of having a second heart attack upon seeing the bill.

      Nov 6th, 2007

    8. gusdo

      buy a water filter and take your own water to the gym/sports etc…. bottled water is expensive, unessesary and bad for the environment

      Nov 6th, 2007

    9. Asma Yaaqub

      Really helpful article!!

      Making your own smoothies at home helps a lot. We get our frozen fruit from Sam’s club.

      Also getting powders/concentrates (nestea/fruit punches)instead of drinks and making the drinks at home saves us a lot of money

      Nov 6th, 2007

    10. shawnchong

      52. Pay your mortgage payments bi-weekly, rather than monthly. If you pay monthly, you’re only making 12 two-week payments (that’s 24 payments), but if you pay bi-weekly, that’s 26 payments! Two more payments a year adds up over time.

      53. Buy an all-in-one video card (for maybe $80) and install it into your computer and plug your TV cable into it. Now, you can; record your TV shows onto your computer’s hard-drive and burn DVDs of what you’ve recorded. Some cards can also turn on and turn off your computer when the scheduled time comes up.

      54. Go to the grocery store with your belly full. You won’t buy too many things because you just ain’t hungry.

      55. Eat less! Sure, you’ll feel hungry quickly in the first few weeks… but eventually, you’ll get used to it and will start slimming down substantially (and without any effort).

      56. Learn to drive a manual-transmission car. It’ll save you on gas and maintenance costs. (I don’t know about insurance, though).

      57. Buy an Induction Cooktop! It’s 80-90% energy efficient compared to electric heat and even better than gas. It also won’t make the kitchen hot in the summer.

      58. Invest in a rooftop solar water heater. At only a few hundred dollars… it’ll repay itself many times over in its lifetime.

      59. Only turn off your fluorescent lights if you’re leaving the room for more than 15 minutes. It does use more energy to leave them on, yes, but turning them on and off reduces their useful lifetime. Sticking to the 15-minute rule means that you’ll save money on bulb-replacement costs, which will make up for the extra electricity costs.

      60. Buy a flask and carry your coffee/tea to work with you. Coffee and tea only costs pennies to make yourself, but costs $1 or more elsewhere. (I myself can prepare coffee better than Starbucks at home… I start with whole-beans of course.)

      Nov 7th, 2007

    11. Teo

      For students, stay in relatives house. No rent to pay.
      It is quite a pain though.
      Thanks for the tips! I love my university library.

      Nov 7th, 2007

    12. DR

      To all, thanks for adding to the discussion with your great money-saving tips. I even had a co-worker give me a handwritten sheet this morning of tips he and his wife came up with while watching House last night! I will update the post with your ideas in the next day or so. And if you’ve got more tips, please let us know.

      Nov 7th, 2007

    13. The Financial Blogger

      Buy your car over the internet: are you talking about new cars? I did not know that you could simply order it through internet… that’s pretty cool!

      Nov 8th, 2007

    14. DR

      I contacted a dealer 500 miles away that had been active in a forum about Honda’s. They gave me a great deal, Fed Ex’d the paper work and financing which I signed and returned. Then they delivered the car on a flat bed truck to my front door! It couldn’t have been any easier.

      Nov 8th, 2007

    15. Dividends4Life

      TDR: What a great list. Thanks for sharing!

      Best Wishes,
      D4L

      Nov 15th, 2007

    16. Adeem Zafar

      These are VERY insightful tips! I can see how a lot of these would greatly affect one’s wallet for the better.

      Nov 24th, 2007

    17. Bravewolf

      How many women have you been married to for 19 years? ;)

      Nov 28th, 2007

    18. DR

      Bravewolf, that is a very astute question. As I note in my about page, however, just one. If you’d like to send in your condolences for her, I’ll pass them along.

      Nov 28th, 2007

    19. Jessica Bennet

      Hi,

      These are interesting tips indeed! One needs to follow such tips and save money accordingly for special occasions like the Christmas.

      As for me, I do use a Christmas Club amount when I’d like to spend for the festive season. And, I simply follow some tips that I find extremely helpful to avoid overspending. You too might find them interesting enough! Just glance through 51 such tips and more available at http://www.mortgagefit.com/budgeting/51tips-christmas.html

      Merry Christmas in advance!

      Dec 18th, 2007

    20. norah

      I have two tips for you:

      1. Record every purchase. A few years ago I decided to do this for one month, but I saved so much money that I stuck with it. No more impulse gum, coffee or magazine purchases, and it allowed me to both create and stick to an annual budget. Just buy a cheap notebook and stick it in your purse or jacket pocket. At the end of every month, add up all your purchases and compare them to your budget.

      2. Get the barest amount of insurance you need. There are lots of recommendations on the list for various types of insurance, but don’t buy any of them if you don’t absolutely need them. That means no life insurance if you don’t have a kid or share a mortgage with someone. Even if you do, get the smallest policy possible–that money is supposed to keep them afloat if you die young, not pay for their Caribbean vacations.

      Dec 18th, 2007

    21. DR

      Norah, great suggestions. I’ve particularly focused on the cost of insurance, including raising deductibles to bring premiums down.

