30 Best Financial Tips to Earn More, Spend Less and Save Money

What is the number one reason most couples split up? Money. What is the biggest issue facing today's families? Money. What does everyone seem to need more of? Money. Here are 30 tried and true ways to make money and save money.

How to Make Money:

-Bank Accounts: When you can find good interest rates, set aside a small amount each week.

-Principal Only Payments: Try to make at least one payment per year marked "principal only". This payment will be applied directly to your mortgage amount, not the interest. One "principal only" mortgage payment in the amount of your regular house payment can knock years off from the life of your mortgage. Consider using any bonuses or Christmas gifts for this purpose.

-Credit Cards: Apply for store cards or credit cards that offer: cash back, interest free periods and discounts. Use that card only for purchases that get the perks. Pay the card balance off monthly to avoid interest. Pay it by the deadline to avoid late fees.

-Credit card reward programs: Do the math on the point values. Can the points be converted? Do they expire? Will I get points for balance transfers? Can I get cash with the points? What is the best value for my points? (I wait until I have 10,000 points because I get $100. $25 costs me 3,500 points. At that rate, $100 costs me 14,000 points.)

- Rebates:Skip these unless it brings the product price down to a comparable cost. Don't forget to add time and postage to the equation.

Saving Money:

-Shop proactively Plan accordingly so that you aren't forced to buy something at full price. Don't buy until it's on sale. Do the math on sales, promotions and coupons. Comparison shop.

-Don't buy beverages at restaurants (especially alcohol): Drink water. It's free.

-Don't buy food at events: Event food prices are inflated. Bring food. Eat in your vehicle or in the parking lot. If you go out to eat, go to an off-site restaurant.

-Avoid souvenir, clothing and trinket venues at attractions: Amusement parks, zoos, circuses, sporting vents, local festivals and other attractions count upon impulse spending and inflate prices accordingly.

-Order tickets directly from websites:Avoid Ticketmaster, Ticketsplus,etc. These companies charge fees to take your money. Deal direct with airlines, bus fare, auto rentals, train and stations, too.

-Pay for items in ways that don't cost extra: When paying for utilities, bills, online orders, mortgage, credit card balances, shopping, choose a method that is free. Our power company charges to pay online, so I pay by mail. This saves $120 a year in fees.

-Calculate shipping and handling with mail order and online purchases: With S&H costs, the bulk is "handling" costs. Those have no set boundaries and can be very high. Don't pay extra for rush or overnight delivery, unless you have to. Be sure to get book rate (4th class) on all book shipments.

-Avoid late fees. Get borrowed and rented items back on time. Pay bills on time.

-Calculate travel costs: Which is the best route to take to save back and forth running? Consider a carpool.

-Read your receipts to be sure you were charged the correct amount. I save $5-$10 per week just by checking my receipts to see that items ring up correctly. Ask if you are not sure.

*Do not buy from solicitors: Phone or door-to-door, it is dangerous and you rarely get a good deal. Do not your credit card details for charities over the phone.

*Do not pay for any 'gimmicks' on line. Be very wary of sites with "pay to visit, use or view" requirements. It's dangerous and expensive.

-Do not buy over-priced fundraiser goods. Fund-raising works if: the items are equitably-priced things people use and the organization makes good profit. Offer a direct donation instead (usually tax deductible).

For more penny-pinching tips, visit my linked blogs.