top money saving tips please?

Question

with the "credit crunch" in full swing, whats your best money saving tips??
not normal things eg wear a jumper instead of putting the fire on etc
but really good ways of saving a bob or two.
cheers! x

Answer 1

Make a conscious effort not to jump into your car and go to the store because you think you need something...

Everytime you go shopping on a whim... you end up going to get a loaf of bread and come home with $80 worth of groceries... I hate when I do this..



Set aside one day of the week where you go shopping for groceries

and stick to your grocery list. Then that is it. No more, finito.



Avoid "boredom shopping" - especially on the weekend when you have too much free time and think that going somewhere will alleviate boredom. All you end up doing is spending money...



Stay home and read a book, watch T.V., go on Yahoo Answers and answer questions. Do anything possible to keep you at home where you can't spend money.



When you do go shopping because the fridge is empty and you are on the last roll of toilet paper... buy in bulk. It gives you more for your money and you won't be forced to go and buy T.P. so often when you bought the 24 pack deal instead the 4-pack.

Make sure you have enough to last a week (or 2 weeks for essentials that will force you out of the house to go shopping... I hate toilet paper it is really something I can't do without... grrr).

Never go shopping when you are hungry.... you will buy more than you really need. Take somebody with you that has the job to constantly remind you that you have a list and you are only supposed to buy what is on that list. My daughter loves this job.... about the only time she gets to critizise Mom openly in a the store and in front of public....

(We have set rules for this job... I can't overrule her or get mad... she is just doing her job...)



If you are like me and simply suck at making a bag lunch to take to work then give yourself a set allowance for lunch. Mine is $5.

And I will only leave the house with $5 in cash... that will stop me from swiping my ATM card and spending too much on lunch, snacks and Starbucks... I really, really miss my iced white mocha... sigh...



Overall - make a budget.

After you deduct the amounts you need for rent, utility bills, phone and cable... AND regular savings, take what you have left and divide it into the following categories: gas for the car, groceries and toilet paper... grrr. and only what is left.... is for you to spend without thinking about it. :)

And have some patience with yourself... no body is perfect and can jump into budget mode going zero to 60 in 3 seconds. There will be set backs... don't worry... nobody is perfect...

Answer 2

Simple: If you don't "need" it-do without. Always turn off lights when not in the room or heaters or a/c. No long showers. Wash only big loads of laundry at a time. No eating out. No extra coffees before work; make a list for the store and stick to it. Don't make any extra trips than you have to to save gas. If you can stick to that-then you will save money.

Answer 3

For more detail go to Martin Lewis's Moneysaveingexpert.com



But:

Take packed lunch to work instead of buying sandwiches

Downgrade your shopping - if you bought branded items, buy own brand items, if you bought own brand, buy value. Also shop around local markets for fruit and veg, Lidls for basics and Asda for household cleaner things.



Instead of buying take-aways, buy a jar of curry sauce, some poppadoms and some chicken and make your own fakeaway.



Spend a couple of hours comparing rates of credit cards, energy suppliers, phone suppliers, cable/satellite supplier etc. to get the best value deals.



Instead of buying new clothes, update ones you have by using clothes dye, new buttons, mending or shopping in charity shops (environmental too).



Eat less meat - it costs a lot of money and a pasta bake or bean casserole can be just as nice.



If you can, walk or cycle rather than taking the car and save fuel.



Have a car boot sale and get rid of all the junk in your attic or around the place - or go on e-bay, amazon marketplace. You'll have a new hobby and some spare cash.



Use your local library for books, CD's and DVD's instead of buying them.



Dig up your garden and grow your own veg - have a bit of "good life" going on. You could even have some chickens from www.omlet.com and have fresh eggs every day.



Invest in a bread maker and make your own bread and pizza bases.

Answer 4

The best way to save your money is to put in in some sort of low risk security, most likely a mutual fund. The inflation rate will not kill you and you will be earning interest above the rate of inflation. In addition, this money will be ensured by the FDIC, so its a rather safe play.

Answer 5

go in to martin lewis site hes got some good ones

but heres one if your cooking a meal in the oven and you are not using all the oven put baking trays roasting tins on the rack your not using so it takes less time to warm up and cook if its empty it takes more time to heat up and uses more gas or electricity

Answer 6

instead of phoning all those 0870/0845 premium numbers use:

http://www.saynoto0870.com/

search for the number/company and try and use either a free or national number which is much cheaper

should save you a bit

Answer 7

Always ask yourself when your out shopping " do i really need it " ....

This can help as sometimes we all tend to impulse buy.

Answer 8

just say no to spending