      Dec 18th, 2007

    22. Mohit

      Develop a hobby- You will save money you spent on leisure activities and will do constructive for your own development. Indulging in social activities is a great way to inner satisfaction too.

      Dec 26th, 2007

    23. DR

      Mohit, thanks for the tips.

      Dec 27th, 2007

    24. sara

      watch out for getting your company to pay part of your disability. If you do then you will likely have to pay taxes on the money. If you pay yourself, you can get the money tax free

      Dec 28th, 2007

    25. cedella

      Practical post. But maybe you should have categorized them. Kinda many to swallow. But nevertheless,very practical and realistic. My take, stick to your list of must- buys first.

      Jan 2nd, 2008

    26. George

      A good tip for your clothes dryer:
      Check the lint trap and clean it weekly.
      The dryer will run more efficiently saving you money and energy.
      But did you also know the built-up lint in your clothes dryer vent
      is the second leading cause of house fires? So clean the lint trap regularly, it could save you more than just money.

      Jan 19th, 2008

    27. Jim Phelps

      One often overlooked place to save some money is your car insurance bill. As an agent, I can tell you that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. We don’t have time to requote every policyholder’s coverage at renewal, but if asked to, we will shop their coverage around. Companys are changing rates and adding discounts all the time, so if you haven’t shopped your coverage around lately, you might be surprised how much you could save!

      Below is a link to my California car insurance website. Even if you don’t live in California, you can just enter your zip code and a list carriers in your state will appear. They are some of the cheapest companies you’ll find, so quote a couple and see if you can trim some fat from your budget!

      Visit here: http://www.carinsurancequotes-california.com/get-quotes.php

      Jan 22nd, 2008

    28. mobajwa

      TIP 51:

      “I’ve been married to the same women for more than 19 years”

      hmmm..just curious…how many women are you married to :)

      Jan 25th, 2008

    29. DR

      mobajwa, now that’s funny. I guess I was typing too fast! I hope my one and only wife doesn’t see this one.

      Jan 25th, 2008

    30. Lily

      Don’t buy packaged cookies and treats. Make cookies with your kids on Sunday and they’ll last all week. Marshmallow treats are quick and easy. Don’t buy candy. A bag of chocolate chips is much cheaper than a bag of chocolate candies. Instant pudding is sooooo easy to make and much cheaper than prepackaged.

      Mar 2nd, 2008

    31. Ltlgypsy

      Before buying or replacing healthy, beauty or cleaning products, consciously put yourself in “Use It Up” mode. By finishing up partially used containers of lotion, shampoo, cosmetics and cleaning items you’ll free up space and feel good knowing you didn’t throw away money on unused products. Once they’re gone you can happily buy the latest and greatest product - if you still want it!

      Mar 7th, 2008

    32. Pussums

      Visit the thrift shops frequently (Goodwill, hospital auxiliary, etc.). It’s amazing the wide variety of good useful items, many of them near new or brand new, for just a couple dollars.

      Mar 7th, 2008

    33. Chris

      Print out grocery coupons online at smartsource.com and coupons.com.

      Also when making purchases check a store’s online price before you go in to the store. Sometimes the online price is cheaper than the store price. So just have the store match their online price.

      Check out my blog:

      http://savethatmoney.blogspot.com/

      Mar 7th, 2008

    34. thehungrydollar.com

      I decided a while back to discontinue my magazine subscriptions (I spend more time reading articles on the internet anyway) and was amazed by how much money I was spending every year! It really does add up!

      Mar 23rd, 2008

    35. amber

      Don’t buy fast food, or waste your time on impluse buys. Think about it, could you live with out it? If you even have to think about it then don’t spend money on it.

      Mar 24th, 2008

    36. Joan Wade-Keszey

      There are a couple of things I do that seem as a reward in themselves: Save all change. Adds up quickly.
      Clip coupons. It’s worth organizing them and holding onto to few of them until a sale comes up-then you save even more money. I’ve save hundreds of dollars a year doing this, and it feels so good to know how much I’ve saved. (I even put the “saved” money in the change jar). Every so often we empty the jar take a fun day trip/have a nice dinner/etc. without using credit cards or cutting into our budget.

      Mar 26th, 2008

    37. DR

      Joan, thanks for the tip. I’ll add it to the list.

      Mar 27th, 2008

    38. Vortex Energizer

      From water filters to purifiers to energizers, it’s this level of collective water appreciation that hopefully will flow upwards to spark more global change. Still, water at its deepest level is not fully understood. If it was then the way governments treat it would change quickly. I suspect it will be the same process as spirituality as seen. A slow recognition of our deeper selves which allows for more appreciation of each other

      Apr 17th, 2008

    39. lisa the great

      great site!

      my tip?

      only wash with cold water. the detergent does the cleaning, not the temperature of the water. if you have heavily soiled items, just soak them in detergent BEFORE washing.

