Change Jar Savings » Life Hack

How to Save Money and Time – Diaper Bags

Jim — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 13:20:31 +0000

Recently on Twitter Mercedes from Common Sense With Money
made the following statement:

“Why most diaper bags are such monsters, you need room to pack for hours not days. Still looking for minimalistic diaper bag with no luck “

My wife had a solution. Our daughter packs a huge diaper bag for our grand kids for the weekends when they stay by us but we do not want to carry it around to go to the store. My wife started using one of her old purses or her expensive but rugged backpack from her college days. She went back to school when our kids were teenagers.

With both the backpack and the old purse they are large enough for a can of formula a bottle, diapers, wipes and an extra set of clothes. If we need more we either pack two bags or take the one “Mom” packed for the weekend.

Just my 2 cents. Jim @ ChangeJarSavings.com

How to Save by Going Green – Water

Jim — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:00:39 +0000

Got an old toilet? You can cut 5-8% of your water usage by putting a brick or a water filled milk jug in your toilet tank.

Just my 2 cents. Jim @ ChangeJarSavings.com

How to Save Money – Hotels

Jim — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:00:32 +0000

Do you stay at hotels a lot? Going on a two week vacation? Have you checked out the hotel loyalty programs? Many hotel chains give discounts and free nights after so many paid nights. Years ago I stayed for business at Hampton Inn 5 nights a week. After a few weeks I was able to take my family on a weekend trip and spend the night in a hotel free.

Just my 2 cents. Jim @ ChangeJarSavings.com

How to Save Time and Money – Tolls

Jim — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:00:41 +0000

If you are so lucky to live by toll roads, invest a pass for your state toll roads, such as New Jersey’s E-Z Pass, Illinois’ I Pass and Florida’s SunPass. You can preload money on the pass and not waste gas or your time waiting in line. Some programs offer discounts to you when you use a pass too.

Just my 2 cents. Jim @ ChangeJarSavings.com

How to Save Your Money – Loaded Car

Jim — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:00:44 +0000

No your car is not drunk. But it could be overweight! All that junk in the trunk you know. What is in your trunk or in the bed of your pickup could be costing you money in decreased gas mileage. Losing 100 pounds of weight in your car can give you up to a 2% better mileage.

Just my 2 cents. Jim @ ChangeJarSavings.com

How to Save Time and Money – Filler up

Jim — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:00:09 +0000

Gas expands as it warms. The pump will measure correct number of gallons regardless of the time of day. However as soon as the gas goes into your tank it starts to warm and expand. So you could wind up getting less gas in your tank latter in the day than you would if you fill up in the morning when the air and your gas tank is cool.

Just my 2 cents. Jim @ ChangeJarSavings.com

How to Save Time and Money – Drive Through

Jim — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:00:51 +0000

Go in the McDonald’s, Burger King, etc. The drive through seems it should be quicker but most times it is quicker to go inside because everyone is waiting in the drive through. Not only will you save time but gas. Your car will be off while you get your food rather than idling creating more carbon and cost you more gas money.

Just my 2 cents. Jim @ ChangeJarSavings.com

How to Save Time and Money – Prescriptions

Jim — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:00:21 +0000

Order your meds by mail. Forget the lines at the pharmacy. Check with your HR department and see if you health insurance has a mail order program.

Most plans require a 90 day supply of your prescriptions so it will not work for some medications but most can be done this way. If your insurance does have a mail order pharmacy, get the papers and then bring them to your doctor.

You save time by not waiting. You save money by many mail order Rx providers charging two month co-pay for a 3 month supply. For example a prescription costs $20 for a one month supply will cost you $40 through mail order. The same prescription through the normal pharmacy for 3 months would cost $60 ($20 per month). You save $20!

Just my 2 cents. Jim @ ChangeJarSavings.com

Family Calendar Life Hack

Jim — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 22:53:26 +0000

Here is a life hack for your busy family life. Years ago when I had to cart teenage kids to work, school functions, friends,etc all because they did not drive yet, our schedules were always crossed. Someone was left waiting. No one knew when anyone worked or had to be some place.

I came up with a plan. I bought some colored markers (thin line) and a desk calendar. I put the calendar up in the stairwell to the basement so it was out of sight to guests. Each family memebr had a different color marker. They wrote all their appointments on the calendar.

If someone was not home from school when I thought they should be I looked at the calendar and there was a note saying my daughter had band practice after school or my son was going to so and so’s house to work on a project. I could also tell who had to be carted where each day. Total cost was less than $10.00.

Just my 2 cents. Jim @ ChangeJarSavings.com

Low Cost Christmas Ideas

Jim — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 18:47:00 +0000

With all the spending going on in the next few days, I thought I would share a couple ideas that we have used for Christmas gifts.

Everyone likes food. Since we first dated, my wife has baked for the holidays. All the relatives are happy with the breads and cookies. She skipped one year and still has not heard the last of it.

We have a 16 year old niece. A year ago we bought her minutes for her pay as you go phone. It was like we gave her a car.

Speaking of a car, the same niece started driving this year and she has a car now. But she has to pay for everything, repairs, gas, Insurance, etc. We gave her a gas card. It was her favorite present. She still thanks us for it a month later.

We also watch thrift stores. Many times we find name brand clothes with original tags from the name brand stores still on them. We have also collected crystal.

If you are really broke, try this. One year I had no job and no money. I looked at all my processions and found special items that I knew someone would love as much as me. I then gave each one away with a note on how I acquired the item and what it meant to me and why they were special to me too.

Here are a couple of ideas I found on the web that I thought are good too.

Set up a Google Talk account for a relative that lives far away and buy them a web cam. They can have video conversations with you. They can see grandkids, etc.

Piggy bank or savings bonds. Start a college fund for a youngster.

Free labor is a great idea if you have no cash. Babysitting for a night or two, cleaning every Saturday morning for a month, mowing the lawn or shoveling snow, painting, etc.

Just my 2 cents. Jim @ ChangeJarSavings.com