Money Saving Tricks

[heartofphila]

Does anyone have any odd but good ideas of how to save money?  I say that because I've already thought of and am doing the obvious things, so I need some other ideas.  And I mean - I am a huge penny pincher.  I am even starting to watch how much toilet paper I use - it's that bad.  I drink water, no pop.  I'm eating hot dogs and spaghetti.  I need something more...

Put containers of water in any unused space in your refrigerator. Put a brick in the toilet tank to save water on every flush.

[oldbuddy]

Does anyone have any odd but good ideas of how to save money?  I say that because I've already thought of and am doing the obvious things, so I need some other ideas.  And I mean - I am a huge penny pincher.  I am even starting to watch how much toilet paper I use - it's that bad.  I drink water, no pop.  I'm eating hot dogs and spaghetti.  I need something more...

Put containers of water in any unused space in your refrigerator. Put a brick in the toilet tank to save water on every flush.

If you do this, make sure you put a plunger next to it too.

[Cuppycake]

I have a blog about this actually. Just google "Cuppycake's Coupon Corner" since I can't post a link to it here. I have allot of tips that I use like using a paypal debit card to pay bills so you earn cash back!

Hello Cuppycake! 

Thanks for the post, and thanks for the coupons! 

I love Ghirardelli SQUARES® Chocolates!   

So do I ! I usually post the coupons that I intend to use myself lol!

I have a blog about this actually. Just google "Cuppycake's Coupon Corner" since I can't post a link to it here. I have allot of tips that I use like using a paypal debit card to pay bills so you earn cash back!

thanks for the info, i did not know that about the paypal debit card. i think i might just look into that because the cash back rewards from my bank debit card are a joke

Yeah I love it! Nothing like getting paid to pay your bills!

[RockiesInOctober]

Instead of buying an HDtv, just go up to your normal television with a dust rag and wipe off the screen.  You'll be amazed how much more clear the picture comes in.

[debraleesparks]

  Add kool aid to cheap colas that you get at walmart, and you have cherry coke!!  I buy the diet Walmart brand cola, and add the kool aid, and 7 packets of sweet and low.

[debraleesparks]

OH!! I also use laundry soap to wash dishes because it's a LOT cheaper, and lasts longer, and WORKS better then the dishwashiing liquid.

[kqa]

If you put a couple of tennis *bleep* in your dryer, it will fluff the clothes and cut down on drying time!

[kqa]

Sometimes I will eat a can of mixed vegetables for lunch.  Not absolutely delicious, but it's cheap, healthy and filling.

[pat2010]

Could be time for a garage sale!! 

[Cuppycake]

I just added a facebook page for my coupon site if any of you like coupon and money saving updates! Cuppycake's Coupon Corner find it on www.Facebook.com or via www.Google.com!

[golotomer]

I am making most of my Christmas gifts by crocheting but even for people that aren't crafty there are things you can make.  A friend and I are going today to gather birch shavings, the peels that fall from the birch trees, and we will stick these, or glue or wire, into a styrofoam wreath form, tie a ribbon to the top and have a beautiful homemade wreath. 

If we can find a good size birch limb we will cut those and make small candle holders too. 

[ladydi770]

I am making most of my Christmas gifts by crocheting but even for people that aren't crafty there are things you can make.  A friend and I are going today to gather birch shavings, the peels that fall from the birch trees, and we will stick these, or glue or wire, into a styrofoam wreath form, tie a ribbon to the top and have a beautiful homemade wreath. 

If we can find a good size birch limb we will cut those and make small candle holders too. 

 Turn off the television. One big way to save money is to watch less television. There are a lot of financial benefits to this: less exposure to guilt-inducing ads, more time to focus on other things in life, less electrical use, and so on. It’s great to unwind in the evening, but seek another hobby to do that.

Sign up for every free customer rewards program you can. Even if you rarely shop at that place, having a rewards card for that place will eventually net you some coupons and discounts. Here’s the basic game plan for maximizing these programs: create a Gmail address just for these mailings, collect every card you can, and then check that account for extra coupons whenever you’re ready to shop.

. Master the thirty day rule. Whenever you’re considering making an unnecessary purchase, wait thirty days and then ask yourself if you still want that item. Quite often, you’ll find that the urge to buy has passed and you’ll have saved yourself some money by simply waiting. If you want, you can even keep a “thirty day list” where you write down the item and the day you’ll reconsider it, but I prefer just to keep this one in my head – that way, I often just forget about the unimportant things.

 Instead of throwing out some damaged clothing, repair it instead. Don’t toss out a shirt because of a broken button – sew a new one on with some closely-matched thread. Don’t toss out pants because of a hole in them – put in a patch of some sort and save them for times when you’re working around the house. Simple sewing can be done by anyone – it just takes a few minutes and it saves a lot of money by keeping you from buying new clothes when you don’t really need to.

 Don’t spend big money entertaining your children. Most children, especially young ones, can be entertained very cheaply. Buy them an end roll of newspaper from your local paper and let their creativity run wild. Make a game out of ordinary stuff around the house, like tossing pennies into a jar, even. Realize that what your children want most of all is your time, not your stuff, and you’ll find money in your pocket and joy in your heart.

[bschumacher]

Drink Lipton Tea instead of soda. Use one bag per teapot. Save unused portion for iced tea. Eat bean soup flavored with cumin, garlic powder,onion, chili and salt instead of hot dogs. Freeze what you don't eat for some quick meals. Pick your rosemary, bay, garlic chives, dandelion greens, mustard greens, mallow, etc. from plants growing in vacant lots or parks (or someone's landscaping, if you get up early. They won't notice.) Buy your potatoes by the bag, and get a whole chicken only when it's on sale for .69/.79/lb. Make gravy from the drippings and giblets, and soup from the carcass after you've roasted it. You CAN eat well on a very small budget!!!! Good Luck!!!!

[BabyMamaBoutique]

Awesome ideas, everyone.  Home-made laundry detergent. Wow.  I bet the possibilities are endless.  Also, witch hazel is a cheap aternative to astringents and my mother in law swears by it.  She has gorgeous skin for her age by the way. 

[summercricket]

i don't know if this one has been posted yet, but Ladies, use conditioner to shave your legs instead of shaving cream.  If you get the cheap kind, it lasts longer than shaving cream, works better (in my opinion) and costs soooooo much less.