Successful Saving Tips
80. Long Distance Calling
If you do plan to use long-distance calling, shop around for the right carrier and be sure to read the small print. Even if you like your current carrier, you might be able to find an equally liked carrier for less money. Long distance is a very competitive market so deals are easy to find. The same would be true for your wireless carrier. The plans range vastly from one carrier to another so check out all your options for the best one. Do not forget to look at the coverage area. If you choose a carrier that does not have the right coverage for your area, even if the price is better, there is no savings if you cannot send or receive calls.
81. Ball Games
Instead of spending your money on overpriced items at the ballgame, take your own cooler of food. Some professional stadiums no longer allow this so check before going. If you have a son or daughter that plays little league or soccer, this is a great way to save money over paying high concession stand prices.
82. Discount Books
Purchase a discount coupon book, which generally costs around $25. As long as you use it faithfully and base your choices on options featured in the book, you can save hundreds of dollars. These books are great for restaurants, hotels, car rentals, and tons of entertainment and provide great variety and even better discounts.
83. Baby Food
Instead of buying expensive baby food, make your own. You can use fresh vegetables such as peas, green beans, or corn, run it through the blender, and then freeze individual servings in ice cube trays. When it comes time to feed the baby, simply pop out a cube of food, defrost, and you have instant food. This is a real time and money saver. Most foods can be frozen. In fact, if you make family foods like spaghetti or soups simply make a smaller portion with less salt and spice, puree, freeze just like the vegetables.
84. Squelch the Smoking
This is probably the hardest habit to break but in addition to saving your health, you will also save money. Cigarettes have become quite expensive and if you can quit smoking, you will enjoy breathing easier and having more to put away for a rainy day.
85. Rebate Programs
When you shop, always keep your eyes open for rebate programs. Although filling out the forms and clipping the UPC codes from a box is a hassle, the money you save is worth it. Some rebate items are not listed as offering a rebate. Check out AsmartShop.com or Rebateplace.com to see if any of your recent purchases offer a rebate.
86 Seasonal Buys
One to three days after a holiday, stores mark their holiday items from 50% to 75% off. This is an ideal way to stock up on next year’s Christmas or Halloween decorations. This is true for stores that sell seasonal clothing as well. Shopping for jackets or sweaters in the summer will provide you with great deals.
87. Pocket Change
Keep a jar or some type of container handy and each time you come home, drop in your change. Every time you break a bill, put the change in your container. You will be amazed how quickly your money will build.
88. Freebies
Check out freebie sites such as TotallyFreebies.com or SassySue.com where you will find all types of sample items ranging from cosmetics to books to clothing. Most have no shipping charges and the ones that do are minimal. By filling out a few forms, you will receive sample size soaps, lotions, shampoos and conditioners, etc., which are ideal for the traveler.
89. See your Successes (Final Thoughts)
It is important to have an understanding of money. Keep a journal where you can see your successes when it comes to saving money. This is a difficult task and takes time to learn but worth it. By keeping a list of the situations or ways you have saved money in front of you, you will be encouraged to keep going. These successes can be small or large. For example, if you normally buy your lunch, costing you from $5.00 to $7.00 per day and one week straight you packed your own lunch for $3.00 per day that is a success. If you wanted to buy a new dress but held off until it went on sale, saving 50%, that is another success.
Free Saving Money Guide From Government
The U.S. government wants you to save money! They started mymoney.gov to save you money and they are offering a free “my money” tool kit. This includes money saving handbooks, investing help, social security and more.
Tight Times Budgeting Tips
In times like these, everyone is looking to tighten their belt and trim their budget. One of the best ways to do this is to review spending habits, and look for lower cost alternatives. For example, a daily purchase of gourmet coffee can be substituted for the convenience store kind. Those able can eliminate the purchase altogether. Another option is in grocery shopping. While clipping coupons will save money, it might be too much time to ask for busy families.
Instead, at whatever supermarket is normally frequented, buy generic or store brand. It is likely this will slash at least 25% from the grocery bill. These are simple things, but they require discipline and change of ingrained habits. Another option will save a lot of money, but demand a difficult lifestyle change. Cancel the cable package, and if you dare, toss the TV as well. It is well known that tight-knit families are better at saving money, since they are on the same page financially. Not watching TV will not only save money on expensive cable charges, it will also bring the family closer together. It will be hard, but like all these tips, the results will be worth it. Take a chance, and reap the benefits.
Recession Proof Eating: Getting Food and Making it Work for You
It’s no secret that millions of people in this country are hurt because of the economy. With companies downsizing or totally shutting their doors, the victims are good people like you and me. Some are getting by on unemployment benefits, but many more are in crisis mode since they’ve run through their savings and feel they have nowhere left to turn. Most people have never been in this predicament, since they’re too young to remember the Great Depression of the 1930s.
