stretch that dollar with these tips
3 posters
Page 1 of 1
stretch that dollar with these tips
Are you looking for ways to make your dollar go further. Here's a list of over 100 ideas you can consider to help you manage or lower your expenses.
Staying on a budget can often be challenging. Following is a list of ideas to help you save money and stay on track each month. When reading this list, keep in mind that your budget should be created and managed according to your personal financial circumstances. Some of these ideas may not be right for you, so be sure to think of some on your own.
Auto
Buy regular gas if possible
Change your own oil
Compare retail prices to Bluebook prices before buying a car
Consider leasing versus buying
Keep your tires inflated properly to get better gas mileage
Perform regular preventive maintenance
Use a reputable mechanic
Banking
Avoid ATM's that charge fees
Don't carry your checkbook with you so you won't be tempted to make extra purchases
Use an interest-bearing checking account
Clothing
Accept hand-me-downs
Buy clothing off-season
Designate play clothes
Don't buy dry clean-only clothes
Make your own clothes
Never buy anything that isn't on sale
Repair/mend torn items
Re-wear unsoiled clothing
Shop secondhand or thrift stores
Take old clothing to a consignment shop
Use a clothesline instead of a dryer
Use slightly less detergent than recommended
Wash in cold water
Credit
After you pay off a debt, apply the payment amount to the debt with the next highest interest rate
Analyze fees and compare
Ask credit card companies to lower your interest rate
Consolidate multiple credit cards to avoid multiple fees
Don't carry your credit cards with you to avoid the temptation to make additional purchases
Pay off high interest rate credit cards first
Food
Buy generic brands
Buy in bulk
Cook from scratch
Grow a garden
Limit eating out
Plan meals in advance and around sale items
Save and eat leftovers
Shop only with a list
Take a brown bag lunch
Use coupons
Health
Ask for generic prescriptions
Ask your doctor for sample medications
Give up alcohol
Have regular checkups
Obtain services from clinics and the health department
Stop smoking
Household
Caulk windows and doors
Check into refinancing
Do your own painting
Learn to do simple repairs
Make your own cleaning supplies
Recycle newspapers
Replace 100 watt bulbs with 60 watt bulbs to cut back on electricity usage
Use glass instead of paper cups
Use worn out towels to make washcloths
Insurance
Carry only liability on older model cars because the cost to carry collision may be more than the car is worth
Carry only the minimum required insurance
Check your coverage
Comparison shop frequently
Increase deductibles
Purchase all insurance from the same carrier to obtain maximum discounts
Personal
Buy low-cost cosmetics and hygiene products
Don't use a pet groomer
Do your own manicures and pedicures
Give time, not money, to charities
Learn to trim your hair
Make gifts instead of buying them
Recreation and Entertainment
Attend high school sports events instead of more expensive college or professional events
Cancel magazine subscriptions
Drop your gym membership
Eliminate cable TV
Host potluck dinners at home
Meet friends for coffee and dessert instead of dinner
Rent movies instead of going to the theater
Use public parks and free museums
Use the public library
Telephone
Drop extra services such as caller ID and call waiting
Limit your long-distance calls and make them at night or on weekends
Shop around for better long-distance rates
Stop your cell phone service
Use the phone book instead of directory assistance
Write letters or email instead of long-distance calling
Transportation
Carpool
Drive small, economical cars
Live close to work to save on commuting costs
Use public transportation
Utilities
Conserve water by turning off the faucet while you're brushing your teeth
Don't use your dishwasher's drying cycle
Lower the temperature on your hot water heater
Lower your thermostat at night
Set your thermostat to 75 in the summer and 65 in the winter
Take a five-minute shower
Use lights only when necessary
Use low water flush toilets or similar water saving devices
Use the utility company's budget plan
Water your garden at night
Miscellaneous
Carry your expense tracker with you to monitor miscellaneous expenses
List savings as a fixed expense on your budget
Look for package deals for regular telephone, cell phone, and Internet service
Mark your calendar with due dates of upcoming bills so you pay them on time and avoid late fees
Pay bills the day they arrive
Prorate and save for non-monthly expenses every month
Save pocket change
Save receipts
Search the Internet for freebies
Set aside fun money for the entire family
Use Freecycle.org and Craigslist.org to find great deals for free or low cost.
Some of these ideas may be just what you need for a temporary solution and others may be perfect for you long term. If you want to stretch your dollar, try selecting five or more of these ideas and implement them for a few months. For fun, keep track of what you didn't spend and watch the money add up. Remember that creating and managing a budget plays a crucial part in your financial health.
