I like to save money by bringing my lunch to work, drinking the coffee provided by my company vs buying it from 7-Eleven. Also, when my daughter grows out of her dresses, they become "princess" shirts...because they usually have ruffles. I rock a short hair style, so I maintain it at home (I'm talented) and I go the barbershop for trims - its much less expensive. I re-purpose my busted pantyhose - I shop thrift stores for my own wardrobe. I only shop clearance for my daughter's clothes and housewares.
My favorite way to save is by finding great deals at the thrift store I work at. I manage the book section and am in the store twice a week, so I am often able to find great, like-new gifts for family and friends. If I am patient I can also find many of the things I would eventually need to buy at a regular store, and on top of the store's already great prices I get 50% off and first choice since I am a volunteer. All the money goes to a wonderful cause, so it is a win-win situation.
Great article! So, in todays market, if I were to buy $1000 worth of T-bills and the interest rates don't rise appreciably in the next 6 mos., approximately what would be the return on my investment? Sorry if this is a lame question!
My favorite way to save money is by using the public library. My kids go to story time were they do crafts and have playtime with other kids every week. During the summer the library has special events at night every week for the kids. The whole family gets new books and movies for free every week and the kids learn the importance of taking care of things you borrow. The library also has free coupon swaps set up at the front. I never have to pay for entertainment and the kids love it.
My favorite ongoing way to save money is to use coupons at the grocery store. It is especially great when the store offers 2x or 3x times the coupon value too!
My favorite way to save is to always pay with cash. I find it easy to control overspending when I have to pull actual cash out of my wallet. It's easier to keep track of where the money goes that using cards.
Currently, my favorite way to save money is to stay out of stores and stay off the Amazon website. If I don't see it I won't be tempted to buy it! Other strategies include waiting for sales & using coupons. My other save money rule is to never pay interest on purchases (other than my mortgage). I pay off my credit card each month and/or use a credit card with a no interest offer & pay that off before the deadline.
Most of your counsel is very good, but there's one place people may want to reconsider.
Yes, you can freeze your credit for free. BUT, (as we recently found out because our son's social security number was hacked), it is a huge hassle. The "hackee" has to have two proofs of ID and a current bank account statement, copies have to be mailed to a credit reporting bureau with a cover letter, the credit bureau decides you are who you say you are, they report the fraud to the other agencies, and your credit is frozen for 90 days. Then you have to do it again. It's not a matter of a simple phone call. Gratefully, our son has two forms of ID, but what if he was a little kid with only a social security number and no bank account?
We couldn't see clear to putting money into ID theft insurance before this experience as our budget is tight, but will really have to reconsider. I don't want to think about the fact someone filed taxes using his number. But there it is. I'm finding out it's not uncommon. Not many would check their kid's credit rating, so thieves have easy pickings.
My favorite way to save money is to take out cash for our food budget (our family takes out $300 every pay period for groceries and restaurants). Then, I take out $20 from that money each week and put it in a separate pocket of my wallet. Most times I forget it's there and don't use it. Over time this builds up into a nice sum of money. We use the savings for special occasions like anniversaries and birthdays, but it's always there if we end up needing it for when unusual grocery expenses occur (like when toilet paper, paper towels, cat litter, and other expensive items need replenishing all at the same time).
Skype, Viber and other mobile applications that offer free video chat and free call are very amazing! We contacted our relatives in abroad by using that free call.
Skype, Viber and other mobile applications that offer free video chat and free call are very amazing! We contacted our relatives in abroad by using that free call.
I love to shop on Amazon for all their great deals, but it can quickly become a way to lose money (especially when I am buying things that I don't need). What I have been doing for the past year is buying Amazon gift cards every month and loading them into my account. This forces me to stick to a budget and spend more wisely. Also, I buy them using my Ink credit card which gives me 5 points (worth about 1.5-2 cents each) at office supply stores, which helps me offset vacation costs.
My favorite way to save money is to carry my own bottled water/drink with me when I leave the house. I don't stop into places that markup their drinks/coffee 400%.
about five years ago, i started logging all my nonfixed expenses (not counting rent, health insurance etc) every week and set a limit of $200/week. if i go over, i have to dig myself out of a hole before i spend more money. i used to have $2000-3000 cc bills and now they are only a few hundred dollars. it takes the emotion out of spending $ and i have several friends who are doing it too now! it's like counting calories. it's the single best thing i've done to save money, EVER!
I like to save money by bringing my lunch to work, drinking the coffee provided by my company vs buying it from 7-Eleven. Also, when my daughter grows out of her dresses, they become "princess" shirts...because they usually have ruffles. I rock a short hair style, so I maintain it at home (I'm talented) and I go the barbershop for trims - its much less expensive. I re-purpose my busted pantyhose - I shop thrift stores for my own wardrobe. I only shop clearance for my daughter's clothes and housewares.
