Michelle Royer likes to write about finance, shopping & www.homeinsurance.org.
In today’s market, it’s hard to save money. Hare a few money-saving tips that will help you save, whether you are looking to put money aside for a family vacation, save for a rainy day, or just start saving for your retirement!
1. Rate Reductions
For any credit card that carries a balance, you can call and ask for an interest rate reduction. If they refuse, tell them you will take your businss elsewhere! Almost always, they’ll have a counter-offer or simply be more receptive.
2. Kid’s Claims
Children don’t need you to spend a lot of money on entertainment, they just want to spend time with you. Pack a picnic and go to the park, go for a bike ride or take your children to the beach. If you pack a lunch, you only have to pay for parking. You can also make games out of things you have around the house in just a few minutes, so get creative!
3. Shop With a List
Be sure to bring a shopping list to the grocery store and stick to it. It’s easy to spend extra money at the grocery store when you see all the baked goods, chips, and candy. You will literally save hundreds of dollars each year if you skip those items and ONLY but what you absolutely need.
4. Clip Coupons
Clip coupons from the newspaper! You can also go online and sign up for some, which you can then print. There are also many companies where you can receive coupons daily from all your favorite brands, you just have to look for them!
5, Garage Sale
Don’t throw things away. One man’s trash is truly another mans treasure, so sell things at a garage sale, but remember that these things are used, so don’t expect what you paid for them. Price things reasonably and prepare to bargain. The point is to sell themm, so be flexible!
6. Ebay
You can reach people worldwide for many of your items through online aucition websites. Ebay is a great way to sell anything you own. Remember that Ebay charges a fee though, and you have to ship the item, so include that when you list your item.
7. Save Energy
Turn off lights when you leave a room. Don’t leave water running and fix leaks around the house. This should save significantly on your water and electric bill. Don’t overwater your yard either, because most people have their sprinklers on a timer and this is often a recipe for waste. Instead, check the grass and make sure it needs to be watered.
8. Compare Prices
Don’t go to the store that’s closest out of convenience. Do a price comparison at different stores to see overall where you get the most savings. If you can get cheap goods online and avoid shipping, consider this too, because you’ll also save on gas!
9. Program It!
A programmable thermostat can easily cut your bill by 10-20% each month!
Saving money is a big challenge, especially in our economic environment today. For most consumers, all these tips are very easy, and you would be surprised at the amount of money you’re wasting by NOT following them. By doing these few simple things, you can set realistic goals and see your cash grow!
Related articles
- How To Get Free Grocery Coupons (answers.com)
- 6 Apps to Help You Save Money On-the-Go (mycricket.com)
- Tips for a Successful Garage Sale! (stuffitellmysister.me)
- How Do You Save? (abusymommy.com)
