Does anyone have a good tip on how to save money

[SherylsShado]

This past year, I wanted to take a longer than usual vacation but wasn't sure how to pay for it because I thought I ALREADY had all I could afford to save, being saved for other reasons.

I don't want another job working for someone else............so I decided to "hire myself". (lol)  If I cut or color my own hair (instead of going to a salon), I add what I would have paid at the salon plus tip, to my "Vacation Fund Jar".  Laundry done at home instead of laundromat, saves money (I have a little Panda Washer & the spin-dryer which makes doing most laundry do-able for me because I have mostly light-weight clothes).

I know what I usually pay for take-out meals & food(s) I buy from the deli, bakery, etc.  My vacation fund motivates me to buy the ingredients on sale and the savings from making it at home vs. buying already made, goes in the fund.  Same for coffee, if I feel like grabbing a cup-on-go---I know what it costs and usually now I make time to make it at home and save the savings.

I discovered there's things I buy, I could make myself (usually with craft stuff I already have at home is best, I buy alot of craft things year round on clearance and keep them in a craft room).  I deduct any cost for materials needed and pay myself the price the item was selling for.

If I make the pets food for a few days instead of buying their usual food, I subtract the cost of ingredients from what I usually pay, and pay myself.  (Finding pet food ingredients on sale is usually an easy find for me & can save quite a bit of money with this one, especially if one has alot of pets.)  Pinterest has some great ideas for meals for pets done in the slow-cooker.

Putting together gift baskets for baby showers & celebrations instead of ordering one on-line, can be done at a fraction of the price.  (Dollar Tree has the gift basket bags, cello shrink-wrap, basket filler).  Do it & pay yourself the savings.

Those are just a few ideas, when "hiring yourself",  it's kind of challenging to see what you can do for yourself instead of hiring others.  It's a great way to use your "gifts & talents".

It worked out great for my 9-day vacation this past year so, doing it again for this year!!

[shepherdchik]

There are lots of tips on how to budget. That may help. You could also watch your spending for even a week to see where your money is going and adjust there to save. You could open a savings account too and deposit that $25 or whatever you want to save and just not touch it to build that up

[monnee]

Just buy what you need and use coupons.

[sfreeman8]

Coupons are a good way to save money at the grocery store.Food stamps are a good way for low income people to save money.

Coupons (preferably printed out from a site that pays you every time one is used ) and rebate apps.

Coupons are great. I used to save anywhere from $10 to $80 on my groceries when I belonged to coupon clubs. That was quite a few years ago. Since I can only shop for groceries once a month or once every 2 months, the coupons you get in the newspapers run out before I get there.  The coupons on line want your mobile phone every.time.you.want.to.print coupons, which I don't have...and you have to wait a day or longer for a verification code, which means if you use a site that pays you, like FC or another site, you lose out on those cents.  So, i'm out of luck all the way around.

[kdemers0]

I am also trying to save money. I eat out more than I probably should. It's just so much more convenient. On the bright side, I think joining a site like this is really helpful. It's possible to put $25 each month away into a savings account without even having to use money from a regular paycheck!

[yikes77]

Minimum 10% of my pay goes into my savings and does not get touched at all.

[Sawman214]

dollar stores have everything

[southernhorizons]

Do a penny a day and increase a penny each day. So on the last day you are actually saving $3.65. It's amazing how much you can save in a years time. $667 and change.

I thought about doing that, but I was waiting for someone to do that math, LOL! Did you have a formula to figure that out?
I just read in a magazine that if you save $1.00 a week, and increase that by $1 each week, at the end of the year you'll have saved $1300! I'm trying this one, but I think it's going to be very hard when it gets toward the end and I'll be putting in around $50 each week.

[lmrbean]

It's important to make a budget and stick to it, and include a set amount for savings. Do not buy things just because they are on sale, only if it's something you usually buy. Walk places whenever you can, instead of using your car for small distances. Saves gas and wear and tear on your car.

[AdedotunOlufunke]

i know it may sound childish but i use piggy bank and it has really helped me a lot of times.

[pstovall]

Our local grocery store has a program with points.  You get points for purchases.  One hundred points equals $.10 off a one time monthly gas fillup of up to 35 gallons.  On certain days, you can buy gift cards and get four times the worth of the card in points.  My husband is a master at utilizing this program.  He buys gift cards for places we would be spending money anyway.  Then we take both cars and all the gas cans for the lawn mower, and fill them all up at once. He can usually get $1.00 per gallon off for this fill up each month. After he fills up the first car, he hands me the hose and I hold it until he gets the other car in place.  If you don't use up your 35 gallons at one time, you lose the points.  So be on the lookout for programs like this!

[ancmetro]

   The best tip on how to save your money is: Do not spend money! Buy only necessities, try to get freebies where they are available, use food banks to save on food...and save money. Supplement your income with work, even if it is part time. Join a reliable affiliate to earn some commissions.

[squirrelgirl44]

In the past, automatic transfers to savings accounts helped. Or when I paid for things in cash, also saving loose change helped. Agree with oldbuddy and the others about writing down what you are spending and see where you can make cuts.

[candyterrius]

I've been trying to save back atleast $25 a month, but it's hard to stay consistent and do it monthly. Any suggestions?

Have you consider setting a budget for yourself of your expenses? $25 at $300/year is not a lot, but I suppose it is better than to save no money at all. Unless you work part-time, it may be difficult to save every penny you make because you still need to pay for the bills and basics (food, gas, rent, utilities etc.) I suggest you cut down on anything that is not on your priority list like entertainment, clothes etc. You can still survive without those.

[ancmetro]

    Here are some ways to save money:
     
            Use coupons
            Try to get some stuff free
            Use 2 for 1 offers when they are available
            Buy necessities only
            Do not spend your hard earned money...
            Save it for a rainy day!