Spend Less, Keep your Money, Get it Back

Simple Steps to Spending Less

1. Buy generic or store brand. I used to work for SuperValu distribution center, a grocery supplier. I saw the trucks unload the name brand sugar, coffee, and other items. I was amazed the as I saw a pallets of store brand coming of the same truck from the same name brand company. It was just packaged differently and had a different label. That is the only difference.

2. Buy in bulk. Use caution with this one. This can save you money but watch your prices. The local Sam’s Club or Costco may sell bigger packs but they may be more expensive too. If the normal unit cost is less and it won’t go bad, buying in bulk can save money. I remember when a local gas station had toilet paper on sale. It was cheaper than anyplace around and I brought home a case. My wife said what the f*&k are we going to do with a case of toilet paper? I said use it. And that we did. We did not buy toilet paper for almost 6 months.

3. Scheduled items less frequently. Haircuts every 2 weeks? Can you wait and get it done after 3 or 4 weeks? How about Car washes, massages, etc? Can you make the interval between visits a little longer?

4. Bag your lunch. Bringing your lunch to work could save about $5-15 a day, depending on where you live and eat lunch. Your frozen leftovers can be better than the hamburger everyday. Plan your meals to have leftovers.

5. Turn off your stuff. TVs, air conditioning, cell phone chargers, etc. Look at all the stuff around your house that is plugged in and has a clock, light or just feels warm. This is electricity that is being used unnecessarily. And you are paying for it! Get some power strips and turn off these “wall warts”.

6. Head to the local library. Want a book? Go to the library instead of Barnes & Noble or Boarder’s. They may not have the latest best seller but it has many great books that can read for free. Why spend $10-50 on a book you will only look at once. If you are like me you start to read it and loose interest before you finish it because it is not as good as the jacket sounded.

7. Don’t drive. If you are lucky to live where there is public transportation, take advantage of it. With gas prices are around $3 per gallon, this can add up quickly. Where can you walk to instead of taking the car? Is there a store closer? Do you need a car to run down to the mailbox? Side benefit: Better health due to exercise and activity.

8. Ask yourself, “Do I really want / need this?” For everything you pick up in a store, ask yourself, “Do I really want/need this?” Not sure put it in the child seat area of your cart (only if a child is not there). When you are about to check out, look at the items that you were unsure about and ask yourself again. Still unsure, leave it at the store.

9. Kick the habit. Smoking is the biggest habit expense. With prices on the rise, look at quitting. It will save not only money but your life.

Already have it so keep it.

1. Change adds up quickly. You’re at your local store and you get $0.35 in change. What do you do with it? Keep it in your pocket or purse until you need a quarter, dime, etc? Put this pocket change in a jar and collect it for a month. If it is change it goes in this jar. At the end of the month take it to your bank or a Coinstar machine and see how much you have accumulated. Now use this to pay off a bill. Or if you are debt free, buy yourself something nice one week and the next week put it in a savings account.

2. Give yourself a pay check. When you get paid make sure you pay yourself. Isn’t this why I work? So I can get money? Yes but many times it goes for rent, mortgage, groceries, gas, etc. Nothing gets saved. Why not pay yourself (put $$$ in savings) first? 1-10% More if you can do it.

Get your money back.

1. Sell your stuff. Take a look at all your stuff. Do you really need it? Are you renting a storage building because you do not have room for it at your home? Sell your stuff on Ebay and Craigslist. If it is not worth anything, give it away to a shelter, on Freecycle or Craigslist. Less stuff to clean, maintain means less stress too.

Just my 2 cents. Jim @ ChangeJarSavings.com