What are the things with which we can save money?

@krupesh (2608)
India
September 11, 2009 9:34pm CST
Yesterday my son who was reading in his room came & slept without switching off the lights & fan.The whole night both were on.Its a loss of electricity as well as money.If those two were switched off we could have certainly saved some money. I usually dont switch off my computer 24 hrs.If I am not in front of the computer say when I am sleeping it would also add to my savings. Can you please let us know here they ways to save money? I think it would help all the mylotters here.thx
8 people like this
35 responses
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
12 Sep 09
I think using a notebook instead of the desktop computer saves a bit on electric bill. Another thing would be to eat out like for family dinners and stuff like that a few times a month instead of almost every week. I find that when I don't go out much, I don't spend at all. So whenever I go out, I do tend to spend a bit more than when I go out regularly. It's like a bonus for me for the extra savings which I've already put aside.
2 people like this
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
13 Sep 09
Yes, buddy.. it's good to consider that. It might save you a lot for the year's end..
@krupesh (2608)
• India
12 Sep 09
Hello Zed, The point you made about spending for dinners is a point to think about.We usually go out 3-4 days once.By taking your point I will let my wife know about this.Let me see what she thinks.Thats a great idea zed ..thx
1 person likes this
• United States
12 Sep 09
There are alot of things you can do to save money. One thing to help is when buying groceries, but the generic brands unless the name brands are on sale at a lower price. Buy your groceries in bigger packages and freeze or buy plastic storage containers to keep them in. Buy your meat from the meat market and not the grocery store. You get better quality meat at a better price. I get 93/7 meat at a meat market for 2.99 a pound compared to 3.99 a pound at the grocery store. Use borax in with your laundry detergent. You an use less detergent and also have cleaner, brighter clothes. Buy a water filter instead of buying bottles water. These are just a few that I do!
2 people like this
@krupesh (2608)
• India
12 Sep 09
Hello mellissa, Eventhough we have a water purifier , I usually prefer to buy water bottles when I am out.Its easy to get them where ever you are.But certainly it adds up to save money.Thats a nice tip.Eventhough everybody knows , nobody cares...hahaha
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
12 Sep 09
hi krupesh I always turn off computer and monitor when I go tobed.I turn off any lights when I leave our room. I dont let the fan go when we are not in our room. when I was working I brownbagged my lunches and that saved a lot and let me eat healthier foods. I bought foods at sale p;rices, and other items on sale and ofteh shopped at Walmart too for their prices are better.
1 person likes this
@krupesh (2608)
• India
12 Sep 09
Hello hatley, Nice ways to save money but what is a brown bag?CAn you please let me know?It always saves buying at sale prices.thx for the tips.
@krupesh (2608)
• India
12 Sep 09
..thanks lovinangelsinstead, now I got to know that brown bags are nothing but paper bags right?
• Pamplona, Spain
12 Sep 09
Hiya hatley, Brown bag is what Spain is going to have to get used to again and I don´t mind saying thank God for that as they have forced us to use plastic bags for so long and then they turn around and blame us for their silly ideas. Plastic bags were forced on us for example you were not allowed to buy tomatoes lose you had to have them in a plastic bag and you could not buy oranges and mandarins and put them together in one bag as they said they were not allowed to sell them like that as a Law was passed about it. So it´s the Spanish Governments fault this has happened. Now they are trying to blame everyone else and I suppose we are to blame for the five million unemployed in Spain too lol. Now lets see if this brown paper bag business gets into full swing. At first I thought oh no what do we do now this is how it gets to you and I´m already looking forward to using brown paper bags again. What I won´t look forward to is if they don´t recycle all that paper again and leave Spain more of a desert than it was before by cutting down more trees. We have not been given the chance to vote on it say yes or no. Spain is a beautiful country and it does not deserve this bad treatment it is getting. Brown paper bags are back in fashion hooray.
@PeacefulWmn9 (10420)
• United States
13 Sep 09
Hello Krupesh. I've had to become "ruthless" in this economy and here of some of the ways I've saved money. 1. Turning down the temperature on the water heater 2. Using the library to borrow free books and movies 3. Cooking far more at home and eating out less 4. Cutting back on necessary car usage to save on gas 5. Researching car insurance plans and switching to one that saves me a couple of hundred dollars a year for the same coverage 6. No buying of new clothes 7. Buying groceries on sale and using coupons once again 8. Taking advantage of ways to save on medical expenses, since I have no insurance! Have a great day! Karen
@AmbiePam (85496)
• United States
16 Sep 09
A lot of people don't want to go to the trouble of looking around for cheaper rates. Good for you. I've also heard thrift and consignment stores business has gone through the roof.
1 person likes this
• United States
18 Sep 09
Hi Pam...shopping around for better rates on things has saved me hundreds of dollars a year...very much worth the effort, and not that hard to do. Any yes, many people I know, myself included, shop thrift stores and clearance aisles for anything and everything they might need, as well as doing some kind of side work and selling it on consignment to make ends meet.
