25 Ways to Live on Less
@ 8:43 amLet’s start a wave of information - What are 25 different ways you save money? Whether it is daily or once in your lifetime, either jot it down in the comments or post to your own blog and link to it in the comments. It is always good to take a step back and see what good you ARE doing and where you can do better.
Here are ways I have and continue to save money:
1. Change light bulbs to CFL bulbs to save money
2. Use Heat and Air Conditioning sparingly
3. Use the light of Day instead of lights in the house
4. Pay bills online or in person, instead of using stamps
5. Keep razorblades dry and clean so that they last longer
6. Write checks for over the amount instead of using an ATM with fees
7. Use plastic containers to store left over food for eating later
8. Turn off all lights when not in a room
9. Leave the car at home at least one day out of the week
10. Borrow books from the library instead of buying them
11. Use coupons and check grocery circulars to get the best deals
12. Cook meals at home, cutting back on eating out
13. Take lunch to work
14. Watch movies at home instead of in the theater
15. Wash clothes every 7-10 days
16. Wash clothes in cold water to save on heat
17. Every 6-12 months verify I am getting the best deal on utilities and insurance
18. Cut out all subscriptions to magazines unless I can get those free
19. Buy foods in bulk or when items are clearanced and save in freezer
20. Pick up money from the ground and save in a coin jar
21. Round up in check book and place excess in savings at end of the month
22. Making use of Employer’s 401k matching limit
23. Put raises or bonuses in savings or apply towards debt
24. Do research online for best value for money on medium to large priced items
25. Jump at the chance to take home food from work potlucks when asked
Since everyone saves money a little differently and we all can learn a thing or two from each other, What are your 25 ways to save?
“”"”"–
Dawn C. is site owner of Frugalforlife.com and is residing in Colorado with her spouse, Teri, of 11 years. Dawn can be reached at Frugalforlife@gmail.com
June 25th, 2007 at 11:11 am
Spend a little more to buy quality and then take care of the item.
June 25th, 2007 at 11:46 am
Cut the water heater off, or put it on a timer. I switched mine off at the switch box and I put it on for about half an hour before I need to shower and do dishes. I was shocked at how much my light bill went down.
June 25th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
Here are a few that come to mind.
1) Buy seasonal produce at the farmers market or grocery store. 2) Mix white vinegar, dish washing liquid (the grease cutting kind) and hot water - use to clean the house - works fast and eliminates odors. 3) We live in a city, therefore, we walk to get a haircut, go to the dentist, light grocery shopping etc. 4) Happy Hour prices — drinks and dinner specials, woo hoo! 5) Focus on your interest rates; consolidate debt to the lowest interested rate you can get ( some debt can even be floated at 0% for up to 6 months while you aggressively pay it down.)Also, aggressively go after higher interest rates for your savings/checking accounts. Why settle for 1% when you can get 4.5%. 6) Increase deductibles on your insurance (Auto, Home etc., but do so only if you have an emergency account to meet that new deductible). 7) Get on the mailing or emailing lists for sales. We both have to have a corporate “look” by day. We buy shirts from a store that has a shirt sale two times a year and we save a bundle.
Programmable thermostat — year round savings.9) we lowered the temperature on our water heater and did not even notice.
Well- not exactly 25 tips but I thought I would share - John
June 25th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
Wow! all wonderful additions and personal experiences, thank you.
June 25th, 2007 at 2:55 pm
Dawn, I am very curious about #18. Are you talking about free subscriptions or getting free copies (ie., pass-alongs from friends or family)? And if some are actually free subscriptions, how did you swing that?
June 25th, 2007 at 3:47 pm
Well I cut the Phone bill down….the only Extra I have is Caller Id….Voice Mail is a $10 Digital Answering Machine (Yes they still make them!!!).
And since I had to carry a Phone/Pager all the time when I still owned my businesses I have come to HATE them….Yes I have a Prepaid (net10) Phone I keep in the Motorcycle in case I should break down but I can’t tell you the number unless I look it up first….but from what I have seen now the trend has reversed over the last 25 years…If you were Well-To-Do and “Important” you had a portable phone..now if you notice only the Worker Bees have phones and if you want to talk to the boss you can Leave A Message with the Secretary…the big bosses don’t carry phones any more…its not a Status Symbol anymore they have become a modern Ball and Chain. Dump the Cell Phone and Save $50 or more a Month.
~ Roland
June 25th, 2007 at 4:53 pm
Moxie~
I get free subscriptions for my spouse for fishing and I get the occasional 3-4 month trial for myself. Those I find through the feed at Free Stuff Times (http://www.freestufftimes.com)
Roland~
You got it, once my contract is up, I’m getting a prepaid- if I can talk my other half into it.
October 6th, 2007 at 3:37 am
[…] The energy emitted by a traditional incandescent tungsten light bulb is about 5% light and 95% heat. So, if you live in a climate where the summer months boil and are still using the archaic bulbs, your light bulbs are affecting the portion of your electric bill attributed to air conditioning in addition to your lighting. The newer energy-efficient bulbs are definitely more expensive initially but last anywhere from 8 to 15 times the length of the old school bulbs, creating an obvious long term savings. Greenpeace was of course on campus with a Seize the Light Brigade Campaign. […]