By John
Just about everybody is keen to save money in these difficult times. There are the conventional strategies and methods…. Then there are the less-common ideas that people have come up with. Here is the list of our favorite tips that can help you save money in unusual or innovative ways.
At Home
*One person saves $18.50 buying a sponge from the bathroom department in place of a $20 squeegee from the auto shop for washing his car. *Another has given up all newspaper and magazine subscriptions and reads all the news online – via a free wi-fi hotspot. *A wife cuts her husband’s hair. Not sure if it works as well the other way round! *A space heater costing $20 can save 20 gallons of heating oil in a month. *Many people have started having a No-TV Day once a week. *Making sure that all closet doors are closed when the heating or cooling is on could save up to $50 a month. *A $40 investment in rechargeable batteries and the charger could save you up to $100 a year in batteries for remotes, torches and other gadgets. *Buying firewood in the spring can save $100 a cord come the snow. *A smart power strip costing around $30 can save you over $200 a year off your electricity bills. *A $55 water filter can save you over $350 a year in bottled drinking water.
Buying/Spending
*Several families don’t buy new clothes, they swap what they have amongst themselves – adults and kids. *A couple giving up soda and smoking save $500 a month. *If you use two coupons – the store’s and the manufacturer’s – on a Buy One Get One Free offer, you get two items almost free. *You can live off free samples for a surprising length of time. *Some gas stations give away a free paper if you buy a minimum amount of gas. If you fill up on a Sunday you get the paper – and all the coupon inserts, for free. * For a minimum purchase amount, some stores give a discount of 20 cents per gallon if you fill up with their gas. Combine this with a credit card which gives a 5% rebate on gas purchases and you can save nearly 30 cents per gallon. *You can kill impulse buying by making a list of your shopping requirements, looking up the prices on the store’s delivery website, and taking the exact right amount of money with you when you go to the store. *Some people have one No-Spending Week each month.
Out And About
*There are websites on which you can buy gift certificates for local restaurants. You can pay between $2 and $10 for a $25 discount on a $35 meal. *A zoo membership can pay for itself within two visits. *Many hotels have racks of flyers for tourist attractions. The flyers often contain discount coupons. *When ordering meals, give the kids’ menus a miss. The adult portions are usually cheaper or better value and you can divide them up for the little ones.
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