If you’re looking for some strategies on how to save money on everything, then you’ll love this article. So, let’s begin!
How To Save Money On Everything:
1. Save Money at Home
There are a number of things you can do at home to save money and become more frugal. Replace the light bulbs in your home with energy efficient ones and make sure you keep the lights off when they aren’t being used. Take more showers than bathes to save electric and water. Wash most of your laundry on cold to save on the hot water heater.
Unplug unused electronics to prevent them from adding heat to the room and wasting valuable watts when not in use. Shop around for homeowners or renters insurance. You are probably paying way too much. Consider adding solar panels to your roof to save on the electric bill over the long run. Have a home energy survey and make sure to address all the leaks and other problems found. Dry your clothes on a clothesline to avoid paying to use the dryer. Your central air costs a
fortune to run if it is old, needs maintenance, or is constantly running. Remember not to use the air conditioner when it is cold outside or the heater when it is hot. A few degrees can mean big bucks off your power bill.
2. Saving Money by Understanding Your Budget
Get a notebook from the store or an old drawer and chart down your incoming money (pay) and outgoing money (spending). One side should be expenses and the other income. Record everything you spend money on and everything you earn. Keeping track for just a week can be a real eye opener.
Group things into categories like entertainment, eating out, internet, cable, etc… This can help get a real look at where your money is going and how you can stop spending so much of it. Also, cut out using your credit card unless it is an emergency. There are not many easier ways to get behind and overspend than a credit card. Save loose change in a jar and use it for a rainy day. Take the time to learn the difference between a want and a need.
3. Save Money on Your Automobile
There are some easy and some not so easy ways to save on your automobile. Not unlike your homeowners or renters insurance, if you call around and get quotes, you are likely to save considerable money on your car insurance. Check and change your own fluids to avoid mechanics and quick lube fees. Maintain your tire pressure and other routine maintenance to save on gas and wear and tear costs (this one helps a lot more than you think).
Cut out unneeded trips to the store and try to carpool to work or social gatherings. When you need new tires, consider buying them used from a reputable tire dealer. This can save you a large sum of money and still give you quality tires (if you hunt around). If you have a gas guzzler, consider selling it or trading it in on a model that is much
more fuel efficient.
4. Save Money with Easy Couponing
You have the option of doing extreme couponing, but I am trying to focus on more everyday things you can do relatively easy to save money and live more frugal. So, instead I recommend you spend one hour a week looking through the Sunday paper, the local coupon ad, and sign up for a few coupon emailing lists. Only clip coupons for products you would already use to avoid spending money on things you will not like. Pay close attention for multiple coupons for the same item.
Consider checking the online ads for stores in your area to find out if they are having any sales on the items you clipped coupons for. Coupon clipping doesn’t have to become extreme. Just focus on saving a little money at a time and it will add up fast. Don’t let coupons drive you to buy things you otherwise wouldn’t purchase or in quantities you won’t be able to use up within six months to a year.
5. Save Money by Eating Out Less and Cooking More
Most people don’t realize how much money we spend on food each day. It adds up extremely fast. Just ten dollars a day for food and snacks is over $3,500.00 a year. Start saving money now by packing your own lunch for work. Forget about buying expensive coffee each morning when you can make it yourself for a fraction of the cost.
Consider doing a family day barbeque in the backyard or at the park instead of going out to eat. It can save money and double as a family event. Pick up a frugal cooking book and cook food at home three times a day. Save the leftovers to be used for lunches and in-between meal snacks. Eating in just one extra time a week could save a small family hundreds of dollars a month. If you must go out, look for a coupon or discount to save some extra money. Eat cheap and tip well.
SEE ALSO: What Are The Best Benefits Of Frugal Living: Best 13 Advantages
6. Save Money by Fixing and Making Things Yourself
Paying anyone to do anything can get real expensive, fast. If something around the house breaks, go online and find a video or blog that teaches you how to repair it. There are a huge number of people out there making content that solves the everyday problems you are having. Most of the things you pay a specialist to come over and do for you can be easily done after ten or fifteen minutes of watching videos or reading blogs.
