TOP TEN WAYS TO SAVE MONEY (a collaborative effort of mylotters!)
By bubblyapple
@bubblyapple (2653)
Philippines
March 3, 2009 5:09pm CST
Here is the summary of what you all put on how to save money everyday.
1) Use public transport instead your own; if you can't then drive more wisely or carpool
2) Save electricity
3) Find the cheapest grocery store, groceries is something we need everyday so we pay them a lot.
4) Let go of your cable. If this is not possible, get the cheapest rate with the best value.
5) Try to keep the temperature of your house/apartment at about 18-20°C because you don't waste the energy then.
6) Support the local farmer’s market. The fruits are fresher and cheaper.
7) Eat at home instead of going out. According to studies, if you forgo one night of going out per week you save $426 a year. That's a lot of money.
8) Encourage family members to put change in a jar at the end of every day. 9) Use the library. Everybody should have a library card anyway, but you can get books, videos, DVD's, and even video games from them.
10) Use e-mail instead of postage or calling. It's faster, waste free, and cheaper.
YOU COULD ADD SOME MORE IF YOU'RE ABLE TO THINK OF SOMETHING ELSE.
3 people like this
4 responses
@reneerose (106)
• United States
3 Mar 09
* Fix things instead of throwing them out.
* Patch clothes with a bit of decorative flair to keep wearing them longer, but in style (pretty patches, with a touch of embroidery are stylish and frugal!)
* Combine a bunch of errands into one trip instead of making lots of special trips (shopping, doctor appt, etc)
* Stock up on things when they are offered for a special price... you're always gonna use toilet paper... buy a ton when it's cheap (it won't go bad)
* Use washable, reusable food containers to store food and leftovers as opposed to throwing out bags, wraps, and foils
* Reuse bags, wraps and foils wherever practical.
:-)
1 person likes this
@reneerose (106)
• United States
3 Mar 09
AND
* turn down your water heater temperature.
* join the time of use rate program with your electric company if possible.
* repair old cars instead of shopping for new
*shop your insurance every 6-12 months... your company has probably raised it's rate and the other companies are always offering cheaper deals ti NEW insurance policies to try to gain new clients
* buy the forever stamps from the post office (postage is going up in May, I hear)
* Exercise at home... dump your gym membership.
* Take a few shorter local vacations as opposed to a long 2 weeker away
1 person likes this
@aprilten (1966)
• Philippines
6 Mar 09
May I also add that we turn off, better yet pull the plug from the electrical outlet, all appliances not being used. Turn off lights when not in use. If you are already feeling sleepy while watching TV, turn it off. However, if TV helps you sleep, set the TV's sleep timer so it will turn itself off when the timer stops.
@tudors (1556)
• China
6 Mar 09
yes, i use public transport a lot, occasionally take a taxi when i'm in a hurry or in the middle of bad weather. when it's warm and no wind, i try to ride a bike going everywhere.
I save water and electricity all the time, long before the financial crisis. i think it's a good habit and is the least i can do at home to help the environment and energy crisis.
i have 2 library card, seldom do i buy books but only borrow. the books i bought are usually left unread.
i cut down my eating out nowadays, from at least once a week to twice a month. It's a big challenge for me, but i just make it. 
SUPPLEMENTS :
To avoid late payment fees and possible interest rate increases on your credit cards, make sure you send in your payment a week to ten days before the statement due date. Late payments on one card can increase fees and interest rates on other cards.
Do not sign any contract that requires full payment before satisfactory completion of the work.
Check your phone bill to see if you have optional calling features or additional services, such as inside wire maintenance, that you don't need. Each option you drop could save you $40 or more each year. If you make very few toll or long distance calls, avoid calling plans with monthly fees or minimums. Or consider disconnecting the service altogether and use dial around services such as 10-10 numbers or prepaid phone cards for your calls. When shopping for dial around service, look for fees, call minimum, and per minute rates. Treat prepaid cards as cash and find out if there is an expiration date.
You can save hundreds of dollars a year by shopping at lower-priced food stores. Convenience stores often charge the highest price.
You will spend less on food if you shop with a list, take advantage of sales, and purchase basic ingredients, rather than pre-packaged components or ready-made items
SUPPLEMENTS :
To avoid late payment fees and possible interest rate increases on your credit cards, make sure you send in your payment a week to ten days before the statement due date. Late payments on one card can increase fees and interest rates on other cards.
Do not sign any contract that requires full payment before satisfactory completion of the work.
Check your phone bill to see if you have optional calling features or additional services, such as inside wire maintenance, that you don't need. Each option you drop could save you $40 or more each year. If you make very few toll or long distance calls, avoid calling plans with monthly fees or minimums. Or consider disconnecting the service altogether and use dial around services such as 10-10 numbers or prepaid phone cards for your calls. When shopping for dial around service, look for fees, call minimum, and per minute rates. Treat prepaid cards as cash and find out if there is an expiration date.
You can save hundreds of dollars a year by shopping at lower-priced food stores. Convenience stores often charge the highest price.
You will spend less on food if you shop with a list, take advantage of sales, and purchase basic ingredients, rather than pre-packaged components or ready-made items
@bubblyapple (2653)
• Philippines
10 Mar 09
Wow, thanks for those suggestions. I am actually doing some that you mentioned- using library card to borrow books and cutting down on eating out. I used to buy books even though they are not on sale. I am an avid reader of a variety of books and when I like it, I want to have a copy of that. These days, I am more practical, I know the library would have the books that I want and I could go back for it over and over. As long as turn them in on time, I don't have to spend money for the books. That's a huge amount of money that could go to savings. Eating out less is a real challenge since I am not a person of the kitchen. I love to eat but that is where my culinary skills stop. I am working on that area right now. I know I could save a lot by cooking and eating at home so I am trying really hard to get used to it.
