Easy ways to save tons of money
I am a thrifty shopper. Some people might say I am cheap, but with the economy the way it is, we all need to save a little here and there. I have three children and three grandchildren. The following are ways I have found to save a little extra money.
Coupons
I love them. I only clip coupons on items I would buy anyways. The stores where I am from double up to $.99, which can save me about $20 a week on groceries.
Consignment Shops
Everyone has things around the house they don't use anymore. I take everything to a local consignment shop. I get 60% of what they sell it for. I have also bought used items at this shop and saved hundreds.
Ebay
Children grow so quickly. I sell and buy on ebay new and used clothing. My youngest is 5 years old and outgrows many of his clothes before he wears them out. Ebay is reputable and I have saved hundreds of dollars on clothing for my kids and grandkids.
Online Shopping
I shop a lot online. Most of the time I get free shipping and I am not charged the high taxes we have in New York State.
Buying Out Of Season
I purchase many of my children's clothes, a size bigger, out of season. Winter coats, especially, can cost a smaller fortune. If you buy out of season you can get great deals.
Freebies
I have joined many websites that offer free items. Most companies offer samples of their items such as shampoos and diapers. By using freebies, I don't have to purchase as much.
Buying in Bulk
Buying items in bulk quantities helps save a lot. Non Perishable items such as Toilet Paper, Napkins, Paper Towels, Diapers, etc, can be bought in bulk at a fraction of the cost. If you use a lot of an item such as soup or fruit cocktail, this too can be bought in bulk. Be careful though when buying in bulk, make sure you will use it all before it expires.
Garage Sales
It is true, one man's garbage is another man's treasure. You can find great deals on just about anything at a garage sale.
Freecycle
For those of you who have never heard of this before, there are freecycle groups in almost every area. You post what you want to get rid of and if someone else is in need of it, they pick it up, usually the same day. If you are looking for someone you post a want ad and wait for replies. To find a freecycle group near you just go to here and type in your area.
Budget Billing Your Utilities
In my area, the northeast, my gas and electric bills in the winter are much higher than in the summer months. I have my utility companies budget bill each month, that way I am not hit with huge bills in the winter months. It doesn't cost anymore to have the bills budgeted and I know what to expect every month.
Consolidate Utilities
If you have cable, internet and phone service, you can usually save a lot by consolidating all with one company. For example, I have cable, internet and phone all through my cable company and save on average $500 a year than when I had separate companies for each.
Online Newspapers
I used to get my local newspaper delivered everyday. Instead of paying $6.00 a week now I go online and read it. I still get the Sunday paper, for the coupons, but I signed up when they had a deal and pay less to have it delivered than buying at a newsstand.
Go To The Library
If you love to read, going to the library just might be the thing for you. Books can be expensive. At the library you can borrow the book you want for free and return it when done. Most libraries also have internet access.
Bill Paying Online
The cost of postage is going up again in May 2008. I pay most of my bills online and save. You can pay everything from utilities to credit cards on line now.
The above are ways I try to make the most of my paychecks. With the economy the way it is, we all can use a little extra cash.
