Earlier this month, employees were laid off from Northwest Airlines. As part of the literature that was given by the NEAS company, a 4 page booklet containing 101 Ways to Save Money was given to departing employees.
The complete list of 101 ways (in the extended entry) contains such gems as "#46: Don-t be shy about pulling something you like out of the trash."
- Set your thermostat to 64 and turn it down to 60 at night.
- Use the phone book instead of directory assistance.
- Use coupons at the grocery store.
- Carpool.
- Ask for generic prescriptions instead of brand name.
- Do your own nails.
- Rent out a room or garage.
- Replace 100 watt bulbs with 60 watt.
- Make long distance calls at night and on weekends, instead of mid-day, mid-week.
- Throw pocket change in a jar and take it to the bank when it's full.
- Always grocery shop with a list.
- Buy spare parts for your car at a junkyard.
- Go to museums on free days.
- Quit smoking.
- Get hand-me-down clothes and toys for your kids from family and friends.
- Meet friends for coffee instead of dinner.
- Request to get interest on a security deposit for your apartment.
- Take a shorter shower.
- Write letters instead of calling.
- Brown bag your lunch.
- Make your own babyfood.
- Use public transportation.
- Drop duplicate medical insurance.
- Buy old furniture at yard sales and refinish it yourself.
- Apply for scholarships and financial aid.
- Exercise for free-walk, jog, bike, or get exercise videos from the library.
- Form a baby-sitting cooperative with friends and neighbors.
- Buy your clothes off season.
- Go to a matinee instead of an evening show.
- Share housing with a friend or family member.
- Hang clothes out to dry.
- Do not use your calling card.
- Volunteer two hours a month for reduced cost food through the Share Program.
- Change the oil in your car yourself regularly.
- Get pre-approval from your medical insurance company before undergoing any procedures or tests.
- Buy 'no frills' vitamins.
- Take a date for a walk along the beach or in the woods.
- Make cards and gifts for friends.
- Shop in thrift stores.
- Have your water company do an audit so you are not charged sewage fees for water used in your garden.
- Refinance your mortgage.
- Grocery shop on double coupon days.
- Trade down your car for a less expensive, lower maintenance one.
- Convert your cash value life insurance to term.
- Shop around for eyeglasses.
- Don-t be shy about pulling something you like out of the trash.
- Recycle.
- Move to a less expensive place to live.
- Use low flush toilets or water saving devices in the tank.
- Drop unneeded telephone services like call forwarding or caller ID.
- Buy fruits and vegetables in season.
- Avoid using your ATM card at machines that charge a fee.
- Bicycle to work.
- Shop around for auto insurance discounts for multiple drivers, seniors, good driving records, etc.
- Ask your doctor for samples of prescriptions.
- Borrow a dress for a big night out. or go to a consignment shop.
- When you buy a home negotiate the sales price and closing costs.
- Turn the hot water heater down and wrap it with insulation.
- Never grocery shop hungry.
- If you qualify, file for Earned Income Credit.
- Shop around for prescriptions including mail order companies (Medi-Mail 800-331-1458, Action Mail Order Drugs 800-452-1976, and AARP 800-456-2277).
- If you pay for childcare, make use of the dependent care tax credit or your employer's dependent care flexible spending account.
- Buy, sell, and trade clothes at consignment shops.
- Shop around for the lowest banking fees.
- Caulk windows and doors.
- Iron your own shirts.
- Plan your weekly food menu before shopping.
- Buy a good used car instead of a new model car.
- Purchase all of your insurance from the same company to get a discount.
- Cut your cable television down to basic.
- Go to an optometrist for routine vision tests or to change an eyeglass prescription.
- Buy pre-owned toys and children's books at garage sales.
- Have potluck dinners with friends and family instead of going out.
- Use the library for books, video tapes, and music.
- Inspect clothing carefully before purchasing it.
- Don't use your dishwasher dry cycle; open the door and let them air dry all night.
- At the grocery store, comparison shop by looking at the unit price.
- Make your own coffee.
- Use old newspapers for cat litter.
- Shop at discount clothing stores.
- Skip annual full mouth x-rays unless there is a problem; the ADA recommends x-rays every 3 years.
- Water your garden at night or early in the morning.
- Shop around for long distance rates.
- Hand wash instead of dry cleaning.
- Grow your own vegetables and herbs.
- Shop around for auto financing.
- Donate time instead of money to religious organizations and charities.
- If you are leaving a room for more than five minutes, turn off the light.
- Shop at auctions or pawn shops for jewelry and antiques.
- Keep your car properly tuned.
- Request lower interest rates from your creditors.
- Trade in old books, records, and CDs at book and record exchanges.
- Pay bills the day they arrive; many credit card companies charge interest based on your average daily balance.
- Buy software at computer fairs.
- Search the internet for freebies.
- Compost to make your own fertilizer.
- If your car has very little value, you probably only need liability insurance.
- Cut the kids hair yourself.
- Increase your insurance deductible.
- Buy in bulk food warehouses.
- If your income is low, contact utility companies about reduced rates.
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