Staying on a budget can often be challenging. Following is a list of ideas to help you save money and stay on track each month. When reading this list, keep in mind that your budget should be created and managed according to your personal financial circumstances. Some of these ideas may not be right for you, so be sure to think of some on your own.
Auto
Buy regular gas if possible
Change your own oil
Compare retail prices to Bluebook prices before buying a car
Consider leasing versus buying
Keep your tires inflated properly to get better gas mileage
Perform regular preventive maintenance
Use a reputable mechanic
Banking
Avoid ATM's that charge fees
Don't carry your checkbook with you so you won't be tempted to make extra purchases
Use an interest-bearing checking account
Clothing
Accept hand-me-downs
Buy clothing off-season
Designate play clothes
Don't buy dry clean-only clothes
Make your own clothes
Never buy anything that isn't on sale
Repair/mend torn items
Re-wear unsoiled clothing
Shop secondhand or thrift stores
Take old clothing to a consignment shop
Use a clothesline instead of a dryer
Use slightly less detergent than recommended
Wash in cold water
Credit
After you pay off a debt, apply the payment amount to the debt with the next highest interest rate
Analyze fees and compare
Ask credit card companies to lower your interest rate
Consolidate multiple credit cards to avoid multiple fees
Don't carry your credit cards with you to avoid the temptation to make additional purchases
Pay off high interest rate credit cards first
Food
Buy generic brands
Buy in bulk
Cook from scratch
Grow a garden
Limit eating out
Plan meals in advance and around sale items
Save and eat leftovers
Shop only with a list
Take a brown bag lunch
Use coupons
Health
Ask for generic prescriptions
Ask your doctor for sample medications
Give up alcohol
Have regular checkups
Obtain services from clinics and the health department
Stop smoking
Household
Caulk windows and doors
Check into refinancing
Do your own painting
Learn to do simple repairs
Make your own cleaning supplies
Recycle newspapers
Replace 100 watt bulbs with 60 watt bulbs to cut back on electricity usage
Use glass instead of paper cups
Use worn out towels to make washcloths
Insurance
Carry only liability on older model cars because the cost to carry collision may be more than the car is worth
Carry only the minimum required insurance
Check your coverage
Comparison shop frequently
Increase deductibles
Purchase all insurance from the same carrier to obtain maximum discounts
Personal
Buy low-cost cosmetics and hygiene products
Don't use a pet groomer
Do your own manicures and pedicures
Give time, not money, to charities
Learn to trim your hair
Make gifts instead of buying them
Recreation and Entertainment
Attend high school sports events instead of more expensive college or professional events
Cancel magazine subscriptions
Drop your gym membership
Eliminate cable TV
Host potluck dinners at home
Meet friends for coffee and dessert instead of dinner
Rent movies instead of going to the theater
Use public parks and free museums
Use the public library
Telephone
Drop extra services such as caller ID and call waiting
Limit your long-distance calls and make them at night or on weekends
Shop around for better long-distance rates
Stop your cell phone service
Use the phone book instead of directory assistance
Write letters or email instead of long-distance calling
Transportation
Carpool
Drive small, economical cars
Live close to work to save on commuting costs
Use public transportation
Utilities
Conserve water by turning off the faucet while you're brushing your teeth
Don't use your dishwasher's drying cycle
Lower the temperature on your hot water heater
Lower your thermostat at night
Set your thermostat to 75 in the summer and 65 in the winter
Take a five-minute shower
Use lights only when necessary
Use low water flush toilets or similar water saving devices
Use the utility company's budget plan
Water your garden at night
Miscellaneous
Carry your expense tracker with you to monitor miscellaneous expenses
List savings as a fixed expense on your budget
Look for package deals for regular telephone, cell phone, and Internet service
Mark your calendar with due dates of upcoming bills so you pay them on time and avoid late fees
Pay bills the day they arrive
Prorate and save for non-monthly expenses every month
Save pocket change
Save receipts
Search the Internet for freebies
Set aside fun money for the entire family
Use Freecycle.org and Craigslist.org to find great deals for free or low cost.
Some of these ideas may be just what you need for a temporary solution and others may be perfect for you long term. If you want to stretch your dollar, try selecting five or more of these ideas and implement them for a few months. For fun, keep track of what you didn't spend and watch the money add up. Remember that creating and managing a budget plays a crucial part in your financial health.
Laura- OWNER
- Posts : 5721
Join date : 2009-06-09
Age : 15
Location : State of Bliss!
