29 Ways to Save

You needn't become obsessed about saving money and become a penny pincher; just make a conscious effort in your everyday life to be less wasteful. Focus on your long-term goals, be it purchasing your own home, buying a better car or going on that dream vacation you never seem to be able to save enough for. Remind yourself that with each small sacrifice, you're one step closer to reaching your goal. That should make the whole exercise substantially easier and so much more worthwhile!

Here are some tips I would like to share :

1. Set up a direct debit into a savings account as soon as you get paid. The inconvenience of withdrawing the money will deter overspending, and even if you use some of the money, you would at least have collected some interest.

2. Limit dining out to once a week, and entertain at home whenever possible.

3. Set a weekly meal budget and shop accordingly. Don't stock up on items with a short shelf-life like yoghurt, which will end up in the bin within a week.

4. Cancel your health club subscription or membership, and instead wake up early and go for a brisk walk or jog in your neighbourhood park.

5. Buy fresh produce at the market instead of supermarket tray packs.

6. Opt for locally produced and packaged generic medication instead of the pricier stuff in fancy packaging - it's just as effective.

7. Reach for a rag cloth instead of kitchen paper rolls to wipe up spills.

8. Adopt a low maintenance hairstyle to save on styling products.

9. Get your hands on as many free sample packs from cosmetic counters as you can. A few freebies can easily tide you over for a month.

10. Find out if electrical appliances can be repaired before replacing them. But if the repair comes up to more than half the price of a new item and doesn't come with a three-month guarantee, opt for the new.

11. Dress up a worn-out sofa with a cotton throw and some colorful cushions.

12. Visit a DIY store and learn how to maintain your own home. This should include tightening door hinges and giving the houes a fresh coat of paint if needed.

13. Get itemised billing for your phone. Keep a timer by the phone, and take note if you're calling someone on their cell phone instead of their fixed line for gossip sessions (the former costs more).

14. Avoid leaving your TV on standby mode. Switch it off every night to save electricity.

15. Cultivate the habit of turning off the tap while brushing your teeth and scrubbing your face.

16. Don't shop until there are sales, and even then, set a limit and stick to it. Remember, there will always be another sale.

17. Use a plug-in nightlight instead of leaving the hallway light on overnight.

18. Fill the kettle with just a little more than what you need for your tea/coffee. This will save electricity while preventing the heating element from burning out.

19. Switch to energy-saving lightbulbs. They generally last longer and will save you big bucks in the long run.

20. Cut petrol costs by driving at a consistent speed. Accelerate smoothly and keep the boot empty as extra weight increases fuel consumption.

21. Keep a map with you if you need to drive around a lot so that you don't get lost, and always plan your visits according to the vicinity so that you get the most out of each day and your gas tank!

22. Look for credit card with no annual fee and opt for one that gives you loyalty points that you can keep collecting over years.

23. Avoid expensive city centre parking charges. Find a cheaper car park and walk an extra 10 minutes - it'll give you some exercise while saving you money.

24. Ensure that you pay your bills on time to save on credit card interest. Pay bills by direct debit to save on postage and to avoid late payment charges.

25. Buy both the matching trousers and skirt with a jacket. With good colour coordination and planning, you can create several different looks.

26. Use any extra cash you have to reduce your debt (and the corresponding interest charges).

27. Give creative handmade / homemade items like painted mugs, potted plants from your garden or freshly baked cookies and cakes as gifts.

28. Buy blank greeting cards in bumper packs and use them for birthdays, anniversaries, etc.

29. Catch a movie on discount days and buy only matinee tickets for theatre plays.

Things you can do without...

Bottled water - boil and cool before filling them up at home.

Sandwiches from a fancy deli - visit a bakery instead.

New notepads - recycle your used envelopes as scrap paper.

Expensive perfumes - try an economical scent you can afford to spray on yourself again in the middle of the day.

Valet parking - self parking is much cheaper.