      Apr 17th, 2008

    40. Mystic Kalsi

      We keep saying lets do something about nature. How about not using any paper products , helping nature and saving a lot of money. Use handkerchief instead of paper tissues, to clean counter tops as well as your nose. Also you can still keep using toilet paper, but don’t feel tough when you go to countries where its just you and your hand and water to clean. Avoid using plastic cups, glasses, plates, spoons instead use steel glasses, utensils . They clean easy, never break and are reusable till you get bored looking at them, eventually never. …. Carry water from home never buy (mineral) water . Cause thats also H20. Being in best country of this earth i guess we have acess to one of the purest water on earth available to man kind.
      While driving use cruse and pay respect to Hanry Ford(inventor of automobile), respect to your car( no wear tear, best mpg), and best of all respect to your family, whom you would always see after a soothing drive back home cruising. More such advice to come….

      Apr 17th, 2008

    41. DR

      Lisa, thanks for the tip.

      Apr 17th, 2008

    42. Tom

      Great list!
      When I stumbled upon it I was expecting another one of those crazy penny pinching lists about turning off the lights when you leave the room. Many of these suggestions are new and most can amount to some good savings if followed.
      Two Suggestions for the List.
      #1 Replace expensive hobbies with cheap ones, or better yet figure out a way to make extra money doing what you love to do. I used to play golf, but figured out that what I liked the most about the game was the exercise and being out in nature. Now I hike with my wife and dogs. Way cheaper and it has improved my marriage (#51).

      #2 Spend time learning about investing, and always keep control of your investment decisions. Knowing how to invest the money you save can be just as important as saving it in the first place. You will save tons of money if you are financially savvy and have a proper asset allocation for your goals in life. Even if you hire a professional money manager, you will be way ahead if you understand what he is up to at all times, and monitor his decisions to make sure they are in line with your instructions. The one absolute rule about any investment is the higher the potential reward, the higher the risk period. If any one tells you they have a risk free way of making outsized return, run. They are either an idiot or a crook.

      Apr 22nd, 2008

    43. Karen

      I run a home based childcare. My food expenses are quite high on a monthly basis. To save money on baby food I do not buy the prepackaged serving size baby foods in the baby food aisle. Instead I buy canned fruits and vegetables and fresh fruits bananas, and puree (or chop) these in a food processor. (depending on the age of the baby) I then pour the food into ice cube trays and freeze them. After they are frozen I place the food cubes in a ziploc bags for storage. A can of vegetable can cost me 35-50 cents on sale. One single serving of pre-packaged baby food is about 45 cents. From one 16 oz. I can easily get 12-16 servings of home made baby vegetables or fruits for the infants in my care. Doing on line searches for home made baby food can be helpful, especailly for thos that like to follow a “recipe”. Good luck. I hope this helps at least one other person!

      Apr 23rd, 2008

    44. DR

      Karen, thanks for the tip! I recall so many years ago spending a fortune on baby food.

      Apr 23rd, 2008

    45. Al

      I sell cable. I always have to convince people how we can save them loads of money. Many do and I save the average family $30 per month from their cable, internet and phone bills.

      Apr 26th, 2008

    46. Holly

      Shop the outlets. Also, check online because sometimes you can get coupon books from the outlet itself - my friends and I live near Clinton outlets in CT and we printed out their online coupon and went to their office and got a coupon book that saved us 10-20% off at almost every store we went to. I got T-shirts at the Gap for 50% off, plus 10% off that - 6 T-shirts for $35. I’m set for summer. Also, ask the sales people - they can turn you onto the good stuff that’s a great deal.

      Food. I’m single and live on my own… but I buy chicken in big family packs. When I get home, I open the package and put all the breasts into individual sandwich bags and freeze them. Then I just take a breast out and put in the fridge before I leave for work in the am. It’s thawed & ready by the time I get home.

      Apr 27th, 2008

    47. DR

      Holly, thanks for the tips. We have outlets near where we live, too, so your suggestion will come in handy.

      Apr 28th, 2008

    48. lisa the great

      i recently visited a commercial kitchen, and they DON’T USE PAPERTOWELS! apparently, they’d waste tons of money if they did. instead, they use these cheap, plain white dishtowels for everything.

      well, what’s good for the goose … i have now stopped using papertowels … bought the kitchen towels in bulk, and not only do i save money, but i also help out the environment with less waste (i went through a TON of paper towels …)

      Apr 30th, 2008

    49. Chris

      I’ve thought of a new way to save more money at the grocery store. Before when I would find a coupon online, I would print it and use it. Recently the bright idea of printing the coupons and then copying them came to mind. Most websites with grocery coupons will only let you print them once and then you’ll have to wait until they say you can print again. Well now, I print the coupons and make a couple of copies for the next time I need them and keep them till they expired. I make copies of the coupons for things I buy everytime I go to the grocery store and that way I can compound my savings. Last week I saved $18 dollars off my grocery bill. Not much but I’d much rather have that money in my pocket than in Wal-mart’s.

      For more savings check my blog

      http://www.savethatmoney.blogspot.com

      May 15th, 2008

    50. Daveman

      Great tips! Thank you and I will certainly use them. One thing I always do is when purchasing something online, I always do a quick google search for coupon codes for that website or that product. Or, if there are multiple sites which offer that item, I will search for coupon codes for each of the sites and figure out what the best overall deal is (based on base price and any discounts, if available).

      May 25th, 2008

    51. Austin, TheOrangePaper Guy

      Great tips! Thanks for sharing.

