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Living below your means can be difficult, I hope these these tips get you started in the right direction. For my tips you can read How To Start a Budget and to get started on your way to a healthier financial future with the Budget Binder I created with step by step instructions on putting your finances in order.
1. Use solar powered light fixtures.
There are lots of light fixtures today that can be powered by the sunlight. In using them, you would be able to save lots of money, since your electricity bills would go down. Shop for these items at your local store, or even through the web.
2. Open your windows instead of turning on the fan.
When it is hot, you may want to turn on the fan or even your air conditioning system, in order to improve the temperature at your place. To save money, instead of using them, you can open up your windows. By doing that, you can benefit from fresh air, aside from saving money.
To make it cooler, you can put some ice in front of the fan if you want to.
3. Check out the Dollar Store.
You would be surprised at what you find. They have gone from a $1 to $1.25 but still there is lots of great finds including paper products like napkins, paper towels they also have toothpaste, floss sticks and other household items.
4. Turn off your computer when not in use.
There are lots of people today who turn on their computers at the beginning of the day, and only turn it off before sleeping at night. If you are one of them, then you should turn it off, prior to stepping outside your place. By doing that, you can ensure that you would be consuming lesser amounts of energy. Aside from that, it can also prolong the life of your computer.
5. Clean your own car.
The cost of having your car washed through a car washing station on a weekly basis, can easily pile up over the months. Thus, if you are going to wash your own car, then you would be able to save money. Aside from that, it can also provide you the exercise that you need, in order to stay as fit as you can be.
6. Turn off the television.
Becoming addicted to the television is one of the things that can cause your electricity bills to soar higher. Thus, you need to turn it off, when you are not watching. Aside from that, you should also minimize the times that you try to watch TV, when you are actually doing another thing.
7. Turn off the lights at your place when you leave.
Leaving the lights on when your not home can be one of the factors that affect your energy bills. Turn the lights off when you won’t be home and try turning on just a single light, so that you are not walking into a dark house.
8. Ride the bus instead of using your car.
If you are going somewhere, which is not possible to reach by merely walking, then try the bus, instead of using the car. Riding a bus or a train can only cost you a few dollars, compared to filling up your car with lots of gasoline. Just prepare earlier, and take note of the schedule of the bus, so that you won’t be late.
9. Be healthy.
The cost of medicines today continues to go up, especially when it comes to antibiotics. To ensure that you won’t have to reach for your pocket to buy them, you need to maintain your health. To achieve that, you should get enough exercise on a regular basis. Aside from that, you should also take a multivitamin supplement in conjunction with a healthy diet.
10. Don’t turn on the water faucet at its maximum level.
When you take a bath, there is no need to turn on the water at its maximum level, especially if you are not in a rush. Turning it at higher levels can make your water bills soar high. Thus, if you take control of it, then you should be able to save some money by conserving water more effectively.
11. Try to enjoy leftovers.
When you eat at restaurants, cook up some delicious meals for a family gathering or prepare for a birthday party, you can be sure that you would have a bunch of leftovers inside your refrigerator after. Heating them up for your meals instead of throwing them away could save you a lot of money. When Meal Planning you can make extra to have leftovers.
12. Cook your own meals.
Cooking your own meals could help you save lots of money. This is because buying the ingredients for a certain recipe is definitively more affordable, than eating out in restaurants or fast food chains. Just make sure to cook healthy meals, so that you can also ensure that you are getting the nutrients you need. Want to get started with meal planning? Start here. Don’t like to cook get my favorite kitchen tool and let it do all the work for you.
13. Buy basic things at wholesale prices.
There are lots of basic things that a person needs, and buying it in retail prices can pile up the cost. Thus, it is best if you buy them in bulk, since that would give you a chance to purchase them at wholesale prices. In doing this, you would be able to save lots of money, aside from the fact that you can have a good supply of your needs.
14. Shop online.
Shopping online can give you an opportunity to save some amounts of cash. If you do your research, you would find out that most items found through the internet are more affordable than those that are sold in local stores. The reason behind this is that, online stores have lesser overhead expenses. Thus, shopping the modern way should help you save up some cash.
15. Buy used items.
Buying used items compared to buying those that are brand new is definitely more affordable. You should begin shopping around for used products. To find them, you can always go through the internet, visit garage sales, or check out some local auctions. You can find many free things on Facebook Marketplace. I have gotten lots of kids toys and furniture for low to no cost.
