Article: Small Ways to Save Big Bucks!

[Sara Noel]

Need a little jump-start on that money-saving resolution? Here are a few simple ideas that sound small, but will really help you save big bucks with a minimum of effort.

1. Bring your lunch instead of eating out. If you spend $5.00 every day on your lunch and you brown bag it only 3 days a week, you will save $15.00 per week. That's $60.00 per month!

2. Do you take a break every morning and afternoon at work and pop your change into a soft-drink machine! Buy your canned drinks at the grocery store and bring to work. I buy brand name soft drinks on sale at 22 cents each. At work, the machine charges 50 cents. That's a big savings! If you buy generic soft drinks the savings would be even greater.

Or you could just drink water--big savings plus it's good for you!

3. If you love to read, don't run out and buy that new bestseller, check your local library. If they don't have it, ask. Most libraries are part of inter-library loan programs and can get almost any book.

4. Do all your laundry in cold water. Research shows that clothes will get just as clean. Then air-dry as many loads as you can. Air-drying means less wear on your clothing, plus you can save as much as $20 per month on your electric bill because heat-generating appliances are the biggest guzzlers of electricity.

5. Make one meat-less meal per week. Replace meat with lower- costing vegetables, a pasta dish, or maybe an omelette. This can be a healthful change, also.

6. Pump your own gas, instead of paying a higher price at a full-service station.

7. And speaking of cars, be sure to maintain correct tire pressure, to get maximum mileage. And change your oil and filter every 5,000 miles. Proper maintenance can mean fewer repair bills and longer lasting cars.

8. Consider changing to fluorescent lighting in your house. They use less energy last 10 times as long and produce less heat.

9. At the grocery store, consider buying store brands or generic products. The savings can be pretty big on items like shampoo, conditioner, cake mxes, even milk. I have found the quality to be comparable. If you don't like a particular store brand you don't have to buy it again. But at least try it, you might like it!

10. Don't let your faucets drip. A leaky hot-water faucet can waste up to a whopping 800 gallons of hot water in a year!

There's only corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self.
--Aldous Huxley


Cyndi Roberts is the editor of "1 Frugal Friend 2 Another" bi-weekly newsletter, bringing you creative, practical tips to help you with budgeting, cooking, shopping, parenting and much more as you strive to "live the Good Life... on a budget". To subscribe visit the "1 Frugal Friend 2 Another" website at
http://www.cynroberts.com

[voodidit]

All good ideas!

[MJsLady]

very good ideas

[guest2]

Good reminders!!!

[KKCondrey]

Those are great. I am following rule one today at work.

There are a few more that I do all the time as well. Great tips, great article.

[Michelle]

great ideas.

[Heather]

Great ideas and lots of information of her site.

[homesteadmamma]

Neat tips.

[SewCrafty]

I do all of them too, except the ones for work. When I worked I did follow them though. Thanks Sara, great tips!

[dz_blonde_girl]

We usually have meatless lunches during the week. Dh would have a fit if I served him a supper other than meat and potatoes!

I'm curious if 5 years worth of free light bulbs will cover the cost of the extra electricity.

[i.m.cheap]

Do they still have full-service gas stations somewhere? I haven't seen one in years!

[Katybird]

Great ideas! Thanks!

[Mom23boys]

Originally posted by i.m.cheap
Do they still have full-service gas stations somewhere? I haven't seen one in years!

I have only seen one about 45 miles from us. They have a self serve pump and a line for full service.

I always opt for the self serve to save money.