      Cheers,
      Austin

      May 26th, 2008

    52. Marcie B.

      Shop at home before you go: Before you write your grocery list, dive into the freezer, pantry or wherever you hide the things you bring home from the grocery or drugstore. It’s surprising how many of us duplicate purchases without realizing it, and there is some satisfaction to be had from actually using up those frozen or canned goods befoer buying more. While recently helping my father reorganize, we came up with four jars of peanut butter and three of mayonnaise, which in their house will last about two years!

      Jun 1st, 2008

    53. DR

      Marcie B, that’s great advice. I’m constantly finding food at the back of the frig or cabinet that we had completely forgotten about.

      Jun 3rd, 2008

    54. Twinkle

      I work for a national insurance company. When you are going to be on vacation or are not going to drive a vehicle for a few weeks for some reason call your insurance company and suspend the coverage on the vehicle. Hardly anybody knows they can do this. Insurance companies earn the premium you pay up front during each day the policy is in force. When coverage is suspended they do not earn any premium for those days … your money is still there when you reinstate the coverages and you only pay for the days you’re using the vehicle. You can keep the comprehensive coverage and suspend everything else - you’ll still be covered for theft, vandalislm, etc. if something happens to your car while you’re gone but you don’t have to pay for liability. DON’T PAY FOR SOMETHING YOU’RE NOT USING.

      Jun 13th, 2008

    55. Twinkle

      To save money and still give nice gifts for birthdays and occassions throughout the year I do all my gift shopping at the after Christmas clearance sales. I purchase several items and store them in rubbermaid totes in my storage room. I shop with family members and close friends in mind as well as purchase several toys for the age/sex of each of my children to use when they are invited to birthday parties. Throughout the year I have nice gifts to give at 75% off what I would pay if I waited. It’s not all glittery reindeer sweaters either! LOL!

      Jun 13th, 2008

    56. kevin_g2975

      here’s a great cost savings tip! call 1-800-411-SAVE for all you directory assistance needs. It’s completey free and you get to speak with a live operator! they have business and government listings as well as home numbers. how cool is that? ^_^

      Jun 16th, 2008

    57. Debbie

      Great tips, thanks so much!

      Just a couple more to add to the list. Check your fuel efficiency on your vehicle, particularly if you drive extensively. With gas prices the way they are, purchasing a vehicle that allows you to get 10 or more mpg more than your current vehicle will quickly pay for itself.

      Also, be mindful of your ATM usage. Try to go to your own bank’s ATM as much as you can. If this is impossible, get out more money at each transaction, reducing your frequency of ATM visits. It’s amazing how much you can pay in bank fees each month if you don’t bank wisely.

      Jun 21st, 2008

    58. DR

      Debbie, thanks for the tips!

      Jun 21st, 2008

    59. Annie

      We started tracking our spending 6 weeks after marrying and moving in together in 1970, then finding we still had no cash! None of the tips shown here are new to us. We managed to educate our two children right through to a law degree and a history degree on our savings, despite being relatively low paid public sector workers. Trouble now is - with food suddenly up 20%, fuel up 50%, and having retired: there are few budgets left for being frugal. And the kids still need a little help because the housing ladder is so hard to get onto. Guess we’ll just have to grow more food, make my own clothes, knit….!! More ideas?

      Jun 22nd, 2008

    60. Ida

      I have saved money on many services (auto repairs, dog grooming, locksmith, etc.) and some purchases (tires, floor models of items, etc.) by haggling. My dad suggested it to me and I am always surprised how well it works. Sometimes the people you deal with are a bit surprised, but it works frequently. I have had the greatest success with service providers, but I have gotten great deals on items as well. I have done best with local companies rather than big chains, because the employees have a greater stake in company success and you’re more likely to be dealing with the owners.

      Jun 25th, 2008

    61. DR

      Ida, nice tip. My dad was a great haggler, a trait he didn’t pass down to me.

      Jun 25th, 2008

    62. sunnee

      http://realfreestuffforall.com/index.htm

      Jul 1st, 2008

    63. Cookie

      I Love the “writing” Down purchases!!! and Cold Water Wash!!(saves the fabric)
      My best tip is never to spend a $5 Bill that comes into my possession. I can’t say I don’t ever spend them, but with a kid in college, high gas & grocery prices I always have an envelope with some cash in it!!! And at the end of the month I deposit at least $50 into my savings account.

      Jul 2nd, 2008

    64. Rebecca Oulton

      To Karen who runs home-based daycare:

      When I lived in England there was a tragedy when a baby accidentally died during the night. The parents (vegans) did the same thing you mentioned. The autopsy found a fatally high level of sodium which was traced back to one of the products the parents had pureed. It’s worth a few extra cents to buy the sodium free products. Or use fresh ones that are on sale; try going to the farmers’ market one hour before closing time and take advantage of their bargains. By the way, the freezing the puree’ in ice cube trays is a stroke of genius.

      Jul 3rd, 2008

    65. ARock

      I think the easiest, most painless money saving tip there out these is to save money first. Have it directly taken from your paycheck to a savings or 401k or whatever, If you don’t see it, you can’t spend it. You’d be surprised how easy it is, and how you really won’t even miss the money you are putting aside. Especially if you put it in a pre tax savings like a 401k. If you are in the 25% tax bracket like most Americans are, and you put away $100.00 a paycheck to a 401k, you’re really only ‘missing’ $75.00 because Uncle Sam didn’t get his hands on it yet.

