Start with the tips below and then proceed to our ten step checklist to save money.
Get car insurance quotes and make sure that you have health insurance.
Clip coupons at Coupons.com, SmartSource and PrintableGroceryCoupons.net.
Buy generic everything. Many generics are exactly the same as brand names.
Get a mortgage refinance quote to see if you pay too much for home payments.
Get free offers here.
Buy in bulk and get rewards cards at the supermarket.
Insulate your home and use fans and ventilation instead of AC.
Walk or take the bus and sell your car.
Create a budget.
Use Skype.com if you talk on the phone a lot, especially internationally.
Travel cheap. Stay at hostels, Couch Surf or Air BnB.
Use an online savings account that pays better interest, like ING Direct.
Pack lunch and bring coffee to work.
Have a drink at home before going to the bar.
Get a rewards credit or debit card.
Invest your money. Vanguard or Scottrade is a good place to start.
Get a credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com, the government sponsored credit reporting website.
Ask for a discount on large purchases like a refrigerator or washing machine.
Take advantage of federal tax credits for energy efficiency with Energy Star.
Use the library. They have plenty of books, CD’s and DVDs. You can also request that the library buy certain books.
Make saving a game. Set goals and give yourself a reward if you reach them.
Don’t follow your impulse. If you feel the urge to buy something, wait a few days and see if you still want it.
At the grocery store look down. Items below eye level are often cheaper.
Print a grocery list and stick to it.
Take up hobbies that don’t cost money.
Set the thermostat when you’re not home to save energy.
Use open source software. It’s free and usually as good. For example use Open Office instead of Microsoft Word or Excel.
Quit smoking. This calculator shows you how much you could save.
Buy a quality used car instead of new. A new car is worth thousands less as soon as it leaves the lot.
Food Bank. If you cannot afford food, find a food bank that gives out bags of groceries.
Get rid of credit card debt. A $20 shirt could actually cost $200 with fees and interest if you don’t pay your credit card bill right away.
Donate and have yard sales for the stuff that you don’t use.
Watch for fees. Fees are everywhere; bank fees, atm fees, cash checking fees, late fees. These can add up over time.
Group discounts. Try to get a bargain on everything and ask if you can get a discount, especially if you have a large group.
Instead of buying things new, get them used or for free on Craig’s List.
Lotto and Gambling. Generally, people lose money on the lotto and especially gambling. If you quit or limit this, you will save money.