When something needs repair or adjustment, open your browser and find your favorite search engine, type in exactly what you are trying to do and the letters DIY. You’ll be amazed at the volume of information out there waiting for you. Soon you will find you can repair the plumbing, drywall, flooring, painting, appliances (in some cases), clothing, cars, electronics, and a lot more. More than just a good way to be frugal, this is a good step toward self sustainment. Take pride in yourself and go learn how to do something.
7. How to Save Money by Growing Your Own Food
Growing your own food isn’t nearly as hard as you might think (unless you live in an extremely unforgiving environment). Not only can growing your own food help you save money on your grocery bill, but it is healthy, good for the environment, and can even lower your blood pressure. Look for a garden club in your area or find a book/website online that has all the information you need to get started.
There are guides available for everyone from the farmer to the city dweller. Also, this makes a great educational tool for the kids. Not to mention, eating food you’ve grown yourself brings a certain amount of pride to the dinner table.
8. Save Money by Selling Old Stuff to Buy New Stuff
We all have piles of clutter and unused merchandise lying around. Pull out the boxes, blow off the dust, test the products, and then list them online. You can make a considerable amount of money by selling your used goods. There are websites, apps, newspapers, flea markets, garage sales, and even bulletin boards to post your wares for sale.
Meet people at a place near your house to sell items unless you absolutely have to bring people to your home. Even that old stack of books and video games from childhood could be worth money. It doesn’t cost you anything to check online. You can even list items at most places without paying any fees until the item sells.
Companies even offer to do all the shipping and everything for you; send them the items and list them on their site and they will ship them and process the payment when someone wants to buy. That clutter is a gold mine that could be used to purchase other goods you want or need. A penny saved is a penny earned.
9. How to Save Money on Expensive Items
Every once in a while we need to buy an expensive item new. It’s okay for us to spend the money when we must, but there are some cost saving steps we should take along the way. Spend a few hours looking up reviews for the product you are considering purchasing before you make a decision on the model you are going to acquire.
Once you have done that, check all the major retailers to find the best price. Then search online to make sure there aren’t any sales coming up or coupons available for your item. When you think you have found the perfect item at a great price, sleep on it. Wait 24 hours to make your purchase to ensure you don’t rush into it as an impulse buy. Nothing can hurt your frugality and budget like impulse purchasing.
10. Saving Money on Bank Fees
There are several ways you can save on banking fees you might not even know you are paying. Most people know banks charge a fee when you bounce a transaction, but they don’t know banks have started waiting three or more days to apply the fee. This keeps most people from realizing the fee has been charged to them until it is too late to dispute.
Keep a $50.00 buffer in your account to avoid the majority of your overdraft fees. Banks also charge monthly maintenance to most accounts. You can usually avoid banking fees with a direct deposit paycheck or some other means. Take the time to go over your bank account and find out if you are being charged fees you don’t know you’re paying and always have a $50.00 buffer in case you overdraw.
11. Save Money by Cutting out Unnecessary Expenses
That magazine and newspaper subscription you don’t read should be cut out because it is a waste of money. Don’t forget to locate all the clubs and websites you have a recurring membership so you can cancel them; those fees add up quick. Stop yourself from purchasing snacks and junk food at the gas station or when you go to the store.
Quit smoking and drinking or at least cut back on the habit. Health is important, but you should consider getting rid of your gym membership. It can be replaced with a free local exercise park. Cut out water bottles at home and drink filtered tap water. Take water bottles from home with you on the go so you don’t have to pay out the teeth for each one. The same method that applies to water bottles should apply to whatever your favorite drinks or snacks are.
12. Save Money by Shopping the Frugal Way
There are discount retailers, clearance outlets, and second-hand stores everywhere. Still, you should take care when buying from these places (even though I recommend shopping at them for necessities) because they sometimes carry items of low quality or charge too much for low cost items and knick knacks.