      Jul 8th, 2008

    66. Shara

      Thanks for the tips! Every little bit helps. Making your own household cleaning supplies is also helpful. I love making my own laundry soap!

      For other recipes go to http://www.savemoneytoday.com

      Jul 9th, 2008

    67. Shara

      Sorry! The website is actually http://www.savemoneytoday.net

      Jul 9th, 2008

    68. Laura George

      A lot of good tips here..I’d like to add…pay your bills online to save on postage. Steer clear of McDonald’s, Star Bucks and the frozen food section of the grocery store. It is easy to whip into a fast food place when you feel a hunger pain but if you can hold off ’til you get home it will save you about eight bucks(I carry a package of cheese cracker that cost 25 cents) And the frozen foods although convenient are way more than if you cook the food yourself. Keep up the good work!

      Jul 16th, 2008

    69. *Sh*

      My 2 young kids and I love juice (and I only give them 100%), but it can be expensive at the grocery store, especially when your family drinks 3 large bottles per week! I have started buying the store brand frozen concentrate. It has saved me lots over the years, plus my kids are getting the extra flouride in the tap water that isn’t in the bottled juice.
      Another good idea is only take a certain amount of cash to the grocery store. And leave the credit or debit cards at home! I bring a cheap calculator or just paper and a pencil with me and my little girl loves to keep my running total! She is learning about math and how to be responsible with money at the same time! It never too early to teach your children about personal finance!!

      Jul 18th, 2008

    70. phil2009

      If you want one more painless way to save money, 1-800-411save is also worth trying. It has live operators no matter where you are in the US and Canada, and no matter what time of day you call.This provides the best quality of service for your business customers’ employees.

      Jul 24th, 2008

    71. Kishore

      If you live in a house with a lawn, cut your own lawn. It is great exercise and saves you about 20 bucks a week in general.

      Jul 25th, 2008

    72. Kishore

      Track your expenses for free from various bank, credit, mortgage, car loans etc at http://www.mint.com.

      It is free and have intuitive user interface.

      Jul 25th, 2008

    73. Brenda

      Kishore,
      I have heard of Mint.com a couple times before, but havent gotten the chance to check it out. I guess if i keep hearing good things its worth a shot right? I also know of a site called http://www.dentalpricecompare.com. It shows the average prices for dental procedures based on your location. That way you can know if your dentist is kinda overcharging or not the next time you go.

      Aug 1st, 2008

    74. Clare

      We have four sons and people constantly tell us that “you can’t exist on one income”. Lol
      We’ve never received welfare and we have zero debt.

      We own our home. We own our car. That’s right. Paid off. I’m 36 and my hubby is 42.
      We don’t have a McMansion or a newer model vehicle. As a matter of fact, our 1600 square foot is on the market and people who have one or two children say it’s too small for them. lol And our new home that we’re getting is 800 square feet. An elderly couple is pursuing the purchase of our current home.
      I have homeschooled our children for the past 15 years. I use cloth diapers. I breastfeed. We use the library for entertainment. My sons and I all cook from scratch and from basic whole foods. Reference an old children’s book to see our grocery list. (Milk, flour, honey, eggs, cheese) Our babyfood? Home-made. Don’t think I can’t see those carts full of pre-cooked chickens, pepsi that’s still more expensive than gasoline, chips, tv dinners, cracker snack-packs, and even pre-cut apples!
      We hang out the wash. We garden every year and preserve. We have one car that we use to get to and from work and to consolidate errands along the way. We refuse to waste money on heating and cooling that runs all day. We’re rarely inside our house because we study primarily out of doors anyway.
      We buy our clothing at second hand shops and because we dry them naturally, they last forever. We haven’t owned tv in 20 years and our children’s SAT scores were coming in stamped post high school by the time they were in 5th grade. we use 4-H for Public Speaking Club, Chess Club, Photography, etc. If we want bottled water for trips, we buy a reusable bottle and fill it. lol why are Americans throwing away their money, eating fattening junk that’s far more expensive than the healthy food I’m buying and then telling lies about it?
      The king is naked.

      Aug 4th, 2008

    75. Clare

      p.s. My husband and I didn’t come from families that lived frugally or did anything for themselves.
      We left behind our parent’s lifestyle of the rat race and learned from the library every single thing that we’re doing.

      The savings accounts are beautiful and freedom is niiice. My husband does not make much money at his job, but the key to financial independence is simply “living within your means”. I feel sorry for the current generation.

      Aug 4th, 2008

    76. William

      If you have ADT or Brinks look into another monitoring provider. There are several that will monitor your system for $10/mo, which is a $20-$30 dollar savings. You have to wait till your current contract is up… but hey.

      I’m not suggesting cancling it however. I live in LA, and it’s stopped people on two occassions.

