Your Personal Finances: Unexpected Savings
We are all familiar with the tried-and-true methods of saving money. Savings accounts, grocery coupons and turning the lights off are all great, yet obvious, ways to keep money in your pocket. But you can dig a little deeper, and find savings in some unexpected places. Below are some ideas for extra savings that won't cramp your style.
Grocery store sales run in cycles. If you miss a sale, rest assured, it will come around again within a month or so. Since there are rarely coupon savings for meat, the best way to save is to follow the sales, stock up, and freeze. If money is tight, you can start small, and add to your freezer as funds allow. You can save a bundle buying meat this way. Never be afraid to seek the help of the butcher or meat counter attendant for some extra savings. For instance, pre-sliced meat for stir-fry is quite pricey, but if you find the cut of meat you like, you can have it sliced up the way you like it at no extra charge.
Spend time in the local library, instead of the pricey bookstores. If you just enjoy reading, set aside some time each week to visit a library alone, or with your children, and enjoy the quiet, relaxing atmosphere. Some libraries even have coffee stands, so you can have a cup of java while you read. Examples of things that can save you money besides books are magazines, newspapers, and cookbooks. Look around for some great surprises.
Gas prices getting you down? Try hanging up the car keys, and using public transportation. You can literally save hundreds of dollars each month by taking the bus, train or simply carpooling. The longer your commute, the more money you will save.
Put a full plastic bottle of water inside your toilet tank to save money every time you flush! The bottle of water displaces some of the tank water, and you won't use as much. Considering how much water is used flushing the toilet every day, the savings on your water bill can really add up.
Learn the fine art of haggling. Many places, such as grocery stores, don't haggle with customers, but there are many places where you can score a bargain just by asking for a discount. Savings are even better if you offer to pay less if you buy more. Some good places to try this out can be flea markets, farmer's markets, thrift stores and butcher shops.
Learn how to make everyday cleaning items yourself. The internet is full of reputable sites that teach how to make household cleaning products very cheaply. When you don't have to pay for the fancy containers, store overhead and marketing, items, such as laundry soap, dishwasher soap and shampoo are just a few of the things you can make from simple ingredients.
If you use a smartphone, you can compare prices with other stores to be sure you are getting the best prices. Most stores have websites that display weekly flyers to compare prices. But, you can also download apps to your phone that do the comparisons for you, telling you where to find the best deals. How easy is that?
These are just a few ideas that can help you keep money in the bank, instead of in other people's pockets. With a little creativity and savvy, you can find even more ways to save. And those dollars you are saving add up very quickly!