16. Buy an alternative.
Try the stores brand of products, you will find out that a lot of your name brand products have available substitutes. These substitutes can have the same or better quality just without the name brand and can offer the same result.
For example if you live near and Aldi’s grocery store start there they are a lot more affordable than the grocery store, and there quality standards are higher than USDA.
17. Look for coupons.
There are lots of coupons available today, which you can access through the internet. These coupons can offer you discounts on certain fast food chains, restaurants, as well as in local stores. All you have to do is to sign up for the websites that offer them, and follow the simple instructions provided.
Check out Swagbucks. They are always offering points on products you are already buying and after a certain amount of points you can trade them in for gift cards to places like Amazon and Walmart
18. Take advantage of sales, especially after the holidays.
Taking advantage of sale, especially those that are offered after the holidays can help you save lots of cash.
For example, in most cases, decorations go down by 50% or more after the Christmas season. If you want to save money, you can always purchase them for the following year. I do this every year and it is always like someone bought me a really cool gift that I actually wanted and I love it even more because I didn’t pay full price for it.
19. Credit card promotions.
If you have a credit card with a high balance you can do a balance transfer and get 0% for 6-18 months, in that time focus on paying that bill off, this will save you in interest.
Even better if you can get a card that will do a balance transfer and you can earn rewards with the card. I got the Capital One Credit Card you can get up to 50,000 in airline miles that can help make your next vacation more affordable.
20. Fix things up yourself.
Before tossing out an item, you should see if you can repair it yourself first. By doing that, you would be able to save money by not having to purchase a new one. To fix something up, you can always ask your friends for tips regarding it. Aside from that, you can also check out some troubleshooting tips through the internet.
21. Avoid spending through credit cards.
Spending through credit cards is one of the best ways to pile up your debt. Thus, if you want to save more money, you should purchase on a cash basis only. Save the credit cards for emergency situations only. Every item you purchase with the use of your credit card can add more to your existing debt and your monthly surcharge; thus, it is time that you leave them at home when you go out to shop. If you do spend on the credit cards make sure you are earning rewards and that you pay off the card monthly like the Capital One card.
22. Gaming at nights.
If you and your friends are quite fond of going out at nights, especially on weekends, then you should invite them for a gaming night at your place. This would help you all in saving lots of money. All you have to do is to take out your favorite board game, buy some snacks and drinks, and enjoy a good time at your place, without spending lots of money in bars or coffee shops.
23. Watching movies at your place.
If your family wants to spend some time with you by watching a movie at the movie theater, you should consider watching one at your own house. Pair it up with some popcorn and sodas, and your family would have a great time with you, while you are not worrying about the total cost.
24. Swaps are good.
Swapping your things that you are not using anymore for a new item, is one of the ways of saving money, when it comes to acquiring something new. Swapping can be done through the internet, with your friends, or with certain shops. You can swap your shoes, books, music, movies, games, gadgets, and more, for items that you want to have so that you won’t have to spend a dime in getting it.
25. Change your magazine subscriptions.
To save money, you can always subscribe directly to the magazine. Aside from that, check out their websites, since they might even offer e-magazines, which you can conveniently download into your computer for free or for a very affordable price.
26. The lottery.
If you are fond of playing the lottery, you should seriously think about your odds of winning it. There is very less likelihood that you would hit the jackpot in the lottery, and each time you play it, you are actually spending more cash. Thus, if you simply want to be entertained, then you should consider playing at a casino, since the cost is pretty much the same, the odds would be better, and it can provide you with more entertainment.
27. Traveling.
In traveling, one of the best things that you can do in order to save huge amounts of money is to book way ahead of time. This is true, especially if you book online. Lots of airlines are actually offering discounts for early bookings today. Aside from that, you should also keep in mind that booking a vacation package is also more affordable, than booking your hotel, flights, and cars separately. Save more money on flights by paying for them with your points.
Bonus Tip: Your travel times.
To save up some money, you should be flexible when it comes to your traveling times. For example, in booking flights, if you are not in a hurry, red-eye flights are actually good to book in terms of saving cash, although you may not want your children traveling late. Aside from such types of flights, traveling to certain vacation spots during off-season can also be a good idea, when it comes to saving on costs.
To learn more you can read How To Start A Budget.
If you are ready to get your finances in order start with the Budget Binder, it is a step by step guide on how to organize and get control of your financial health.