      Aug 4th, 2008

    77. courtney2011

      All these are truly helpful But guys, let me add something. We people, are burdened because of very high charges when we call for directory assistance. We use this most of the time. I just discovered a phone number to call so we can cut this expense on our phone bills. 1-800-411-save is amazing. You can get a phone number free of charge. You just have to listen to a vey short advertisement. Aside from that they’re agents are live and not a recording. By using this service, I guarranty you that you dont just save money but you also save time and energy!

      Aug 21st, 2008

    78. Chris

      Two words to remember when buying something online: “Promotion Code”. Google the name of the vendor your buying from and add in the phrase “Promotion Code”. E.g., Google “Famous Footwear” “Promotion code” There are dozens of websites that track promotions from vendors. Even when I buy on sale (which is always) I can almost always find a promotion code that will take an additional 10-25% off or free shipping or both. The only thing better than buying on sale is buying on sale with an additional percentage off and free shipping.

      Aug 21st, 2008

    79. Fletcher

      What about making sure that when you buy something on the internet you receive cashback using cashbackchart.com

      Aug 25th, 2008

    80. Kelsey

      There are plenty of ways to get gently used and even sometimes unused items for free.

      An organization called Freecycle has different groups all over the country. You’re even likely to find one right in your hometown. You sign up through Yahoo, but it’s all e-mail based. I reccomend creating a new e-mail address for this because you usually get quite a few e-mails a day. If you are looking for something specific you can send a mass e-mail out and ask if anyone has the item. Or if you’re looking to get rid of stuff you don’t use, rather than throwing it away send a mass e-mail out offering the item to anyone that wants it.
      http://www.freecycle.org
      Everything is completely free, advertising garage sales or requesting money is off limits. You do porch pick-up as well but if you’re uncomfortable with someone knowing where you live you can request something else. I just got a great new charcoal grill for free!!!

      There is also a FREE cetegory on craigslist.com under the For Sale section where you can basically do the same thing.

      Aug 26th, 2008

    81. Samaya

      Chris, i always look for a Promo code any time i buy something online. I usually get free shipping and sometimes a couple dollars or percent off, but that has definitely saved a good amount of money over the past year.

      Brenda, i looked at the site you posted, and I actually know of an even better one. Its at http://www.smarthealthbuyer.com , it gives you the prices for dental procedures, chiro, optical, accupuncture, and a couple other things. But this way you can price compare on more things than just dental

      Aug 27th, 2008

    82. Germaine

      Great tips.
      We save water by running the cold shower startup water into a gallon container. By the time the jug is full the water is comfortably warm for a shower. We use the saved water to take care of plants or add it to the laundry water. We also dump the water from the dehumidfier into the washer. A little bleach keeps it fresh until we do the first load of whites or the really grubby work clothes.

      Here’s a rhyme that my depression savy grandparents lived by:

      Use it up, wear it out, make do, do without, can your borrow? can you rent? then consider buying

      Sep 4th, 2008

    83. DR

      Germaine, nice rhyme! I think you and your family taking money saving tips to a new level!

      Sep 4th, 2008

    84. money-saving-tips

      Great tip on “slowing down” your internet service. I have bought the lower-speed service over the years on DSL, Cable, and specialty services like FIOS and Uverse.

      The so-called slow-speed was always just fine, no issues.

      Sep 14th, 2008

    85. Jennifer

      After spending entirely way too much money on groceries for our family of four, I sat down and devised these strategies:

      1.- Money is wasted when spent on items never used. I only go to the grocery store every 10 days (unless I run out of something of necesity, like milk) and before I do, I make a detailed list of what we will eat each of those ten days. Breakfast is usually one of 4 things to eliminate over-buying: pancakes, eggs and potatoes, oatmeal, or cold cereal. The eggs come from my own chickens, which eliminates one less thing to buy. Lunch is almost always leftovers from the night before because I always cook enough to cover both meals (I have found that it is quicker and more convenient to heat up leftovers than to run to the nearest drive through). If leftovers arent available, then PB&J sandwhiches or hot dogs are on the menu.

      2.- Dinners almost always contain one element of the next night’s dinner, to save time and money. For example, Last night we had pork chops, scalloped potatoes, and asparagus. Tonight I made a stir fry of leftover pork,a bag of frozen mixed veggies, egg noodles, topped with cheese. The bag of noodles that I have been using came from a store that sales in bulk, and I have been using it for a couple of months. Thus, the only thing that actually was not left over was the bag of veggies.

      3.- Buy in bulk! I just spent $12 for a 5 pound bag of cheese, and the expiration date is not until February. Vegetables can be bought freshly frozen which eliminates the waste of them going bad, anddrastically reduces the amount of sodium you would get from canned veggies. Works great for making your own baby food! I am also a fan of buying extra products on sale and then freezing them so they dont go bad. This works with bread, meat, veggies, some cheeses, even some entire meals.

      It might take a little extra time, but probably not much more than you spent reading this!

      Happy budgeting!

      Sep 19th, 2008

    86. thordog

      Came across this list when I searched Google for “money saving tips”, you were #2! Thanks for putting this list together, its a great list and very helpful. I just created a new website called saversecrets.com that lets people share money saving tips as well and track how much they are saving. Check it out, I’m sure our members will be consulting your list.

