101 Ways to Save Money
Posted by Frugal on April 17th, 2007
A reader sent me this article for 101 ways to save one dollar a week.
I am amazed by how many things I have actually done to save one dollar a week from this list. Yes, there are actually 101 ways to save, and I implemented majority of them. Here are just some “highlights” on my own “do”s and “don’t”.
Things that I don’t do:
11. Use cloth napkins, towels and diapers: I do buy disposable diapers. But I use cloth towels instead of paper towels.
15. Get an energy audit: I think my home is fairly energy efficient to the extent that I probably can’t squeeze more than 10% out of the current amount that I pay.
16. Enroll in cost saving programs: Nope. I did think about it, but I think my family deserves much better.
19. Install low flow showerheads: It’s probably a good idea, except that taking shower is my relaxation time.
Things that I (and my family) do:
39. Combine errands: This is a good way to save both time and money.
62. Look for sales: My wife saves me countless bucks by going through sale and clearance items. And she always enjoys the treasure hunt.
75. Catch a matinee.
77. Don’t buy popcorn: I refuse to buy way over-priced items.
90. Pay off the balance: I always pay them off whether it’s 24 cents or 24 hundreds.
97. Take your lunch to work: Why pay $5 to $10 for lunch when I can bring a healthier lunch to work?
This long list can provide very good ideas for someone who is not frugally minded. But if you get into the habit of saving, many of these things would come naturally to you. And if you think saving is being too cheap, I suggest you take a look at my definition of being frugal.
In any case, what’s good for your wallet is good for you. If you don’t save the money for yourself, who will? Are you going to count your retirement on the inheritance from your parents, money from your grown-up kids, or the so-called social security money in the “locked box”? Self-reliance and fiscal responsibility is probably a much better way to go.
More related posts:
Digg it Del.icio.us Reddit Furl BlinkList Newsvine Yahoo MyWeb
April 17th, 2007 at 6:25 pm
You might be pleasantly surprised by the energy audit option. It’s amazing how so many modern electronic devices around your home (cable box, computers, etc.) add up to a lot more than a trickle of constantly-on power… Maddening, too. I think the power company will do these audits for free, no? so why not?
Also, make sure that you actually need the stuff your wife is saving you all this money on on sales…
Frankly, I’m not great at being frugal. I do big things right– I buy used cars, I hurl money into every savings option I can find so I can’t get at it, I squeeze as much life as I can out of consumer electronics and computer-type equipment– but I dribble away a lot of small money on things that add up. For example, I don’t tend to book vacation travel until close to the travel date, for no good reason. And on the “lunch for work” thing: this is my downfall. I spend too much money on food– and I mean expensive food. Whole Foods gets more of my money than I should allow. I can afford it, in theory, and the goods are often better (real organic veggies and fruit e.g.), but… bad habit. And as for the cafeteria at work: well, it’s semi-subsidized, but… it’s also really good lasagna, which is generally deadlier than anything I’d bring from home. Plus pastries (we have a really good cafe onsite at work– mango cream napoleons, pear tartes tatins, all kinds of truly amazing things.) So I should break myself of that.
April 18th, 2007 at 12:36 am
I am with you on the shower thing. No one touches my shower!
On the energy audit side – about a year ago I replaced almost all our light bulbs with compact flourecent bulbs. Those have gotten much better in recent years: more light and no delay when your trun them on (if you buy the right kind). I did for environmental reasons, and quite frankly, we didn’t see a substantial drop in our energy bill.
April 18th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
Actually I found a nice low flow shower head at Walmart for $10. I put it in and I didn’t even really notice a difference in the overall enjoyment of the shower. You just have to look for one with a good spray pattern.
It also cut back on the water bill and keeps my wife from draining the hot water tank when she takes a shower.
CD
April 19th, 2007 at 8:07 pm
All,
I came across a website called http://www.parabu.com! I have been able to save money by registering my online purchases on this site. It is a lot better than all of the price comparison sites because it tracks my purchases based upon a retailer’s Price Guarantee policy. After the purchase…
I purchased a Sony Plasma Screen TV from Circuit City and added the purchase on this website. I RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION AROUND THREE WEEKS LATER TELLING ME THAT I WAS ENTITLED TO A $230 DOLLAR ADJUSTMENT. I have been using it ever since…
Hope this helps.
A
April 21st, 2007 at 8:27 am
Jim,
You’ve got to be kidding! $230 adjustment? When I have some time, I will check that site out.
Many thanks for your input.
April 21st, 2007 at 8:33 am
framemaker developer,
It’s not really the cost of the energy audit, but the time to do it. I feel daily that I don’t even have 30 minutes to spare for any purpose.
On the savings, it’s obviously more important to do it right on the big items. On the small items, it help when you do certain thing regularly, especially get a handle on your utility bills. The rest I guess is getting into the right habits.
April 21st, 2007 at 8:36 am
Shadox,
I’ve never compared the savings between fluorescent and incandescent light bulbs. It just makes sense to do it.
On the shower, yeah, you’ve got to spend some “money”/”time” to relax yourself, right? Getting your money worth is called saving. Definition of “worth” is obviously a personal thing.
April 21st, 2007 at 8:38 am
Canadian Dream,
That sounds like a great bargain!
April 22nd, 2007 at 3:57 pm
Frugal,
Yeah I was as amazed as you! What I like most about it is that if you register, you get neat tools that show report(s) of how much you have saved/lossed through out the Month(s)/Year(s); which is a great eye-opener b/c it made me realize how much money people can be losing without even knowing it! Especially if you’re the frugal type. What I also like is that I can manage any items I included, also by check to see what is/not still on watch.
As you can see I can go on forever about that site, but reason is b/c it really did amaze me that I was losing money on purchased goods right under my nose! And what bothered me the most is that the stores never really mention anything about it unless it’s a price match!
They probably figure no one is going to put the effort in finding a price drop.