With the dramatic increase in gas and food prices, most of us can
barely make ends meet, let alone think about saving money. The good news is,
with a little imagination and perseverance, there are still plenty of ways to
pocket extra cash.
Follow these 20 simple tips and save at least
$100 a week:
1. Buy
a Water Filter Purchasing bottled water hurts not only the environment but your
wallet as well. According to the Learning Channel, a family of 4 can save
up to $55 a week by making the switch from bottled water to water filters.
2. Take
Advantage of Power Strips You can cut down on your utility bill by unplugging your
appliances when you aren't using them. Make the unplugging process easy by
purchasing a power strip for your appliances.
3. Make
Shopping and To-Do Lists Make a list of everything you need before you shop. Make sure your
list only consists of needs, not wants. Then, be sure to stick to your list.
You can also use to-do lists to save a ton of time. By grouping together all
your errands, you can get everything done in one trip, saving you valuable
minutes and gas money.
4. Stay
Away From "Foreign" ATMs We've all done it: using our bank card at another bank's ATM to
withdraw some extra cash. But every time we do this, we get hit with a
wonderful little fee. Now, there is no reason not to use ATMs owned by your
bank when apps like ATM Hunter can help you find the right ATM in seconds.
5. Buy
Generic You
can save 30 to 60 percent by purchasing generic brand food and drugs. According
to a study by Consumer Reports, 80% of the time trained tasters cannot tell the
difference between store and national brand food products.
6. Cancel
Your Landline In an age when everyone has a cell phone, landlines are not
necessary. You can also utilize free computer-to-computer calling via Skype,
which beats using the phone because if you have a webcam, you can see the
person you are talking to.
7. Utilize
the Library Instead of hitting up Netflix or Blockbuster every time you want
to watch a movie, head to your local library for your movie rental needs. Or,
if there is a new book you want to read, borrow it from your library instead of
purchasing it at the bookstore.
8. Bye-Bye
Gym Membership Most exercises you do at the gym can be modified and done at home.
Better yet, the most beneficial exercises out there are walking, pushups, and
squats, all of which you don't need a gym to do.
9. Take
Your Lunch to Work Instead of going to the deli down the street for lunch, brown bag
your lunch. You can make a week's worth of sandwiches on your own for the price
you would pay for one or two sandwiches at the deli.
10. Carpool
With gas prices on the
upswing, filling up the tank can be a huge money drain. Organize a carpool with
your coworkers to save money. If you can't find any coworkers to carpool with,
check out Zimride to find a carpool buddy.
11. Walk
or Bike To
find out how walkable your city is, check out Walk
Score.
Ditching your car completely will save you a ton of money not just on gas but
also on wear and tear on your car.
12. Avoid
Convenience Wash your own car, cut your own fruits and veggies, and clean your
own house. If you don't think you have enough time to wash your own car,
remember that there are 24 hours in the day. Even if you spent 10 hours at
work, 8 hours sleeping, 2 hours cooking, and 2 hours hanging out with the
family, you would still have 2 hours to wash your car or clean your house.
13. Pay
Bills On Time Most banks offer free electronic bill payment services that will
automatically pay your monthly bills. It only takes a few minutes to set up. Do
it today and never pay a late fee again.
14. Make
Your Own Pet Toys Try to steer clear of Petco and Petsmart when it comes to your
pet's toys. It is easy to make pet toys on your own for a fraction of the price
you would pay for them at a pet store. Beautify Yourself Instead of hitting up
expensive salons, try trimming your own hair or getting a value haircut from a
beauty school.
15. Pre-Game
If you are going out for
a night on the town, pre-game before you leave. This way you will spend less
money on expensive drinks at your favorite hot spot. You can spend up to $5 for
a beer at the bar or find a 12 pack that's on sale and pay just over $1 per
beer.
16. Cancel
Cable With
the ability to watch TV shows online for free, the need for cable is virtually
nonexistent. Yes, it may be nice to see a show as soon as it airs, but it's
much nicer to have extra money in your bank accounts. Try using Hulu for your
TV viewing needs.
17. Make
Your Own Food While it may not be as convenient as going to the drive through or
having food delivered to your house, making your own food can save you a ton of
money.
18. Stay
In Sure, it may be mellower
than going out, but cooking your favorite meal, making your favorite drink, and
watching a DVD can be just as fun as a night on the town.
19. Make
Your Own Coffee This is a tried and true money saving technique that we have all
heard, but it bears repeating. Make your morning cup of coffee at home instead
of paying way more than you should for a cup of Joe at your favorite coffee
shop.
20. Avoid
Bank Fees Setting
up direct deposit for a certain amount can often eliminate fees associated with
keeping an account open. You can avoid paying overdraft fees by linking your
checking and savings accounts, or by signing up for fee e-mail alerts that tell
you when your account is getting close to the limit.
Use Coupons A tried and true money saving method: before you head to the grocery
store, check the ads to see if there are any coupons for the items you need.
Or, go online and check out CouponMom or The Daily Deals Blog to find the latest d
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