We’re all interested in saving money and there are numerous books and blogs to help us reach our goals. Maybe our goal is to get out of debit or pay off a car loan or even pay off our mortgage. Perhaps you just want to reject consumerism and trim the unnecessary expenses from your life. You can get by with a lot less than you think you need and manage the things you can’t cut (food, transportation to work) for much less than you’re paying right now.
What do you think the top 10 frugal tips are? After spending hours on the various websites and going through the numerous books on frugal living that I have here’s the list I came up with.
1.Ditch Cable TV. Cable TV is a huge expense, depending on your bill it might be $50-$100 a month just to watch TV! If you are still paying for Internet there are a number of other ways to access TV shows without cable.
Several services provide streaming television shows, but to use them effectively you need a way to connect your TV to the Internet, either through a direct Ethernet connection or through a separate device, like a computer, Xbox or Playstation or Apple TV.
Popular TV streaming services include Hulu, Netflix and Amazon. Some of them offer current TV episodes, some only have past seasons. Deciding which one works best for you depends on whether you just want something to watch or really need to keep up with the latest shows. These services typically cost significantly less per month than cable, although if you need to purchase a computer or gaming system to access the service, add that cost to your evaluation.
If you are a big sports fan then this probably isn’t a solution for you. On of the biggest problems people have with getting rid of cable is the inability to watch live sports.
2. Use your local library. Take a trip to your local library and you’ll find all sorts of books and movies available free of charge.
3. Eat Out Less Often. Who doesn’t enjoy a nice meal out, it’s fun but far more expensive than eating at home. Make it a challenge to eat at home more often. Having a family meal several times a week is a great way to keep in touch with your spouse and your children and promote good family discussions.
4. Group Your Errands I don’t know about you but we live quite a distance from the nearest large town. If I’m going to drive 40 minutes to go to the store you can be sure that I’m going to have a list of errands I will take care of on that trip!
5. Make your Own Cleaners Not only will this save you money but it will be healthier for you. Homemade cleaners work just as well as store bought cleaners and are a fraction of the price. You can make your own laundry detergent, hand soap, window cleaner and all purpose cleaner just to mention a few.
6. Start saving your change. Take an old piggy bank or a glass bottle and empty your change into it at the end of each day. At the end of the year take the change and deposit it into your savings account. You’ll be surprised at how the change adds up.
7. Don’t always purchase new clothes. Instead find a good local consignment shop and check it often. If you must purchase new clothes buy off season and check the sales rack.
A shirt from the sales rack or the consignment shop can look just as good as something you’d pay full price for.
8. Make a wait list. If there is something that you really want wait at least three days or longer. Give yourself time to think about whether you really need it or not. Shop online and see if you can find it cheaper elsewhere.
9. Pay your bills on time! Use a calendar alert so you don’t miss important deadlines like paying taxes!
10. Pay for your groceries in cash! I can guarantee you will never overspend on groceries if you are paying in cash. It means to have to keep a running tally as you go through the store but you will think twice before putting an item in your cart that is not on your list.
There are numerous other ways to save money. The important step is to decide today that it’s time to take your finances under control and move forward. It’s a wonderful feeling to know your bills are paid and you have money in the bank!
What are your top tips for saving money?
Linked To: PennyPinchingParty, FabulouslyFrugalThursday, ThinkTankThursday
Nancy on the Home Front 