10 Household Money Saving Tips
There are many ways out there to save money, so here is a top 10 list. We have tried almost every single one of these and it is amazing how much money you can save just by making a few phone calls or clipping coupons. I hope you find these tips as helpful as my family has.
1. Request interest rate/fee reductions
Depending on the balances on your credit cards, you could save hundreds of dollars each year by making a few simple phone calls. When speaking to a representative, bring up the fact that you've always paid your bills on time and often pay more than the minimum amount due.
2. Ask service providers for discounts
They may be willing to offer discounts to keep you as a customer. Simply call the company and explain that times are tough and you would like to cut costs on your bill. It may require signing up for another two-year agreement, but if you plan to have the service for that amount of time anyway, big deal. We were able to save money on our home and car insurance, electric bill and got free movie channels from our dish provider just by making a phone call.
3. Cancel unused services
Unused services can eat at your household budget without providing anything in return. For example, if you find that you never use your landline phone, have it disconnected. You can also cut costs by getting rid of subscriptions to newspapers, which can often be read online for free. Don't forget about those club memberships you pay for every month. If you have a membership to the YMCA and don't use it, cancel it and start your own workout regimen at home.
Unused services can eat at your household budget without providing anything in return. For example, if you find that you never use your landline phone, have it disconnected. You can also cut costs by getting rid of subscriptions to newspapers, which can often be read online for free. Don't forget about those club memberships you pay for every month. If you have a membership to the YMCA and don't use it, cancel it and start your own workout regimen at home.
4. Learn to do things yourself
Have you ever considered how much an oil change costs? Sure, it's only around $30, but four oil changes a year is $120. The cost of oil and a filter is around $10. See how doing things yourself can save money? You can learn many useful skills by attending evening college classes, going online, or even heading to the library.
Have you ever considered how much an oil change costs? Sure, it's only around $30, but four oil changes a year is $120. The cost of oil and a filter is around $10. See how doing things yourself can save money? You can learn many useful skills by attending evening college classes, going online, or even heading to the library.
5. Cut energy costs
Some money saving tips require you to spend a bit of money at the outset. For example, switching to energy efficient lightbulbs and purchasing energy saving appliances can save you hundreds of dollars each year. Did you know you can even claim the costs of your energy saving improvements on your taxes? So be sure to save your receipts!
Some money saving tips require you to spend a bit of money at the outset. For example, switching to energy efficient lightbulbs and purchasing energy saving appliances can save you hundreds of dollars each year. Did you know you can even claim the costs of your energy saving improvements on your taxes? So be sure to save your receipts!
6. Cook more meals at home
Eating out every night is not only hard on the wallet, but also hard on the waistline. Instead, why not find some recipes online and start cooking more meals at home? Not only can you try something new each night, but also you'll save a ton of money.
Eating out every night is not only hard on the wallet, but also hard on the waistline. Instead, why not find some recipes online and start cooking more meals at home? Not only can you try something new each night, but also you'll save a ton of money.
7. Clip coupons
The key is to only clip coupons for products you already buy. A few more money saving tips for coupons include shopping at stores that double or triple coupons, and using coupons on sale items, especially buy-one-get-one-free deals. Create a coupon binder, organize your coupons and get to saving!
The key is to only clip coupons for products you already buy. A few more money saving tips for coupons include shopping at stores that double or triple coupons, and using coupons on sale items, especially buy-one-get-one-free deals. Create a coupon binder, organize your coupons and get to saving!
8. Compare prices on all purchases
It is easy to quickly compare the cost of items at several different stores. Even comparing the cost of items in the store is easy thanks to unit prices listed on store shelves. There are many iPhone apps that will allow you to do this while you are actually shopping and if you don't have an iPhone, check the web on your computer before leaving home.
It is easy to quickly compare the cost of items at several different stores. Even comparing the cost of items in the store is easy thanks to unit prices listed on store shelves. There are many iPhone apps that will allow you to do this while you are actually shopping and if you don't have an iPhone, check the web on your computer before leaving home.
9. Meal Plan for the week and create a list before going to the grocery store
One of the biggest mistakes people make is to go to the store without a list. This not only leads to impulse shopping, but also you often get home and don't have the ingredients to make a complete meal. Plan your meals for the week, make a list and stick to it! This is a sure way to save both TIME and MONEY!
One of the biggest mistakes people make is to go to the store without a list. This not only leads to impulse shopping, but also you often get home and don't have the ingredients to make a complete meal. Plan your meals for the week, make a list and stick to it! This is a sure way to save both TIME and MONEY!
10. Seek out discount and outlet stores
Stores such as Dollar Tree, Sam's Club, Costco and Big Lots can save you a ton of money. Did you know that Dollar Tree sells Nature's Own Bread, which normally cost almost 3.00 a loaf at Kroger or Wal-Mart? Big Lots carries tons of our favorite snack foods for half the price of our local grocery store so I always make that my first stop when heading out to do our shopping. If you want to save even more, look for outlet stores. There are outlet stores for clothing and even for groceries. Before you turn your nose up at outlet grocery stores, consider this: Grocery outlets mostly specialize in items that aren't old, but simply have older packaging or were discontinued.
Stores such as Dollar Tree, Sam's Club, Costco and Big Lots can save you a ton of money. Did you know that Dollar Tree sells Nature's Own Bread, which normally cost almost 3.00 a loaf at Kroger or Wal-Mart? Big Lots carries tons of our favorite snack foods for half the price of our local grocery store so I always make that my first stop when heading out to do our shopping. If you want to save even more, look for outlet stores. There are outlet stores for clothing and even for groceries. Before you turn your nose up at outlet grocery stores, consider this: Grocery outlets mostly specialize in items that aren't old, but simply have older packaging or were discontinued.
