Resource Center at Yellow Brick
When it comes to saving more / spending less, you are your own most valuable resource!
Save a Buck or More a Day!
A dollar doesn’t seem like much money these days. But wouldn’t it be nice to have an extra 365 bucks in your pocket? If you were able to save just one dollar every day for a year, that’s exactly what you would have. Here are 50 tips that will show you ways to save one dollar (or more).
1. Instead of buying a soda pop from the machine or convenience at your lunch break, stock up on a 12-pack from the grocery store.
2. Don’t do snack size munchies. Buy full-size packages of potato chips, pretzels, and cookies and distribute them into your own baggies.
3. Read your local newspaper online, rather than purchasing one at the newsstand. Like to physically flip the pages? Purchase a subscription and save.
4. Same thing with magazines. Subscriptions will save you a bundle. Or borrow for free from your local library.
5. Quit smoking! Not only will you save the money you would normally spend on cigarettes, your health care costs will also decrease.
6. Stop buying those lottery tickets. Have you actually won anything big, ever?
7. Purchase deliciously aromatic, fresh ground coffee at the grocery store and make yourself a cup to go in the morning. Drive right past Starbucks.
8. Brown bag your lunch once or twice a week.
9. Make sure your tires are properly inflated. You’ll get better gas mileage and save money.
10. Use your bank’s ATM so that you don’t get hit with fees.
11. Pay bills online so you don’t have to buy stamps.
12. Call long distance using your cell phone during free night or weekend hours.
13. Pay bills on time to avoid late fees.
14. Wait a while after the premier and catch the movie at the $3 cinema. Skip the popcorn!
15. Alternately rent a video instead of catching a flick at the theater.
16. Or borrow movies from the library or friends for free and make homemade snacks!
17. Make sure doors and windows in your home are properly sealed to keep cooled or heated air from escaping.
18. Clip and use grocery store coupons.
19. Check the local coupons that come in the mail for services and products such as car washes and pizza deliveries.
20. When your doctor writes you a prescription, ask that a lower-priced generic be allowed, if available.
21. For long-term medication, consider mail-order prescriptions which are generally purchased in 3-month increments for about the same as a one or two month supply.
22. Cancel premium cable TV channels. (They play the same movies over and over anyway!)
23. Or, make note of which channels your family watches most. Consider cutting down to barebones basic cable, or cancelling the service altogether.
24. Have friends or family over for a nice dinner at home rather than eating out. Hint that next time you go to their place!
25. Eat one vegetarian meal each week.
26. Make popcorn to munch in front of the TV. Pop it up in a hot air popper, in a brown lunch bag in the microwave, or the old fashioned way, on the stove with a little oil (don’t forget to put a lid on the pan!). The kids will be fascinated.
27. Map your errands to save on gas.
28. Trek to run errands that are within walking distance. Great for saving gas and boosting your health!
29. Install fluorescent lights. Not only do they use less energy, they also last longer than traditional bulbs.
30. Lower the temperature on your hot water heater to a safe 110 to 120 degrees.
31. Dry a load of laundry on the clothesline.
32. Bake from scratch. Homemade is cheaper and tastes so much better than store bought.
33. Use less shampoo, dish soap, hand soap, etc. than you think you need. You can always add more and chances are you are using too much. Oh, and don’t bother “rinsing and repeating!”
34. Shop at dollar stores for everything from snacks to greeting cards to household items.
35. Be a good driver. Tickets mean fines and higher insurance, not to mention possible injuries!
36. Raise your insurance deductible and lower your premium.
37. Shop at thrift and consignment stores for clothing for the whole family. You’ll be amazed at your great finds! And if you can’t get past the idea that the items are used, consider all the other people who have tried on that department store outfit before you bought it.
38. Change air filters every month. Your heater or air conditioner won’t have to work as hard to do the job.
39. Use cloth towels and napkins instead of paper ones.
40. Start a small garden growing something your family loves. Even apartment dwellers can have container gardens. Enjoy fresh produce for a fraction of the supermarket cost and take pleasure in a new hobby!
