General Money Tips
- Keep closer tabs on your money. Write down every penny you spend for two weeks. You may not realize how much you're spending $1-2 at a time.
- Purchase concentrated juice, cleaner, etc and mix your own. It will cost 1/2 of the premixed version.
Around the House
- Check the air pressure in your tires
- Change your car's oil and air filter
- Air dry your clothes (the dryer uses more energy than any other appliance)- you can get an inexpensive "indoor" clothesline at your local home improvement store. Toss clothes in the dryer for a few minutes to soften once dry.
- use rechargeable batteries and washable plastic containers rather than buying new batteries and plastic bags over and over.
- non-toxic household cleaner: 1/2 baking soda, 1/2 Borax. Shake some out, add a drop of dish detergent and scrub.
- Clean off your refrigerator coils- they need to release heat into the air and all that dust holds it in.
- Rent a carpet cleaner at the grocery store- it's cheaper than buying one or paying others to do it.
- Learn to fix things yourself at www.doityourself.com, www.wonderhowto.com, www.viewdo.com or www.monkeysee.com
- Paint is the cheapest way to redecorate. check your local home improvement/paint store for "mistints".
- Moth repellent: hang rosemary, lavender, mint, thyme or eucalyptus in your closet.
- Check the weather stripping and seals on doors and windows.
- Close the vents in unused rooms & shut the door.
In the Kitchen
- Go meatless a couple times a week
- Make your own food- premade versions can cost up to FIVE times as much!!
- www.anniesrecipes.com
- www.foodnetwork.com
- www.cook4seasons.com
- Tomato Sauce Recipes at www.recipezaar.com and www.101cookbooks.com
- Check out "Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day"- recipe available on www.motherearthnews.com This recipe can be used to make pizza dough and sweet bread like cinnamon buns as well.
- Grow your own herbs and vegetables- it can be done in pots if you don't have a large yard. Find helpful tips and recipes at www.helpfulgardner.com and www.eartheasy.com
- Buy a can of Campbell's condensed soup and go to www.helpgrowyoursoup.com for a free packet of tomato seeds.
- Make your own baking mixes. Find recipes at www.budget101.com/convenience_mixes.htm
- Get a bottle and refill it at home instead of buying more.
- Offer to help a neighbor harvest their fruit in exchange for some.
- Buy in season & eat in season (or learn to can them for later)- check the local farmers market.
- Make muffins & coffee at home for breakfast on the go. You can freeze the muffins for up to a month. You can find recipes at www.eatbetteramerica.com
For your Health
- Bring your lunch!! Whether it's to work or something fun, it's ALWAYS cheaper to bring your own food.
- Save your waist and your wallet. Set aside half of your meal for lunch the next day or use the meat from one meal to make another (for example you could take that leftover pork roast to make BBQ sandwiches).
- Quit the gym- walk outside. If it's raining, walk at the mall but leave your wallet in the car.
For Looking Good
- Get your stylish friends together. Have a party where you all bring some clothes, accessories, etc that you can trade or share among the group.
- Spa Skin Scrub:
- 1/2 C. grated citrus zest, 1/2 C. almonds, 1/3 C. sea salt, 1 T. almond oil
- Blend citrus zest & almonds in blender, mix in salt & oil
- Store in glass jar
- Conditioning Hair Treatment:
- 2 T. almond oil & 4 drops citrus essential oil
- massage through hair & leave in 20 mins
- shampoo as normal
- Bath Oil:
- baby oil & a few drops of essential oil
- mix & store in a glass jar
When Shopping
- ALWAYS ask to speak to a manager and ask for a discount.
- www.giftcardsagain.com saves you 15-20% when buying gift cards. You can also cash in unwanted gift cards at www.giftcardbuyback.com
- Buy big ticket items out of season. Ask a sales rep when the item you're interested in is cheapest.
- When you want a big ticket item, wait a week or even a month before purchasing and reevaluate to see if you are still willing to spend the money on it.
- Go in with a friend. Split the cost of a rental cabin, buy in bulk & split it.
- Holiday Sales usually offer the best prices.
- Buy used online or at a consignment shop. For sports items, try www.playitagainsports.com
- Make use of garage sales, but only for items you are already planning buying- don't spend extra money on things you don't need. Even if those extras are cheap, that's still more expensive than not buying them.
- Compare prices on www.pricegrabber.com
When you Travel
- Check out www.reidsguide.com for colleges that rent out dorm rooms during the summer.
- Try a volunteer vacation. Part or all of your lodging and food may be covered if you agree to spend some of your time volunteering. www.habitat-nola.org, www.charityguide.org, www.sierraclub.org can help you find a volunteer vacation. Some of the money you do spend may be tax deductible.
- Call the locales and hotels you would like to visit and ask when the off-season and cheapest prices are. You can also ask if they are currently running any specials.
- Check out www.travelzoo.com, www.us.lastminute.com, www.lastminutetravel.com
- Vacation in places with a good transportation system & skip the car rental.
- Check out "rideshare" on craigslist or homeswap (for vacation) at www.homelink-usa.com
For Entertainment
- Create a babysitting exchange with friends who have kids of a similar age to yours.
- Create a book swap with your friends or go to www.bookmooch.com or www.paperbackswap.com
- Share magazine subscriptions with your friends.
- Increase your insurance deductibles & get healthy- your health insurance rates will be lower.1
- Have a picnic in the park and take your dog for a walk afterwards- you'll save money and improve your health.
- Light some candles, pour a glass of wine and read to each other.
- Check your local newspaper for listings of free events.
- Check your favorite restaurants for a newsletter- it may have savings in it.
- Call your local movie theater and ask the manager if there are any specials or "kids free" days.
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