Cut out the soda and drink
more water! You'd be surprised how much you will save.
Go over your grocery list. Try
buying more off-brands. Most of the ones I've tried are just as
good as their more expensive counterparts.
Buy clothes and shoes for you
and the kids from the clearance racks. I have been buying my
sons' school clothes this way for years!
Get movies from the library
instead of renting them.
Same with books, borrow
instead of buy. We usually only read them once anyway.
Go on a picnic instead of
going to the restaurant. It is more fun and much cheaper!
Toss all your change in a
"piggy bank" of some kind and let it accumulate for a
few months or longer. You will think you struck it rich! (Not
really, but it does add up)
If you have all the movie
channels, cut them down a bit. Most of the movies rotate through
them all anyway.
Do your laundry at night. The
rates are cheaper.
Give your clothes an extra
spin as it costs less to run a washer than the dryer.
Ask your credit card companies
for a lower interest rate. Sometimes rather than lose a good
customer, they will grant your wish!
Buy your holiday decorations
AFTER the holiday. You can save up to 75% or more.
Turn down your heat a couple
degrees more at night and throw on an extra blanket.
Clean behind your refrigerator
at least once a year to get out all the dust and dirt that can
cost you more money.
Save empty bread bags and
grocery bags instead of buying box after box of storage bags.
Keep your car tune and your
tires properly inflated to save money on gas.
Buy inexpensive fabric for
cloth napkins, doilies, etc.
Be creative when it comes to
decorating. Use sheets to make curtains. Use an old quilt as a
cozy wall-hanging. Create an artful display with family photos.
Save the new, convenient
plastic coffee cans with handles. Paint them, decorate them and
use them for organizers for kids art supplies, your CDs, pens
& pencils, food envelopes, recipes, craft supplies,
etc.
Turn unused stuff into money.
If you have a gift you haven't used or that shirt you bought and
never wore, take them back to the store. You might not get full
price, but some is better than none.
Use petroleum jelly to remove
make-up. It is much more economical then beauty products made
for removing make-up.
Hydrogen peroxide can be used
to kill germs in cuts and sores rather then expensive antibiotic
medicines.
Make windowsill or container
gardens and grow herbs and fresh vegetables.
Instead of a night on the
town, send the kids to Grandma's and have a romantic night at
home.