Re: stretch that dollar with these tips
| I found this tip on http://www.everylastpenny.com/ Extend the Life of Your Razor Blades Everybody can agree that razor blade replacement cartridges are very expensive, and with the introduction of 3, 4, and even 5 blade razors, the prices have gone up dramatically. This money-saving tip is so simple, but you can easily make your razor blades last at least twice as long as usual. In a nutshell, all you have to do is thoroughly dry your razor blade after each use and before storing it away. But why does such a simple trick make your blade last so much longer? The simple answer is that it helps reduce microscopic rusting at the edge of the blade. It seems counter-intuitive, but it's not shaving with the razor that causes the dulling effect, it is microscopic edge rusting that is mostly to blame. I have found that the best way to dry the razor is to blast the residual water off by blowing air through a drinking straw then dabbing off the remaining droplets using a towel or tissue. If you don't want to use the drinking straw method, you can just shake the water off, but I have found that often leaves small pools of water at the edges of the blade. Every time you use your razor, dry it thoroughly and you will find that they will last twice or three times as long as usual. I'm not the only one that thinks this is a good idea. There is some more in formation here, here, and here. The best way to prove to yourself that it actually works is to take note of how many shaves you get when you don't use the technique vs. how many shaves you get when you do. You will be pleasantly surprised! Happy shaving, and happy saving! |
Deedee- Freebie Fanatic
- Posts : 3807
Join date : 2009-06-10
Age : 59
Location : On Board the Sample Train!!!!
Re: stretch that dollar with these tips
Ideas for Saving Money from Google Tip Jar
The Google Tip Jar project is a big hit (we all want to save our
hard-earned money) and some 4,000 tips have already been added to the
database (and growing) - it’s a long list but definitely worth you
time. For those in a hurry, here’s a quick list of my favorite money
saving tips picked from the Tip Jar.
1. "Reuse paper. Tear open used big size envelopes and use the
insides to make notes. Take your own mugs to work - one for water the
other for coffee." - Gop
2. "Unload: Remove unnecessary weight from your car (no, this
doesn’t include your spouse). Lighten the load by 100 lbs. can improve
your gas mileage by 2%." - Dough Roller
3. "Go to the grocery store with your belly full. You won’t buy too many things because you just aren’t hungry." Dough Roller
4. "Check your insurance coverage. Are you paying for something you
don’t need? We removed the maternity part of our coverage because we’re
not having any more children." - Miranda
5. "Try a No Spend Month, Week or Day. It forces you to think
carefully about what you are spending on, and serves as a big eye
opener for most people." - CentsibleLife
6. "Use old newspapers instead of paper towels with an eco-friendly cleaning product to wipe glass surfaces." - Tip Jar Team
7. "If you get the impulse to buy something wait 48 hours and see if it is still there." - asgreen
8. "Use kitchen towels and cloth napkins instead of paper products.
Stop using plastic straws, you know how to drink out of a cup?! Avoid
buying/taking plastic utensils. If you must, bring home, wash, and
reuse. Most can be washed in dishwasher." - Mindful Mom
9. "Make it a habit to turn off the lights when you are the last person to leave a room." - Marcelo, San Francisco
10. "When shipping a package, add helium filled air pillows to
reduce its weight - thereby saving on postage, helping the plane fly
and reducing emissions." - Beekman, Chicago
11. "Don’t buy an expensive all in one printer if you’re only going
to use it for documents, get a cheap laser. It will last longer, and
even though the toner is more expensive, it last much, much longer then
inkjet ink." - lord xeon, NY
12. "Don’t buy the most expensive piece of equipment even if you
think you need it. Technology gets cheaper every 3 months so today’s
top line is tomorrow’s average and the day after tomorrow’s low-end."
AlexD, Romania
13. "Before you purchase anything online, go to Google and search
for the name of the store + coupon and see if anything comes up. You
will be presently surprised how many coupon codes are available
online." - Allison
14. "Cancel your cable TV and watch free, legal internet video on
various industry-run websites. Using a media center extender or small
PC, connect it by VGA to your HDTV. Instead of TV on *their* time, now
you can have daily shows and podcasts for free" - Sugaku
15. "Turn off the TV! Did you know that leaving the television on is
the number one electricity waster in the world? When everyone is
finished watching television, especially before going to sleep, turn it
off." - Choose to Save
16. "Ask your physician to consider prescribing generic drugs.
