Ten Practical Tips That Save Money

Saving money is not as hard as it seems. Here are ten practical tips that you can do to begin saving money, without changing your lifestyle.

1. Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs. CFL bulbs consume 80% less energy than incandescent bulbs, but give the same illumination. Make sure to buy only lamps and bulbs that have the Energy Star rating to ensure quality compliance.

2. Make a list when going to the grocery and stick to it! Anything that is not on the list is not a “need”, but merely a “want” so avoid busting your pockets for unnecessary items. Buy non-perishable consumables in bulk to benefit from bulk discounts.

3. Use coupons when available. Take the time and have the patience to clip and organize grocery coupons. When added together, savings from using all coupons in one grocery trip can be as much as $20-$30. Purchase dining and shopping coupons online and print them at home. Doing so can save you at least 50% on the face value of the coupons.

4. Buy online, whenever possible. Online stores pass their savings from rental costs and warehousing to the online consumer, thus they can afford as much as 70% off their rack price. When buying items online, Google it first together with the word, “discount code”. This can give you further reductions on the item you want to purchase. Try also online bidding: they offer at least 75% off the original purchase price, for practically new (slightly used!) items.

5. Take lunch to work. Buy potato chips and soda from the grocery and make a homemade sandwich and pack them in a brown bag.

6. Eat homemade dinners as often as possible. Plan menus that are practical and easy-to-cook to encourage eating at home. Save money by dining out only on special occasions.

7. Use everyday pantry items for skin and body care. Cucumbers, honey, milk, lemon, salt and baking soda are some items in your home that can also be used to take care of your skin.

8. Avoid shopping to de-stress. Try walking around the park or watching a movie instead.

9. Bring your own sodas and snacks when watching a movie. The cost of sodas and snacks are at least 25% higher in movie houses. Plus, homemade popcorn tastes much better: you can put on all the salt and butter you want!

10. Pay off your credit card balances each month and avoid finance charges. Better yet, use cash as much as possible, unless using plastic will give you a better deal (0% interest on appliance purchases, or cash rebates).

Recent Family Finance News

What I Learned from The New Jersey Housewives - CBS MoneyWatch.com - Last year a survey out of The University of Arizona asked college students who or what taught them the most about finances. Hands down, the kids replied that they learned everything they know ? or don't know? from mom and dad. ... I'm curious to see if Teresa learns to live within a budget. Of course, if she does start balancing her checkbook, I'm not sure too many people will continue to tune in. Do you think your children are influenced more by their peers when it comes ... [Read More...]

» Family Finance: Top Mistakes Young Families Make - So, what do you think about these financial mistakes young families make? If you have a plan around each of them, would you feel more confident around your financial situation? Tagged as: Budgeting, family, finance ... [Read More...]

Proven Ways to Create a Perfect Family Budget! | Life quotes - Remember that you have total control of your own monthly family budget to develop, depending on your family's financial background and needs. No matter how you do it, just focus on the end result, Which is to build a savings to a bright ... [Read More...]

$1m budget - best family area (max 1 hr commute)? - PomsInOz Forum - Thread, Thread Starter, Forum, Replies, Last Post. Melbourne: Young Family Budget, ausau, Money & Finance, 1, 17-04-2010 12:09 PM. kings park family area meet up? spem, Socialising & Get Togethers, 9, 21-12-2009 02:35 PM ... [Read More...]

Stock Index Investments For Retirement And Saving - Be aware of how your current personal savings rate influences your family's financial security. Beyond your hard work to earn more money, your personal savings. ... The best home personal money management software will assist you in determining sustainable personal budget expenditure levels which would still permit you to succeed with your lifetime personal finance plan. You need a way to project what is a durable long-run consumption rate. The top home financial software ... [Read More...]

Fund Investments And Savings Rates | gold coins - gold coin prices ... - The best family personal finance saving program can help you to understand sustainable personal budget expenditure levels which would permit you to succeed with your full-life personal finance goals. You must have a way to evaluate what ... [Read More...]