what are some good ways to save pennies?

Question

what i am looking for is different ideals in small ways folks can save money (very small amounts) that all senions can use

example -- have your bills taken directly out of your checking account so you do not have late fees and save on stamps - 3 utility bills a month can save about $15.00 a year or a bottle of wine or 24 pack of beer!!!

Answer 1

Lemme see:

I have a 'bundle' package for telephone, cable and internet - really saves me a lot! Separately I'd be paying about $25-30 if not more than I do with the bundle.

I have some bills directly deducted from my account....and others I have a 'reminder' notice sent to my email account so as not to forget, then I pay directly online to THEIR website, avoiding late fees, postage etc.

I find the cheapest gas station near my home/job.

I have a large piggy bank and put all my loose change in it every day....amazing how much accumulates and many a time that stash has helped me through to payday.

I use coupons. I also have my groceries delivered and shop online whenever I can with my local grocer. Prices are lower than going into the store [little overhead because they use a warehouse and have no 'checkers']

I am careful with meal leftovers....and try to use food from home to take for lunch at work...carryout is too expensive and also the food ain't that great or healthy!

I do my own hair. [don't like the hairdressers anyhow! lol]

Unless it below 35 deg. I turn off my heat when away from home. I use ceiling fans in the summer until it becomes too humid to stand it.
I learned that electronics that have 'standby' mode use electricity and run up your bill, so I turn everything completely off...including my PC

I keep the doors shut to one bathroom and one bedroom [which I don't use unless I have guests]

I wash clothes once a week and run the dishwasher only once a week.

Answer 2

I don't spend ANY change from my wallet. If I'm paying, I use bills. The change then goes into a coffee can every day..

I use some of the quarters for laundry but the rest stays there. When the coffee can is almost full, I take it to a local bank here that has a counting machine and turn it into paper money...

Last time, it was a little over $350.00...and I never missed the change.

I also cook from scratch. I love to cook and absolutely will not pay for prepared foods or frozen entre's. They taste awful, full of sodium and preservative. It's cheaper to buy good fresh ingredients and make it at home. Plus, there is plenty left over to freeze or eat later in the week.

I don't have Cable TV... I can get all the lousy television I want - free.. Plus, I refuse to pay $50.00 or more a month for sub-standard programming and infomercials.

I don't own a cell phone - don't want one either. My total phone bill is about $60.00 a month and INCLUDES my high-speed DSL internet connection, long distance and local calls.

I don't use credit cards except for travel and emergencies. If I charge something, I don't use the card again until the purchase is paid off...usually, with travel, it's paid in 60 days. Refuse to pay those gawd-awful interest rates and finance fees.

Answer 3

I put odd change in a change jar and when it gets full I take it to Coin Star and cash it in. Then it is like found money I didn't have.
I do use coupons when I go grocery shopping.
Use cold water when washing clothes, saves on heating of the water (gas or electric) Also turn down water or turn off while washing my hair. Again saves on using hot water. Turn it back on to rinse and finish your shower. No use running hot water down the drain, while you stand there scrubbing your hair. Turn of water while brusing your teeth. As you can see I have this thing about wasting water.
Recycle your aluminum cans and plastic bottles. And take them to the redemption center for cash. Some times I take several large garbage bags full and can get close to $20.00

Turn out all the lights in the house, except for the room that you are in. Or I turn off the light in the living room if the TV is on, and I don't need to see anything else. Sure saves on electricity.
Every penny counts these days.

Answer 4

I pay as many bills as I can online or in person. Whenever I can I buy in bulk or when I find a product on sale I buy it whether I need it or not. I love those two in a package items like shampoo and deodorant. You know those hand soap dispensers that make foam? When those run out you can refill them with liquid hand soap and water and make your own foam. It lasts a long time. If I had a million dollars I would still cut the end off of tubes of toothpaste, makeup, ointments etc and get every last bit out. I never buy soda in cans. I hate when someone opens a can and drinks only part of it and tosses it out. I also use the energy saving light bulbs and wash in cold water. I could go on and on.

Answer 5

I save any way I can.Let me enlighten you.When you buy food at a fast food place(KFC) ask for plates and forks to eat on.They will supply them.I get 8 all the time.Also use your dish towels instead of paper towels when possible.They add up.Small fluorescent bulbs thru out the house.Take the sugars and salt packs and put them in a little cute bowl,use them.I live alone and never buy condiments of any kind.Fill the dish washer and washer machine every load.Take home the food you leave on the plate,makes a good sandwich the next day.Ask for senior discounts every where.Enjoy those pennies,they add up...

Answer 6

I have a large jar and once each year, usually around my birthday in March, I will dump the coins in it on the floor and roll up the coins then take them to the bank and deposit them into my savings. Last year I had almost $120 to deposit. After all the moving I've done this year I think I will be lucky to get $40, but it is still worthwhile in the long run, I think.

Answer 7

I do most of the things that others have posted but I also use a pump bottle for frequently used liquids like dish detergent, shampoo and conditioner. I use much less than if I upend the bottle and squeeze. Buy common size pump tops at a beauty supply store. They're cheap and last forever.

Answer 8

Last year I saved quite a bit of money by using an electric blanket instead of a heater. The only problem with that is all the pets also slept on the electric blanket and it was hard to move with them all over me. I use generic brands, energy efficient light bulbs, wash clothes in cold water, they dryer dies so I hang clothes out on the line.

Answer 9

I always save my change - when I have $20.00 I put it in my savings account.

Clip coupons - if not from magazines, then clip from the Internet - "Coupons.com" is a good one for regular groceries! I also have a garage sale one or two times a year (I have been "downsizing"); and finally - SHUT OFF THE LIGHTS in rooms you are not using. I also keep the TV off unless I am watching it. Saves electricity, money and the planet!

Answer 10

1 ...Reduce your vehicle travel by making a list of things needed - then trip to the store(s) once a week, rather than daily... the savings in gas costs can be quite measurable in a short period of time...
2 ...Consolidate your communication bill - I just had AT&T consolidate my house phone, internet, and cell bill into ONE bill - by mail - it is saving me nearly $25 a month in reduced services, and billing . . . the 'plans' change so quickly, these days! - updating services and billing plans really does save one some bucks...
3 ...Put your holiday lites on a timer . . . on at dusk - off 3 hours later. This 'trick' reduced our December lite bill by $20 last season - we're doing it again this year.