Money-saving Tips Around the House

by Evie McDonald, Aug 22, 2008

Try these money-saving tips around your house and see how much money you will save. You might even try subtracting the difference in what you would have otherwise spent and putting it into a savings account or paying down your credit cards.

Pay cash instead of using a credit card. Pay off credit card bills as quickly as possible. For example, pay your gasoline credit card balance completely every month.
Bundle telephone, cell phone, and cable television bills. Shop around to get the lowest price.
Take the highest health insurance deductible you feel comfortable with (at least $1,000 to $5,000), putting what you would have otherwise paid into a Health Savings Account. HSAs are tax-free rather than tax-deferred (like IRAs).
If major-medical insurance is too expensive, consider taking out a basic health insurance policy, such as those offered by United American. Most basic medical insurance policies don't pay for visits to the doctor, but they will pay for surgery, hospital room, accidental injuries, and emergency room visits, provided that you have decided to include this type of coverage in your basic insurance. Remember that some insurance is ultimately less expensive than no insurance at all should you need to go to the hospital.
If your insurance company offers discount cards for physicians, eye glasses, and dentists (as well as a pharmacy discount card), if you aren't that picky, shop around for the lowest costs.
Buy generic rather than brand-name prescription drugs.
Consider separate heating and air conditioning units, so you don't have to heat or cool the part of the house you are not using. Of course, don't turn on the heat until it's absolutely necessary, but discover layering instead, and don't turn on the air-conditioning until it becomes unbearably hot.
Carpool to work, church, and school, or if possible, take public transportation. Go on short vacations with friends and split the cost of driving.
Take the train rather than a plane to distances within a day's travel.
Rediscover the short day trip and over night vacation. This weekend, for example, I'm driving about 125 miles away to see where my paternal grandmother grew up; and two months ago, I went to a family reunion in a town less than 40 miles away that I had never fully explored.
Cut your grass yourself-extra points for using a push, rotary lawn mower (just like Granddad use to do). These mowers cost about $80 at Lowe's and the Home-Depot.
Try planting a rose garden in part of your yard. Knockout roses are hardier than traditional roses and have a longer growing season. Such gardens generally require less watering than grass does; and except for an occasional weeding, they require less care than a lush, grass yard. You might also consider planting part of the yard with ground cover; jasmine and ivy are good choices particularly in shady areas.
Pack a lunch to take to work. If anybody asks, explain that you are trying to loose weight.
Plan at least one or two nights a week with vegetarian meals.
In the summer, substitute ice tea and lemonade for sodas. At home, you can keep a pitcher in the refrigerator; and at work, you can take a thermos or else buy dried mixes. Oh, and save the Starbucks coffee for special occasions.
Buy dry dog food in bulk rather than canned dog food. If your dog hates mushy, watery dog food, heat it with a little water drizzled into the kibbles in the microwave for about 25 seconds.
Clip coupons, but don't just buy a product to use a coupon. Also, note that house brands may be cheaper than products that you may be considering buying with a coupon, so shop smart.
Go to the farmer's market in season. At my local farmer's market a basketful of five or six tomatoes costs three dollars as does a basket full of potatoes, and a basket full of green beans.
Investigate shopping at butchers and small grocery stores that cater to ethnic groups. The prices on some cuts of meats and on some other items may be less than at the neighborhood mega, supermarket. Here again, you need to be a discriminating shopper.

After going window-shopping at the most fashionable shopping center in your area, go outlet and end-of-season shopping. Swear that you will never pay department store prices for shoes or handbags ever again!
Comparison shop discount stores. Some “discount” stores have substantially higher prices than others.
Make an appointment at a local beauty college to have your hair cut, your nails manicured, or to receive a facial.
Shop consignment stores for gently-used or easily refurbished furniture and designer-brand clothes.
Pay your bills online.
If you don't use a health club membership, drop it and walk in the neighborhood park or at the mall instead.
Trade out keeping your neighbors' dogs (or kids for that matter) when taking short vacations.
Checkout books from your public library.
Buy used textbooks and novels through Amazon.com or other online booksellers.
Recycle your computer ink cartridges instead of buying new cartridges. This cuts the cost of buying computer ink approximately in half.
Wrap presents in news print paper, or creatively think of ways to wrap gifts; for example, wrap household items for a bridal shower in a dishcloth. Make gifts instead of buying them. Try gifting family and friends with a knitted sweater, a crocheted afghan, or some homemade jelly. Local craft stores like Michael's will have a schedule of lessons.