      Sep 23rd, 2008

    87. fwiki

      Do take advantage of those 0% credit cards, but read the fine print. Sometimes it only applies to transfers, sometimes only for a limited time, etc.

      Great list of tips.

      Sep 27th, 2008

    88. Cindy

      Just a note-be careful with not washing sheets in hot water. To kill dustmites (which most are allergic to) you need a high temp. otherwise you just give the critters a bath and put them back on your bed!

      Sep 30th, 2008

    89. Dina

      You can call 1-800-goog-411 and get connected to any business free. That’s 1-800-4664-411. They ask for city and state and you say it out loud. Then you say the name of business or category and if you are just looking for a general thing like a restaurant it will give you a list to select from! Free and awesome.

      Oct 13th, 2008

    90. Jonez

      When you have an impulse to buy some thing, give your self 24hrs before buying it, in 24 hrs you still really want it and it’s worth going back then fine, but if it’s not necessary and it was just an impulse thing, chances are 24 hrs later you won’t want to go back to get it!

      Oct 13th, 2008

    91. Sarah

      As far as the home phone for 911 service goes, I’m a 911 operator and, at least here in Florida, you don’t need service to call 911 from your house. You can just plug a phone into a wall and you’re good to go. We’ll get your address, we just can’t call you back.

      Oct 23rd, 2008

    92. paul

      their is a brialliant saving idea for all gym goers and those on diet or wanting to lose weight.
      go to http://www.3dayshortworkout.com and get yourself a bargain while it is still available.

      paul

      Oct 27th, 2008

    93. Vicki

      Here are some of the things I do to save money (I’m single, a homeowner, and have had my mortgage for 8 years now; I’d be interested, Clare, in how you & your husband were able to pay off your mortgage early? I’ve used mortgage calculators online and I can’t find a way to do it on my income in under 10 more years, ugh…)

      1. Bring your lunch to work, don’t leave midday to go home or to a restaurant. I used to go home to eat lunch every day. I have cut my commute in half by not doing this any more. I save a lot on gasoline. I never ate out much before, but I’m economizing on lunches by purchasing those bags of bean burritos in the frozen section at the grocery. They come to about 75 cents per lunch that way, I’ve not found a cheaper way to do lunch yet. I am getting a bit tired of burritos though.

      2. Don’t have a credit card. Period. See Dave Ramsey’s books “Total Money Makeover” and “Financial Peace Revisited” - your public library will have them.

      3. CANCEL cable tv and internet at home. Access the internet from work or the public library. Watch your favorite tv shows online, or rent the DVDs when they come out from your local video store. Sign up to get emails from Redbox. They send out a coupon code every monday for 1 free rental.

      4. Use sites like Dealtaker.com to shop around for good deals. You can even post a request on their message boards for help in finding a good deal on just about any item you can buy on or off line.

      5. If you need furniture, buy dorm furniture from a discount store like Target or KMart. Also, my local Habitat for Humanity runs a resale store and sells lots of furniture and other household items people donate to them. Find out if your local Habitat For Humanity runs a shop also.

      6. Shop where the illegal immigrants shop. Seriously — don’t laugh! The most discounted discount grocery store I know of is located in the heart of my town’s immigrant district.

      7. Get athletic shoes at a discount store like KMart. I read a consumer reports article some time ago that stated there basically isn’t any difference in quality between the $500 athletic shoes and the $10 ones, so why pay more. I saw ladies’ jogging shoes at KMart for $9.99 just the other day.

      8. Always wear comfortable shoes. If you wear crummy shoes with no support, or expensive shoes that put your feet and spine out of whack, you will spend way more money on medical bills when you blow your knee out or sprain your ankle or your back. Save money by taking really good care of your feet. I found that out the hard way, wearing cheap flat slipon sandals to work every day, and ended up blowing out my ACL just on an ordinary day, climbing a flight of stairs. At $180 per hour, physical therapy was expensive, and my insurance only paid HALF that. If you are trying to save money, save yourself $80 per hour out of pocket by avoiding injuries: wear good shoes!!! (see #7 for a tip on how to buy *good* shoes cheaply).

      Oct 29th, 2008

    94. Vicki

      ALSO:

      1. I only shop for clothes once every 6 months or so. I go to the Goodwill Store at that point and outfit myself completely for under $40.

      2. Don’t go to the mall for “fun”. Replace shopping as your therapeutic activity with some other hobby, like walking (if you live in a safe neighborhood), or writing or yoga or join a reading group or club.

      3. Always wash clothing in cold water. Cold water gets clothes cleaner, and gets stains out better. Only wash sheets in hot water, to kill dust mites. There is never a reason to wash clothes in hot water.

      4. To reduce Christmas expenses, suggest to your family that everyone just exchange names and buy one gift this year. My family does this. For adults it’s fine. For the kids, we still each buy them a gift, but we don’t buy presents for each and every adult any more. Everyone is getting married now, and our family is growing more quickly than our budgets! Holidays are more about spending time together anyway. Who really needs or wants all that stuff?

      5. Buy children’s toys at discount stores like Big Lots — they get lots of items at deep discounts. Also, use Dealtaker.com to shop around if there is one particular item a child really wants.