Moreover, any previous economic downturn just didn’t seem to be as serious as what we are experiencing now. Therefore, it’s no wonder that they feel helpless and hopeless. Fortunately, help is available. You just need to know where to find it. Many cities, private and public organizations, churches, and community groups have food banks, which help provide the needy with groceries for nutritious meals. These charitable groups have been operating for years, making sure low-income families have enough food on the table.
Donations came from various sources, including private individuals, grocery stores and even some government agencies. Families or individuals interested in locating their nearest food distribution center should contact their local United Way office, the Salvation Army, their area Social Services agency or neighborhood churches and synagogues.
Another way of locating a nearby food bank is going online to http://feedingamerica.org. The selection of food may vary from day to day, depending on donations. Income verification may be required for participation. However, every food bank tries to provide needy families with enough food for several nutritious meals throughout the week. They will likely hand out high protein items, such as peanut butter or tuna fish, pasta, canned fruits and vegetables, cereals, bread, powdered milk and possibly some fresh produce, depending on availability. So what can you do with this food and whatever else is in your cupboard?
How can you make it stretch farther? This is the time to plan meals around inexpensive, high protein choices. To get the most for your money, clip coupons and check sales flyers from your local grocery stores. Buy in bulk and stock up when items you use regularly go on sale. This is not the time for brand loyalty. Buy generic whenever possible, as they are often just as nutritious and taste as good as their national counterparts. Remember: think protein. For example, buying a large chicken or turkey will yield enough protein-rich meat for several meals, plus leftovers that can be combined with other items in your pantry for additional delicious and nutritious lunches or dinners. Turkey and chicken are two of the most affordable items in the grocery store.
If they’re on sale, grab a few extra, and stick them in the freezer for later use. Ground beef is another perennial favorite that works well for budget-conscious meals. Hamburgers, meatballs and spaghetti, lasagna, meat loaf and tacos are all quick, inexpensive and delicious meals that are perfect for those watching their pennies. Pasta, eggs, cheese, oatmeal, baking mix, tomato soup, onions, garlic and potatoes should be staples in any pantry. Inexpensive and indispensable, they are all perfect starting points for affordable meals. To get more ideas for budget conscious recipes, check your local supermarket, which often has pamphlets and recipe cards for exciting, mouth-watering and seasonal meals. Don’t forget the public library.
They have dozens of books that can inspire the novice and advanced cook to make easy, budget-friendly dinners. In addition, the Internet is filled with web sites offering unique recipes, advice and support. What about leftovers? When you are trying to make every penny count, you often have to work magic with leftovers. Although some people dislike eating the same food two days in a row, using a little bit of creativity and imagination can turn yesterday’s meal into today’s gourmet masterpiece. Again, turn to your pantry of staples and look for a new element to combine with your leftovers. A bag of frozen vegetables and a few tablespoons of shredded cheese added to pasta and chicken leftovers turn into pasta primavera.
Throw some leftover turkey into a food processor with an egg, chopped onion and some flour, and you have the beginnings of turkey croquettes. Yesterday’s meat loaf works well with some salsa and cheese and stuffed into flour tortillas for yummy enchiladas. The possibilities are unlimited and good ideas are available online, at your local grocery store or public library. Eating well on a budget is easily accomplished. Your brain may need some retraining to think outside the box, but these healthy and cost-conscious habits can carry forward for the rest of your life!
Save Your Money at the Supermarket
Today’s uncertain economic climate has forced many of us to find new ways to extend our dollars. With grocery prices on the rise, the costs of feeding a family have sharply increased. Here are seven savvy savings tips to help make your money stretch a little farther at the supermarket.
1. Make a shopping list and use it! If you write down what you need before going to the store, you are less likely to buy impulse items. Stick to your list and don’t put anything in your cart that isn’t on the list. Unless you find an incredible deal that you know is a bargain and that you will use regularly, don’t deviate from your list.
2. Use coupons and study the ads! Scour the Sunday papers and consumer magazines for manufacturer’s cents-off coupons for products that you use. Keep them organized and filed by product type. Then make it a point to study your local grocery ads to discover the weekly specials. Then match up your coupons with the sale items for extra savings.
3. Don’t shop on an empty stomach or with your kids. Research shows that you tend to buy more when you’re hungry, so be sure you have eaten a meal before you head to the store. If possible, leave the kids at home, because they will be clamoring for you to buy items that are not on your list.
4. Buy store brands or generic products. Most store brands are manufactured in the same plants as the higher-priced name brands and are of equal quality and taste. It makes no sense to pay for the advertising, marketing and promotion costs of a national variety when you can save 10 to 20 per cent on a store brand or generic.
5. Scour the shelves for the best deals. Manufacturers pay for prominent placement on the shelves, with the most expensive products at eye level. Look on the top and bottom shelves for the cheaper alternatives. That is where you will find most of the generics and store brand items.
