25 Tips to Save Money in Your Daily Life
Source: http://budgeting.about.com/od/how_to_save/a/25-Tips-To-Save-Money-In-Your-Daily-Life.htm
Looking for more ways to trim a few bucks from your budget? Check out these 25 tips that will help you save money in your daily life.
1: Budget! This is the cornerstone of all savvy financial planning. Use these worksheets to guide your spending and saving habits.
2: Clear all debts as soon as possible. You’ll save hundreds or thousands on interest. Read these tips on how to pay off debt faster.
3: Cut many of those “extra” expenses. Paint your own toenails instead of getting pedicures. Brew coffee at home rather than buying coffee out. I know “stop buying lattes” is a cliche, but it’s become a cliche because it strikes a chord with so many people.
4: Bundle your errands into one long, massive trip per week, so that you can save on fuel costs.
5: Minimize your cable/satellite TV and internet packages. Do you really need 500 channels?
6: Keep copies of your receipts in an envelope or file folder, organized by store or by month. You’ll need these if anything breaks.
7: If you’re a homeowner, crunch some numbers to see if you can lower your monthly payments by refinancing your mortgage.
8: If you’re paying mortgage insurance (PMI), and you think you have enough equity to waive the PMI, call your lender to start that process.
9: Reduce the amount that you dine out. This alone can save you $100 per month or more.
10: Reduce your cell phone minutes to the lowest amount you need. Set an automatic calendar reminder to check your minute usage 4 days before the bill is due, so you can change your plan to avoid overage charges.
11: Service and maintain your car. It may feel like an extra expense but you’ll save big bucks in the long run.
12: Buy groceries in bulk at wholesale stores like CostCo or Sam’s Club.
13: Shop at garage sales, thrift stores, eBay and Craigslist.
14: Teach your kids about money. Let them earn money for chores — 50 cents for this, $1 for that. Help them save their chore-money for the toy or video game that they want.
15: Sell or trade your gas-guzzler for a more fuel-efficient vehicle. If you live in an area with good public transit, commute on the subway or the bus, or consider becoming a one-car family.
16: Plant shade trees around your house to help you save on the cost of air-conditioning.
17: Plug appliances into a power socket. Flip the socket switch off whenever you’re not using one of those appliances. You’ll save on the cost of ‘phantom energy’ — the slow drain of energy that comes from keeping things plugged in.
18: Use the library instead of the bookstore. (Yes, the Kindle lending library counts!)
19: Eat a picnic or play ball in the park. It’s far cheaper than buying tickets to the zoo, movie theater or amusement park! (Check out these Four Frugal Date Ideas).
20: Check prices online before buying something at a retail store.
21: Join a gym only if you’ll use your membership regularly.
22: Take shorter showers.
23: Caulk and weather-seal all the drafts and gaps around your doors and windows.
24: Keep your home a little hotter in the summer and a little colder in the winter. You don’t need to go overboard — simply turn the thermostat up by an extra 4 degrees in summer and down by an extra 4 degrees in winter.
25: Put an insulation blanket over your water heater. This prevents heat from escaping.