      Oct 29th, 2008

    95. DR

      Vicki, thanks for the great money saving tips!

      Oct 29th, 2008

    96. Catherine B

      shop at the dollar store ~ only buy what you need !

      shop at the bread outlet for bread deals & stock up

      look for reduced priced meats

      read the newspaper ads and stock up on loss leader sales at the grocery store

      cook from scratch, use your crock pot !

      barter services with neighbors and friends

      limit yourself to a weekly cash allowance for your treats ~ alcohol, cigarettes, McDonalds or whatever it is that you crave

      rent out a room in your house

      Nov 8th, 2008

    97. Hollie

      this cost money, but in the long run can save you money. If you are buying a major appliance, or electronics, get the extended warranty. I bought a computer and a flat-screen TV and within 6 months of the manufacturer warranty expiring, both needed costly repairs.
      I paid 1/10 the price of the electronics for the extended warranty. That warranty has covered 2 motherboards and 2 system fans for my computer, and is replacing basically the brain to my flat-screen TV. So I paid roughly $175 for the extended warranty, saving the cost of replacing both my computer and TV.
      Did I mention the problem I had with my washer right after the manufacturer warranty expired?

      Nov 11th, 2008

    98. realle

      I buy extra large pizza on 2-for-1 Tuesdays, then bag up at least a dozen $2.00 lunches and freeze them.

      Also, try taking enough cash from your account to last you the week without using your ATM card. You’ll be surprised how soon you’re out of cash, and soon you’ll find yourself cutting out the little extras that have been costing more than you realized.

      Nov 11th, 2008

    99. David Starkey

      Kishore, good point - I use Mint.com too to track my daily expenses. I also use Billsback.com for my online shopping - the best cashback site I’ve found on the net so far.

      Nov 11th, 2008

    100. Shevaun

      Another great money saving tip–instead of using 411 for information, call 1-800-FREE411. They give you all the same information for FREE! You listen to 2 advertisements, but its worth it to save $3 each call

      Nov 11th, 2008

    101. Rosina

      Instead of exchanging Christmas gifts with everyone you normally do, sponsor a child through a local charity. It is better for your budget, better for the environment, and will help someone who really needs the help. (Who really needs all the stuff they receive at Christmas anyway?)

      Nov 13th, 2008

    102. stonks @ moneysaverpro

      Yeah, I find that staying on top of my credit card payments each month and sticking to my budgets by scrupulous monitoring allows me to lead a balanced life. It’s amazing to see where your money goes once you start monitoring it! It’s all those little things…

      Nov 13th, 2008

    103. Greg Hency

      Skipping Starbucks has saved me a lot of money. I make my own lattes now. I started with a $10 Mr Coffee Espresso Machine from a garage sale, and then I learned the technique. I wrote a how-to at http://www.ehow.com/how_4575451_best-cafe-latte.html It tastes better, and you get the same result every time.

      Nov 13th, 2008

    104. Lookingtosave

      I make coffee at home now saving on average of $3.00 per day. Yah there are some more tips at http://myfreelifetips.com

      Nov 13th, 2008

    105. Richard

      Vicki,

      Burritos every day can be boring. For me, lunch for the week is what ever was on sale in the frozen food isle last week. I eat a lot of hot pockets. I watch for them to go on sale and stock up on a variety of flavors, and I almost always get a store coupon for them which makes the next batch cheaper. This means Monday may be barbeque beef, Tuesday is ham and cheese, Wednesday is chicken fajitas and so on. When they are on sale for 5 boxes for $10, you are only paying $1 per serving. Stick with the lean hot pockets to help reduce calories.

      I also recommend checking out the cafeteria at work. They may have some freebies to add to what you bring from home. I get free fruit and free coffee.

      Nov 14th, 2008

    106. Richard

      One tip for clothes shopping. Find a good store and make friends with the staff. Learn about the sales they have. I bought three suits for the price of one that way. Its more expensive then shopping at goodwill, but I was able to three different suits that will last me years. Rarely will goodwill have that great of a selection.

      Nov 14th, 2008

    107. AmandaB

      Two tips, one big and one small …

      Big: We just learned that today’s gasoline contains far more alcohol which causes it to degrade in as little as three to four weeks! While it is unlikely to stay in your car long enough to do damage, it may be in your lawnmower, leafblower or snowblower for that long. As it degrades it ‘enamelizes’ (gunks) the inside of the engine and build-up can cause serious damage. So, to SAVE THE COST of having a big repair bill or buying a new machine, use only the gas you need and run out the rest. We were told Shell and Marathon were the best gasolines to use, as they use less alcohol than most others. (We’re in Ohio.)

      Small: I collect all the partly used little shampoo bottles from business travel and use them in our liquid soap dispensers. They work great and smell nice too. Saves a lot of money over time.

      And P.S. Shopping at Goodwill? I’ve found designer label clothing with the original price tags still on them!

      Nov 14th, 2008

    108. DR

      AmandaB, great tips. And if you don’t use all the gas in your mower, you can always add some gas stabilizer.

      Nov 15th, 2008

    109. DR

      Richards, nice tip. I’ve done that at Brooks Brothers (I buy the “cheap” suits there) and saved money, too.