I love going to thrift shops to save money on clothes, furniture, books, and all sorts of other things.
My favorite way to save money is to check online for the best deals before I go shopping.
My favorite way to save is by finding great deals at the thrift store I work at. I manage the book section and am in the store twice a week, so I am often able to find great, like-new gifts for family and friends. If I am patient I can also find many of the things I would eventually need to buy at a regular store, and on top of the store's already great prices I get 50% off and first choice since I am a volunteer. All the money goes to a wonderful cause, so it is a win-win situation.
I am a coupon queen! I LOVE to stack manufacturer coupons, store coupon, sales and discounts to leave the store with a cart full of items for pennies!
My favorite way is to automate it! I have money pulled weekly from my checking account and into savings.
Great article! So, in todays market, if I were to buy $1000 worth of T-bills and the interest rates don't rise appreciably in the next 6 mos., approximately what would be the return on my investment? Sorry if this is a lame question!
My favorite way to save money is by using the public library. My kids go to story time were they do crafts and have playtime with other kids every week. During the summer the library has special events at night every week for the kids. The whole family gets new books and movies for free every week and the kids learn the importance of taking care of things you borrow. The library also has free coupon swaps set up at the front. I never have to pay for entertainment and the kids love it.
My favorite ongoing way to save money is to use coupons at the grocery store. It is especially great when the store offers 2x or 3x times the coupon value too!
My favorite way to save is to always pay with cash. I find it easy to control overspending when I have to pull actual cash out of my wallet. It's easier to keep track of where the money goes that using cards.
I am an offender of #5. I don't get done the stuff that I need to think hard about when I actually have the mental energy for it.
Currently, my favorite way to save money is to stay out of stores and stay off the Amazon website. If I don't see it I won't be tempted to buy it! Other strategies include waiting for sales & using coupons. My other save money rule is to never pay interest on purchases (other than my mortgage). I pay off my credit card each month and/or use a credit card with a no interest offer & pay that off before the deadline.
My favorite way to save money is not to make impulse buys :)
Hello Carrie,
Most of your counsel is very good, but there's one place people may want to reconsider.
Yes, you can freeze your credit for free. BUT, (as we recently found out because our son's social security number was hacked), it is a huge hassle. The "hackee" has to have two proofs of ID and a current bank account statement, copies have to be mailed to a credit reporting bureau with a cover letter, the credit bureau decides you are who you say you are, they report the fraud to the other agencies, and your credit is frozen for 90 days. Then you have to do it again. It's not a matter of a simple phone call. Gratefully, our son has two forms of ID, but what if he was a little kid with only a social security number and no bank account?
We couldn't see clear to putting money into ID theft insurance before this experience as our budget is tight, but will really have to reconsider. I don't want to think about the fact someone filed taxes using his number. But there it is. I'm finding out it's not uncommon. Not many would check their kid's credit rating, so thieves have easy pickings.
Addendum to #6: Don't be an Amazon Prime subscriber!
My favorite way to save money is to take out cash for our food budget (our family takes out $300 every pay period for groceries and restaurants). Then, I take out $20 from that money each week and put it in a separate pocket of my wallet. Most times I forget it's there and don't use it. Over time this builds up into a nice sum of money. We use the savings for special occasions like anniversaries and birthdays, but it's always there if we end up needing it for when unusual grocery expenses occur (like when toilet paper, paper towels, cat litter, and other expensive items need replenishing all at the same time).
Skype, Viber and other mobile applications that offer free video chat and free call are very amazing! We contacted our relatives in abroad by using that free call.
Skype, Viber and other mobile applications that offer free video chat and free call are very amazing! We contacted our relatives in abroad by using that free call.
Setting a cash limit each week and sticking to it.
I save all of my $5 bills and deposit them into my checking at the end of the month! It's become automatic for me now!
I love to shop on Amazon for all their great deals, but it can quickly become a way to lose money (especially when I am buying things that I don't need). What I have been doing for the past year is buying Amazon gift cards every month and loading them into my account. This forces me to stick to a budget and spend more wisely. Also, I buy them using my Ink credit card which gives me 5 points (worth about 1.5-2 cents each) at office supply stores, which helps me offset vacation costs.
My favorite way to save money is to carry my own bottled water/drink with me when I leave the house. I don't stop into places that markup their drinks/coffee 400%.
about five years ago, i started logging all my nonfixed expenses (not counting rent, health insurance etc) every week and set a limit of $200/week. if i go over, i have to dig myself out of a hole before i spend more money. i used to have $2000-3000 cc bills and now they are only a few hundred dollars. it takes the emotion out of spending $ and i have several friends who are doing it too now! it's like counting calories. it's the single best thing i've done to save money, EVER!
I save the most by buying things when they're on sale. I get even more savings when I match sales with coupons.
Reading the flyers in the paper for the weekly grocery sales and planning my menus around the deals.