best advice to save money?

[rabbitfoot]

I'm looking for creative ways to save money. i would like to hear any ideas that people have or use

[2moretrees]

Cook your own meals. I used to spend a fortune going out to eat. An added bonus is that you will have a healthier diet, too.

[jeffrey]

Before you start cutting expenses by trying to change your current habits, evaluate the places you can save money without making any lifestyle changes. I know that sounds a little strange, but there are a number of places you can save money without changing a single thing you do. For example, shop around for a better rate on your care insurance. If you are able to save $50 a month over what you are currently paying, that puts and extra $600 a year into your pocket without changing a single thing you are currently doing. Do the same with your house insurance, car insurance house mortage and the savings can really start ot amount to big numbers and you haven't had to change your lifestyle in the least bit. Most people can save enough in these areas to start paying off their debt...and you are much more likey to succeed if you aren't forced make lifestyle changes you really don't want to make.

[rabbitfoot]

Jeffrey, thank you for your suggestion. That seems like a good way to start. i'll give it a try

[DivaJen]

To pick up on Jeffrey's ideas...

DH and I just changed to a new cell plan. Our monthly costs will go own about $25, we both got free phones and each phone came with a rebate!

Health insurance has also been a big expense for us, as we have to buy our own coverage. We've been able to change plans this year and are paying about $130 less per month now, if you can believe it.

I also agree with the eat-at-home tip. This is a big money saver for us.

I shop consignment and thrift stores, as well as eBay, for casual clothes for me and my daughter. I also resell on eBay from time to time. It doesn't reap huge rewards, but it's nice to get $1.50-$2.00 back on something that may have cost at most $5.00 to begin with.

When DD was still in diapers I switched from disposables to cloth. A year and a half of that saved us some money, even with the initial investment in diapers.

[Tree0164]

It is all the little things that add up and it really depends where you are at what point in your life.

What can you give up? Or what are you willing to give up?

I couldn't do cloth diapers in my house. I buy the generic brand here and that works out fine for us.

I still have my cable and high speed internet access. Cable is basic and I use high speed internet for my business.

Since I work out of the house, we eat in mostly every night. Lots of homemade dinners not too much from a box. We are starting our garden soon so lots of fresh tomatos

[rabbitfoot]

Thank you all for your advice. It has help me focus a bit more. I have been making a list of areas where I may be able to cut some fat. I'll let you all know how it goes and please continue to post any other suggestions you may have.

[DivaJen]

Something else we do - collect water in the shower in a bucket and then use it in our gardens. I'm amazed at how much water we get in a week! It only takes 2-3 showers to fill up the bucket. It's an easy way to cut down on our water bill, and we feel good about not wasting quite so much water when we shower.

[aveigel]

a couple of practical things i do are...
shop the rebates that are offered monthly at walgreens, rite-aid and longs drugs (the rebate books are at the front of the store). there are offers for free items and $1-5 off many items, and when coupled w/ coupons, this can mean saving a lot. i get numerous things for FREE every month--from deoderant and toothbrushes to printer paper and film.
also, we rarely eat out, pay off our credit card every month so we never pay interest (and it also gives airline mile rewards--i flew to maui last year for free), and shop thrift stores or marshalls and tjmaxx when we need stuff. don't ever pay full price for anything! also-check out books at the library instead of buying them.
hope that helps!
aveigel

[emily1067]

I find that keeping a change jar works for me. Everyday I put all the change in my purse and all the change in my boyfriends pockets in a jug. We're taking a weekend trip with all the change we've save and it feels like we're getting a free vacation!

[Tree0164]

Emily
We are putting all of our change in a bucket too. It is our Disney fund

[emily1067]

I just counted all our change last night...we even have enough to order room service for breakfast! That's so exciting to me.

[Tree0164]

Yeah Emily! I hope you enjoy it.

[contrary1]

I evaluate my regular bills, both monthly and those that come periodically during the year............each year. Normally, I use January to do this. (no outside chores at this point)
I look at each bill & often call the provider & ask point blank, "is there anything I can do to lower this bill?" Amazingly, I always come up with a couple really good tips/changes and make money this way each year.
The only one that really backfired on me was my homeowners insurance. I called 2 years ago & just asked my normal questions........... They ended up sending someone to my house to re evaluate my coverage & ended up cancelling my policy. I had to get re insured quickly, since homeowners insurance is required for me to continue working........ I did end up with a better deal, but it was a frantic time for me.

