By John<\/p>\n
Just about everybody is keen to save money in these difficult times. There are the conventional strategies and methods\u2026. 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.<\/p>\n
At Home<\/b><\/p>\n
*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 \u2013 via a free wi-fi hotspot. *A wife cuts her husband\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Click here to compare offers and save money on credit cards, long distance, Internet, insurance, mortgages, cell phones, and much more. Save 100s. Free comparison.<\/a><\/p>\n Buying\/Spending<\/b><\/p>\n *Several families don\u2019t buy new clothes, they swap what they have amongst themselves \u2013 adults and kids. *A couple giving up soda and smoking save $500 a month. *If you use two coupons \u2013 the store\u2019s and the manufacturer\u2019s \u2013 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 \u2013 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n