Generic drugs can cost several hundred dollars less to purchase
annually than brand-name drugs." - America Saves
17. "Master the thirty day rule. Whenever you’re considering making
an unnecessary purchase, wait thirty days and then ask yourself if you
still want that item" - Simple Dollar
18. "If you’re young, CouchSurfing is a great way to meet new people and save money on lodging." Navin
19. "Use the bathroom at work. You save on paper, water, and you get paid at the same time." - Murdul
20. "Stay married. Divorce will wreck your finances and your spouse’s finances" - Roller
The Google Tip Jar project is a big hit (we all want to save our
hard-earned money) and some 4,000 tips have already been added to the
database (and growing) - it’s a long list but definitely worth you
time. For those in a hurry, here’s a quick list of my favorite money
saving tips picked from the Tip Jar.
1. "Reuse paper. Tear open used big size envelopes and use the
insides to make notes. Take your own mugs to work - one for water the
other for coffee." - Gop
2. "Unload: Remove unnecessary weight from your car (no, this
doesn’t include your spouse). Lighten the load by 100 lbs. can improve
your gas mileage by 2%." - Dough Roller
3. "Go to the grocery store with your belly full. You won’t buy too many things because you just aren’t hungry." Dough Roller
4. "Check your insurance coverage. Are you paying for something you
don’t need? We removed the maternity part of our coverage because we’re
not having any more children." - Miranda
5. "Try a No Spend Month, Week or Day. It forces you to think
carefully about what you are spending on, and serves as a big eye
opener for most people." - CentsibleLife
6. "Use old newspapers instead of paper towels with an eco-friendly cleaning product to wipe glass surfaces." - Tip Jar Team
7. "If you get the impulse to buy something wait 48 hours and see if it is still there." - asgreen
8. "Use kitchen towels and cloth napkins instead of paper products.
Stop using plastic straws, you know how to drink out of a cup?! Avoid
buying/taking plastic utensils. If you must, bring home, wash, and
reuse. Most can be washed in dishwasher." - Mindful Mom
9. "Make it a habit to turn off the lights when you are the last person to leave a room." - Marcelo, San Francisco
10. "When shipping a package, add helium filled air pillows to
reduce its weight - thereby saving on postage, helping the plane fly
and reducing emissions." - Beekman, Chicago
11. "Don’t buy an expensive all in one printer if you’re only going
to use it for documents, get a cheap laser. It will last longer, and
even though the toner is more expensive, it last much, much longer then
inkjet ink." - lord xeon, NY
12. "Don’t buy the most expensive piece of equipment even if you
think you need it. Technology gets cheaper every 3 months so today’s
top line is tomorrow’s average and the day after tomorrow’s low-end."
AlexD, Romania
13. "Before you purchase anything online, go to Google and search
for the name of the store + coupon and see if anything comes up. You
will be presently surprised how many coupon codes are available
online." - Allison
14. "Cancel your cable TV and watch free, legal internet video on
various industry-run websites. Using a media center extender or small
PC, connect it by VGA to your HDTV. Instead of TV on *their* time, now
you can have daily shows and podcasts for free" - Sugaku
15. "Turn off the TV! Did you know that leaving the television on is
the number one electricity waster in the world? When everyone is
finished watching television, especially before going to sleep, turn it
off." - Choose to Save
16. "Ask your physician to consider prescribing generic drugs.
Generic drugs can cost several hundred dollars less to purchase
annually than brand-name drugs." - America Saves
17. "Master the thirty day rule. Whenever you’re considering making
an unnecessary purchase, wait thirty days and then ask yourself if you
still want that item" - Simple Dollar
18. "If you’re young, CouchSurfing is a great way to meet new people and save money on lodging." Navin
19. "Use the bathroom at work. You save on paper, water, and you get paid at the same time." - Murdul
20. "Stay married. Divorce will wreck your finances and your spouse’s finances" - Roller
Deedee- Freebie Fanatic
- Posts : 3807
Join date : 2009-06-10
Age : 59
Location : On Board the Sample Train!!!!
Re: stretch that dollar with these tips
Thanks Laura and DeeDee!! Im going to be reading for days on this one. J/K. These tips are really great. Thanks again.
Patty432- MODERATOR
- Posts : 4219
Join date : 2009-06-21
Age : 45
Location : The Office
Similar topics
» Free Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Stretch Mark Care Sample ~Facebook~
» MY DOLLAR GENERAL EXPERIENCE! OWWWWW!!!
» free million dollar bill
» energy saving tips
» Family Dollar Wash and Win with Clorox Sweeps ~6/28/13~
» MY DOLLAR GENERAL EXPERIENCE! OWWWWW!!!
» free million dollar bill
» energy saving tips
» Family Dollar Wash and Win with Clorox Sweeps ~6/28/13~
Page 1 of 1
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum