5 Ways to Save 5 Bucks in 5 Minutes or Less

Some people use the excuse for not saving money that there just isn't enough time, it's too much trouble, or they just don't know how. But saving money can be super quick, easy, and relatively painless if you know how.

I love to discover new ways of saving money, and sometimes it becomes so simple and logical to me that I fail to remember that it doesn't come so easy for everyone. So if you're thinking that saving money requires too much effort, here are five easy ways you might save five bucks in just five minutes or less.

Make a Grocery List

Some people dread making a grocery list and sit there before heading out to the store, trying to remember what it is they need, sorting through all the things that they should have been jotting down throughout the week but didn't. Either that, or worse yet, they jot down items haphazardly as they drive to the store or end up calling home the minute they get behind their shopping cart to ask the family what they want for this week's dinner or what's in the fridge.

It really doesn't have to be this way. Over the years, I've done my grocery list two ways, and both ways are simple, easy, and ensure that I get everything I need when I'm at the store. I used to keep a list handy on the kitchen table (or similarly easily accessible area), and now keep a dry erase board on the refrigerator where I can jot down items as I discover they're needed. By doing so, I avoid extra trips to the store for forgotten items, I avoid impulse buys, or I can load up on sale items because I've planned ahead, thus saving me probably much more than five bucks by doing something that actually takes much less than five minutes.

Comparison Glance at the Grocery Store

When I'm at the grocery store, I don't even call it comparison shopping because in most instances, all it takes is a glance. I just take a few extra seconds, glance at the section of aisle that contains the various brands of the product for which I'm searching, and scan prices until I find the best deal. It's not hard, it probably only takes me an extra five to ten seconds per product, and I end up saving money each and every time I head to the grocery store. Doing this becomes even easier with time as you become accustomed to the stores, locations, and prices of various products that you buy on a regular basis.

Pop into a Resale Shop

Stopping in at the resale shop when I'm in the area can be super convenient and save me a few bucks. If I know that I need something like a pair of pants, a shirt, maybe a pair of lightly used shoes for my little boy, or whatever, and I am prepared in advance, I can pop in, check out the selection, and depending upon what's available, grab something on the cheap.

Of course this doesn't always work out for what I need, but if I plan far enough in advance, I can give it a couple of shots before I have to head out and buy at retail prices. And since there is a resale shop located close to where I run regular errands, it only takes a couple of minutes to check. If I hit pay dirt, then I'm sure to save at least five bucks, if not much more.

Ask for Drink Specials

Even in the suburbs of Chicago , my wife can go out for drinks and typically make a fun night of it for around $30 or less. Going with the drink special instead of just ordering whatever comes to mind can be a quick and easy way to save at least five bucks, if not more on drinks when we're out for a good time. It's also a good way to try drinks that you may not have sampled otherwise.

Clip Coupons

It only takes a quick minute to buzz the coupon section of the newspaper before heading out to the store. And if you've compiled your list, it's easy to do a quick scan of coupons relating to the items you need.

However, clipping coupons doesn't just stop with the newspaper. Typically, whenever we're getting ready to go out to eat, get takeout, or head to a store to shop, I'll do a quick search of the Internet for available coupons at the place or places we are considering. Sometimes I'll find a coupon for 10 or 15 percent off a purchase, a free appetizer with the purchase of a meal, a buy-on-get-one-free offer, or a similar coupon that can easily save me five bucks.

More from this contributor:

5 Websites That Could Save You Money

Last Week's Big Cutback: My Personal Budget Cut

My Monthly Resale Efforts in the Chicagoland Area

Disclaimer:

The author is not a licensed financial professional. The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. For financial advice, readers should consult a licensed financial advisor. Any action taken by the reader due to the information provided in this article is solely at the reader's discretion.