[Ima saver]

I read that 35% of your energy cost comes from hot water usage. Keep your hot water heater turned off at all times and just turn it on 20 minutes before you need it. (for showers or dishwasher) Also, don't use a heat pump for heat!

[LeggsRobbins]

Originally Posted by Ima saver

I read that 35% of your energy cost comes from hot water usage. Keep your hot water heater turned off at all times and just turn it on 20 minutes before you need it. (for showers or dishwasher) Also, don't use a heat pump for heat!

Have you tried this? Does it really work?

[Ima saver]

Oh yes, I have been doing it for almost 30 years. I use to go out in the garage and turn the circuit breaker to the hot water heater on, 20 minutes before taking a shower and then turn it off.
My husband is a builder and he now puts a switch in every house (including ours) All I have to do now is turn that switch on and off in the kitchen. I have a huge house plus 4 car garage and I am home all day with all 3 tv's going, and my bill is under $100 a month.

[shelbylovesmelby]

I also work on a premis of only having 3 things running @ a time when I'm home. Well I try, but it's hard to do now with kids. But If I was on the pc like I am now that would count as one, the tv 2, and a light as 3. If I need a fan on I'd have to turn something off. Weird but it works out allright.

Change your light bulbs to energy savers (alot of times you can find rebates on them wich make them so cheap they cost you as much as a regular bulb cost) or.... I've got very small bedrooms & we only have 1-2 lighbulbs in each ceiling fan because that's all we need & putting in the full 3-4 makes it just TOOO bright in those rooms.

Buy things you NEED and only on sale / clearence & or generic.

Coast when you are driving down hills or when you can see you will be comming to a stop to save some gas.

Get an automatic deduction out of your pay check to your savings account or have your bank do an auto funds transfer every month to savings even if it's just $5 it'll add up.

If you have a loan make payments every time you get paid. Most loans are based on simple inerest (they accumulate interest every day, for the duration of the loan) so if you paid half 2 weeks prior to it's due date you'd save on interest and pay off your loan sooner as well.

Credit cards -- pay them off! Call & ask them for a lower rate. Or find a credit card with a low fixed rate.

***
ima saver -- that's a great idea! knowing my luck I'd forget I turned it off & be calling dh in a panic that the heater was "broken" Now if I had a switch for it in the kitchen that would be awsome.

[acezz4e_tish]

cars are a big expense! checking air in tires is essential. couple pounds could use up i hear 2% or more in fuel. the proper amount is posted inside your door panels. i get money on a card at walmart. i also check gasbuddy.com its always murphys tho. all the stations today showing 2.11 a gallon, using my walmart card saves additional 3 cents, for 2.08 a gallon. i parked by the gas station and walked into walmart, which is a baby step in betting my own health. oil changes, spark plugs, air filter, all that maintenence will also better your vehichle and gas usage. which dave and my dad do at home. however, if your not so inclined to do this at home urself, check with neighbors to barter something. you buy the stuff and offer them a home cooked meal in exchange, or something to your imagination on what you have to offer, maybe a single dad needs something you saved from your child, that would be a major expense to buy new, something. bartering is my best tool. they didnt always have money, everyone use to use a barter system. maybe a couple down the road need to go out, trade babysitting for car maintenence. im sure you could come up with whatever the need is to take care of yours. dave and another dave down the road, often help each other looking at cars. we borrow thier wheelbarrow, all the kids chip in and rake, and they borrow our weed wacker. its a benifit to everyone.

[Ima saver]

Believe me the hot water thing really works. Why should it run all day when you only use it for an hour or two a day.

I have canisters that I put pictures on. These are my "goal" canisters. For example, one has a picture of the mountain view from the property I bought last year. (that has a mortgage on it) Another has a picture of my red corvette that I make payments on.
Every day, I put $1 bill in the canisters. Then I make a game out of it. I walk on my treadmill and pay myself $1 for every mile I walk. If I stay home that day, I save gas, so I pay myself a dollar. I have a game I like, and if I score over 400 points, I pay myself a dollar. That goes into the canister, plus anything else I can think of.
If I skip going out to eat, I pay myself $20.
Every few weeks I put the canister money in the bank to earn interest. I have my savings account divided into sections in a notebook I keep. I have a section for emergency money, vacation, pay off car, The Ridge at owltown (that is the lot) Christmas, medical, etc.

Also, to save on gas money, drive slower!