Money-Saving Tips and Tricks - #2

There was an article about things we overpay for. [http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/106701/10-Things-We-Overpay-For] The tips given were very good, however, I think it missed a couple of valid pointers. Here are some additional tips related to the topics covered in the article, as well as a couple of my own topics.

ATM Fees

Sometimes you can't plan ahead to fit all your ATM needs in one visit, so research your local ATMs to find out which machines have the lowest fees. (Remember, you can always cancel the transaction at the point where it tells you the fee for using that machine.) Generally I find that the machines inside gas stations and convenience stores are usually the lowest - often under $2.00!

Coffee

Buying your own coffee, sugar and creamer is usually the most cost effective, however for those of us who don't have the time, the patience or the coffee maker, try your gas stations and convenience stores. Most of them boast gourmet coffees (under their own brand names of course) and actually taste pretty decent. You'll have to do your own research and try a cup from each one until you find the kind you like best.

Convenience stores and gas stations usually charge less than half of what a regular cup of coffee costs at a gourmet coffee shop. As well, they often offer free extras such as flavored syrups, flavored creamers and special toppings (cinnamon, nutmeg, chocolate powder, mini-marshmallows - just to name a few possibilities).

Plus, if you fork out the $5-6 for a travel mug, most convenience stores and gas stations will give you mug refills for even cheaper than their normal coffee price. A few places will even offer you special deals if you bring in a competitor's mug - (always a good idea to keep your eyes open for deals!)

Be sure to pick up a card! The majority of convenience stores and gas stations have cards that you have punched or signed with each cup of coffee you buy (including refills). Then, after you buy so many cups you get a free cup of coffee. The exact number of cups you have to buy depends on the location. Average seems to be anything from 6-10 cups.

Bottled Water

Even if you get yourself a pitcher filter or faucet filter, sometimes you can't seem to come up with the $7-8 for a refill filter cartridge. In those cases (or if you can't afford to get the filter in the first place) opt for bottled water refills. Check your local grocery stores. Many of them have a bottled water refill station, where you can refill water containers (usually gallon or 5 gallon containers). The cost is often under 50 cents per gallon. If you forget or don't have a container you can use one provided at the store for a few cents more per gallon. These refill stations use purified and filtered water that is drinking quality.

Cheap Dinnerware

Save and Reuse. That is a method to live by. Save cups, carry-out containers, plastic eating utensils and straws anytime you eat from a fast-food restaurant. Simply hand wash and reuse them for meals at home. (No need to get fancy when it's just the immediate family eating together.)

Plastic utensils and cups are great for young children as the cups are non-shatter, and the utensils are often just the right size for their hands. Plus everything is completely disposable if necessary. The cups are also useful as rinsing cups in the bathroom. Less waste than disposable paper cups, longer durability like the bathroom cups you'd buy at the store, and yet they are still disposable when necessary.

Carry-out containers can be reused for storing leftovers, taking lunches to work or school, picnics, pot-luck parties or simply as eating dishes for meals at home.

Other containers can be saves as well, including (but definitely not limited to) butter containers, lunch meat containers, drink containers, anything with a re-sealable zipper, anything plastic with a tight-fitting lid.

EXTRA TIP: Plastic utensils are great for picnics or other meals on the go. Also save those packets of condiments (ketchup, mustard, salt, pepper, etc.) for picnics. They are even handy to have around the house in case you run out of anything while in the middle of cooking a meal.

Food Scraper

Those stuck-on foods left on our pots, pans and dishes are a pain to get off sometimes, especially if you don't have an automatic dishwasher. Soaking works to a certain extent, but often you still need to scrape off hard bits. I have found that using a plastic spoon works quite well. It even works on my non-stick pans without harming the coating. I tend to favor the smaller spoons that I get from our local ice cream parlor.

(See Supporting Links for another AC publisher's idea on a Food Scaper)