6. Shop seasonally. You can find great deals on produce when it is in season. If you have the space in your freezer, stock up on specials and freeze items for later use. You can keep fruit and vegetables frozen for up to six months or more if you keep them wrapped well.
7. Just buy your food at the grocery store. Health and beauty items, cleaning supplies, paper goods and non-food items are often less expensive at discount stores and mass merchandisers. Although it may only seem like a few cents here and there, the money adds up. Buy your food at the grocery and buy everything else at your local Wal Mart, K-Mart, Target or Dollar General. Making some small changes in your grocery shopping habits can add up to significant savings over time. And when times are tough, who couldn’t use some extra money in their pocket? Try some of these tips and watch the savings add up!
Personal Saving Tips
I am talking from my personal experiences here. It is not enough to just save, but this saved money should also work for you in creating further wealth.
Saving Tips
1. Saving should be a regular habit followed religiously. Try putting away a fixed amount daily. Start from $1 or $2.
2. Buy large packs of food/groceries which do not perish quickly. A large pack is sometimes upto 50% cheaper than 2 small packs.
3. Use regular fuel instead of premium (unless you own a Maserati!)
4. Don’t buy anything that you don’t need this month. It can wait until your next paycheck.
5. Try to make full payments on your credit cards. This is the best way to save. You get an interest free credit period and don’t have to pay additional charges. Remember, money saved is money earned.
Increasing Your Income Tips
1. In addition to savings, it is important to create multiple streams of income. This will help in case your primary job does not pay much.
2. Invest your savings wisely. Stocks are presently available for 3-5yr low prices.
3. Subscribe to memberships of stores in your area. Don’t feel shy to use every coupon which saves you 10c. Every penny counts in todays times.
4. Start doing small online businesses like paid emails, blogs, surveys etc. You can earn about $1-$3 per hour.
5. Debt eats away your savings. Try to keep a zero-debt policy. Don’t spend what you haven’t earned yet. Hope this helps!
Saving Tips – Managing Your Expenses
Saving money and living frugally Regardless of what your reasons may be to look for ways to save money, reevaluating your spending practices is always a good idea. $1.00 here, $5.00 there it all adds up. When somebody says to me, “it is only $5.00″, I say, “If you saw a five dollar bill sitting in the street would you pick it up?” The answer is always yes. So why run around dropping money all over the place?
Evaluate Your Spending Habits
Do you really need it or have you just become accustomed to spending it? Ask this over and over again. Of course those $5.00 cups of coffee is an obvious way to begin, but have you really taken the time to look at your utility bills? Really look at them or does the bill come and you wince and pay for it?
Start with your cable bill. Did you bundle your computer, cable and phone a while ago for a good rate? Well chances are if you did that over a year ago, you are no longer seeing that savings and it may be time to unbundle those services. I called my cable company because I was no longer seeing that initial bundle savings to change my services and go back to a phone company. Well the cable company did not want to hear that and they extended the bundle rate at the original savings offering for another year. This is approximately a $30 a month savings, $360 a year. Would you pick that up in the street if you found it on the ground? And you better believe I have marked it in my calendar when the plan will change again. Also look at the cable plan you are on. Do you really use all the channels and movie packages that you have signed up for?
Look at your cell phone bill. Many times when you sign up with a cell phone company you sign up for the plan that makes sense at that time. Your needs change. Look at your bill and then look on line at the service plan options that your carrier offers become familiar with them before you call your carrier. The reason I say to look on line is often the sales person you are talking to receives bonuses based on selling certain plans.
Depending on how scrupulous your sales person is, they may or may not be telling you about ALL the plans. My brother shopped his carrier 3 times talking to 3 different sales people. He told them the same exact thing each time as to what he was looking for. Guess what, he got 3 different answers. One told him he needed to sign a 2 year contract, one said he needed to sign a 1 year contract and one said he did not need to sign a contract at all to get a rate. When he questioned the 3rd rep as to why he was told he had to sign contracts for varying lengths of time, the sales person informed him that they had quotas on contracts that they had to make each month. She had already reached hers for the month so she did not need to have him sign a contract! Now that you have found the best plan and rate for the company that you are currently using compare it to other carriers, repeating the same process. It does take a while to do, but again you can save anywhere from $5 to $45 a month depending on your and your families cell phone needs.
Don’t be afraid to change carriers either, remember your phone number can go with you you! Now here is a very important tip to remember. Take the money that you have saved by evaluation your and changing your spending habits and pay down your debt! Don’t spend it on something new. Stop paying interest on those credit cards. Make extra payments and get rid of them. By using your $5 here $10 there savings from evaluation your spending habits, you will save yourself hundreds if not thousands of dollars in the long run! Now would you pick that up in the street if you saw it laying there? Of course you would!