• Philippines
12 Sep 09
There are so many things and ways where in we can save money. as for me, I save a lot when it comes to shopping because I have discount cards with me plus I shop most of the time when the red tag is on. I love sales and discounts. I take advantage of those always. It's really a great thing to save and we really need to be wise enough in managing our accounts or else regret in the end. At home, we spend less electricity by using the stove instead of the rice cooker and in terms of ironing clothes, we iron clothes in just a time. We also turn off lights when we sleep. That's all we practice in the house.
1 person likes this
@krupesh (2608)
• India
12 Sep 09
Hello babyfiona, Yes it helps if you have discount cards. What is that red tag? Using stove instead of rice cooker is much more costlier I think
@vandana7 (98830)
• India
12 Sep 09
hi krupesh, I am one of the guilty ones. :( But my father doesnt even think about it! Normal parents are like u. This gentleman - he switches off the lights and fans as I leave the house, and if I leave the light in the kitchen remains on throughout the night, it is perfectly ok with him! He switches off the geyser in about 10 minutes and takes only showers, but I can keep the geyser on for more than an hour, there is no reprimand! I am not to be blamed if I am not careful on utilities. Parental guidance helps.
@krupesh (2608)
• India
12 Sep 09
Hello vandana, The way you do things says me that you are not 50...hahaha.One more way to save money for me would be to switch off the geyser.Its 24 hrs on as its automatic.I will switch off after the water gets heated up to a certain temperature.
@vandana7 (98830)
• India
12 Sep 09
Hi krupesh, did u c Bernardo Bartolucci's "The Last Emperor". Well, this is becoming a case like that. :) I guess dad fears he may not be around for long, and he did leave me in hostels when I was young, so he is trying to make up for it by being over indulgent. And I am shamelessly enjoying it. :) I do forget things. Its like I've had Alzhiemers since childhood! So, he has been doing what fathers do best - looking after their little daughters. He has got habituated to that role. It does not strike him that I am 50! lol. Anyway, I am. I am just overprotected, and overpampered person, who has mostly moved with people a whole lot younger than herself - so I have their style of talking I suppose. I'd be a thorough misfit in my age group. :(
• Philippines
12 Sep 09
There are lot of things that you can save some money or expenses. At home, you are correct, switching off electric fans, lights, etc when not in use is number 1. Always check and compare your bill monthly so that you would know what are the things that made you electric bill hike high. I advise not to use high wattage lights and appliances. Have a daily schedule of what time are you going to log in the pc. Let say, you set yourself just 2 hrs a day for internet surfing and pc usage. Start it to yourself, be disciplined!
1 person likes this
@derek_a (10874)
12 Sep 09
I save money when I boil the kettle for tea or coffee. I pour the hot water that is left over into a thermos flask. Next time I come to make a drink I used some of the water from the thermos in the kettle as it takes less power to boil it up again, because it is already warm from last time. - Derek
@derek_a (10874)
13 Sep 09
Yes, I did try that, and it did keep hot, but the taste was spoiled.. I don't know why but re-boiling the water, seems to leave the taste good. - Derek
@krupesh (2608)
• India
12 Sep 09
nice way of saving the energy.Why dont you prepare tea or coffee & put it in a flask ? I think it would be hot to drink.
1 person likes this
@yugasini (12836)
• Anantapur, India
12 Sep 09
hi krupesh, neither i nor my wife will waste Electricity for fan or light,but our refrigerator is working 24 hours a day,we use our washing machine once in a week,i am using computer daily 5 hours,but our regular monthly bill is hardly Rs 350.00 per month,have a nice day
@yugasini (12836)
• Anantapur, India
13 Sep 09
hi krupesh, thanks for the comment/response,you can do wonders with that money but i cannot do,becuase iam human being,have a nice day
@yugasini (12836)
• Anantapur, India
13 Sep 09
hi friends, iam withdrawing my previous comment posted now itself,sorry for the inconvenience caused both of you,have a nice day
@krupesh (2608)
• India
12 Sep 09
..you should be happy that your monthly bill is only that much.I do get a bill of Rs. 1000-1200 every month
@maezee (41997)
• United States
12 Sep 09
Conserving energy, water, and heat are all some of my own money-saving techniques. You can conserve water by taking showers instead of baths (and making them quick - 5 or 10 minutes at most), by not leaving the water on while you brush your teeth, and by fixing any leaks you have in your home. You can save electricity by making sure all fans and lights are shut off when you're not home, relying on natural sunlight instead of lights, by unplugging some appliances (cell phone charger, blow-dryer, etc) when you're not using them, etc. Saving on utility bills is a good idea !
1 person likes this
@krupesh (2608)
• India
12 Sep 09
Hello maezee, Yes unplugging every electrical appliance adds to saving money.Is 5-10 minutes enough for taking shower/bath?hehehe
@Ritchelle (3790)
• Philippines
12 Sep 09
investing in bamboo blinds (they offer enough coverage and allows ample enough of air to pass through their little spaces in between) would be worth it provided of course that the security of the residents isn't compromised. also, using the right toiletries can make a woman save on moisutrizing lotions and creams that almost total to maintaining a necessary equipment we all cannot live without in the house. sticking to your color palette and sticking to quality clothes with a style that works for you, rather than experimenting, would save you a lot.
