I'm trying to learn how to cut costs and save money. What do you do to save? How do you cut your costs on electric, groceries and everything else? Is there any service or particular company you know you can always get a good deal from? All ideas on anything related to this subject would be very appreciated. Thanks.
2007-03-12 08:00:18 · 18 answers · asked by Marci S 3 in Business & Finance ➔ Personal Finance
Groceries: Coupon clip and buy cheap generic brands for a while, they are basically the same as name brands, but cheaper.
Electric/Heating: When leaving a room, turn off the lights to conserve energy. Keep heat a little lower and layer up on clothing to stay warm.
You can always save at the gas pumps if you accelerate and brake slowly rather than punching it, because that wastes gasoline when you do it. Also, use cruise control any time that you can, even on residential streets.
Hope that helps!!!
2007-03-12 08:05:52 · answer #1 · answered by racketgirl12 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My top 10 List
1. Pay Yourself First
2. Budget
3. Live like you were in college
4. Cut Credit Cards but don't close the accounts
5. Have a Retirement Account
6. Take an extra job to pay off debt/EBAY :)
7. Honesty: Tell everyone around you the short version of where you are at so they don't bug you when they want to go out.
8. Open a Savings Account
9. Move somewhere cheaper
10. Nothing like investing in yourself... take out a student loan when you can get a Masters and get a better paying job.
2007-03-12 09:07:37 · answer #2 · answered by joy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We pay off our credit card bill every month. We also have a an Orange savings account with ING--they have a very high interest rate. We don't buy new cars all the time.
You can do so many little things to cut costs; make them habits. Like turning off lights when you leave a room, turning off the water when you're brushing your teeth, etc. As far as groceries, there are certain things where the generic brands are exactly the same as the name brands like dish soap, toilet paper, paper towels, etc. Things where it really doesn't matter to you if it's name brand or not.
2007-03-12 08:03:17 · answer #3 · answered by Gen•X•er (I love zombies!) 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Budget! Budget! Budget! Spend all of your money each month on purpose, on paper before the month begins and stick to it. This is the way to take control of your spending and will also open your eyes to where your money goes. Before we started budgeting, my wife and I had no idea that we were spending $1000/month just to eat out. We took control of that immediately. This was the beginning our total turn around. It's amazing how much financial issues play in a relationship. My wife and I never argue about finances any more and it is a common goal that we work together on. It has brought us closer together and even helped us start communicating better. If someone had said this to me 4 years ago, I would have thought they were selling something. I am to the point now that I just want to shout at the top of my lungs so everyone can get to this point. Life is too short to be miserable and I realized that things don't make me happy.
Thanks for indulging me.
2007-03-13 05:09:19 · answer #4 · answered by Saved! 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
As far as groceries go you could use coupons and look in the sale ads for great deals. We save money by not buying items we don't need...(going out to eat, DVDs, Cd's etc...) Also if you can't buy an item with cash or checking account then don't purchase it because you probably don't need it and definitely don't put purchases on credit cards they are a debt trap...
Good Luck.
2007-03-12 13:44:25 · answer #5 · answered by Lizzy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Best money saving tips: contribute to a 401K account - don't charge anything unless you can pay the bill in full when it comes; keep lights off unless you are in the room; install the new lightbulbs; clip coupons; make a weekly menu and go to the grocery store with a list. Do all your errands in one day - you'll save on gasoline that way. Buy things only when they are on sale, and only if you can afford them.
2007-03-12 08:06:12 · answer #6 · answered by ra63 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Study the grocery ads and only buy what is on sale. Never ever charge anything! I only buy what I can afford and have not charged a single thing since 1998. Sometimes we wait to own, but then we treat our possessions better as well for having waited we hold more appreciation.
2007-03-12 08:04:30 · answer #7 · answered by NakasEvilTwin 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Always use coupons and the rebates they offer when shopping. I add up what I saved while shopping and add the rebate checks to my own little bank at home. I have did this for about 3 years, and I was amazed at the amount I had when I added it all up. I use that money to buy things that my daughter wants that I can't necessarily afford.
2007-03-12 08:09:11 · answer #8 · answered by shorty 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Look into getting a copy of "The Tightwad Gazette" by Amy Dacyzyn (prounounced Decision).
I have the one that is all three volumes in one book...it's FULL of frugal things...some so frugal I wonder about the mental health of people...I mean, I'm all about saving money but I'm not going to re-use my sandwich baggies that cost 3cents each!
Anyway, google frugal living and you'll find all kinds of ideas!
2007-03-12 08:05:01 · answer #9 · answered by Nasubi 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i cut coupons for groceries today i saved over $120 with coupons and Von's club card. over $55 was just coupons. my original bill was $241 and i payed $117. the link below helps you out they have a $1 trial then it is $10 about every 8 wks.
2007-03-12 08:07:23 · answer #10 · answered by bubbles 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