More Ways to Save

Saving money is becoming a big part of my life. Right now it's because we're paying off our debts and in the future it will be for setting up an emergency fund and saving for retirement and other things. So I'm always looking for and thinking about ways to save. It's almost become my "job" - Robert makes the money and I save it!

Here's some ideas I've come across recently:

1. Reuse items instead of trashing them (or buying new). You can use a gallon ice cream bucket for soaking small stained items and plastic food containers for leftovers or to organize your desk supplies. Also, we were going to throw away our nightstand that got broken by the movers but we really needed a nightstand and decided to fix it (just needed some glue) instead of spending money on a new one.

2. Take advantage of the library. This can potentially be a huge money saver. If you buy books or movies, or rent through Netflix or at Blockbuster - why are you wasting your money? The library has tons of resources at your disposal for free.

3. Use cash (if you can't, it means you're spending above your means). This is huge. Not only because it has been statistically proven that you spend 12-18% more when you use plastic, but because it also shows you when you need to stop spending. Use envelopes. If the money is gone, you can no longer spend from that category anymore (if it's groceries ... either make do with your pantry items or take money from another category).

4. Make a few meatless meals a week. Meat can be expensive depending on what type you're buying. Beans, rice, and pasta are very inexpensive in comparison and you can make great meals with those ingredients. Another way to save with meat is to make meat a "side dish" instead of the main course of the meal or half the amount you put in casseroles, etc.

5. Make a meal plan. If you just buy food without a plan for that food that's the same as spending money without a plan for that money (most of it will go down the drain i.e. the garbage disposal). Make a plan of what meals you will serve throughout the week (or two weeks or month) and make a grocery list for those meals based on what you will need. This can save you tons of money in no last minute trips to the store, no food expiring before it's used, etc.

6. Stick to that grocery list. When you're at the store keep your eyes on what you need. If it's not on your list, it doesn't go in the cart! Even if something is a "great deal" who cares. You're buying more than you need and could potentially be throwing it away!

7. Combine all your errands. Save gas and time by running all of your errands at once. No quick trips to one place everyday. Try making one "errand trip" per week instead.

8. Stay home. The more you go out (trips to the grocery store, movies, mall, "browsing", "window shopping") the more likely you are to spend money.

9. Turn off the lights. I hardly ever use the lights when I'm at home during the day. The sun is bright enough (even with the blinds closed) that I don't need any extra. Also turn off lights when you leave a room. Even only a few minutes of the lights being on is costing you more in electricity than turning them off and back on when you return.