Money Saver Tips

Don't Let High Prices Get You Down

Money saver tips can offer alternative ways to save money around the home. Don't let rising energy costs or high grocery prices wreak havoc on your household budget and get you down.

Everyone is feeling the effects of the latest economic downturn, but that doesn't mean you have to give up the things you enjoy.

By applying one of more of the following tips on saving money, you can have your cake and eat it too.

Free Money Saver Tips

• Use grocery coupons to save money on food purchases. Valuable coupons can be found in weekend newspapers, magazines, and online. Websites like wow-coupons.com offer printable coupons for a multitude of products.


• Save on food costs by buying your groceries in bulk and storing them in a home pantry. Join a buyer's club like Costco or BJ's to take advantage of bulk purchases.


• Many department stores have sale days on Wednesdays. Save on clothing costs by arriving early to find the bargains in your size before they're sold out. Bargain items are often offered in limited quantities, so you need to be early.


• Save on car costs by using public transportation, or by walking to a local store or pharmacy that's nearby. The walking is healthier for you too.


• Now is the time to plan a household budget, if you haven't prepared one already. Look for areas in your spending habits where you can cut needless expenses.


• Save energy and lower your utility bill by using the dishwasher and washing machine only when they contain a full load.


• Turn off the lights whenever you leave a room, and replace incandescent bulbs with new energy-efficient florescent bulbs to lower your electric bill.


• Use your air conditioner at mid day when the heat index is highest and at other times open the windows for natural cooling and ventilation.


• Unplug home appliances and electronic devices when they're not in use. Many appliances feature clocks and standby modes that continue to use electricity even when turned off.


• When you replace old, inefficient appliances, look for new energy-efficient appliances that feature the Energy Star label.


• Call your credit card company and politely ask them to lower the interest on your credit card account. You have nothing to lose by asking, and you might be pleasantly surprised.


• Call your favorite telephone service and ask how you can lower your phone bill. Do you really need call display and call forwarding? Perhaps the company can offer you a combined telephone, TV, and Internet package at a good price.


• Take a lunch to work instead of eating out during your daily lunch break. A lunch taken from home is less expensive, better for your health, and takes only minutes to prepare.


• Ignore Hollywood's hype about new movie releases. Have patience and wait until the movie is released on DVD or pay-per-view. Renting movies or watching them on pay-per-view cable or satellite TV is much cheaper than going to the movie theater where you'll be tempted to buy over expensive popcorn and drinks.


• Instead of eating out at a restaurant, shop for a treat at the supermarket that you normally wouldn't buy, and prepare it yourself at home. It'll cost you less and be healthier for you too.

Copyright © 2006-2012 by Donald R Bell - All Rights Reserved Worldwide