What are your best money saving tips that people don't take advantage of?

[disneysteve]

OTOH, soft drink sizes have grown from 6oz to 500ml over the decades.

Yes, junk food packages just get bigger and bigger. However, the price rises along with that. The problem with shrinking packages is the price stays the same. They do that to make it look like the price is stable even though it really isn't.

Example: I used to buy Tropicana orange juice in the half gallon (64oz) container. I'd pay $1.99 for that. Then one day the package started only containing 59oz but it was still $1.99. I'm not stupid so I switched brands to a company that wasn't trying to rip me off and still puts 64oz in a container and still charges $1.99.

[Sam1000]

Through most payroll companies, you can specify that money go in more than one account on pay day. Hence, money could go directly into a savings account on pay day. Few know about this since companies rarely share this information to staff.

[Nutria]

Hence, money could go directly into a savings account on pay day. Few know about this since companies rarely share this information to staff.

Really? Every place I've worked has had a well-described method for splitting your DD paycheck into multiple accounts.

[msomnipotent]

I have no idea if my husband's employer is willing to divert money anywhere other than employer related accounts like the 401k. I just have our paycheck automatically deposited into one account and all the others (savings, car payment, mortgage, etc) automatically take their share out of the deposit account before I wake up in the morning. Everything had to be initiated through the banks and not the employer. I thought this was how it was done for everyone.

[SavingMoneyGoals]

As a vegetarian, I buy plenty of veggies. I used to throw away the last 200 - 300 grams of each item because they just go "off". Now, what I do is I freeze the majority of the veggies I buy BEFORE they go off and I am not wasting as much food!

[colby99]

Drink more water - filtered tap water - instead of buying sodas or bottled water. Not only is it better for your health, you're also having positive environmental impact.

The direct dollar amount saved is relatively small, but positive externalities from above reasons are quite high.

[Gailete]

Drink more water - filtered tap water - instead of buying sodas or bottled water. Not only is it better for your health, you're also having positive environmental impact.

The direct dollar amount saved is relatively small, but positive externalities from above reasons are quite high.

Actually, the amount can be large. We have a well where the water stinks of Sulphur, causes the laundry to turn colors over time, and with my health problems, knowing what my FIL had dumped on the property over time, we bought water in gallon jugs. We got them for $.89-$1.00 x ~ 30 jugs a month. I got a Brita filter pitcher to use and review, and I couldn't believe the difference! The filter didn't make it till the point that under normal conditions it should be changed out and it took a while to pour as the filter got more and more clogged. At the end of one filter usage, I noted all the weird things floating in the last bit of water. Rather than continue with the pitchers, we got a faucet filter and are using that. Hubby will fill up several of the old plastic jugs and distributed them around the house - office, TV room, so I have access since I have a constant dry mouth from the medications that I take. Haven't noticed that I am any the worst for wear, and we are saving around $30 a month or $360 a year. For our budget, that is HUGE! For a family living on $200K a year and on a city water route, if would figuratively be a drop in a bucket.

[Outdoorsygal]

Re-finance

Place an add on Craigslist to rideshare to/from work

Take a hot shower before bed to get the body warm

Use an electric blanket before heating the house

Mask off windows during the really cold weeks. Keeps the cold air out of the house and the heater over-working

If you are on any life support equipment, including a cpap or bpap machine, sign up for medical baseline to reduce your energy bill. This is not means tested so your income doesn't play into it.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I'd hesitate to rideshare with someone on craigslist. Seems sketchy. Now an ad at work (my DH has had this at multiple companies is fine)

Re-finance

Place an add on Craigslist to rideshare to/from work

Take a hot shower before bed to get the body warm

Use an electric blanket before heating the house

Mask off windows during the really cold weeks. Keeps the cold air out of the house and the heater over-working

If you are on any life support equipment, including a cpap or bpap machine, sign up for medical baseline to reduce your energy bill. This is not means tested so your income doesn't play into it.

[bennkar]

I'd hesitate to rideshare with someone on craigslist. Seems sketchy. Now an ad at work (my DH has had this at multiple companies is fine)

I know that sounds crazy but in some areas its very common. Just do a search on "Washington DC slugging" and you will see its common here. Thankfully I don't have to do it.

[JanetWaston]

Tips for saving my money plan are as follow:

1. Make a budget list of your entire 1-month expense.
2. Don't waste the extra money.
3. Keep distance from eating out.
4. Submit some money to a place that only you know.
5. You should save some money every day
There are many suggestions from which you can save money.

[Teresa Mann]

You can save money in many ways:
1. Do not spend money on extra money.
2. Buy some goods according to your budget.
3. If we are going to shop in the nearby place, we can walk on foot or not by going to auto.
4. You should only buy things that are necessary.

[BG550]

Learn to DIY.

Specifically around the house and with vehicles. I have saved thousands of dollars doing things on my own rather than paying a mechanic/plumber/lawn service to do them for me.

I know time is valuable, therefore if a job is above my DIY threshold I will pay a professional to do it. The savings from previous DIY jobs more than covers the expense of paying for the complex jobs.

Minor plumbing, Installing garbage disposal in kitchen sink:
DIY cost: $100 cost of new unit from Home Depot.
PRO quote: $100/hr plus cost of parts = minimum $200.

Minor Car Repair: Changing brake pads and rotors
DIY cost: $150-$200 Cost of rotors and brake pads from auto store
Pro quote: $600-900 labor/parts


As you can see if you do a few jobs like this a month/year it adds up to major savings which you can invest/save/or spend on more complex repairs.

[rennigade]

Learn to DIY.

Specifically around the house and with vehicles. I have saved thousands of dollars doing things on my own rather than paying a mechanic/plumber/lawn service to do them for me.

I know time is valuable, therefore if a job is above my DIY threshold I will pay a professional to do it. The savings from previous DIY jobs more than covers the expense of paying for the complex jobs.

Minor plumbing, Installing garbage disposal in kitchen sink:
DIY cost: $100 cost of new unit from Home Depot.
PRO quote: $100/hr plus cost of parts = minimum $200.

Minor Car Repair: Changing brake pads and rotors
DIY cost: $150-$200 Cost of rotors and brake pads from auto store
Pro quote: $600-900 labor/parts


As you can see if you do a few jobs like this a month/year it adds up to major savings which you can invest/save/or spend on more complex repairs.

Society is becoming too nerfed. People no longer get their hands dirty. You have great advice but it will fall on deaf ears.

[Gailete]

Society is becoming too nerfed. People no longer get their hands dirty. You have great advice but it will fall on deaf ears.

I have no idea what being nerfed means, but the problem with those that can DIY, is many states/counties no longer allow people to repair their own homes and do the work on them. They have to hire a professional to do things that nobody would have hired out 50-60 years ago. Other men I think would have laughed at guys that didn't/couldn't make minor repairs in their home.