10 Ways to Easily Save Money in a Recession

It is possible! You can save money even in these tough economic times.
I enjoy a challenge...at first trying to live on less money made me angry, sad, thought God was punishing me, filled with self-pity...I think that about sums it up. Now, I have come full circle and I enjoy the challenge.
When I was in my 20's I did the starving college student thing, I have done the newly married and just starting out thing. I thought I was done with that. In my 30's and 40's, I thought I had it all. The perfect husband, a house that was almost paid for, 2 kids, 2 cars, a job I loved. How that can all change in a blink of an eye still floors me sometimes. There really is a positive side, however. I love the challenge of living on a budget (not at first..as I said above). I love learning how to repair and reuse items. I love researching how to save money! Here are some very effective ways to cut your spending.

1) Get rid of the gas guzzler!
Now that Cash for Clunkers is over, you may not get the trade in value you want for your old car, but you can still get a new car....I have always been in to buying used cars. Back in the 80's before it was cool to be green, many people already had it figured out. Of course now, the rich are being green by buying the new Prius with the solar panels on top, they hybrid Toyota highlander...and so on. What about those of us who do not have the money for the cool, new green cars?
Here are the top used, fuel efficient cars_
From Cars.com the top 25 used fuel efficient cars.

At Edmunds.com you can do a used car search in your area.

At our house, we have a 1999 Ford F150 and a 2003 Hyundai Elantra. We use the F150 for hauling trash, big items. Most of the time it sits in our driveway. My husband drives the Hyundai to work. When I was working we needed both cars. Now that I am at home, we use one car. We cut at least $150.00/month (Yes, I said MONTH!) on gas expenses by using the more fuel efficient car.

2) Unplug!
Did you know that if you leave your computer, cell phone, ipod charger in the wall socket that it is using electricity EVEN when not in use? Unplug! Also, turn your computer off and do not leave it on 'stand-by' 24/7. You can save up to $200-$300/ year by unplugging!

3) Use a low flow shower head
If you can not afford a new shower head, go to Lowe's or Home Depot and buy a low flow insert for your shower. Twist off your current shower head and insert the water saving device. You will not lose any pressure, actually you will find it is the same if not better. Since our daughters hit their teen and tween years, it has saved us hot water draining nights.

4) Repair and re-use
I said in an earlier post how much I love E-bay and YouTube. I have learned how to repair everything from Ipods, computers...how to strip wallpaper....how to cut hair at home...how to train my dog...anything that I would normally have spent money on is at my fingertips. Instead of throwing out your broken items, challenge yourself to educate yourself on repairing them. My Grandfather taught me that almost anything can be repaired.
Re-use plastic baggies...rinse and reuse.

5) Consider a Pay as You Go cell phone.
My first cell phone service was Verizon. I liked the service but I am not a huge cell phone user. I switched to Net10. I spend approximately $15.00 month as opposed to $40.00 a month. With $15.00 I still get 2 1/2 hours of talk time (which I rarely use up), I can text and I get the same coverage as my old Verizon plan. $25.00 a month savings right off the bat!

6) Go Green and Save Green!
By investing in items such as CFL light bulbs (Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs) is not only good for the environment, it can save you a bundle. They cost a little more upfront BUT they can last up to 10 years and the cut your electric bill. You actually end up saving money in the long run. You do not have to replace all of your bulbs at once. Simply replace burned out bulbs with new CFL bulbs.

7) Go to your local library!
I love to read. I used to think nothing of dropping $200.00 on books...at one time! My daughters love to read as well. We make a weekly trip to the library and get books, movies, music CD's..all for free! My daughters love picking our new books every week and it encourages them to read what they have since they have to return it.

8) Reset that thermostat!
If you adjust your thermostat by just one or two degrees, your body will barely notice the difference but your pocket book will.

9) Get a good travel mug!
Why? Make your own tea or coffee and put it in your travel mug every morning for your commute. If you are used to spending $3.00 or more on Starbuck's, you will not only be saving a bundle but you will also be saving our landfills from paper and plastic cups!

10) Buy Local!
Have you tried your local farmer's market? Buying your produce closer to home not only helps the local farmers, it lowers your carbon footprint.

If you grandparents lived through the depression, they probably taught you how to save and reuse. When the 80's hit, we became a 'throw away' world. Prosperity is not always a good thing.
A little dose of financial humility is not only good for the soul...it can be good for our planet.