Ways to save money

[champak97]

Have a clear idea about wants and needs. Spend money on needs, and prioritize your wants. That is one sure way to save some $$.

[tantricia44]

I do pretty much what the other members are doing. I also donate when I have extra cash but instead of donating 1 large chunk to charity I spread them out. If I'm consistent by end of the year depending on amount I donated, I can get that money back from Uncle Sam. Last yr I got back $600+ back!

[debidoo]

I've been doing all I can since I lost my hubby and his income back in January.  I cut off cable & replaced it with netflix.  I shut off house phone and only use a cheap cell phone plan.  I use a shuttle for the disabled now instead of driving because it would cost over a thousand to fix my vehicle and now I don't have gas, maintenance or insurance.

[ffwoodard]

Always shop with coupons and sales. Check out websites that have low cost meal recipes and try to save even if you start by just saving pennies at first. You'd be surprised at how much can be saved by the end of the year.

[cutiepie9447]

I also shop all year for christmas and birthday gifts and just pick things up when they are on sale. I just got all of next years halloween decorations (I'm talking for the entire house) for $2.00 (everything was 90% off)

[sfreeman8]

I use coupons when I shop for groceries. I make my list and buy only what's needed with coupons. I used to spend over $100 a week when I worked, but now I spend over $100 a month.

I'm now looking for other ways to save on Internet, Phone, and TV. I live in an area that the local TV stations are 50 to 100 miles away and satellite TV doesn't work well here. Too much interference from the trees in the summer and always on this blitz in bad weather. This from others who had signed up for that service.  So we're stuck with the high cost of cable. My bundle costs $160 a month and it hurts.

We did switch our mobile phone provider to a lower no contract one and that alone saved $45 a month. I am looking into Magic Jack and ooma for phone service.  I'm not sure about them, though.

We also switched from oil heat @over $1000 a winter to Anthracite coal and wood. In the winter, it heats our hot water, too, so that saves on electric. Coal is inexpensive here ($300 a winter) and it's cleaner than bituminous, and wood doesn't cost us anything except hard work.

[mjdoug03]

I make my own soap, I crochet things in the winter, I use coupons and discounts wherever possible.

[kqa]

I've been eating on the cheap with foods I bought at Dollar General or Big Lots.

[crisstar]

Not buying things on impulse - any significant purchases are clearly thought out before doing.

[moonangel]

bundle up in the winter two pairs of socks layering shirts curl up with a blanket turn of all things that im not using use dimmer lights buy larger bags of flour salt and sugat and store them in smaller bins.  you have to watch prices of course larger is not always cheaper.turn down furnace at night and if im be gone all day

[premar16]

you got to live within your means if your life could do without you dont need it . If there is a place that you get it cheap with good quality than get rid of your pride and do it. I also have to remember I dont need all the need the new tech just because other people have it.I always save my change. When I get my check I make sure that 5% goes in automatically into my savings before I have a chance to spend it

[blondie71]

I gave my sister my car so we save on car insurance and maintenance.  We pay for gas if I have to make a special trip other wise my sister works for me because I am disabled and if I need anything picked up its on her way here.  With grocery shopping we car pool.  I stopped taking certain medications and I buy groceries so we can at least eat one balance meal a day.  We never could afford to eat three times a day anyways but now that they cut back on our food stamps we can eat super with meat, a starch, and veggies.  I also buy lunch stuff but it only last a couple of weeks, the same with breakfast, but sometimes we eat that for supper.

[lray3152]

More conservative with energy usage, groceries, more food preparation, etc.

[lmrbean]

You should bring your own lunch to work instead of buying it or going out to eat.  It definitely saves money.

[demaina]

I've started buying gift cards on this site I use that gives me cashback for that purchase.  I've cut down eating out as much.  Started cooking big meals and freezing them so I can just reheat something when hungry instead of going to get fast food.  Started using a few apps when shopping that give you rewards for using them on things you were already gonna purchase.