Does anyone have any tips for saving money? I already clip coupons and look for bargains everywhere I go but I

Question

Does anyone have any tips for saving money? I already clip coupons and look for bargains everywhere I go but I would still like to save more. Any tips!? Even if its something small let me know!!! :)

Answer 1

Try bringing your lunch to work with you, instead of buying one somewhere.

Sometimes movies will have special free previews that you can go to if you pick up free tickets at a certain store on a certain day. Keep an eye out for these offers in your local newspaper, and instead of paying for a movie, see the free previews!

For entertainment, instead of doing something expensive like going to a bar, find out about cultural institutions that have discount or free days. All museums have free days, and you can become a more educated person, have a good time, hang out with your friends, and spend no money!

Instead of relying on yourself to put money away from your paycheck every week, go to your HR dept and see if you can split your direct deposit. I have it set up so that every week, $200 goes to savings, so I don't even have to think about it! It's a great way to save without having to plan every week how much you'll put in.

Don't get sucked into buying things you don't really need because they're on sale. If something's on sale, you only save money if you were going to buy it anyway. For instance, 2-for-1 conditioner or shampoo is great, because you know you'll use it eventually, and would have to buy it anyway. But a cocktail dress at 50% off is not a bargain if you didn't need it in the first place!

I hope these help, there are a thousand and one ways to save, and every penny counts!

Answer 2

Looking for bargains everywhere you go might not be condusive to saving. A bargain is usually an advertising ploy ... you save x amount of dollars if you... yada yada. You save if you do not spend money. Of course we all know that you have to spend money to care for your family. Take a good look at what you and your family NEED not want. Something that might work for you is to take all the change you have at the end of the day and put it into a big bottle or container. Try not to dip into this container until it is full, and then instead of spending it, take it to a bank and put it into a cd, saving account or some other interest bearing account so it starts to make you some money. It won't be alot but it is something (depending of course on the size of your container.) there is also a series on Oprah going on that is helping folks get control of their finances... they seem to be having some good successes in helping folks understand how to save money. They deal with all the issues. Examine your spending habits and see what you are spending that you really do not need for survival. The feel good spend is the one that usually can be stopped and that money can be put away to gain interest.

Answer 3

If you're saving money for college, say for a kid, a good site to check out is www.Upromise.com. Set up an account (it's FREE) and link it to a 529 account. Register cards such as your credit cards, supermarket cards, a rewards card, etc. with them and anytime you make a purchase of qualifying products, you get a percentage of that item's purchase price thrown back into your Upromise account.

There are a lot of participating online retailers like Staples, Dell (I just bought a laptop today and got 30% off with a coupon exclusive to Upromise members), Bed Bath and Beyond, plus more.

If you have a school loan you have to pay you can even link that to your Upromise account and have the credits go towards paying that off.

Answer 4

Find the savings bank that is paying the highest interest rates.
Pay off any credit cards that charge interest. Only use a credit card if you can pay it all off before the due date. Join a SAM's type club. Keep track of every penny you spend in a notebook for one month and notice where all the money goes. Buy a book on staying out of debt or join Debtor's Anonymous and learn techniques for creating a spending plan and sticking to it.

Answer 5

I actually save the money I save. By that I mean, when I use cupons or get a rebate, I put the money into a savings account. I use it for things that I can't get a bargain on, like vet bills for the dogs.

I try to re-use things for different purposes. I use decorative bottles that products come in to make oil lamps for patio use and give them as gifts. I use greeting cards I receive to make greeting cards for other people by cutting out the images and gluing them to card stock.

Answer 6

Small things that I do:

My cell phone is issues and paid for by my job.

My home phone will be Vonage.

I pay off my credit cards monthly, if I don't have a 0% interest card.

I rarely use the AC in my car.

Library books instead of buying books.

Thrift stores, Marshalls or Ross!

Leftover veggies, spices, etc. go into stew.

Answer 7

look at everything you do as a way to save money: amount of water/electricity you use, foods you buy, how much you drive etc. Every day is an opportunity to spend or save money. Each time you resist stopping at starbucks or go through a drive-through you can say "I just saved three dollars" It adds up over time.

Answer 8

check out this site

http://www.lastminute-auction.com

it's like an e flearmarket - if you look long enough you might find some usefull stuff.

Answer 9

How about a job?