50 Ways to Save Money

In today's economy, one can think it's insurmountable to save money. Well, its not impossible to save money and save a lot. One just needs to find ways in which to cut costs. Ways that one will barely notice any loss. All it takes is cutting costs a little here and there. All the little bits saved add up to a whole lot of money after awhile. If one is mindful of what he can personally do to save money, no telling what can happen. Have you tried any of these fifty ways yet to save money?

[1] When shopping, pass up those impulse buys that hang around the check out counter.

[2] Unplug the TV, radio, computer, and other electronic equipment when not in use.

[3] Walk instead of ride whenever possible. Save money and get healthier.

[4] Clip Sunday paper coupons to use when shopping and exchange with others.

[5] Family jars are a great motivator! Every time one cusses, (or use the family's weaknesses) he must put fifty cents into the jar. Another good one is money goes into the jar if anyone does not clean his dishes off the dinner table. Create whatever works for the family. Save that money for a vacation or a family outing.

[6] Budget to pay bills on or before the due date. Save late fees and charges, maybe get a discount.

[7] When shopping, pass up those impulse buys that hang around the check out counter.

[8] No movie or game rentals one week a month or something similar suitable to the entire family.

[9] Pass up on eating out or getting fast foods for cheap prices. Most are high in fats and costly if added up. Families cook well together and it can be fun too.

[10] One can do his own laundry, lawn, ironing, and other work, saving money by not paying anyone to do it.

[11] Do not get anything delivered unless it has free shipping. Save money on shipping, handling, even pizza delivery. Make it at home!

[12] Bicycle [or walk] around instead of driving a car and save money.

[13] Learn to sew and make clothes instead of paying outrageous prices in the stores for clothing. Try it!

[14] Great Ideas for family fun that do not cost money at all, so saving money is guaranteed with this one.

>Get together with other families for a Cooking day. Everyone gets together, cooks large quantities of dinners to freeze in individual portions or family size buckets. Save containers from large cool whips, margarine, cottage cheese, yogurt, etc., in all sizes. Then everyone can choose from a variety of scrumptious foods fresh from the freezer to put heat back into. Do it once a week, or month, or whenever it is good for the crowd.

>Roughing it in the park campgrounds, in a friends back yard, or wherever one can invite a crowd. Pitch tents, build fires, throw horseshoes, have gunny sack races, have fun. In winter, have sleds and sled riding hills ready. If summer, have a water battle with buckets of water and squirt guns. Have a scavenger hunt and have a blast!

[15] Shop the cheap grocery stores and stop paying the higher prices elsewhere.The supplies are pretty good if one shops with an open mind for trying new foods. Staples such as sugar, flour, baking ingredients, can foods, frozen dinners, pastas, breads, eggs, margarine, etc., are usually just as good and sometimes even fresher than the same product under another well known name brand.

[16] Exchange items bought that cannot be used, or get refunds or merchandise credits at the store where the items were purchased. Save money instead of letting the stuff lay around collecting dust.

[17] Save money by washing and waxing ones own vehicle at home. This can be done out of buckets of water if necessary.

[18] Use cold or warm water to wash laundry and cold water to rinse. Clothes will not have any detergent residue. Save money on the water bill and the hot water tank usage.

[19] If one is a smoker, get loose tobacco and papers then roll your own. Save money by quitting as well.

[21] In winter, turn the thermostat back to a cooler temperature, put on an extra blanket, sweatshirt, and socks if need be. Winterize homes and cars prior to inclement weather season, not afterward!

[22] Do not buy any extras on home insurance or car insurance or any other types of insurance.

[23] Do not consider gambling or lotto on a regular basis because it is a waste of money that can be better used elsewhere.

[24] Make greeting cards that are personal using ones own poetry or borrowing lines from an old card.

[25] Do not have anyone cater dining for special occasions. Do it yourself or ask family and friends to help. It will be much more personal, relaxed, and enjoyable.

[26] Do ones own fingernails at home instead of using the salon and save money. Trade manicures with a buddy.

[27] Trade haircuts with a friend who knows how to cut hair or pay someone a lot less than the salon.

[28] Have an exchange party with a friend, neighbor, or personal group. Exchange 5 dozen cookies, 5 pieces of clothing, writing paper, recipes, or other personal items. Do a toy exchange with other parents and save money not buying new toys that baby [or older child] will outgrow quickly.

[29] Plant a garden and have fresh foods for less than half the cost of groceries. Tend to it every day so it will grow well. Grapes, strawberries, cantaloupe, and many more delicious fruits are available. Tomatoes, peppers, onions, potatoes, corn and the list goes on with the easiest vegetables to grow.

[30] Use smaller wattage on bulbs around the home, turn lights down and off if not in use.

[31] Turn fans down a little, especially ceiling fans. Only use what is absolutely needed.

[32] Make a list of the ways that one can personally save money, write goals to reach for and take action.

[33] Clean ones own carpeting and save. Do not pay high prices for the work that can be done by self.

[34] Use rubbing alcohol and newspapers to clean glass with instead of expensive sprays. A nice clean shine is the result.

[35] Invest in a battery charger and reuse batteries instead of tossing them out. Save money, especially if one uses a lot of batteries.

[36] Make music on CD s for personal gifts and save money. Far more personal and welcomed than run-of-the-mill gifts.

[37] Save money by taking ones own lunch instead of buying food from the workplace or having food delivered to work.

[38] No need to ever buy a book. Get it from a local library or ask to use the lending library to borrow it for free. The local libraries have DVD and VHS movies, books on cassette, and other valuable lends. Free computer use, and some libraries offer free classes for computers, can also be found at the library.

[39] Take enough friends to get group rates and save money at amusement parks, pools, and such. Plan an entire day or week-end of fun.

[40] Always ask for a taste of food from the deli so one knows what he is getting instead of guessing, buying, and throwing out.

[41] One can cut the lawn or let one of the children do it. If hiring is a must, do so with someone local from a youth church group or other public groups.

[42] Get rid of an extra vehicle if it can be done without. Save money instantly and enjoy walking.

[43] Go to department store pharmacies to get ones scripts filled for only three or four dollars.

[44] Make all-occasion home-made cards to send for any occasion such as a death in the family, a birthday, college graduate, etc.

[45] Turn the thermostat down on the hot water tank. Just a little saves a lot and it is hardly noticeable.

[46] Seeds, pieces of new plants to root, and any weeded out bulbs are great trades or gifts with neighbors or friends.

[47] Use only three fourths of the detergent that one usually does. The clothes will not even notice.

[48] Reuse baggies, aluminum foil, and small garbage bags if they are still clean and usable.Also, use store bags for small trash around the home.

[49] Make hearty home made soups for quick meals that are inexpensive. Make ahead and freeze, then use for quick fixes on hunger. This eliminates the compulsion to dash out and buy fast foods.

[50] Buy in bulk whenever possible: clothing, foods, paper, toilet paper, etc.