Consider this is the practical version:
Saving Money in Small Ways Adds Up
We are in this crazy couponing quest to save money, right? But, sometimes we get frustrated because we don't feel like we are saving enough. So, why not save money in more areas so we have that sense of control. Here are some ways I can think of right off the top of my head to save money without coupons:
- Pay with cash. When the cash is gone you can't spend any more.
- Cut back on the paper plates, cups, plastic wrap, ziploc bags. Invest in some re-usable dishes and storage containers. (This is a great week to do so, Walmart has cups, plates and bowls on sale for $1 a package). Oh, and this is good for the planet too!
- Wash clothes in warm water instead of hot to cut energy costs for the load in half.
- Use your favorite detergent for clothes, sheets, towels. Use a cheap detergent for things that don't need to smell good or feel soft like bath mats, rugs, etc.
- When doing laundry or dishes fill the soap cups only 3/4 full instead of all the way full. Your detergent will last longer.
- Scour garage sales and second-hand stores for things you need.
- Make your own cleaning supplies (Has anyone done this? I would be interested in details.)
- Make your own bread
- Give up soda (I am laughing right now as I enjoy a Diet Coke. I would rather NOT save money than give up my Diet Coke, but this might be right for someone...)
- Use grocery store bags to line trash cans
- Disconect your land line and just use cell phones
- Borrow books and movies from the library. (My mom reads a book a week and pays full price for all of them. I estmate she could save more than $500 a year just by switching to library books!)
- Invest in some quality re-usable water bottles for your family and STOP buying bottled water. My kids love their Camelbak bottles you can buy at REI. This one is good for our planet too.
- Cancel any subscriptions you pay for (other than the newspaper, of course!)
- At least once a week have a "meatless meal". If you just cut out 1 lb of chicken a week, over a year you would save about $100. Simply replace the protein with eggs or beans.
- Use only 1/2 lb of ground beef instead of 1 lb ground beef in things like Spaghetti sauce, hamburger helper, etc.
- When making tacos, add grated potato to the mix and cut back on the meat. The potato absorbs the flavor of the meat and spices and the cost of a potato is a fraction of the cost of ground beef.
- Plant a garden. It is not too late to get one in the ground this year. You could even grow herbs or tomatoes in a pot on your patio.
- Freeze leftovers for another meal. I have Pyrex dishes that are half the size of a 9X13 pan. They even have tight-fitting lids. They are great for splitting cakes, brownies, lasagnas, casseroles, etc in half to save a treat or meal for later.
- Install a programmable thermostat to control your heating/cooling costs.
- Call the gas and electric companies and set up level or equal pay programs so you pay the same each month and will never be surprised with a gigantic heating or cooling bill.
- Trade with friends. One person's trash is another person's treasure. Trade furniture, clothes, coupons, whatever!
How do you save money in little ways? Leave a comment with what you do.
4 comments:
Me and three of my neighbors are in a dinner group. I cook one night a week for us and the three other families, and then three nights a week, I have dinner delivered to us. This saves money and TIME, because a lot of the time when you buy ingredients you cannot just buy enough for two portions, you almost always have extra. So, to cook for a few more people it does not cost that much extra and it also prevents us for grabbing dinner out four nights out of the week. We have been doing this for a year and a half and I love it. I highly recommend it, especially if you have neighbors in close proximity to you.
There's a yahoo.com group that's called freecycle, and you post things you don't want, and people come and take them who do want them. I've gotten a few things that are free. I love it, and I'm sure other people like getting rid of things.
Re-use the good square juice bottles. Wash and fill with water and freeze. They are great for the cooler in the summer (4 will lay on the bottom of our cooler)and as the ice melts, you have cold drinking water for your trip. Just remember not to fill all the way, because ice expands.
Sam's Club has a "case price" for meat. The pricing is very good, so round up some buddies and buy meat by the case. Those lovely long boneless pork loins are 4 to a case. They are so reasonable (about 1.48 lb) I cut them into roasts and pork chops, package for my family's needs, and freeze.
Raise a garden. Doesn't have to be big, I use old washtubs for growing lettuces and spinach for salads. We've grown potatoes in black plastic bags, strawberry plants in the flower beds, pole beans in front of the picture window to keep the hot sun out.
Refill those Dial foam dispensers with 3/4 hot water and 1/4 liquid hand soap. Put the pump back on and shake. I can usually refill them for about a year before the pump wears out.
Some more ways to save:
-I always tear my fabric softener sheets in half for each dryer load. Doesn't make a difference in softness and the box lasts twice as long.
-Rather than ziplocks for everything, I buy one of those huge rolls of plastic bags (the ones you use for produce) from Winco. One roll costs $15 and I've used the same one for our 6 years of marriage. We only used zip lock bags when we absolutely need them.
-It is absolutely worth it to plant lettuce, celery, carrots, and tomatoes. They all yield great and grow easily, and rather than buy a huge bunch you have to use up quickly, just cut a stalk of celery or a couple of leaves when you need them.
-Craigslist. Look under "free" for free treasures all the time, including washers,dryers, fridges, fill dirt, landscaping rock, and more.
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