41. Just don’t have the time or energy to garden? Find a farmer’s market and support local growers while you save cash.
42. Rotate your tires and they’ll last longer.
43. Change your oil regularly and you’ll be rewarded with a long-lived engine.
44. Empty your trunk of any non-necessities and get better gas mileage.
45. Watch for free entertainment events put on by city agencies, churches, and schools. Take the whole family!
46. Have a wee one? Try using cloth diapers half of the time.
47. Stock up on great deals, but only buy what you’ll actually use. Nobody needs 57 cans of chicken noodle soup on hand.
48. Check out bakery outlet stores for great deals on breads, snacks, and more.
49. Don’t window shop. If you aren’t tempted, you won’t spend.
50. Vinegar and baking soda have hundreds of uses. Vinegar can be used for everything from fabric softener to soap scum remover to dishwasher additive. Baking soda will clean the microwave, freshen the fridge, and even scour the sink.
More Money Saving Tips:
No matter what your financial situation might be, it is always nice to save a
little money here and there. Here are some additional tips!
Entertainment Movie Rentals: Redbox a new way to rent movie, vending machine style. Go to their site and see if they have a location in your area. Only $1 per movie and they have new releases. Sure does beat the $5.50 you would pay at the rental store. Another benefit is that you don't have to stand in line or waste time wandering the aisles. You save money and time! If you decide to keep the movie longer it is only $1 per extra night. Try to rent the movie when you know you will be able to watch it that night in order to keep cost down to $1. Reading Materials: There is no point in purchasing books and magazines when you can check them out for free at your local library. Only purchase a book if you have read it once, and know that you will want to read it again. Otherwise, it will simply take up space in your home.
Children Babysitters: Babysitters can be expensive, but everyone needs a break now and then. Does your child have a friend around their age? Consider asking their parent's to trade off now and then. Instead of hiring a babysitter your child can go spend time with their friend. Another night, the child's friend can come to your house. This saves moneys for not one, but two families in the end. Other benefits are that your child has someone to play with and you know they are having fun.
Clothing Seasonal: Purchase clothes out of season. Stores want these clothes out of the stores to make room for the new season so they often sell them at great discounts.
Consignment Shops: This is a great way to get name brand clothes for a buck or two. My husband works in a job that requires him to wear button down collared shirts every day. I buy them for $2 each at a local consignment shop and they look brand new. There are often shirts with stains that you have to dig through, but it is very easy to find like new clothes. Go Generic: Consider purchasing store and generic brands. You are usually getting the same product for a lower price. If you aren't sure what items are generic, a good rule of thumb is to look down. Usually the more expensive brands are placed at eye level, while the generic brands are placed on lower shelves. Eat: Do not shop on an empty stomach. You will end up purchasing items you do not need. At the same time, you will be less concerned with saving money and more concerned with getting out to the car quickly so you can open that package of cookies.
Bills Online Pay: Every time you pay a bill online, you are saving postage money. It might not seem like a lot, but it really does add up quick. This can also save you from late charges by avoiding those checks that get lost in the mail. Check with your bank to see if they have an online bill pay system. If not, check each individual billing company and find out if you can pay directly from their web site.
Travel Airline Headphones: Many airlines offer movies, but they require you to purchase a set of headphones for $2. Bring your own headphones from home. You save $2 and get a free movie or two.
Insurance Home: You can get discounts for having a burglar alarm, having a newer home, being claim free in the past, and insuring your vehicles with the same company as your home insurance. Research companies and find out who will offer you these discounts. Auto: You can get discounts for being a good driver, being a good student, driving a safe car, and insuring your vehicles with the same company as your home insurance. Research companies and find out who will offer you these discounts.
Home, etc. Repairs: Invest in a home repair book and learn to do simple repairs yourself. Hiring someone when you can do it your self is throwing money away. You would be surprised at how easy some things really are to fix and how much money you will be charged for a repairman's services. Cleaning: Use washable dust cloths instead of paper towels.
Gasoline Cruise Control: Unnecessary speed changes can eat up gas. Using cruise control ensures that you maintain a set speed and save gas. Tire Pressure: Frequently check to ensure that your tire pressure is correct. Improper amounts of air in your tires can reduce gas mileage.
