Changing Simple Habits Saves Money

Congratulations on this new and exciting way of life. Being thrifty can be a game, and a life style with lots of satisfaction. I particularly like the mending things instead of buying new. I take great satisfaction in mending and preserving items. One really easy way to save a bit, is to put all your pocket change into a jar every night. Both my husband and I did this, and every year we would manage to save a few hundred dollars. We never really missed that change as we saved it. Sometimes we used that money for a special little weekend vaction for the two of us, sometimes for something for the whole family. Good wishes for your future as you learn more and more about thrift living.

great tips..we cut out going out to eat..and we turned off our cable service..its getting nice outside no reason to be glued to the television all day and night...also we pop our own pop corn now no more expensive microwave popcorn...little things really add up

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You are right simple habits change does save you money, I brown bag my lunch everyday. My brother does this which I think its a great idea. During the spring and summer season, he put a cooler with ice in his car trunk with water and juice. He said when he ran to the mall etc he use to purchase soda's etc, now if he needs a drink he just takes one out of his cooler. He said the ice last for about 2 days. I am trying his idea out this summer.

Thank you kathy for this life-help information. I was reminded of the great advantage of trimming my expenses would turn into an income for investment in the future as what Dan Bach - the author of Automatic Millionaire, inspired me as well. I do recommend to everyone to find yourself a copy of Dan Bach's helpful ideas in terms of saving wisely.

Wow, Kathy -- what a GREAT topic !!! Actually (out of necessity, LOL), it's a bit of a game for us, too. Yes, we do the "buy on special only" for just about everything, and although it's time-consuming I shop at 2-3 different grocery stores, preying on each store's individual specials for that week. Clipping coupons from the Sunday paper is helpful, too. Here's one that lots of folks don't think about, and I've done it for about 20 years now, LOL: Turn off the hot water going to the washer. Most clothing today can be just effectively cleaned using cold water, and many detergents are now formulated for cold water washing. Shop at dollar and thrift stores BEFORE going to your regular grocery store. If you don't like the groceries that most dollar stores carry nowadays, you can certainly still save tons on your paper goods and plastic bags and things like that. Oh, and if you have a toaster oven ($30-100 at Walmart), it's a fantastic power-saving alternative to using the conventional oven. (Doesn't heat up the house in the warmer months, either -- and that helps with conserving A/C.) Now .... If I could just get my husband to put up a clothesline for me, LOLOLOL

Economy does seem to be a lost art. With that loss is also a loss of intimacy, family closeness. It gets to be a game to save money, and the whole family can end up being winners. Have fun saving money this year.

LOL - as a single mother of 4 for the last 15 years I have done all of these and thankfully we have survived. I am proud of the fact that during those years there have only been a few short periods where I had to get assistance. We don't have a lot and have learned to do without a lot of extras but we have had some wonderful times on limited budget.

It is amazing how much money a person can save by making a few changes - it is also amazing how little it takes to get by if you have a mind to try. I always put my change in a jar - I have over $4000 in U.S. Savings Bonds all for pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters thrown in a jar! :)

Yes, that is right. Cost cutting is not that hard as it seems. Changing some simple bad habits, can prevent the misuse of money. I don't understand why people continue smoking, when they can see that a little check can save hundreds of bucks per month.

Sounds like you'll be rich in no time Kathy...I have a friend that rides he bike to work and back everyday spring through fall.She told me once how much she saved ...it was alot.Keep up the good work Hun

Great work done with lot of simplicity. Good friend. You are inspiring me too. After reading your post I have decided I won't go in car to my gym instaed will go walking or jogging . I can also save if I try to and you have given some simple way to start . Thanx

I have always wanted to save money and make it work triple for me. The thing is, I also have list of money-saving habits but I could not really follow them by heart. Recently, my electric bill has shot up so high I could not believe it. So I dediced to cut back on the use of aircon for two hours. I hope it will bring good results. Like you, I am also addicted to diet coke. I think I also need to cut on this and drink more water instead, which is actually more beneficial to my body. Another thing is that my kids and I do not frequent the movies anymore. We would just buy a DVD, which costs far less than the movie tickets.

Thank you so much for the really helpful money saving tips. I am always looking out for ways to cut costs. Very important for moms. I really liked the homemade Christmas gift idea. I think that would also save lots of money on teacher's gifts too. Often kids have to bring each teacher a present and that can be costly. One more really simple way to save money is to get a free promotional calender as it comes out each year. That will save about $20 (not sure what it would be in other currencies.) You can sign up for them online from various companies.

that is very good,congratulation for your success!

Since my husband took a 300 dollar pay cut at his new job, I'm finding ways of saving money as well. Instead of buying top brands on things, buy generic saves money. I got rid of our movie channel package, that saves us 14 bucks each month. Going to the movies is a joke for our family, so I worked online to get some free movie rentals, it's one free rental a month. Last Christmas instead of buying new ornaments, I made sleighs out of ice cream sticks. They also made cute gifts for my niece's and nephew.

When I was working, I'd take my own cans of pop with me, so that I wouldn't buy from the vending machines. I drink a lot of pop, and could go through a 12 pack in 2 or 3 days. Now that I'm home, I still drink a lot, but I get 2 liters and they are so much cheaper!

You seem to have very nice idea that can really contribute in our daily life. I really need some advice in cost cutting and you presented a few tips that might really work. I really think that saving more will just be as effective as earning some money.

hey thts a nice piece of info.... i agree tht changing few things in life can do wonders...even petite things which are not tht imp when integrated means a lot! i like this post of urs...keep the gud work...

Wow now i know what they say about the little things being so important. I guess my problem was when i tryed to do things to save money i was thinking to big. I can really see where doing this could save me a small fortune. I am gonna get started on my list right away. Not only will it help me save money and work within my means better i believe it will be alot of fun thinking of the maybe little things that can go along ways. Thanks again for yet another great tip on life.