@krupesh (2608)
• India
12 Sep 09
I think women not only spend much on creams & moisturizins lotions but also clothes.They tend to buy everything they see.
1 person likes this
@Ritchelle (3790)
• Philippines
14 Sep 09
yes, you're right. but not all women buy everything they see. i don't buy anything and everything i see. i know when i have the right to possess an object .
• Philippines
13 Sep 09
i try not to go out when there is no need to. because if i go out i have unexpected expenses.
1 person likes this
@jonasbsl (42)
• Philippines
12 Sep 09
Things where we can save some money: 1. buy generic brand for over the counter medicines 2. take advantage of coupons/discounts 3. buy during sale only (this is good for the things that we want but not a necessity) 4. have your cars checked regularly (change oil every 5K kilometers) for better car performance/efficiency hence better fuel consumption. 5. prepare/cook that is just enough for your family (no leftovers) 6. conserve water, turn it off when not being used; fixed all leaky faucets 7. replace all incandescent bulbs with energy saving compact fluorescent or led lamps. 8. unplug all electrical equipment that are not being used 9. plan and schedule everything so you can save on trips (saves time and fuel) 10. eat well, exercise regularly, stay fit (getting sick is expensive)
@krupesh (2608)
• India
12 Sep 09
nice tips ....everyone dont take seriously the last one you have mentioned.
@sasalove (1709)
• China
12 Sep 09
Hi Krupesh, I always did your son did, LOL. I worked in another ciey from Monday to Friday,,and then fly to my hometown to stay the holiday, sometimes I forgot to switch off the fans, which will run a whold holiday then as nobody can help me to switch off..oh, how poor and I did not mean to do it, of course. You should remind your son to have a habit on that, but easy said to be done, maybe over and over reminding will wake up the conscious of electricity saving sense of your son...
1 person likes this
@krupesh (2608)
• India
12 Sep 09
Hello sasalove, This is the nth time he has done like that.We have told him several times, but this he did after a long gap though.
@williamjisir (22819)
• China
12 Sep 09
Hello krupesh. To save money, I think that a better solution to this is to cut off unnecessary buying. I used to buy something I liked, but would not actually have any chances to use. Later I always tell myself not to get anything I won't use. So now I am into the habit of getting something practical for my daily life. Of course, what you have mentioned in the discussion is also one way for us to save some money if we can avoid using them. Take care, friend.
@krupesh (2608)
• India
12 Sep 09
...one thing that comes to my mind is that my wife buys the cloth which look nice.She doesn't wear much & she has a large collection...it applies to every women I think.
@neildc (17239)
• Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
12 Sep 09
hi krupesh. if you have read my discussion about cooking with charcoal, it was about when we have lost or lack of money to buy gas for cooking. so we switch back to basic cooking with charcoal. we later on able to buy gas, but after almost 2 months, here it comes again, back to charcoal. charcoal is getting more expensive if we buy by pack, as in retailed. so we decide today to buy in sack, as in wholesale. it's higher in price but less expensive when computed in our daily usage. neil
@krupesh (2608)
• India
12 Sep 09
...but doesn't the taste change if you cook in charcoal?
@savak03 (6684)
• United States
12 Sep 09
I once read an article that said if a person left one television on 24/7, in other words never turning it off it would cost 18.00 per month in electricity. So you figure a computer monitor would cost about the same. Even though I leave my computer itself on all the time I have it programmed to turn off the monitor after a certain amount of time.
@savak03 (6684)
• United States
12 Sep 09
Yep we will pay for the things we want won't we.
@bamrahkirti (1821)
• India
12 Sep 09
I know there is a dire need to save electricity and water as their supply is short as compared to their demand.Switching off the lights,fans,computer,other electronic gadgets when not in use can save 25% of your electricity bills. I have heard that if we keep a bottle of one litre in our flush ,then we can save water.Close taps when water is not in use.Also check for water leakage.
@krupesh (2608)
• India
12 Sep 09
I have heard that if we keep a bottle of one litre in our flush,then we can save water. I did not get this..
@xannebull (1793)
• Philippines
12 Sep 09
they are all correct, one way of saving money is saving electricity and water, just make sure all appliances are unplug when it is not in use. if the refrigerator is empty, then turn it off because it ref is one of the most electricity consuming appliance. buy in bulk when going to a grocery store like shampoo, toilet paper, soaps and detergents, everything that don't spoil for a long storage.
@krupesh (2608)
• India
12 Sep 09
yes refridgerator is the only appliance I think we wont turn off.Ya its better to buy the groceries in wholesale prices
18 Sep 09
I've heard by unplugging the TV, video games and other things you're not using like when you're asleep or out of the house, you can save $256 a year.