Write yourself a list before you go shopping for anything and stay on target by only purchasing what is on the list. You can also cut money out of the equation by wearing the clothes you have for longer. No one really needs a new wardrobe every year. Wear your clothes out and then use them as rags before you find a replacement. Consider shopping at second-hand stores. You can find an impressive wardrobe in some for a fraction of a fraction of what you would pay for them new. Clean them before you wear them and you are good to go.
Don’t forget, major retailers often clearance out items at the end of a season. These items can be purchased brand new for up to 90% off their original price. You might not need the jacket now because the weather is getting warmer, but could you use a jacket next season you can pick up today for 10% of the cost?
SEE ALSO: 15 Best Frugal Living Tips That’ll Save You Thousands In This Year
13. Save Money on Communications
Go over your phone bill to find out if you can make any money saving changes to your plan. Most of us have had our phone for a long time and are still on an old plan. In the modern age, cell companies upgrade plans on a regular basis to stay competitive. You are probably overpaying for a service you no longer use or overpaying because your plan is underrated for your use.
Another place you can do this is with your internet provider. There are almost always new plan deals you can adjust your service to. You might even want to check with other providers in your area. The major internet companies are often competing (though not perfect competition or internet would be way cheaper and way better) for your business. They run deals all the time and you might be able to lower you total cost while increasing speed and reliability.
Don’t pay fees for going over on your services and don’t overpay for services you don’t need. Shop around and contact your current providers to see how you can save money now.
14. Save Money with a Smaller Residence
Next time your lease is up think about moving into a smaller residence. If you own and have a large or expensive residence, consider selling and buying something smaller or more affordable. In fact, just moving across town can save considerable money and even give you a larger place at the same time. You need to ask yourself, “Do I really need all this extra space, or is it wasted money?” I’m not saying you should move into a high crime area, but think about moving a little further from the city or downsizing next time the opportunity presents itself to you.
15. How to Stop Paying Extra Interest and Save Money
If you owe money to a credit card, bank, or some other kind of loan, you are probably paying interest on top of interest. If you understand the time value of money and amortizations of loans then you know this can add up to a significant figure very fast. Look at all of your debt at the same time. Aside from regular payments needed to keep the accounts in good standing, which ones charge the most interest?
If you have a 4% loan, 6% loans, and 11% loan, pay whatever extra you can afford on the 11% loan until it is paid off and then move on to paying off the 6% loan. Only after they are both paid off should you pay off the 4% loan. This minimizes the amount of total interest you are going to be paying – giving they calculate the interest in the same way. Paying a 20 year mortgage of 100,000 dollars off 15 years early could save you as much as twice the total cost of the home. Remember to pay down your debt starting with the highest interest rate first.
16. Hot to Save Money with Frugal Vacations
Going on vacation doesn’t have to cost thousands of dollars. Go see a friend or family if you can. It makes an excellent vacation and costs a lot less money than traveling thousands of miles. You can also take vacations to parks and camping locations around your State. Driving is usually cheaper than flying, but when you need to fly, rent a car, or stay in a hotel, go online to a discounter and reserve what you need for a fraction of the sticker price.
This can save you 50% or more on your total vacation costs. Eat food from the grocery store in your hotel room instead of eating out every meal. Consider looking for coupons if you do go out to eat. There are many ways to save money on vacations. Challenge yourself to one frugal vacation this year and see how much money you can save.
17. Save Money by Living Healthy
You might not think of healthy living as a way to save money, but medical expenses add up real fast to vast sums. Make sure you take good care of your teeth by brushing daily and flossing. Costs at the dentist can quickly climb into the thousands and without really good dental insurance that will cost you a chunk or all of your savings. The same goes with physical fitness and medical doctors bills.
It is a lot cheaper to watch what you eat and maintain a healthy lifestyle with exercise than it is to pay a doctor or team of doctors to fix whatever ailments come from a lack of physical maintenance for your body. Not only will you feel better and save money, but you’ll take less sick days from work and live longer. Keep yourself healthy and you’ll save a lot of money in medical expenses.
Thank you for reading this article about how to save money on everything and I really hope that you take action my advice. I wish you good luck and I hope its contents have been a good help to you.
